Have a look at photos of wildlife, festivals and travel sites here. Sharing tips for travelers with a twist of humor is part the life I enjoy in Okinawa, Japan. Photos and text Copyright © Michael Lynch. All photos contain traced digital watermarks. You may contact:http://www.ryukyulife.com/ for licensing.
Showing posts with label Itoman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Itoman. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 4, 2019
Wednesday, July 25, 2018
Wednesday, November 23, 2016
Wednesday, November 16, 2016
Monday, November 14, 2016
12 Images of Okinawa's Sailing Sabani Boats
Itoman City Mayor's Cup Race
The event took place NOV 13th at Bibi Beach in Itoman, Okinawa, Japan.
Ryukyu Life dictates, I must spend a few days getting a feel for things.
Two days and nights of, having too much fun, can wear a cameraman out. I loved it !
In no particular order other than, how they came out of the camera, here are some of the boats.
One of the things, I enjoy most, about the Ryukyu Islands is November weather.
This scene, depicts the rugged working conditions, I never complain about.
Two cameras and three lenses, accompanied me on this trip, along with a sturdy tripod.
Wide angle shots were planned, for catching many boats in scenes.
But, I wanted the ability, to photograph, Ken Uehara, during the races, also.
He is sort of a living legend and, over the years, has become a good friend of mine.
Five years, my senior, Ken stands out on the jetty, to wave a red flag, starting each race.
And, he makes me sit next to him, as an honored guest, during evening celebrations.
At times, sabani boats move faster, with the sail lowered, using paddle power.
Offered a ride on a safety/escort boat, I declined. I'm not that crazy.
A tripod, works much better, when your feet are on the ground.
It took some maneuvering around but, I could capture photos, in the light I liked best.
An escort boat's mission, is primarily for the safety of the boat teams.
Riding aboard one of them, would often require, shooting towards the sun.
For me, catching some of the boat crew's faces, was more important.
Off in the distance, the Kerama Islands, can be seen on the horizon.
The orange buoy marks the finish of the races.
Over the course of two days and nights, I must have taken 2,000 photos.
Hopefully, each team got their photos taken and, I can give them some pictures.
Now, I'm sort of an old guy and, got stuck, shooting a team of girls. Yuk.
But, when I do an event like this, I try to get all the teams.
Well, in the photo at the top of this page, those girls came in 1st place.
The little darlings.... Now, I love them all !
Thursday, August 27, 2015
Food Photo: Octopus on Ice at Itoman Fish Market
Camera: Pentax K3
Lens: Pentax 18-250 at 58mm
Exposure: f/11 1/2sec ISO 100
Location: Itoman City, Okinawa, Japan
Date and Time: AUG 27, 2015 11:55AM
Here's What We Learned About Octopuses Today
- They are the smartest invertebrates you will ever find on the planet Earth.
- They learn from observing other creatures of their family and repeating their actions.
- They figure out how to solve problems and, can even unscrew a cap from a jar.
- They have been observed using rocks and shells, as tools.
- They build little forts around their homes, constructed from shells and stones gathered.
- An octopus has three hearts. One pushes blood through the body. The others, pump the
- blood supply through the arms.
- They can change their body shape to mimic other animals. They change colors, as well.
- They can lose an arm to escape capture and, it will grow back later.
References:
Saturday, August 8, 2015
The Cave Called Dondon Gama in Itoman
Found While Researching a Folk Story
It's fun checking the background for local legends and folklore.
Sometimes, you come across landmarks or historical evidence behind the stories.
Armed with a print copy and some internet references, I went looking for this cave.
An online map listed it as Dondon Gama, located in London Park.
At the park, two teachers were watching a group of children playing.
Asked if, they knew the location of Dondon Gama, they checked on an iPhone.
And, they pointed up the hill, across the road from the playground.
A sign mentioned, London Gama and, pointed the direction to the entrance.
There was barely a trail visible and it was a little bit rough going.
This is the time of year, you don't want to accidentally, wake a sleeping snake up.
