Travel Photo: The Wedded Rocks of Onna Son

Bound Together with a Sacred Rope

 

 

This photo was taken from the shore at Manza Beach Resort late in the morning.

More than likely, the scene is a spin-off of the Meoto Iwa (夫婦岩) in Mie, Japan.

The rice straw rope, called a shimenawa, comes from Shinto beliefs.

Sacred ropes, such as this, are seen tied to the gates (torii) of many shrines.

Online research for these rocks in Okinawa, didn't provide much information.

But, I'm sure some wedding photographers, take their clients to this spot for sessions.

Up in mainland Japan, you can find all sorts of information about the Married Rocks.

Take a peek at them in Ise Shima National Park and get a dose of Religious Mythology.

Ella Morton writes about the rocks united in marriage at Atlas Obscura.

And, Joanne G.Yoshida, has been there at least three times.

She has even, seen Mt. Fuji appear between those rocks !

Over at Photo Guide Japan, see an excellent essay on the replacement of the ropes.

Due to wear and tear of wind and waves, the ropes are replaced 3 times each year.

It looks like quite a ceremony.

Maybe, we should talk to the folks at Manza Beach Resort and, do the same here.

It would be a great excuse, to throw a festival for the occasion !

Five Photos Taken at Shima Uta: Here's A Live Mineo Band

Mineo is what you could call Okinawan Folk Music.

This band plays in a place named Shima Uta on HWY 58 somewhere in Onna Son Okinawa.

So, for now, I figure that's the band's name, too.

Shima Uta means "island song".

Going there with the crowd I was with and taking the camera made it a rough night.

RyukyuRusty, RyukyuRu and a whole bunch of family Ryukyu dudes were there.

I had to shoot as many photos as I could, as fast as I could.

Then, drink massive quantities of beer to try and catch up with them.

What I plan on doing next, is print a few of the best photos for the Shima Uta.

Then, I'll ask them their names and what the name of the band might be.

Because after that night photo shoot, I'm lucky I still remember my own name !

Photo Essay: A Day at the Dragonboat Races

           These photos were taken Jun 5th 2011 at the Onna Son Seaport in Okinawa, Japan

     The boats, called sabani, may have almost anything painted on them (even boobs), not just dragons.

The dragonboat races would start around 9AM. I got there early to catch some of the opening events. 

          A procession of the teams participating in the annual races moves away from the ocean

         and goes to a shrine on a hill.  Packed into a small yard in front of the shrine, they pray.

       The first time you see dragonboats in the water, all three teams are dressed in traditional clothing.

             The rest of the day most of the dragonboat crews are wearing their team t-shirts.

Three boats race, each time, starting at the north end of the port.  They turn at a flag that marks their lane on the southern end and paddle with all their might to be the first boat to complete the round trip.

                     These guys were doing really well, taking the lead on the way home, but

                               took on a little bit too much water and wound up in the drink.

     I know what those dudes passing them were thinking but, can't tell you.  Rhymes with boozers !

     The guys with the rescue team came and got the unfortunates out of the water and saved the boat, too.

 Around noon, there was a break in the routine so, dragonboaters could eat lunch.  These kids put on a show for the crowd and they were amazing.

The west coast of Okinawa has several resort hotels and each one put on some sort of demonstration.

 Then, it was back to dragonboat races and eliminations to see which three teams would make the finals.

           Closing ceremonies consisted of awarding certificates and a case of beer to each team.

This Dragonboat Festival was like no other I have seen on the island Okinawa.  Rather than a big commercial event where everyone is hawking their games and festival foods, there was nothing for sale here, to my knowledge.  It was like a community picnic.  Everyone brought their own tents, grills, coolers and food and shared with everyone else.


The few times I came down off the roof of the building I was shooting from, people who didn't know me were offering food and drinks.


After the closing ceremony, I stopped by the tent of a contact I had made during a previous visit. 

I took a few family photos for him, had a bite to eat and made a customary "kanpai" (cheers) with sake.


Then, I excused myself  because I had to go home and download 375 photos and start developing.


One of my favorite shots, so far, (not done, yet) was a closeup shot I took of the mermaid on the dragonboat above filling the entire frame. But, I'm not sure it's safe to post here because of the boobs. It's like art !

Maybe Facebook, huh?

Sunday Photo: Dragonboats and Sunshine

This photo was taken Sunday June 5, 2011 at the Onna Son Seaport in Okinawa, Japan during the annual Dragonboat Races.  We had brilliant sunshine most of the day and I'll be developing a few hundred more photos from the event during the week. It was a blast !

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Photo of the Week by Ryukyu Rusty

Here's a photo Rusty shot at the Onna Son Seaport in Okinawa, Japan the night we went over there to do some liaison for the upcoming Dragonboat races this Sunday.  He used a Pentax K7, Tripod, Cable Release, and an 18-250 Lens at a Focal Length of 21mm.  Right good shootin !

I started another gallery on the website called Ryukyu Rusty's Photography and will be getting him to add photos whenever I catch up with him.  Have a peek and leave a comment if you'd like.


Visit my Homepage for THE PHOTO OF THE DAY