Okinawan Folktale: Did the Bride Become a Calf ?

Beautiful Chiru-gwa

 

 

Mother worried about her single daughter Chiru-gwa and, who she would marry.

All the well to do young men wanted her hand in marriage.

She would seek the advice of God, by praying outside Sonohyan Utaki.

Sketch by Marin Oshiro

A deadbeat of a man called Tara, learned of the mother's praying at the utaki.

He devised a plan, to insure, Chiru-gwa, would become his wife.

Early one morning, he hid in the bushes, behind the stone gate, of the sacred site. 

The mother was bowed with folded hands, praying in front of the gates.

From within, came a deep voice, telling her, "God speaking, listen to me, carefully.

On your journey home today, you will meet the best man for your daughter, to marry."

The mother, thanked God, bowed and started on her trip towards home.

Rounding a bend in the road, she met a smiling Tara.

Everybody knew he was a no good slouch but, the word from the heavens must be followed.

Chiru-gwa, would soon become Tara's wife.

A Wedding Was Arranged

 

 

One moonlight night, Tara dispatched a palanquin to bring home his bride.

The two men carrying her got tired and stopped alongside the road to take a rest.

Having had way too much to drink, they soon fell asleep.

Along came the King and his entourage, returning to Shuri Castle from a day on a hunt.

The King wanted to know, who was inside the palanquin.

He was told, there was a bride, crying in there and, two drunk men snoring in the grass.

He asked Chiru-gwa, why she was crying, felt sorry for her and, invited her to the castle.

He told the servants to place a calf in the palanquin and, they departed.

Next Morning 

The palanquin bearers woke up with the sun and, hurried along with their load.

A large gathering was waiting to meet the bride, at Tara's House.

When he opened the palanquin, a frightened calf, jumped out.

The crowd laughed.  They figured this was God's way of rewarding the idiot, Tara.

He became angry and took the calf to Chiru-gwa's mother and, said he didn't want it.

The mother was saddened and, worried, God may have done this to her daughter.

 

A Message from the King 

A servant from Shuri instructed Chiru-gwa's mother to bring the calf to the castle.

She bathed and brushed the calf, to present it to the King.

At the castle, she was greeted by the Queen.

The Queen exclaimed, "Mother" and hurried over to kiss her.

Chiru-gwa had become the King's bride.

REFERENCE:

Okinawan Folk Stories ISBN978-4-99009-146-0 P.160

Condensed from: The Bride Who Became a Calf  



MORE FOLKLORE

Ryukyu King, Queen and Royalty: How I Spent My Day

You don't just jump into these sorta things. I learned about it the hard way in previous excursions to the big city. So, today when I went to the King and Queen's Coronation Ceremony in Naha Okinawa I hob-knobbed with the Royalty a little bit before I tried to get close to the big shots.

The guy with no socks and a real beard would be me. I got another cameraman to press the shutter release on my camera. Only he didn't wait for me to fix my hair or anything else.

Once all the dignitaries got used to me hanging around it was fairly easy to sneak through the crowds and capture this photo of the King.

It's actually a Reenactment Coronation Ceremony and the King and Queen are college students playing the roles.

My favorite part of the whole day was snapping the shutter when the Queen had her eyes just where I like them.

Even when rude people popped into my frame with their toy cameras, I didn't mind too much. 

I just hollered "Son of a samwich" a couple of times and people backed away from me.

The inconsiderate individuals could be PhotoShopped out if I was willing to pay someone. Then we could rent the space for advertising, I guess.

I'm going back Sunday to let the King and Queen choose their favorite photo and I'll give them each one for free. I bet, being Royalty, they probably aren't interested in any advertising money.

Really, it wasn't a bad day. How was your Wednesday, any better?

Photographer’s Interview and an Excerpt on How I Nailed the Queen

It happens around this time of the year, a big Parade and Ceremonies to reenact the crowning of the Ryukyu Kingdom’s King and Queen and I bust my fanny trying to shoot the Queen.

PHOTO Taken Nov 1, 2009

Well, there you go. I nailed her but, not exactly like I wanted to. You know what I mean. It’s her eyes; they aren’t in the position I’d have preferred to catch them in. If she’d only have turned her head a bit more to the right. I would have nailed her perfectly. What did you think I meant; nails and a hammer?

Interview: Matador Travel’s Lola Akinmade interviewed me  for an article HERE via email with the following:

Questions:

1. How long have you been a professional photographer?

2. What – or who – got your initial interest going in terms of photography?

3. What were your first photographic experiments or experiences?

4. How would you describe the work you do now…wildlife/nature photography? Are you involved in the commercial world also? Any stock photography?

5. What 3 tips would you share for amateur photographers who are interested in pursuing your style of photography?

6. What got you interested in wildlife photography?

7. Which other photographers - old or contemporary - inspire you most?

8. When you are approaching subjects to shoot, how do you set about it? Do you chat and explain what you’re doing? Or shoot first, ask questions later?

9. What’s the craziest or most inspiring encounter you’ve had in general?

10. What kit do you use / carry with you / can’t do without (camera make, lenses, flashguns etc.)?

11. Finally, what else are you working on right now and what are your ambitions for the future in terms of your photography work?



Well, the queen’s photo from last year, gearing up for the Coronation Ceremony and trying to figure out a way to nail the Queen a little better this year, all reminded me of question #9 and I’m pasting my response to that part of the interview here:

Lola is one of my favorite photographers in the whole world.  If you get a chance visit her WEBSITE  and say “Hi”. One day, maybe we'll get her to come over here for a real Professional Photographer’s Interview !