New Year's Eve Afternoon Stroll with the iPhone

 Wet and Cold Winter Weather

Normally, I'm out with the camera, backpack, and dog, early in the morning.

With wannabe typhoon-like winds and rain, I've slacked off doing 10,000 step hikes before noon.

The drizzle stopped for a while this afternoon so, I headed out to do some end-of-year business.

Suddenly I noticed a patch of blue sky with white clouds, directly ahead of me.

A bit of maneuvering got me this shot with no telephone wires in the scene.

Leaving the post office and walking the backroads, I spotted this gem of an attraction.

2020 has been sort of a lousy year and everyone has been stuck at home, social distancing.

It didn't stop this Komatsu family from having a baby!

Heading back across the south side of the highway, I stopped at a local electrical store.

One of the things I've been putting off all year was buying a new computer mouse.

Got that and a new iPhone charging wire to boot, for under 20 bucks.

It turned out to be a Not-so-bad, crappy New Year's Eve, I guess. Hopefully, yours went well, too.

Next, I'll have to Google, "Breaking in your new mouse" and see if there are instructions.

If not, I'll have to see if that can be remedied sometime next year.

 THE END

Two Old Favorite Shisa in Yaese Town Okinawa

Tomori Stone Lion

There are 14 of these original stone lions  (Shisa) to be found in Yaese.

The most famous is the bullet scared one pictured above.

It's considered the granddaddy of them all and has been written about extensively.

See Doc Graff's version of the legend at Apogee Photo Magazine.

Yesterday, three of us went out and visited some of the antique Shisa statues down south.

Lighting conditions were fairly horrible but, we had fun anyway.

One old dude (named Jerry) had never seen these statues before so, we felt like tour guides.

I'd post a photo of him doing photography but, am waiting for his approval.

People can take you to court if, you don't have permission to publish their photo.

This guy is older and probably wiser than me so, you'll have to keep on waiting.

Kogusuku Nise Ishi

This one doesn't look like much but, it's becoming as famous with tourists as the one above.

Over the years, I have noticed improvements to the sites and the ease of access.

Convenient parking, stairways and, trimming of vegetation are bonuses.

Getting out to find local treasures can be a chore when you're sweating swatting bugs.

These statues are easy to reach and even have stairs with handrails, to assist you in climbing.

No Typing Necessary

Here they placed a sign, giving the story in English and Japanese.

In case you're new around here let me tell you, "I Hate Typing."

Whenever you see a sign like this, you should shoot it with your camera.

That way, it won't require translation and, writing a short story becomes simple!

Visit the Stone Shisa of Yaese

Kogusuku Nise Ishi

Tomori Lion



More in Okinawan Folktale: Origins of Okinawa Shisa

Wordless Wednesday: Okinawa Wall Art

LOCATION

Okinawan Folktale: Origins of Okinawa Shisa

Two Original Stone Shisa Statues

There are hundreds of thousands of them if, you counted every Shisa on the island.

The Shisa (Lion-dog) seen today are kiln fired clay or, plastic figures used as good luck charms.

Throughout Okinawa they, guard gates, homes, bridges and offices, to ward off evil spirits.

Often, they are sold to tourists on key chains and as jewelry. Often, they are brightly colored.

To discover the origins of the Ryukyu Shisa, you'd have to go back a few centuries in history.

On the main island of Okinawa a few dozen of the original Shisa may be seen.

Remnants of the Ryukyu Dynasty, from the days Okinawa was an independent kingdom.

A traveler would have to leave pavement in order to find them. Here are two, unique ones.

Tomori Lion

Sculptured at some point during the 17^th Century this statue sits on a hill in Yaese Town.

The district of Tomori, experienced fires burning homes and crops, frequently.

A master of the Chinese art, feng shui was consulted and a tour of the village was conducted.

What advice, to give the villagers, had to be determined by surveying the terrain.

Feng shui practitioners are sort of spiritual persons, with divine connections.

Normal humans, can't sense, which direction evil spirits may be coming from.

When the village elders and the guru reached this knoll, something happened.

They were all sweating from, climbing the hill under a blazing hot sun.

But, the master felt a chill, stopped perspiring and, got goosebumps on his body.

Facing Mt. Yaese, the feng shui expert declared, “That's where the fires are coming from.”

