Wordless Wednesday: Fancy Footwear

Wordless Wednesday SEP 28 2016

Animation (GIF) Unwired in the Hills of Okinawa

Centuries Old Ritual

 

 

Late yesterday afternoon, found me up there, shooting a dance in the mountains.

It's been about four years, since the last time I'd been at this ceremony.

Back then, I ended up, going to the celebrations at the conclusion of the events.

After sipping a few of the local spirits, a bunch of us, piled into taxi cabs.

Off, we went, for a night of drinking and singing.

Once all the sacred things are done, those gals like to unwind a bit.  Me too.

Older But Wiser

 

Knowing, I be shooting a thousand photos or more, I did things differently, this year.

The cameras got packed away and, I sneaked down off the hill.

Then, went to a secret location, to drink, without any of those angels.

Looking back at images taken in 2012, I see several familiar faces from yesterday's shoot.

In the next few weeks, I'll probably be delivering photos to those gals.

If, anybody asks, why I skipped out, last night, I'll have to tell them something.

They're a great group of people, to hangout with and, I don't want to hurt any feelings.

What should I say?

My guardian angel reminded me, I had other stuff to do?

Okinawan Eisa Dance in Kin Town

5 More GIF Images - 2016 Kin Eisa Matsuri

 

 

This team of Eisa dancers is kind of special to me and, I had to make sure, I shot the girls.

Last year my granddaughter was out there with them.

She couldn't join this year because, she's off to some beauty school.

When she was out there, I got orders from the Supreme Commander of my house.

If, I failed to get images of family, I would probably be in solitary confinement.

So, ladies in pink kimonos, always get my attention and, I shoot them, close-up.

Backing off, I stood on a slightly elevated spot to capture the whole team, dancing.

Normally, I would take a couple of cameras, lenses and a tripod to an event like this.

Yesterday, I traveled light; no tripod and, just one camera with a zoom lens.

It had been raining, on and off, all day and, I wondered if, the festival would be cancelled.

It poured down a few times and, everybody ran for cover or, opened umbrellas.

It wasn't raining, while this scene was photographed and, I'm glad.

Look at that little guy, to the left. He's beating a drum and dancing, just like the big fellows !

If all those seated in the audience, opened umbrellas, I would have missed the kid.

Notice, the umbrellas and, folks moving around in the crowd, for this image.

A little sprinkle of rain feels good in August, to me and probably, to the dancers, too.

As long as, you keep water drops off the glass, Pentax cameras work great, in the rain !

Getting a little bit closer to the stage, you can see the musicians, playing sanshins.

And, the barefooted guy (chondara) gave me an idea for next year.

Why wear stuff on your feet, when it rains ?

Dancing around barefooted, in the wet grass, must feel great on a hot summer day !

Travel Photo: Kimono Clad Gals at a Tug-O-War

They All Pull Together

 

 

Camera: Pentax K3

Lens: Pentax 18-250 at 18mm

Exposure:  f/4.5   1/160   ISO 100

Location:  Yonabaru, Okinawa, Japan

Event:  The Annual Yonabaru Tsunahiki

Date and Time:  AUG 16 2015  5:06PM 


Related Post-- Festival Photo: What a Gal !

Festival Photo: What a Gal !

Late yesterday afternoon, we were at a tug-o-war matsuri (festival) down south.

My favorite place to shoot from, would have been on the roof of a building above the crowd.

But, access to the roof was denied so, I mingled with the festival-goers. 

Everybody, except the dude, who wouldn't let me climb to the top of a building, was friendly.

Before shooting anyone, I always get permission but, wasn't carrying model releases.

This gal was dancing while clapping her hands, before the tug-o-war started.

If, I ever run across her again, I may give her a print of this photo, just because...

Camera: Pentax K3

Lens: Pentax 18-250 at 18mm

Exposure: f/4.5   1/250   ISO 100

Location: Yonabaru, Okinawa, Japan

Date and Time:  AUG 16, 2015  5:05PM

RELATED POST:

Yonabaru Tug-O-War 5 Motion GIFs

Brilliant Colors and Dancing with Horses

Motion GIFs from Juri-uma Parade

 

 

This event takes place in Naha, Okinawa January 20th by the Lunar Calendar.

That happened to be today so, we went to the big city with cameras.

There were all sorts of costumes and dances but, these were my favorites.

A few hundred more images will be looked at some other day.

Tsuji was an entertainment district in Naha years ago.

And, the gals  (courtesans) working there,  were the Juri.

Supposedly, this parade was held annually so families could get to see their daughters.

Learn more about the event by checking a previous entry:

Have You Ever Heard of the Parade of the Prostitutes ? 

Some of the Activity at a 97th Birthday Party in Okinawa

4 Motion GIFs of Events at a Kajimaya

 

 

In the Ryukyu Archipeligo a Kajimaya is a big deal.

Today, I got to attend one because one of my neighbors, attained the age of ninety-seven.

