Showing posts with label Hula. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hula. Show all posts

Friday, July 7, 2017

Animation: Zamami Island Hula Dancers

Hula dancing at Zamami Port Okinawa


Gals from 8-80 Do the Hula on Zamami Island


Not wanting to pick on the youngest, I photographed some middle age ones.

The very young girls were talented but, sort of shy, around and old bearded guy with a camera.

The elderly ones, I'd be shy around them. They could probably beat me at armwrestling.

When, one of these Hula ladies, smiled at me, I jumped up on a picnic table and began shooting.

Camera:  Pentax K1

Lens: Pentax 18-250 at 42 MM

Exposure:  f/5   1/1000   ISO 1600

Location:  Zamami Island Port Okinawa Japan

Date and Time:  JULY 1 2017  7:02 PM

Sunday, February 12, 2017

Animations from a Cherry Blossom Festival and a Bonus

Kin Town Sakura Matsuri 2017


Every once in awhile I spend a good 20 hour day, getting myself exhausted.

 GIFs from events that took place late yesterday, will give you an idea of the fun I have,

Fence post burning in a metal can, heat


It's been chilly and windy so, some heat was provided, under the festival tents.

If, you've ever burned a treated fence post, to keep warm, you'll know, why I stayed outside.

I don't know if those fumes are poisonous but, they sure don't smell too healthy, to me.


Okinawan women doing a Hawaiian Hula Dance


Okinawa has strong ties with Hawaii so, it's no surprise that hula dancing is popular.

There must be thousands of Okinawan families living on the Hawaiian Islands.

I'm no expert on dances but, they seem to have the movements down pat.

The gang in the sound and lighting tent, must have thought, I was nuts.

That music and gals dancing, got me wiggling around with my camera, dancing too !


A belly dancer doing her motions on a festival stage


They had a gang of belly dancing girls but, I thought this one was the most photogenic.

There was two groups of these dancers. Let's just call them the older and younger clans.

Elder's better if, you ask me. The young ones are skinny and wear false eyelashes. Yuck.

See, I figure the elder ones, don't want to get married and make babies.

For them, the dance is an art. Young ones are probably, looking to catch a rich guy. Hah.

When the skinny gals danced, I got way back and used the zoom lens on them.

My legs are sore today, from all the things I was doing, to keep the sound booth entertained.

From now on, I'll let the professionals, do the hula and belly dance, without me.


Children doing karate with weapons

There were children, of all ages, demonstrating their karate movements.

The weapons that guy and gal are using, are know as sai.

One end of the tool can be used to puncture you. Or, they can punch you with the other end. 

Many more images were made of the youngsters and their sensei.

As they get processes, I'll add some here or, to a Facebook album, at a later date.

From the festival grounds, I had to get back to my office and change camera lenses.


FEB 11 2017 full moon


Here's the Bonus



At 7:42 PM the clouds moved away from the moon and, I was ready for it.

At that point, I'd done a fair share of work but, had plenty more things to do.

The camera got downloaded and I threw the battery in a charger, to hurry out of here.

For a whole month, I hadn't been to any of the watering hole, drinking.

Last night, the wife and I, went on a bar hopping date, I guess you'd call it.

It was a blast, we must have hit 4 or 5 joints, drinking and singing karaoke.



At one place, I met a witch doctor (yuta) who joked and drank beer with me.

Mixing with the locals is part of my job and, that's how I learn plenty about the island culture.

The night went on and on and, by 2:30 the bride and I, decided to take a taxi home.

We were both having some trouble navigating but, no taxi cabs were available.

"It's only a five minute walk, downhill, to get home" I said. It took a bit longer.

We held on to each other and wobbled/rolled/ sort of stumbled to the house.

Once I got to the kitchen table, I looked at the clock. It was 3 in the morning.

That's how I figured out, it was another one of those 20 hour days.


PS One of my reliable contacts, told me, the moon will be bigger and brighter tonight.

Gotta run and get the camera ready !

Saturday, October 29, 2016

3 More Animated GIF's -- 2016 Uchinanchu Matsuri

Festivities End Tomorrow


This parade took place OCT 26th, the day before opening ceremonies.

Friends and families from 18 countries, appeared on Okinawa for the 3 day festival.

Closing events begin at 5 PM and last until 9 PM OCT 30, 2016.

Have a peek at some of the smiling faces and brilliant colors, marching down the street.


