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Mural located in Motobu Museum

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15 Photos from Koza Music Town Eisa Museum

Things to Do on Rainy Days

With unpredictable humid, rainy/sunny weather this is a great spot to visit.

Nearby, we found a parking garage where the car wouldn't be exposed to any sun.

Many times, after we make plans for indoor activity, the weather takes a sudden turn.

It's worth some pocket change, to keep our ride in the shade.

Looking up at the sky before going in, was a good idea.

After about an hour visit inside the museum, the sky got completely whited out with clouds.

That blue-winged guitar is a good landmark for those in search of Koza Music Town.

Take the next left and, you find the parking garage attached to the building.

This little Eisa drummer caught my eye when I walked in the door.

It wasn't until photo processing time, I noticed the drum is a postbox!

In the lobby, there is a gift shop with musical instruments and assorted trinkets.

They probably have postcards you can stuff in the little guy's drum.

It's always a good idea, to take photos when you come across things like this.

We got English and Japanese history of Eisa, right off the museum walls.

Politicians and professors lie sometimes but, walls shouldn't.

So, I shot the writing on the walls.

This museum gives you plenty of information about this traditional dance.

You can learn the names of instruments used and different villages Eisa styles.

Upstairs

Just in case you forgot to pay the 300 Yen, let me tell you. Don't go up those stairs.

There's somebody up there who will want to see your ticket.

Here you get a view of costumes and some of the instruments.

Doc Graff and I were the only customers so, it was fairly quiet in the place.

There's plenty of room for you to stretch and practice Eisa if, you want to.

Someone on the staff can show you how to play the instruments.

They will come over and help you get dressed in an Eisa uniform.

They even have small costumes for children.

Imagine a school field trip visiting that place and the racket they could make.

This bilingual sign gives us a "maybe" history of the origins of Eisa.

A little history of the Chondara is given here.

If all history books were this short, I could be a historian.

They have programs for viewing in several languages for guests.

Whether you're studying Eisa or, want to learn how to perform, this is the place to go.

Yonabaru Railroad Station Museum

In Days of Old

Before the Yui-rail was invented or, even dreamed of, a railroad once existed on Okinawa.

The original Yonabaru Station is a museum nowadays, dedicated to the original train line.

Friday's camera excursion led us to this attraction.

Some research had led us to believe photography was forbidden.

We planned on making a quick visit, snapping a few outdoor photos and checking it out.

A staff member was at the door, watching us snap photos of the exterior.

Using some sign language (Pointing at the camera and flashing OK?) paid off.

She signaled, "Cameras OK" and that got us indoors with smiles.

This frame on the wall shows the Yonabaru Station as it appeared in 1914.

Yonabaru had a busy shipping port. The rail line transported goods and people to Naha.

An old black and white photo shows the train at the station in the year 1920.

The museum sells trinkets, souvenirs, t-shirts and whatever but not much in English.

It would have been worth my while, to purchase a history of this train.

Here's a 1943 photo of the railroad staff posing by the train.

Much more cargo and passengers could be hauled on that line than, today's 2 car trains.

War in the Pacific

Before the Battle of Okinawa started in 1945, the Typhoon of Steel softened things up.

It was the end of the line for this railroad and the Yonabaru Station.

Much of the southern parts of Okinawa were destroyed during the battle.

Iron was scarce and scavenged for other needs so, the railroad was never restored.

It's a shame, the governments of Japan and the USA didn't restore the railroads of Okinawa.

Now, it seems the 2 car monorail, packed with tourists, is the wave of the future.

On the Bright Side

The museum has free parking for five automobiles.

The building is climate controlled so, it's cool in summer and warm during winter.

Entrance fees are less than it costs to buy a cup of coffee.

Special thanks to Chisato the museum worker for an enjoyable visit.

INFO for Travelers

Japanese PDF Yonabaru Eki

Google Maps

Seeing Hacksaw Ridge

Not the Movie - The Terrain

War movies aren't something you'll catch me watching very often. War kinda sucks.