We had a little parade in the streets but, I haven't looked at those photos, yet.

For now, we'll just look at what took place at the party indoors.

The younger generation entertains the crowd with some sort of hilarious dance.

A bit more formal, were these gals, dancing with silver and gold fans.

Everybody likes watching Hula dancers so, we had some of them, too.

 Now, I'm not sure if you should call that blue thing a parasol or, umbrella.

But, the gal in the blue kimono sure knows how to dance with it.

After a few hours of celebrating, the birthday girl got tired.

And, she had somebody take her home so, she could go to sleep in her own bed.

And, that's what they did.

Man, I can hardly wait to turn ninety-seven !

7 More Motion GIFs from Kin Town's Harvest Moon Festival

A Procession to the Shrine

 

 

Before the sun went down and, prior to festivities on the stage some offerings are made.

The parade is fairly small but, noisy.

Village dignitaries, lead the ceremony, carrying items to be presented the spirits.

They are followed by the shishimai, handler, Miruku and a small band.

The music consists of some gongs, sanshin and folks blowing conch shells.

A group of women in dark kimonos did some classical Okinawan dance.

 These young guys were obviously playing the role of farmers.

In the past, I thought these were some hip hop crowd and, only took a few photos.

This year, I heard them singing about the ocean.

And, noticed that sabani paddle, center stage.

That's when, I realized,  it's modern dance but, it is a form of art.

These youngsters are keeping Okinawan tradition alive and well.

So, I shot a few hundred photos while they performed.

The ladies in red, I have been photographing for years and years.

And, I still have no idea, what the story behind this dance might be.

For sure, these performers represent the working class.

They don't have shoes or socks and aren't wearing any fancy silk kimomos.

One of these days, I should buy a big bottle of sake and sit down with a dance instructor.

Then, get the story on all these traditional Okinawan dances.

Don't you think that would be the best way to getterdun ?

Selected Photos from the Kin Town Full Moon Festival

5 Motion GIFs Depicting Some of the Action

 

 

It would be impossible to show you all of the 1000 images taken last night.

These photos are an example of what you may have missed.

And, part of the reason, I decided to take photos locally, instead of traveling to another location.

This stage was set-up just a few minutes walk away from my office.

There are probably 1,000 guests sitting down in front, who got cropped out of the photos.

At a shrine nearby, some offerings are made, before the sun goes down.

Off to one side, this gentleman, warms up.

He will be taking a shishimai (lion-dog) to the festival.

Just in case, you've never met a shishimai, here's what the look like.

Two very talented and, athletic individuals, are inside that hairy suit.

Don't ask, who's uncle is in the background. He just wanted to make an appearance.

So, everybody let him.

It wouldn't be a festival, without Eisa and these characters were good at it.

The colors might not be coordinated in this scene but, it sure jumped out at me.

Now, I'm having a tough time deciding what color my next umbrella should be.

What do you think would look best ?

A blue or green umbrella, to replace the one I lost to the last typhoon.

Ya'll know, I'm usually wearing yellow flip-flops !

Yonabaru Tug-O-War 5 Motion GIFs

 A Centuries Old Tradition

 

 

 

This tsunahiki (tug-o-war) has been going on in Okinawa, Japan for over 400 years.

And, there were probably 10,000 or more participants on the field, yesterday.

Here's a peek, at what, I saw through the camera viewfinder, before the tug started.

Just like anywhere else in the Ryukyu islands, the rope comes in two sections.

The ropes were carried in a procession, with royalty being carried on top.

The teams, challenging each other come from the east or, west sides of town.

The folks, riding the ropes, wear period costumes from the old Ryukyu Dynasty.

Once the parade entered the field, I followed them inside, to get a closer look.

There was a pretty lively crowd crowd in there.

For a second or two, I wished the cameras would have stayed at home.

All these gals, wearing summer kimonos were dancing and chanting.

And, some of them were offering me cups of, whatever they were drinking.

Dang.  I like drinking but, I had work to do.

So, I politely turned down the drink and just did a little dance with them.

While they were laughing, they quit flapping their arms around and, quit wiggling.

That gave me a chance, to zoom-in and get this shot.

This shows the wooden pole, used to join the two ropes together.

Coverage of This Event Requires a Team

 

 

This year, I got in with the crowd. The tug, started rather quickly.

That was when, I decided, it was time to climb a building, in order to view the rope.

By the time, I found enough elevation, the tug was over.

Next year, I know exactly where, I want to be, to catch that part of the event.


The Ryukyu Shimpo posted this video from 2011 on YouTube.

It gives an excellent presentation of the sights and sounds, you would encounter.

Read the Ryukyu Shimpo article (English) for more information.

10 Photos of Activities in Okinawa Way After Sunset

Great Ways to Beat the Summer Heat

 

 

Some people go to the beach when the thermometer rises.

Others, just find an air-conditioned place to hangout or, go shopping in a mall.

  

What we do in our daily travels, is look for indicators like these paper lanterns.

