The Old Stone Lions of Sokei in Ginoza Okinawa

Artifacts That Should Be National Treasures

 

 

It took a few days searching to find these gems.

The dates manufactured may take even longer if, they have been recorded anywhere.

They aren't the typical Shisa (Lion Dogs) you see throughout the Ryukyu Islands.

Rather than, being clay, fired up in a kiln and glazed, these are made of natural stone.

A publication from the Village of Ginoza is what got me looking for the stone statues.

The folks in Sokei, don't call them Shisa. They are Ishigantou, to the people of Ginoza.

Also, spelled, Ishiganto, these are talismans believed to ward off evil.

The first one was located, fairly easily, as it was at the edge of a field bordering a road.

The second one we found, tucked away at an intersection near some vending machines.

Sometimes, I back-off with the camera to show the surroundings.

 

  A historical marker like this, comes in handy for research, too.

So, I shot it at a readable angle for further research.

The Map It Okinawa dude and I had some difficulty locating Ishigantou #3.

It was starting to get dark so, we called off the search.

The following night, we were out, doing our Halloween ghost hunting stuff.

 It was dark outside and felt like a rainstorm was blowing in.

No ghosts were going to be found so, we decided to drive through Sokei at night.

Probably, because neither of us believes in ghouls and ghosts, this thing showed up.

It was Ishigantou #3, we couldn't spot in daylight, the day before!

Photo taken: OCT 26 at 12:15AM

 

 History and Culture

 

 

The manual from Ginoza Village explains the three Ishigantou.

They were placed at the north, south and west boundaries of the village.

The purpose:  To protect the area from evil winds, coming from mountains, in those directions.

In the ninth month of the Chinese Calendar, on the fifth day, guess what happens?

Cows, get sacrificed, to drive evil spirits away, at all three Stone Lions.

Suddenly I Need a Lunar Calendar

 

 

This is the kind of thing, I'm always looking for and, wanting to write about.

Out of the way, ceremonies in small communities are, waiting to be documented.

Where the heck is the Chinese Calendar, when, I really need one?

A handy PDF can be downloaded from the Government of Hong Kong.

And, you can do simple conversions between calendars with it.

Excuse me.  I have more ghost hunting to do.

MORE: Another Look at Shimakanka

Statues in Okinawa of People Pointing Towards Places

There Must Be a Reason

 

 

Famous individuals don't just point out things to be rude.

Whenever I see a statue, pointing at something, I have to figure out what was going on.

This is a statue of King Sho En, located on Izena Island

His name was Kanamaru when he was young and, he's pointing east, towards Okinawa.

Across the sea, he went and, became King of the Ryukyu Islands.

Over in Yomitan, Okinawa, there's a statue of Taiki, pointing west.

His big brother, King Satto, sent him on missions to trade with China and, he did well.

The Village of Yomitan, holds a Taiki Festival every year in his honor.

This is a statue of  Kyuzo Toyama, considered the father of Okinawan emigration.

He is pointing to the East, towards Hawaii.

His emigration policies led to Okinawan communities being established worldwide.

Last and Least

 

 

 

The next photo, isn't a statue, just someone pointing, back towards Okinawa.

It's me and, after three days running around on Izena, I wanted to go home.

It would be nice, to become royalty someday but, I wouldn't want to be a king.

Emperor, benevolent dictator or, something like that, would be fine.

"Free beers and yellow flip-flops for everyone."  That's what I'd say. 

Off the Beaten Path to a Ritual in a Cave (Photo Essay)

10 More Photos from the Cave Tour

 

 

Little known cultural events of this sort are becoming popular.

 Travel and tourism connections, along with newsletters, keep me informed.

 Toguchi Sensei, the spiritual leader of this event, knows it as well.

When we first discovered, this ritual, it was performed, only once a year.

Tourist maps and markers, may have helped Sururu Gama become popular.

Or, it could just be word of mouth, that brought about increased interest in the event.

To accommodate the number of visitors, four cave tours have been scheduled this year.

 

 It's a good idea, to see what you're getting into before going on one of these pilgrimages.

It isn't exactly like a Sunday drive to church.

 Getting to and from, the sea level cave, takes a bit of hiking and rock climbing.

Visits are made during low tide and, you crawl, to get in there.

Here's a view of a heart-shaped hole in a rock, just outside the cave.

At half tide, this and the cave would be invisible unless, you are a diver or, snorkeler.

The cave will hold about 50 guests before becoming overcrowded.

Candles and some natural light help you navigate the interior.

The real attraction is Ayako Toguchi, performing her rituals.

She is a respected spiritual leader in the Ryukyu Islands.

 And, blesses each individual who attends the event in this cave.

There will be two more tours of this cultural event, for the year 2014.

April 13th and the 20th, are the scheduled dates.

For reservations and further information:  TEL 0980-56-2187

Japanese language or, translator are required.

Protect Your Home from Evil --- Get an Ishiganto !

Here's What They Look Like

 

 

 

The carving on that rock says, "Ishiganto."

