Okinawan Folktale: The Origins of Shimakanka

Not the Typical Love Story

Shimakanka, is a ritual celebration held in some villages in the Ryukyu Island Chain.

Last year, with the help of some friends, I attended the event in Ginoza Village.

The story was published at Stars and Stripes Okinawa Feb 22, 2016.

The portion, concerning the folklore, I will re-post here as, it is an interesting folk story.

A Grisly Folk Tale

Long before this island became Okinawa, it was Ryukyu and, way before the Ryukyu Kingdom existed as an independent country, the land was ruled by Lords, known as Aji. They built castles in their territories, to defend the populations and lands, under their control, from other Aji, seeking to increase their power.

One of these Lords had an only daughter. An epidemic, raging through the islands, took the life of his beautiful young girl. Heartbroken and grieving, he buried her in a cave along the east coast of the island.

That same day, a young man who had bought a cow was heading home with his animal tied to a rope.

Dark clouds suddenly appeared and, he decided to take shelter from an approaching thunderstorm. As the rain began to fall, he tied the cow to a nearby tree and took shelter at the entrance to the cave.

From the overhang of the cavern he watched water splash as small streams flowed, carrying leaves and earth away from just outside his shelter. He shivered and thought how lucky bovines must be. Their thick hide protects them from the ice cold rain. The weather didn't seem to phase cattle. And, he started thinking, how nice some of his grandmother's hot tea, would be, to have right now.

Extremely Chilling Experience

Shaking and coughing from getting wet, he thought he may be catching a cold and wanted to get home.

As the rain slacked off, he decided to get out of the cave, grab the cow and hurry on towards home.

He knew, for sure, grandmother would insist, he change clothes and drink a steaming kettle of hot ocha.

Then something happened to really make him want to hurry out of that shelter. A voice shouted. It was a woman's scream from under a pile of stones in the cave. “Help me. Please get me out of here!”

Thinking, it was a ghost the boy began to run. On his first step to leave the cave, a hand grabbed him by the hair on the back of his head. When he tried to run, the grasp just became tighter. The voice cried out, “Help me, please. I'm a young girl who fainted with illness. My parents thought I died and buried me here. I am alive; help me!”

Assured that it was a human in need, the young man removed the rocks burying her body and rescued her. The rain stopped and he carried her outside. He scooped fresh water from a flowing spring and nourished her. Leaving the cow behind, he carried the young woman, on his back, to her father's castle.

Exuberance at the Castle

The sentries at the castle announced the miracle of the princesses return. Everyone was ecstatic, the Lord's only daughter had survived. This was an occasion for a feast and a big celebration.

The Aji announced to the lad, “As a reward, I will give you anything you desire.” Without blinking an eye the boy said, “OK. I'd like to have your daughter as my wife.”

The Lord roared, “Peasant, you can't have this woman of royal blood as a bride!” That, got everybody shaking. “Father, I have already been considered dead, once. Please, let me be this man's wife.”

The daughter's plea, touched the Lord and, he gave the blessing for their marriage.

Slaughter of the Cow

The young man escorted an entourage, from the castle to the cavern, where the girl had been buried.

The grave site in the mountain was cleaned up and the cow was sacrificed near the cavern entrance.

Pampas grass, tied in loops was soaked in the animal's blood and used to shoo away evil spirits.

Today, the loops of grass, known as, “San” may be seen placed as amulets to ward off evil.

The San may be seen at entrances to villages and, at the corners of homeowners properties.

In some locations, they may be soaked in animal's blood but, no blood was seen in Sokei, Ginoza.

Photography and text by Michael Lynch

Verbal translation by Mami Sakiyama

Text translation by Alina Rădulescu (Folklorist)

Sketch by Atsushi Maezato

MORE OKINAWA FOLKLORE

Animation: Talking to Spirits and Tossing Some Too

Portion of an Okinawan Ritual

There are four ceremonies held, when building a home in Okinawa.

Before any ground is broken, prayers and offerings are made.

This ceremony is known as, tiindatii, sometimes pronounced tiindachii.

A spiritual person, known as munushiri, performs all the rituals.

Here, you see him pouring awamori (Okinawa sake) in a corner of the property.

Salt, grains of rice and the alcohol are offered at all four corners of the lot.

Once Construction Begins

Rituals involving family and a spiritual person, are held at the following stages:

House Framing Ceremony: Called Nnagi

Ridgepole Raising: Muniagi

Home Completion Ceremony: Yaafuchisuuji

Hopefully, I will be present for all the parties being held for this home construction.

Albums will be created on Facebook, titled with the above Okinawan names.


Tiindatii on Facebook

3 Types of Women Are Doing this Dance

  Leading Is a Goddess

 

 

She wears the white robe of a Noro and, is considered the equivalent of a god.