Festivals, in many small villages, aren't listed in local travel guides.

If you spot paper lanterns in daylight, something will be happening after dark.

And, many times, they string them up, days before the event will take place.

The car, comes to a screeching halt when we find these things in daylight.

And, go poking around, asking the locals, what's going on and, when.

 That's how to find unadvertised things, like this Okinawan Sumo Wrestling.

It took place, after a tug-o-war, held in the evening.

 

Gals, in summer kimonos, danced around a fire on a summer night.

Talking to folks in the village office, way in advance, got us an invite to this event.

 It was the Shinugu Matsuri in a village called, Ada.

An event, called a Shinigu, in Gushiken, Motobu, took place during daylight.

 But, the gals, insisted on having me stick around for the party afterwards.

Right after taking the above photo, I locked-up the cameras. So, no photos after that.

We filled a couple of taxi cabs and, went to some cool bars.

Yellow flip-flops. What a buncha gals.

Driving the lesser known roads, above Nago City, we saw the Orion Beer lanterns.

It was during daylight hours and the event took place the next night.

If we hadn't asked at a little mom and pop store, we would have missed this one. 

 The performers, you see here, danced after a tug-o-war on Hamahiga island.

That's another festivity we wouldn't have known about.

Visiting the village offices really pays dividends.

This event takes place, again, next weekend.

  Okinawa's Obon, happens next month.

But, if you listen carefully, the drums are beating, at practice, all around the islands.

Live Houses are always air-conditioned.

Just when you think Monday night is a good time to rest up, along comes Ridea.

She's coming back from a tour in Tokyo and, I have to see her.

This coming Monday night.

Once things get caught up around here, I have to get a driver.

Down in Okinawa City, there are lots of cool places to hangout at night.

And, the mineo (traditional Okinawan) music, this guy plays, is even cooler.

Why Don't Travel Agents Advertise these Places ?

 

 

Maybe, there is a good reason to, not promote the lesser known events.

If all the tourists, started showing up, it would get too crowded.

And, people in the travel and tourism business, wouldn't have a place to chill !

In the Spotlight: Two Wakamizu Beauties

Meet Shingaki Sanae and Teruya Mami.

They were part of the Okinawan ritual known as Wakamizu.

Plenty of other beautiful ladies in kimonos were at Shuri Castle for the event.

But, these two were the only ones I had time to get model releases from.

Hundreds of photos taken over the past two weekends are waiting development.

And, there is lots of research to be done on this cultural event.

It happens only once a year in Okinawa, Japan.

The story will have to wait.  Wet cameras an old whiskers need to be dried.

Then, I have to email these beauties their photos.

Travel Photo: A Place on the East China Sea

What a day this has been.  Look at this gem we ran across in our travels today.

Picture some gals all dressed-up and dancing in traditional Okinawan kimonos out there.

Well, I've seen it plenty of times and always figured the location was on another island.

The problem is, I've been seeing it on karaoke video screens .

And, when I asked where it was, nobody could tell me.

It looks like some place far away.  Like maybe, Ishigaki island or, somewhere near China.

Well, it ain't.  It's right here, on this island and, it's sticking out there in the East China Sea.

There has to be a story about this place but, that will come eventually.

In other breaking news, I got this in an email, today:

 Emi Iwasaki, the winner of the million views contest sent me this photo.

The Panasonic Digital Photo Frame arrived in Tokyo and she hooked it up in her house.

Everything works and she can watch 170 photos of Okinawa, anytime.

She doesn't even have to turn the internet thing on ! 

See, I was worried about that package, I mailed, getting there.

The post office said it had to go by boat.

It sure is nice to know everything turned out alright.

Now, I have to go back to do some more of my research.

We found that castle-looking thing, right here in Okinawa.

But, still haven't figured where all those dancers, in kimonos went.

Visit my homepage for today's Feature Photo

October Full Moon: Another Okinawa Festival

Up in the northern hills of Okinawa, Japan the other day we came across this.

Whenever you see those Orion Beer lanterns strung-up a festival is going to happen.

It seems like, every time there's a full moon, somebody has a celebration.

For the sake of simplicity, I'll call this a hand-dancing party.

The gals were just rehearsing for the big event, which takes place tonight.

They were wearing their everyday outfits.

Tonight they will all be dressed-up in white kimonos.

So, I decided, while rehearsal was going on, I'd concentrate on the hands.

There has to be some meaning to the gyrations they put their hands through.

There are a few resources (English) online, about this form of dance.

But, so far, they just look like stuff (ahem-ahum) borrowed from Wikipedia.

What I plan on doing is getting more reliable information for my story.

These gals will be dancing around in circles, tonight, under the full moon.

They will have their hair all done-up in traditional style.

And, be singing some classic songs while they gesture with their hands.

It would really be awesome, if I could catch a photo like the 1st one above.....

.....with a full moon shining down on all those gals, hand-dancing in kimonos !

Dontcha think ?