Showing them an amulet, resembling a lion, he gave them instructions.

A life-sized stone sculpture would have to be placed on this hill, facing the mountain.

The evil fires, coming towards the hamlet, would cease and, the villagers would be safe.

In the exact spot and facing in the correct direction, the Tomori stone Shisa was placed.

It was the first Shisa, ever made on Okinawa island and, many more would follow.

Kogusuku Nise Ishi

The fires in Tomori Village never happened again. Stone Shisa became legendary.

They were used to ward off fires, plague, misfortunes and all sorts of evil, throughout Yaese.

Before long Shisa statues were being placed in villages throughout the Ryukyu Islands.

There are at least a dozen of these antique stones, to be seen in Yaese Town, alone.

Most of them are off the beaten path, hidden from the average traveler's eyesight.

Some are in habu (poisonous snake) and mosquito territory and, located where there are no

 parking areas for vehicles.

Many local residents, don't know these treasures exist, in the neighborhoods where they live.

The Nise Stone of Kogusuku is on the travel map and, has some unusual folklore.

It has been designated a Tangible Cultural Property of Yaese Town. It is different.

Shisa or, Chinese guardian lion dogs, usually protect hamlets from fires or evil spirits.

This Shisa was placed in its location, to ensure good fortune for young men.

After being erected at this location, it brought prosperity to the young men of the village.

To this date, on certain occasions, village officials and youth, come to worship here.

It is also said if, a woman desires a boy child, she should touch this stone Shisa.

NOTE: To find other original Shisa a local guide may be required.


MORE OKINAWA FOLKLORE

Wordless Wednesday: Tomori Stone Shisa (Stone Lion) in Yaese

Stop and Think: How Many Characters Named Donald Do You Know ?

Pottery District of Naha

Down in the district know as Tsuboya I ran across this scene one day.

A Donald Duck doll was taking up space at a table, where I wanted to sit to eat.

Not many yachimun (pottery) shops serve food but, this one had a small menu.

The name of the place slips my memory at the moment. But, the curry was unforgettable.

Photo Comes in Handy Today

The little, flashy dude stands out among all the ancient-looking urns, vases and shisa.

Anachronism, might not be the best way, to describe this scene.

The clay pottery sells fairly quickly, from those little shops in Naha.

So, the stuffed character is as old or older than, those items. I'll post this blog and share it.

It will hit a wider audience over on Facebook and, I'll ask two Questions.

1. Does anyone know the name of this pottery shop ?

2. How many people, do you know named, Donald ?

15 Images of Okinawa Shisa Statues

Sold Throughout the Islands

The Shisa are guardians of homes and businesses located in the Ryukyu Island Chain. 

Properly positioned, the female is placed on the left, male on the right.

She's smiling and welcoming friends. He's growling to keep evil spirits at bay.

This year, it seems lots of folks, who've lived here are interested in buying the statues.

They are Americans, back in the USA and, forgot to buy them while on island.

Traditional statues are usually red clay, which has been molded and baked in an earthen oven.

These days, you can find all sorts of colored and comical ones.

Enough requests came my way, I decided to do some Shisa store exploration.

Permission was granted to photograph everywhere, I went.

But, I didn't use a flash or, move things around on the shelves.

Traditional statues, in pairs about, 12 inches tall, seemed to be what most folks wanted.

Over the course of a few months, I did comparison shopping all over this island.

There must be dozens of Shisa seen by me every day, just walking around.

So, I really wasn't all excited about shooting them in stores and pottery shops.

If, I thought ahead of time, a tape measure was brought along, to show sizes.

Here's what can be done if, you forgot to  bring along the ruler. Size 12 flip-flop.

It must have been one of those days, I didn't want anyone to recognize me. Blue shoes ?

Now, I remember. It was raining that day so, I wore Brazilian sandals.

The yellow shima-zori, didn't have enough tread left on them, to keep from slipping.

The displays, aren't always good for checking prices and doing photo compositions.

Up high, I shot this to give an idea, the price is around 300 bucks.

This pair was a bit different looking that most of the red clay statues. Goofy, I think.

The price wasn't too bad, considering how tall the characters were. 

Models of this sort could easily be mounted at gates or, upor rooftops.

Come to think of it, they'd make terrific bookends, too !