We've heard about the film "Hacksaw Ridge" and, seen a few promotional clips.

Doc Graff and I, decided to take a hike, with cameras and, check the place out.

It was a blazing hot August day and, we were sweating like a few hogs in a roaster.

There's a little museum-looking building we came across and, saw this poster.

The building is called Urasoe Youdore and, it's well worth paying 100 yen to visit.

The staff are friendly and gave us permission to take photos. Little English is spoken.

But, we get by with our pidgin Japanese and Okinawan Hogen.

There are all sorts of treasures in this climate controlled building.

They have archaeological, historical and war-related artifacts on display and, I found this photo.

It shows Medal of Honor recipient, Desmond Doss, visiting Okinawa in 1995. 

For those who never heard of Desmond Doss or Hacksaw Ridge, I shot this photo.

The stone marker, dedicated to him, has been moved over the years.

We had trekked the lower levels of the hill but, wanted to walk Hacksaw Ridge entirely.

That's because there's a spot named Desmond Doss Point, up there somewhere.

All along the walkways, going up and down those hills, there are caves.

The vegetation is too thick, to see many of them and, it's fairly rough terrain.

Not far from the Urasoe Castle walls, we located Desmond Doss Point and, this photo was taken.

The Original Stone Marker

The day wouldn't be complete, without locating the stone dedicated to Pfc. Doss.

A gentleman, working at the museum, gave us directions to the Adventist Church.

It's located far from Hacksaw Ridge, in Kitanakagusuku.

The International Seventh-day Adventist Church, maintains the marker.

The church was located and, a middle aged woman came out to show us the location of the stone.

We thanked her and, asked if photography would be allowed. She gave the OK.

The back side of the stone is etched in Japanese. I can read Desmond T Doss.

When we were done, the lady at the church, invited us to go inside the buildings.

We're sweating like a couple of goats in heat by now and, I ain't crazy about churches.

So, we thanked her and, said it was time for us to get back on the highway.

Church people are alright and, I try to be respectful around them but, don't get too close.

They're religious and I'm sacrilegious so, don't want none of my stuff getting rubbed into them.

 If, you decide to visit Hacksaw Ridge, there's parking at the bottom of the trail. 

For a shorter hike, I recommend parking at Urasoe Youdore ; don't forget to visit the toilets.

There are no Men's or Women's facilities once you leave that parking lot !

Digging Up Some Old Ghost for Halloween

Many People Believe in Ghosts

 

Well, I don't. But it's nice to hear, the kind of story that, gives you goosebumps.

Always on the lookout for a good one from Okinawa, I haven't had much luck lately.

Instead, I dug up some old, spooky images and, will explain the stories behind them.

The ghost in this photo is just some smoke, which was blowing across the street.

The photo was taken at a cherry blossom festival, under the Kin Bridge.

Smoke from dump trucks and festival food, charcoal grills made the spook appear.

It blew across the highway as I was shooting a Panasonic DMC-FZ50.

Normally, I would delete a photo like this because of the distraction in the image.

But, I saved it and did a bit of cleaning-up, to give it a more ghastly appearance.

No grave-sites were disturbed in obtaining these creepy hands.

This photo was taken with the Pentax K5, at the Nago Museum.

They are not, human hands. I must go back someday and, get the proper terminology.

Those bones came from either a porpoise or dolphin.

And, I used these two photos in, "Today I Went Down Some Spooky, Old Stairs." 

Happy Halloween!

1960's Image from the Village of Oku in Okinawa

Museum Photo

Not all museums allow photos to be taken so, it's best to inquire, before entering.

Whenever permissible, look for old, framed photos, hanging on the walls.

The wording below this image is written in Japanese. Google helped here:

"See the terraced fields behind the shop 1960's."

Well, I came to this island, the first time in the 1960's and, I got an idea.

Wanna make a bet, no one up there (my age) remembers where this photo was taken from?

We'll just have to go back up there and see.