Alaska Association parades down Kokusai Street in Naha, Okinawa

Alaska Kenjinkai


Visitors from Argentina marching in Uchinanchu parade

Argentine Kenjinkai


Hawaiian hula dancers and ukulele players marching

Hawaiian Ukulele and Hula Dancers


The camera batteries, are all charged up and, ready to go, I'm gonna miss this crowd.

It seems like, I haven't been doing anything lately but, developing images.

One of those gals from Alaska, brought me some gifts and, I didn't get a chance to thank her.

If no blog post gets done tomorrow, that means, I'm out of town.


Sunday, December 7, 2014

What the Heck Is a Nuchigusui Festival ?

Kin Town Held the Annual Event Today

 

 

Nichigusui is a word used in the local dialect of the Ryukyu Islands.

It can mean, healthy food or drink.

Another definition: Life's elixir or, something that makes you feel good.

Have a look at some of the activities, I witnessed today in the GIF format.


tuna fish being butchered

A big crowd gathers every year to see a tuna get carved up and, help eat it, too.

Before catching this act, I wandered through the fair and looked at everything.

They have health foods, beverages like tea and all kinds of healthy treats.

But the part that makes me feel good is all the activities outside, on the stage.


singing and dancing group, stage


 This group, opened with a tune that's been stuck in my head all day.

They sang in Japanese but, I recognized the melody and, researched it just in case.

If they want to learn the original version, here's the words:







dance, stage, audience

The guys and gals in yellow put on a lively show.

They were singing and doing some classic Okinawan dances.

Just look at the folks in the audience, rocking away, on their Orion Beer crates.


dance, red fans

 Not sure what this act was, I'll just call them the red fan dancers.

They were good and, I wouldn't mind having one of those fans, when summer rolls around next year.



Hula, dancers


Everybody, recognizes this good old Hawaiian dance, I bet.

A little bit off today's topic but something crazy happened to a friend of mine.

She was a Hula dancer, living in a village far away.

The gal had her hair shortened a couple of inches and the Hula Sensei, kicked her off the team.

Somebody needs to talk to that Hula teaching lady.

Does she think people are really watching the Hula girls heads ?  Duh !



classic, Ryukyu dance


Way back behind to crowd, I was shooting this scene and tapping my foot.

They were playing some of my favorite local music.

All of a sudden. it dawned on me, I had to get closer.

See that guy on the far left of the stage ?



Okinawan dance, music, sanba


 He is the Mayor of Kin Town and, was up there performing.

What a good sport.  He's even playing the sanba.

If, I see him out in town tonight maybe, I'll buy him a beer !

In conclusion, nuchigusui, isn't just about health foods and exercise.

The elixir could be smelling flowers, listening to good music or, dancing on a beer crate.

Being happy, is part of the Okinawan formula for staying healthy.

Today's entertainment, worked for me.










Monday, November 4, 2013

12 Photos From the Awase Tsunahiki (Tug-O-War) in Okinawa

 

 

It Should Be Called the Event of the Decade

 

They only hold this Tug-O-War once every 10 years.

Looking for some (online) references, in English, I came up empty handed.

So, I went early, to mingle with the locals and see what I could learn.


Rituals at Shrine Torii Gate, men with sticks


It was a good thing.

The team members go to a shrine and, pray, the morning of the Tsunahiki.


young girls blow conch shells as horns



Before noon, these youngsters, started blowing conch shells, like they were horns.


ritual stick fight by costumed men



They're still on the temple grounds when a friendly (sort of ) stick fight breaks out.

The guys in blue are from the east end of town.

Red headbands are those from the west.


view of loop at half of tug rope



While the challengers from the east and west took a lunch break, I went here.

Looking towards the east, this is half of the monster-rope they'll be tugging.


large loop at West end of tug rope



And, I shot an image of the west end, too.



side view of Tug-O-War rope



Sitting on the ground, I composed this shot, before the street got too crowded.


smaller ropes for tugging



People are always asking me, how you get your hands to pull such a big rope.

Well, you don't, grab the big rope.


little hands on smaller rope, children participate



The ropes made for little hands, are attached to the big-monster rope.

So, even mothers and daughters can join the party.


elderly man contestant



Seniors are welcome, too !


Hula dancers performing in street



There was a Hula Dance Group that performed (even though it rained) before the tug.



rain but, hula dancing continues



They must have pleased the rain spirits.



men protect ears from firecrackers



The gang, from the west end of town, celebrated with firecrackers, before the tug began.

Stay tuned, for more.....