Shopping Really Isn't a Favorite Hobby of Mine

If it hadn't been for an old drinking buddy of mine, I probably would have quit by now.

Mr. H (we'll call him) and I have known each other for a few decades.

He must have lived on Okinawa for 30 years or more. Business took him to California.

Now, he wants some Shisa. What ?

Through a few emails I learned, he's looking for something more like this pair.

However, the specifications for size, needed to be 12 inches. How aout 11 ?

These little statues were only a few inches tall but, some of the least expensive ones, I found.

Taller than 12 inches was this set for $240.00 USD.

The establishment, was one of those places, yellow flip-flops are frowned upon.

So, I refused to take them off for measurement purposes. Hah !

In travelling up and down the island of Okinawa, I made a discovery at this place.

The most reasonable prices for Shisa can probably, be found in Yomitan Pottery Village.

The prices can vary wildly even, when the size to statues may be the same.

It could have something to do, with the artist, who made the creations. I don't know for sure.

At a location in Nago, you could spend anywhere from a few bucks to over $23.000 for a pair !

From another stateside friend, came this suggestion:

"Type Okinawa Shisa in the Search Box at Ebay."

They have plenty. Or, come visit Okinawa, again and, shop for yourself.  I'm done.

Travel Photo: Nice Day in January

Traditional Okinawan Architecture

 

 

For all the talk of snow in Okinawa, the weather sure turned out nice today.

Conditions are subject to change, every 10 minutes, on a tropical island.

So, when I saw the blue skies, I ran and grabbed a camera.

Camera: Pentax K3

Lens: Pentax 18-250 at 81MM

Exposure:  f/16   1/320   ISO 100

Location:  Kin Town, Okinawa, Japan

Date and Time:  JAN 27  2015  11:56AM

The Shisa (Liondogs) of Kin Bridge

Heading north on HWY329 this shisa is on the left side of the road.

Directly across the street sits the other shisa facing towards the west.

 On the far side of the bridge the 3d shisa is facing towards the east.

The 4th shisa, should be here but, it seems to have disappeared.

Let's hope somebody didn't take it home to use as a lawn ornament !

Related Posts:

A Shisa (Liondog) Photo

Portrait of a Shisa

The Stone Lion of Tomori

Sometimes a Real Dog Is on the Roof of an Okinawan Home

We all get used to seeing the clay statues on the tiled roofs around here.

Those are called Shisa and, they are supposed to ward off evil, protecting the homes.

Walking the back roads of Kin Town, I met this character.

It wasn't some sort of lucky charm, used to scare wicked things away.

These folks have a real live dog on the roof, to warn them when someone approaches.

How many homes in your neighborhood are equipped with alarms like that ?

Plenty of Wildlife and Nature Activity at the Nagahama Dam

Birds Were Everywhere Today

 

Yesterday, I just posted a photo showing the park below the dam.

We went there today with some cameras and here's what we saw.

An Egret in flight buzzed by my lens at  9:44AM.

At 9:53, a Grey Heron put on a show.

That got me thinking, this would be a great place to take your kids and teach them about nature.

When there aren't any birds flying, I shoot butterflies and dragonflies.

About 10:20AM Grey-faced Buzzard Eagles showed up overhead.

By 10:40AM, I was out of coffee and, getting restless; it was time to move on.

A minute later, I shot this Cormorant flying over the dam.

Heading back to the car, I just had to take a photo of this Shisa statue.

There was clear blue sky in the background.

And, it looks like the character is trying to say something.

Before putting the camera away, I decided to look down below the dam, one more time.

Don't ever leave your little kids with me, to learn about nature.

Because some things, I wouldn't know how you would want to explain them.

If your young'uns saw the next scene, what would you tell them the birds are doing ?

Probably, I'd say, "Oh.  That's just how birds fax each other."

"Now, let's get outta here."

Portrait of a Shisa

This is one of my favorite spur of the moment shots taken of a Shisa (Lion-Dog).

More of my shots of these Lion-Dogs protecting homes, businesses, buildings and bridges all over my island have been published online. They were researched by folks a lot smarter than me so, their stories are probably as close to the truth as one can get.

Take a peek if you have time and don't let the ghosts scare you. They were Photoshopped-in!


APOGEE PHOTO MAGAZINE and SHISA'S in TEXAS