It could make for another Then and Now from Oku Village.

Related Post:  Shinugu Festival in the Village of Oku

Just a Couple of Gents (GIF) Eating Noodles

Last Stop at the Folklore Museum

 

 

Off to the left of these guys eating, is a collection of Zippo lighters in glass cases.

Entering the tatami room, I left my flip-flops outside the door and, excused myself.

A waitress, had just brought the two steaming bowls of Okinawa soba, to serve the men.

It's a pretty small dining area and, I had to step back to let the girl pass by me.

She asked if I wanted to place an order bit, I really wasn't hungry.

Speaking Japanese, I asked if it was alright, to take photos of the display.

The old fellows, didn't appear too happy, seeing a foreigner in the place.

But, seeing, I was being polite, respectful and, talking their language, must have helped.

Going back outside, I figured, "What the heck maybe, I'll get a photo of them eating."

They agreed, to let me shoot and, started flipping peace signs.

Then, I asked them, to just at natural and, go on eating the soba.

Click, click, click six times and, I thanked them while going back out the door.

A series of six images, were used, to create this animated GIF.

Camera: Pentax K1

Lens: Pentax 15-30 at 30MM

Exposure:  f/5  1/250   ISO 800

 Location: さわのや 名護店 Nago City, Okinawa, Japan 

Date and Time:  JUN 10 2016  12:14PM

20 Photos Taken at a Folklore Museum in Nago Okinawa

Signs on the Road May Trick You

 

 

It may seem just like another, one of the hundreds, of Okinawa Soba noodle shops.

This one, is tucked away on the outskirts of the big city of Nago, Okinawa.

There's a parking lot, alongside the highway and, you can walk right on in.

This, isn't one of those fancy, municipal museums, run by the government.

A sort of, down-to-earth guy and, his family, run this operation.

It's a great place, to take a camera, when the weather outdoors won't cooperate.

Every type of container, for holding liquids is on display along with baskets.

Some of those things look like musical instruments but, could be kitchen tools.

If you haven't already guessed, I'll tell you.  I ain't no archaeologist.

Pots and pans, water pitcher and a pump, I recognize and, some cobbler's tools.

Does anybody, have a shoemaker, in their neck of the woods, these days ?

This glass case contains some very ancient, paper money.

Tools, kitchen accessories and, meat grinders, I guess, we're looking at here. 

This sort of reminds me, of the back room, in my office. Neat !

There's no telling, how old some of these cameras and lenses might be.

For sure, I know there, aren't any digital cameras, in that glass case.

This must be the laundry and ironing department, from back in the old days.

Aren't you glad, we have electricity, these days ? And, permanent-press clothing, too ?

 It must have been, like having a barbecue, every day, way back when.

 A wood or, charcoal fire, was used to heat everything, even a cup of tea.

 If you don't know the RCA Victor dog, Nipper, you must be, way younger than, me.

It's hard to tell if, this sewing machine was electric, or human powered.

 Some, were designed, to work both ways, for people, who didn't have electricity, I bet.

It probably wasn't a luxury, sailing one of these ships but, I think, they're cool.

Few people, have record players like this, anymore.  Notice, the hand crank.

Someone, improvised and, built this boat out of war salvage.

Well, I didn't get all the details, on these busts of women, I discovered.

But, I noticed, the artist made sure, their belly buttons showed.

Plenty of famous Japanese recording artists can be found over the soba shop.

It looks like, they saved a record of Hitler's favorite marching tunes, too !

Wide awake and alert, Doc Graff, pointed this out to me and, I got a good laugh.

Remember, Clint Eastwood and his early years, making spaghetti westerns ?

Well, on this album cover, call them macaroni style westerns !   LOL

The ceiling of the room above the soba shop, has all these kerosene lamps.

It's a Little Tricky Getting There

 

This was my second visit to the museum and soba shop and, I'll be going again.

So, I did some research and, saved it on a map.

 That way, I can Click Here for directions so, I don't get lost, again.

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