In local dialect, she would be called a Norokumui.

 

The event, known as Shinugu or Shinugu, takes place in the hills of Motobu, Okinawa.

Women following the Noro, chant songs and dance along with her.

Several different dances take place and, each has special hand movements.

Look closely at the heads of women wearing dark robes.

They all have white bands tied around heir hair and knotted.

Elders, who may be someone's grandmother or mother, tie the knots in the front.

Younger, single women, have the ribbon tied behind their head.

Learn More About Shinigu at Japan Update

You May Also Like: The Ladies of Gushiken Shinigu 2012

End of the Weekend Animation

Great Cloud Cover Came By

 

 

This might not be the GIF of the week but, it will be hard to beat.

Yesterday, in the northern hills, the sun was glaring down and it was blazing hot.

That makes for some mighty difficult photography.

When the sun got blocked for a few seconds, I fired away and, captured this scene.

Most of the dances and songs at this event are solemn and seem religious.

This number was lively and different from the rest.

The occasion, called a Shiungu or Shinigu  is an annual event held throughout the Ryukyus.

One of these days, I'll have to catch up with those dancing women, to ask a question.

Was that, some sort of funny tune, they were dancing to?

Were they smiling, because the cloud cover made them happy?

Or, did they see me, dancing in matching yellow flip-flops, singing "Ei, ei, oh?"

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?

2016 Abushibare (畦払い) A Favorite Photo

Everyone Praying

 

 

This photo was taken at 10:16AM on the beach at Yaka, Kin Town, Okinawa, Japan.

It's a favorite, out of 150 images taken today because, I was fortunate enough, to get that close. 

There were plenty of other photographers and note takers at this cultural event.

Sometimes, the crowd of reporters and photographers, outnumbers the worshipers at an event.

That was probably, true today but, everyone acted professionally and, I'm glad they did.

Each of us, took turns, allowing others, to get in close, to do their work.

It's been a long day and, I'm still waiting, to find out if the full moon will appear tonight. 

Many other images, will have to be processed, at a later date.

Some more candid shots (unprocessed) may be seen, in a Facebook album. 

Learn more about Abushibare:

 Abushibare (畦払い) Snails Got Sent Out to Sea Today

Travel Photo: A Ritual on Henza Island

She's Preparing to Spear One of the Fish

 

A few hundred people were standing around this tent, hoping to see the action.

Prayers and offerings were made, minutes before the woman made this bow.

An external flash, bounced off the ceiling of the white tent, captured this image.

Camera:  Pentax K3

Lens:  Pentax 18-250 at 25MM

Exposure:  f/7.1   1/160   ISO 200

Location:  Henza-jima, Okinawa, Japan

Date and Time:  10 APR 2016  1:18PM 

More photos will be processed and details gathered, to explain the tradition.

Meanwhile, you can read one version of the story at Okinawa Clip.

Many Times I Take a Photo of a Photo

Or Make an Image of a Sign

 

 

There's a method to this madness and, it usually involves research.

Today, I'll show you just this one black and white, framed picture found in a museum.

Of course, before snapping the shutter, permission was granted.

 What you are looking at is a ritual conducted in the far north of Okinawa island.

This month, hopefully, a few of us foreigners, will be attending the event.

This photo helps me get the conversations going, trying to learn the details of what takes place.

Documenting stuff like this, at least five questions have to be asked.

That would be the Who, What, Where, When and Why, all writers have to know about.

The first four, I pretty much have the answers, figured out.

It's a bunch of guys wearing traditional clothing, carrying a wooden tub.

And, it happens on a certain month of the lunar calendar.

Why, is the part, I haven't got the answers to, yet.

Do you suppose, they might have another bunch of folks, coming with another wooden tub ?

Like, a crowd of women, carrying a gal, to meet the guy in this wooden tub ?

What would a guy have to do, to get to ride in the tub from this part of town ?

Anyway, the research goes on.

Okinawan Folktale: Wise Old Water Buffalo

Condensed Version of the Talking Buffalo

 

 

A peasant traveling Okinawa island stopped, to rest, at the top of a hill.

He heard a voice but, couldn't see anyone nearby.

Other than a long-horned water buffalo, there was no living being, in sight. 

The animal was tied with a rope so, the man untangled  and, released it.

Making a joke, the man asked if the bull had spoken to him.

The water-bull said, "Yup, it was me talking to you."

The animal thanked him for being set free and, wanted to reward the man for his help.

The bull explained that a wealthy man from Maeda, had left him in the woods, to die.

If they visited Maeda, the young man could wager, he could make the bull speak.

They went to see the wealthy man, in Maeda.

The wealthy man laughed and laughed at the young man's proposal.

He could get the bull to talk, like a human.

