Travel Photo: Important Cultural Property of Izena Village

This photo was taken on a trip to Izena Island.

It is a building, off to the left of what is known as the Mekaruke Old House.

The buildings on this site have been designated, important cultural properties.

Meikari-ka and Mekarauke, are the terms found in researching this site.

They may simply be different translations of the local dialect.

It is a large estate, for housing, on such a small island.

The property was not destroyed during the Battle of Okinawa and, is well preserved.

One source reveals, that is was the residence of a senior samurai.

King Sho En's uncle Makoto Saburo, resided here.

Today I Found the Stuff Samurais Used to Drink (Photo)

Who Would Have Ever Thought It's Vinegar ?

 

 

The first place I heard about it was from a blogger in Portland, Oregon, USA. 

Andy Hayes, wrote:

"The Japanese Secret to Long and Healthy Living."

 His article mentioned Genki Su.

That would be translated:  Healthy Vinegar

And, he mentioned that it came from some secret Okinawan family recipe.

So, I went on a mission today, to see if I could find the stuff.

BINGO !

The first place, I looked, had what I went searching for, with a little different name.

Spellcheck, ain't gonna like this, I have a sneaking suspicion.

That's a bottle of Vinepple, pictured above.

The one I selected, has honey and ginger, mixed with vinegar.

It's not bad tasting stuff.

From what I could make out of the Japanese directions 100ml a day is the dosage.

So, I figure, that bottle should last more that a week.

If I keep drinking it, maybe I'll live to be a hundred.  If not....

... I reckon, I'll just live until I die !

More About Japanese Drinking Vinegar May Be Seen:

English Language:  Epoch Times

Japanese Website:  Itoh Kampo Products

Okinawan Folkltale: Legend of Hakugindo Shrine

Offerings on a Daily Basis

 

This shrine may not be on the top ten places to visit of any traveler's itinerary.

It is an important part of Okinawan culture, that shouldn't be missed.

The history of the shrine, attracts people, from all over Okinawa to visit, every day.

And, they make offerings for a good reason.

 Photos showing the exterior of Hakugindo Shrine were in a previous post.

Today, in this photo, you can look inside the cave over which the shrine was built.

The Story Began over 400 Years Ago

 

 

Prior to annexation by Japan, Okinawa was known as the Ryukyu Kingdom.

These events took place between a Ryukyu fisherman and a Japanese samurai.

 

A samurai loaned money to a poor fisherman, to buy a boat.

The samurai went back to Japan and expected the loan to be paid, upon his return.

Things didn't go well, for the Ryukyuan fisherman.

When the samurai warrior returned, there was no money waiting for him.

In anger, the samurai, drew his sword to end the fisherman's life.

The fisherman warned the warrior, "Never raise your sword in anger."

Stunned, the samurai, let the fisherman live and departed the Ryukyu Islands.

Upon Returning to Japan

The samurai discovered a pair of man's sandals outside his home.

Suspecting, someone was visiting his wife, while he was away, he became enraged.

He drew his sword and entered the house, ready to kill.

Then, he recalled the words of the Ryukyu fisherman and lowered the sword.

Taking a good look at the stranger in his house, he discovered, it was his mother.

She had worn a man's clothing to discourage any male visitors while her son was away.

A Year Later

 

 

On the warrior's next trip to the Ryukyu Islands he visited the fisherman.

Having had a very successful year, the fisherman was ready to repay the loan.

The samurai didn't want the money.

He gave the fisherman credit for saving the lives of his wife and mother.

The fisherman had taught him "Never raise your sword in anger."  

The fisherman insisted on repaying the loan but, the samurai refused to accept it.

As a compromise, they decided to bury the money, together.

They placed it in a cave and had Hakugindo Shrine constructed over it.

It would be a place to pray for the safety of the villagers and fisherman's lives.

The legend of Hakugindo Shrine teaches a valuable lesson, that money can't buy.

And, it is the reason you will see people visiting, making offerings and praying there, today.

SOURCE: JAPAN UPDATE AUG 2009

Then and Now (Photos) Hakugindo Shrine in Okinawa, Japan

Sometimes, these Then and Now series photos just sneak up on you.

This shrine photo was taken last Friday in Itoman Okinawa, Japan.

It was just one of those days, I was riding around with the MAP IT OKINAWA DUDE

and shooting pictures of whatever happened to be in front of my lens.

Here I was sitting in my office during beer drinking hours when an email came in, sounding all excited about something.

It said, "Guess What ?!!!!!!!!!!"

"YOU WERE HERE TODAY !!!!!"

Attached to the email were these two old photos discovered by RyukyuRu.

These photos of Hakugindo Shrine were taken sometime in 1958.

View them at higher resolution on REMEMBERING OKINAWA.

Looking through the Shrine's torii gate, you can see where the old wooden buildings have been replaced with concrete structures.  Some trees have disappeared and the front grounds of the Shrine have been paved with stones in this photo dated January 27, 2012.

Legend has a story about this shrine being built over a cave, where a local fisherman and a samurai stashed a large sum of money back during the Ryukyu Kingdom days.

Read more about it in the JAPAN UPDATE.

Guaranteed, RyukyuRu will thoroughly research the history of Hakugindo Shrine and give everyone the story behind it along with a map to get you there.

When I took those photos it was still January.

That was then but, this is now.
It's time for me to get the place ready for beer drinking, again.

Enjoy your weekend.

More Then and Now Photos