Besides watching where you step, it's a good idea to look up, too.
Every now and then, spiders (as big as your hand) will have webs, stretched across the trail.
The entrance to the cave is mostly overgrown with weeds and vines.
Just beyond the stones stacked in this scene, is the cave.
Of the three entrances, only two are large enough for an adult to fit through.
The largest one may be seen in the Umiyakara and Dondon Gama folktale.
There were signs of rituals performed (incense and sake cups) within the cave.
Staying outside and taking photos, was enough adventure, for me so, I did not enter.
On a hot day in August, it feels good to get back into civilization.
Fifteen minutes walking down the hill to the Itoman Library, was what took place from here.
It turned out to be a good idea because, they had air-conditioning and free drinking water.
Plus, a librarian confirmed we, discovered the cave named, Dondon Gama !
Saturday, July 25, 2015
Okinawa Folktale: Umiyakara and Dondon Gama
It Started in a Cave
A stranger arrived in the fishing village of Itoman a long time ago.
No one was sure where he came from but, they knew he lived in Dondon Gama.
It was a cave, on the hill, overlooking the town and fishing port.
A very successful fisherman, he became known as, Umiyakara (うみやから).
Roughly translated, his name meant: hard-working man of the ocean.
The prettiest girl in town, moved into the cave to live with him.
The beauty's name was Chiru.
Plot to Kill
The rest of the young fishermen envied Umiyakara.
If he was eliminated, Chiru would stop ignoring them and, move back into town.
They invited Umiyakara to go on a boat trip with them.
They brought along plenty of sake and, got him drunk, planning to drown him.
They threw him overboard and whacked him on the head with boat oars.
When he tried to get back in the boat, they smacked him on the head, again and again.
Finally he went under and, never came back up.
Believe in Magic ?
The next day, Umiyakara showed up at the port with his usual, record catch of fish.
It was as if the events of the prior evening never took place.
Umiyakara, didn't mention anything about it and, went about his business, selling fish.
Evil Buddies Devise a New Plan
The rest of the young fishermen figured Umiyakara was impossible to kill.
They decided to write a song about him, Chiru and, their relationship.
Thinking the song would make the villagers ridicule them, it would break them up.
This plan backfired, too. People were delighted singing about the two lovers.
The song, "Umiyakara" became popular and is still sung, to this day:
REFERENCES:
Okinawan Folk Stories ISBN978-4-99009-146-0 P.90
Condensed from: Umiyakara Dondon
Friday, June 19, 2015
Travel Photo: Dragon Boat
This boat has just been turned upright and, is continuing to race.
Three boats participating in the event are deliberately capsized halfway through the course.
After the team gets back aboard, some folks paddle, while others, bail the water out of the hull.
Camera: Pentax K3
Lens: Pentax 18-250 with 1.4 converter at focal length of 168mm
Location: Itoman Port, Okinawa, Japan
Date and Time: June 19, 2015 2:27PM
Friday, November 21, 2014
Travel Photo: The Sailing Sabani Boats in Itoman
Camera: Pentax K3 on a tripod.
Lens: Pentax DA-300mm
Exposure: f/5.6 1/800 ISO 100
Date and Time: Nov 2, 2014 9:57AM
Monday, November 3, 2014
5 Motion GIF's from a Traditional Sailing Sabani Boat Race
An Annual Event in Itoman Okinawa
There must be some way, we can figure out how to publicize this event in adance.
It's good, clean fun and, no alcohol drinking or, bet making goes on, as far as I can know.
There isn't a better way to spend a November day than this.
There was plenty of sunshine, fresh air, an ocean breeze and a good time was had by all.
One time, I went to that 5 star hotel, in the background.
The people, at the front desk, were real polite.
But, when, I asked if they knew where the sabani races were, they didn't know.
They should probably, climb the stairs and, look out the windows, once in awhile.
They have men and women, paddling and sailing those wooden boats.
Watching these boat races is more fun than, trying to view a marathon or, golf tournament.
When the wind blows, just right, the boats move real fast, without even paddling.