After a good, hard laugh, the wealthy guy said, he would bet everything he owned.

There was no way, that worthless, old water buffalo could speak.

The young man would become an unpaid servant for life if, he lost the bet. 

A neighboring landowner and several servants, were brought along, to witness the bet.

The young man asked the bull to speak, as if he were human.

The water buffalo stood there and said nothing.

The peasant, began pleading for the bull to talk.  Still, nothing.

Everyone else, thought this was hilarious and laughed out loud.

The young man, fearing he was losing the bet, began to beg the bull to speak.

Suddenly, the animal said, "OK.  I'll talk. I'm not comfortable in front of these traitors.

Please, hide them from my view, particularly the evil master."

With a cloth, hiding the bull's face from the crowd, he spoke.

He talked about spending a lifetime, as a beast of burden for the land owner.

And, upon reaching old age, being abandoned in the mountains, to die. 

The young man, won the bet and, became the most wealthy person in Maeda.

Good News -- Bad News

Fame and good fortune became routine for the young man and wise, old water buffalo.

One day, the animal made a serious prediction.

A plague was about to hit the island and, it would kill most of the population.

The bull told the young man, in a former life, it was a human.

It had been reincarnated as an animal.

In order to return to its human form, it must be consumed by humans.

Plague, wouldn't kill the villagers if, they consumed the buffalo in a shimakurashi ritual.

Shimakurashi, is an annual ritual, performed to prevent epidemics.

The water buffalo explained, villagers would recognize it when it became human, again.

Transformed back into a human, it would have a birthmark on its chest.

The mark would be in the shape of a bull's horn.

Reluctantly, the bull was slaughtered and, shimakurashi performed.

Disease ravaged the island but, villagers from Maeda were spared.

A Love Affair

A pretty young maiden, traveling the island, asked if she could spend the night.

The young man, explained, he was unmarried.

If a single woman spent the night in his home, stuff could happen.

She spent the night. Stuff happened. She left the following morning.

 The next year, she returned.

She had a baby, wrapped in a blanket and, told the young man, it was his.

When he unwrapped it he found the bull horn birthmark on its chest.

They got married.

Resources:

Folktales of Okinawa ISBN4-947654-05-8 Page 146

The Talking Buffalo

Okinawan-English Wordbook ISBN 978-0-8248-3102-8 



MORE FOLKLORE

 

1st Birthday in Okinawa Japan

Little Sammy Goes Through the Ritual

 

 

This custom, in Okinawa, is something unique to the Ryukyu Island Chain.

It is a tradition, passed down through generations, more than likely, by word of mouth.

Researching the custom, to find the origins, has left me with very little documentation.

THIS JUST IN

 

There are other places, in Japan, where this ritual is practiced.

It is known as "Erabitori" -- Pick up and keep an item.


 Read more at Blackcabbit's World

The best, I can do, is show you what takes place, with the digital cameras.

All of Sammy's Relatives from Near and Far Gather at the House

 

 

 

Fortunately, most of the guests allowed me some room for the tripod.

There were anywhere from 30-50 visitors who attended the celebration.

Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews and nieces, were just part of the crowd.

It was a good idea, to play around with the cameras ahead of time.

Some children are camera shy, especially when a foreigner points a camera their way.

The Big Event

 

 

Several items are placed on a tray and everyone watches to see which the one year old selects.

The order in which the child picks up each item has some significance.

It helps the family determine their child's future.

The mother, watches anxiously.

She will, probably record the day's events in some sort of diary.

Will her son be a scholar, artist, manual laborer, butcher, baker or, candlestick maker ?

 

Does the child place more significance on the food, money, soroban, pen or, paintbrush ?

As each item is selected, by the child, it is set aside.

The one year old will keep picking items up, until the tray is empty.

The objects placed on the tray may vary, depending where in Okinawa you happen to visit.

And, the interpretation of the order in which each item is selected, is up to the mother.

Mother's always, know best.

Don't they ? 

More About Celebrating a 1st Birthday in Okinawa

Related Post: An Okinawan First Birthday Party (Photo Essay)

A Quick Trip to an Outer Island

Okinawa Island is over there under the blue skies.

Today, we took a drive across a few bridges and visited Hamahiga-jima.

It Pays to Get Out of the Office

 

The plan was to accomplish certain tasks over there.

There was a photo, I wanted to deliver, from one of last year's events.

And, there is some sort of sacred ritual, coming up soon, that I wanted to confirm.

Hamahiga is a neat little island.

On the way over, Doc and I were trying to decide whether to visit Hama or, Higa first.

The small island, has a population of about 600 but, there are two villages.

One is Hama, the other Higa and I wanted to visit both village offices.

Joking, I said, "Maybe these people are like the Hatfields and McCoys."