Believing that evil spirits travel in straight lines, you might need one of these.

In the Ryukyu Islands, if your house is on a corner or, intersection, Ishiganto protects it.

You don't have to buy a big rock,  smaller Ishiganto are available.

The other day, walking my dogs, I spotted one that had done its job.

It was smashed, like a truck or something had crashed into it.

So, I figure, it saved the guy's wall and, house.

It would have been nice to show you a photo of it but, I didn't take one.

That's because, I'm not very innocent looking.

Some Folks Call It Superstition

There are over 10,000 of these on walls, throughout the Ryukyu Island Chain.

Like my college professor used to say, "It's their beliefs not, superstition."

All you had to do, to flunk a course, was use that "S" word.

So, I took it out of my vocabulary.

Today, I found a twenty page paper (PDF), done by Takahashi Seiichi.

Everything you ever wanted to know about this good luck charm, is published there.

For example, you can find them everywhere, from China to Hokkaido.

And, he even uses the term, "Ishiganto enthusiasts."

How cool is that ?

Easier than pronouncing, superstitious people, I think !

Learn More About Ishiganto:

Okinawa Index

OkiStyle A-Z



Flower Photo: Calliandra haematocephala var. alva

Just Call It A White Powderpuff

 

 

The Latin name is too long to remember but, fits up there nicely.

The plants grow into trees on Okinawa and I couldn't get close enough to smell the flower.

But, the University of Florida says they smell good.

 This one was so high in the sky, I had to use the zoom lens to shoot it.

The rascal looks like me when I first wake up in the morning.

 The Southeast Botanical Gardens was the location these were spotted in.

A bit of a tropical storm is blowing through the Ryukyu Islands, right now.

My plan is to go back down that way and see if I can find any Pink or, Red Powderpuff flowers.

With a little hair coloring, I bet, I could wake up looking like one of them, too !

Do Not Be Disturbed by the Silence of the Drums

August May Be Ending But Eisa Dances Go On

 

The village streets in Okinawa, become quiet again at night, when Obon is over.

But Eisa may be viewed and, listened to, throughout the year.

An invitation to attend the Orion Beer Festival this weekend was politely declined.

Eisa groups from throughout the Ryukyu Islands perform so, I was tempted to go.

However, I still have hundreds (maybe thousands) of photos waiting processing and delivery.

There's really no need to go driving to the big city, at night to see Eisa.

Sitting in the comfort of an air-conditioned office, I watched this video three times. 

 

It was produced by a good friend and, an award-winning film maker, Robert Avery.

If the silence of the drums is bugging you or, you have never witnessed Eisa, check it out.

Okinawa's Obon Festivities End After 3 Days (Photos)

A Busy Time of the Year

 

 

 

The ancestors have finished their annual visit and everyone has gone back where they came from.

It has been an extremely busy week.

A friend wanted to know if I'd like to go to Uruma City and watch Eisa.

Heck no !    I've been chasing Eisa dancers and, the full moon all week.  Burnout !!!

Eisa, takes place on almost any little village street, throughout the Ryukyu Islands.

Loud music, is played through speaker systems and you hear thunderous drum beats.

The dancers chant stuff like "Hai  EEE Yah".

If you want to pretend you're somebody's drunk uncle and join-in, that's OK.

It was real tempting but, I had photos to shoot.

The Eisa dancers are all twenty-something and full of energy.

They have been known to perform, all over the island, until the wee hours of the morning.

And, being old enough to drink, they may tip a few when they're on a break.

The first night of Obon, they are welcoming the ancestral spirits. 

The second day, they entertain them.

And, the last night of festivities, is to send them off in good spirits.

With Obon season, over and done, my cameras are all packed away, resting-up for the weekend.

So, I was thinking I should take a night off.

There was this place, I found, in my travels that has some good spirits, I'd like to try.



5 Views of a Sacred Site on Sesoko Island Okinawa

There are hundreds of sacred sites (Utaki) on the island of Okinawa.

The stonework of the walls and steps here resemble that of a castle so, this one is very old.

With no one worshiping, it was a good time to take photos from several angles.

Notice, there are two separate structures.

The building in the back has an unusual ornament on the tiled roof.

 Here is a view, looking through the first building at the locked entrance to the second one.

Down the road, to the right, you can see both buildings are up on a hill.

The Ryukyu Islands have a fascinating history and culture.

It could take a non-native 100 years to understand it all.

Be patient.  I'm working on it.

Related Posts:

Forest, Rocks and Salt: The Less Traveled Path in Okinawa

Utaki the Sacred Sites of Okinawa

Then and Now (Photos) Sougen-ji (崇元寺) Naha, Okinawa, Japan

Here is what Sougen-ji looks like today.

Trying to duplicate the original photographer's shot, I had to stand in the middle of the street.

A black and white police car made me hurry and get out of there.

I wanted to show you the similarities and differences with this Then and Now.

Above photo courtesy of Okinawa Soba, a super Flickr contact of mine.