After they circle the designated buoys, they may be sailing into the wind.
That's when, people power and paddles, come in handy.
This is one of the highlights of a sabani get-together that, I think is important.
Everywhere they go, children and pets are welcome.
And, at any beach they use, a cleanup is held.
Don't you wish, you had sabani sailing people, come to a beach near your neck of the woods ?
Sunday, November 2, 2014
Itoman Sailing Sabani Race 2014 Colorful GIF
The better part of a sunny Sunday was spent at this event.
This motion GIF is just a tiny sample of what was photographed at the sabani races.
Thousands of images are being downloaded and will be processed at a later date.
The winning team has a photo from a previous race featured on my homepage.
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Hakugindo Shrine in Itoman Today (Photo)
Sabani Boats Paraded in Itoman Okinawa Today
One of my favorite shots was this one.
It was taken with the Pentax K3, while I was rocking and rolling in another boat.
After paddling the sabani boats the through the harbor we visited this shrine.
Prayers and offerings were made and the boats were paddled back to where they started.
It was a fairly exciting day and, I even got to do some paddling.
And the people of Itoman City are friendly.
But, when they invited me to party with them afterwards, I had to decline.
There are about 100 images, I still have to develop.
My camera and tripod already had their showers and now it's time for me to get mine !
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Ten Photos of the 2013 Itoman Mayor's Cup Sabani Race + Video
It all starts with the wave of the red flag.
There is also a lot of noise made by a gong and a conch shell.
Pretty much immune to noise (hearing impaired) I ignore all the sounds and just shoot.
The goal, for me, is to get good photos, of as many sabani boats as I can.
As a cameraman, covering an event, you have to be impartial.
Shoot all the boats, coming and going.
It doesn't matter if there's a favorite boat on the water.
At an event like the Mayor's Cup, getting photos of every boat is what counts.
Why do I make sure I get a photo of every boat ?
Well, just think about it for a minute.
Remember your high school yearbook. Look at it if you can still find it.
How would you feel if everybody else was in there and, they just left you out ?
Video from Okinawa, Japan: Itoman Mayor's Cup by Hiroyuki Nakagawasai
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Working Portrait of the Week: The Cameraman
A Little Explanation
First, the sun isn't going to shine, like that again, the rest of this week.
Secondly, that's a woman, shooting the big camera. I know.
Cameraman, is what I call her.
Cameralady, just doesn't sound right.
At the Itoman Sabani Races
There isn't much time for socializing, when you're shooting a boat racing event.
They were giving opening ceremony speeches when I asked her.
"Are you a cameraman?"
She replied in the affirmative. And, I got permission to shoot her.
But, forgot to ask her name !
Another Tropical Storm Is Brewing
I know, there won't be anymore photos, of this sort, coming out of my camera, the whole week.
Maybe, this gal will find me over on Facebook.
Then, I can find out who she is and, give her a printed, working portrait.
And, possibly, I'll get a model release signed, too !
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Travel Photo: The Race Is On for Sailing Sabani Boats
Location: Itoman City, Okinawa, Japan
Camera: Pentax K5
Lens: Pentax 18-250mm
Exposure: f/11 1/250 ISO 100
A few of the photos from today's Sabani boat races may be seen on my Facebook Page.
And, a few hundred more, are waiting processing.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Get Ready, Get Set, Tip Your Boat Over During the Race !
A Highlight of the Dragonboat Races
This isn't something you see happen at many boat races.
Half way through the course, the teams deliberately capsize their boats.
It's a ritual performed at the Dragonboat Races of Itoman, Okinawa, Japan.
Three boat teams overturn the boats but, I wanted to zoom-in and show just one.
It's called the Kunnukaze (Capsize) race.
The boat is rolled over and completely filled with sea water.
Everybody hops back in and starts paddling and bailing out water, like crazy.
There's no sump pump or, motors involved here; just pure muscle power.
Nobody on the team gripes or complains. They just bail and paddle.
With the last man on board, they finally get someone to do the steering !
More about the Itoman Dragonboat Races.
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