Just in case there's a feud going on between the Hama and Higa folks, we better be careful.

It's best to only talk about Hama stuff at the Hama village office.

We went west, first to see this place. It's a sacred grove, where a special event happens.

Both of us have probably photographed this sign a dozen times.

For one reason or, another, we have missed the event every year, over the past five years.

It tells me, the rituals take place on June 28th and August 28th by the Lunar Calendar.

Once I took the photo, we headed over to the Hama Village Office.

Then, off came the yellow flip-flops and into slippers, I went.

When you meet the head the village and tell him what you are doing, good things happen.

Let him know you are interested in Okinawa culture and want to take photos of the event.

This image was displayed on my camera LCD screen and, I showed it to him.

Then, I told him, I know the next event will be on the 28th day of the 7th month of the year.

But, I don't have a Chinese calendar handy and, couldn't read one, if I did.

Before you know it, we left there with a goldmine worth of information.

And, through a little bit of joking, in Ryukyu dialect, have a new friend.

Over at the Higa End of the Island

Things couldn't have went any better if we had been paying somebody.

Some gentleman was leaving the office, as we entered.

He didn't seem overly friendly.

The framed photo, I had taken last year was a present for the office.

This gal, who remembered me, told the man, who I was.

She let him know, I gave the office a CD with about 200 photos on it, from last year's event.

And, told us, the event for this month is less than 3 weeks away.

We're invited, of course.

Now the guy, was smiling.

In local dialect, I told him, "Let's go drinking together, someday."

It got him laughing and maybe, we have another friend on the east side of town.

That's how we getterdun.

Within UNESCO Nakijin Castle: A Ritual Photo

This is an image of a man preparing one of the sacred sites for an annual ritual.

Today, I took the cameras and visited all of the locations of worship within Nakijin-jo.

Before taking any photos, I asked permission and went to each site with those attending.

Offerings and prayers were made at many places, I've visited before.

There were areas of the pilgrimage that took us outside the confines of the castle.

Totally exhausted and, with hundreds of photos to process, this is all I will posting tonight. 

Being allowed to take photos of cultural events, like this, is something I enjoy.

More important, to me though, is the friends I make along the way.

Today on Kouri Jima Okinawa We Visited a Cave (Images)

It was a bit of a squeeze, getting in there.

But, there was lots of room inside.

Candles and small fires lit the place.

Not many people know about this annual event, that takes place on Kouri Jima.

So, I feel lucky to be invited.

 One of my friends was looking like, "What's gonna happen next?"

 Thanks to Map It Okinawa for taking this photo.

It shows, I knelt down in the cave like everybody else and got blessed.

Look at Some Characters and Faces from the Sanguacha (Images)

Centuries Old Ritual Tradition

 

The Sanguacha is an event that takes place on Henza Island in Okinawa, Japan.

Further research and translation will be needed before I have a complete story to publish.

But, I can give you a peek at some of the folks and things I met during the Sanguacha.

This brightly-colored fish appears to be the village mascot.

Much of the prayers and rituals are dedicated to the success of fisherman.

The whole entourage proceeds to a small off shore island to conduct ceremonies.

Villagers, of every age, participate.

There could be as many costumes as you would see in New Orleans Mardi Gras, for all I know.

Every major brand of camera and video recorder are there, too.

It's always a pleasure running into those who know what they are doing.

These guys cracked me up.

They knew how to stuff a bra but, forgot to shave the armpits.

To keep confusion to a minimum, I won't try to name any of these characters.

It would have been nice to get photos of everyone but, I had to move quickly.

The procession covers a lot of ground so, there's no time to waste, sitting down.

It was a really warm day.

Those people wearing rubber masks must of been awful hot.

When the crowd stopped at a tent for some opening ceremonies, I took a break.

There was a drink machine, in the shade and I bought some cold water.

While everybody in the tent was praying or, whatever they do, I was over here.

 This sweetheart invited me to sit down and cool-off.

And, we just entertained ourselves.

Everywhere you go at the Sanguacha you run into friendly people.

Sometimes, I pop-up from behind the camera and blow a kiss, to see what will happen.

Hah.  I better not let the wife see this one !

 The Henza Community Center is where everything started and ended.

There were plenty of dances and performances, that probably lasted all night long.

One of my favorite characters, is the Shishimai; that purple guy above.

The two youngsters, under that fur, had to be roasting, dancing in that contraption.

This was where I took my parting shot, for the day.

Some Photo Printing Needs to be Done

 

 

A pile of photos of these faces and characters will be made for my return trip to Henza Island.

Maybe, I should just burn them to a CD for the village office.

Out of all the faces, I took photos of, I only came home with one, signed model release.

That means, I have to track some folks down for signatures if I want to get them published.

Can you guess who, from the photos above, already signed one ?