Most visitors to the island of Okinawa don't realize, they had real trains here before World War II.

Stop by and see Okinawa Soba's collection of fine photography.

There, you can learn a lot more about Sougen-ji and the history of the Ryukyu Islands.

2013 Lily Festival on Ie Jima Starts Tomorrow

This Just In: A Million Lilies Blooming !

 

Three days were spent out on Ie Island in Okinawa, checking things out.

We were busy doing other things but, made sure the white lilies were in bloom.

The five photos you see here, were taken this morning.

Weather has been a bit unpredictable but, some blue skies did manage to peek through.

 Sometimes called Easter Lilies, those flowers are native to the Ryukyu Islands.

 They smell real good and will be blooming for about three more weeks.

That means anyone, from anywhere around the globe, could hop on a plane and come see them.

So, if you like nature and flowers, that's exactly what you should do.

What's everybody waiting for ?

2012 in Okinawa Japan: A Digital Photo Review

A Month by Month Chronological Photo Essay 

 

It's impossible to post all of the sights seen, in one year on the Ryukyu Islands, here.

So, the random-pick-a-monthly-photo method was used, to browse through 30,000 files.

JANUARY

 The Fukugawa Waterfall

The Cherry Blossom Season was what you might call "too little, too late" in 2012.

So, we did some off the beaten path things with the cameras.

FEBRUARY

  

Cherry Blossoms Cornered at a Sacred Site

This had to be the prettiest cherry tree, to be found so, it had to be photographed.

Had the woman in the village office not given permission to shoot, I'm afraid.....

.....her words would have fallen upon deaf ears.

MARCH

  

Iris Festival 2012

Cherry Blossoms bloom during the winter months, in Okinawa.

The Iris Festival, though, is a sure sign of spring.

When the Iris flowers bloom, every kind of flower imaginable, gets the word.

And, everything starts blooming.  Yea !

APRIL

An Okinawan Mineo Band

On occasion (ahem-ahum) Ryukyu Dudes get invited to these night time events.

Well, this one likes to drink.  But, takes photography too seriously.

So, no drinking takes place 'til after the shooting is done.

Anyway, somebody got drunk, that night and left my umbrella on the bus.

Well, I know the guy who was driving and will hunt him down. 

Where's my umbrella ?

MAY

Shuri Castle Gate

This photo was taken to use in the Okinawa Then and Now Series.

The girls were paid for posing but, they got framed prints of the photos, too.

JUNE

Itoman Dragonboat Races

This was a most unforgettable experience.  

See, I have this notion that it's a good idea to mingle with the locals.

So, RyukyuRusty and I went down to Itoman the night before the event.

We partied with the people 'til the wee hours and got some sleep at the fishing port.

Well, the next day, one of us had a little run-in with the law.

Ain't sayin' who it was, cuz his Mom reads this stuff !

JULY

Red-headed Egret

These characters are called Cattle Egrets. 2012 was the first year I saw any around my town.

Now, I'm not sure if they just started migrating to Okinawa or, are always here.

We had dozens of them flying around.  But, there were no cattle with them.

They were easy pickings, with the Sigma 50-500mm

And one of them made it to Finalist in a photo contest for me.

AUGUST

The Terns of Komaka-jima

Some of the craziest things happen when you leave your biggest lens at home.

Three of us traveled to Komaka-jima to check the island out.

RyukyuRusty and the Map It Okinawa Dude went all over, exploring the place.  Not me.

These birds, from Australia, kept me busy, the whole time we were there.

And all I had on the Pentax, to shoot with, was an 18-250mm lens.

We will have to go back there next year.  That's because two of us are travel writers.

We sort of forgot something.  I need to make a checklist so we don't forget again.

People need to know if the crappers work !

SEPTEMBER

Ie-Shima at Sunset

Sunset photography can be tricky when clouds hug the horizon and block out the show.

But, every once in awhile, the sky turns some cool colors.

This sunset, from Motobu Peninsula gave me a great silhouette of Ie-Shima.

OCTOBER

The Character

If there was an award for Character of the Year, my vote would go for this kid.

Two framed prints were sent to the school, one for the main office and, one for the parents.

But, I still have no idea who he or, she might be !

NOVEMBER

On the Prowl

Firing away, in burst mode, at a fast-flying Grey-faced Buzzard Eagle got me this shot.

When you are panning the camera and, the sun lights up that gold eyeball, you know it.

Instinctively, you know, you have nailed a great shot.

The jury is not out, yet, on this one. The verdict, for the contest, is still pending.

DECEMBER

Ladies in Waiting

That's a title, I just made up.  This photo isn't going in any contest.

Right now, we are working on a big story.

It takes place over the course of two weekends. And, we're only half way there.

In a centuries-old Ryukyuan tradition, water is drawn from two separate locations on Okinawa.

Then, it is mixed and presented at a shrine in Shuri Castle.

The young ladies above, are waiting for it to start.

See the one on the left smiling ?

Well, I'm not sure if she knows me or, was just laughing because my beard got caught in the tripod !