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.

Throwback Thursday: Laugh and Dance

They Don't Make Them Like This Anymore

The weather guru, stretched the truth a bit today and, it caught me off guard.

It was supposed to be cloudy and overcast all day long. So, I stayed at the office.

Miserable weather, doesn't mean people have to be miserable, too.

When they predict a lousy day I try and shake it off, by doing something nice.

On the way to work, I plan on making at least three people smile.

Some, I just say "Good morning" to and, others "Merry Christmas."

Smile, when you greet someone and, most times, they'll smile back at you.

Half a dozen smiles, makes even the worst of days, a little brighter. I got five today.

About 4:30 this afternoon, the sun shined for a good while but, I didn't get out much.

While out back, getting some fresh air, I noticed some birds and ran for the camera.

A total of two images were taken. One bird and one flower, I'll save for another day.

This is the first time, I've posted a (TBT) Throwback Thursday image.

This image, taken by Rusty Robertson was originally posted in 2010.

We were in an old, dying shopping mall, which is probably a ghost town nowadays.

Humongous shopping centers, have sort of killed, all the little marketplaces, these days.

They may have outlawed, cutouts such as this one, for tourists to pose behind. Who knows ?

I thought that outfit was fabulous. And, look at my fingernails. Gorgeous, eh ?

Wordless Wednesday -- We Got a Little High

Grabbing a Burger at 50's Cafe from California

New Improved Location

 

 

Lots of my foodie friends were disappointed when the old hamburger shack closed down.

At a busy intersection along the highway, there was very limited parking available.

Sonovagun if they didn't pack-up and, move into a big shopping mall !

 

The 50's Cafe is now located in the Uruma City Don Quijote store.  Yay !

Several hundred cars can probably fit in the parking lot, over there.

That would be a great place to send somebody shopping, while you get to go eat.

 The owner and his wife let me shoot anything, I wanted to, in the place.

So, I thought it would be nice to let everyone see what the joint looks like.

 It's a little bit tricky, taking photos without any people in the scene.

Who wants to be bothered by a cameraman when they're eating ?

After placing my order, I ran all around the place with the tripod and camera.

Every few minutes, I had to run outside, to get the GPS, turned back on.

Beyond this sign, is the tax free shopping center, which I, kept out of just, because.

Some people might enjoy shopping.  They should go in there; not me.

Remember the 1950's ?  Men were men and women were ladies, back in the old days.

Smoking was good and, they even had 2-way cigarettes.

Chesterfield was the best one for you, according to this sign.  Hah !

And, if you go for the big, strong, silent type --  Hop into a Dodge.  Oops: 1963 Dodge.

This sign, in English and Japanese, is for fussy customers.

Most people, around here, just trust the chef, to feed them, whatever is right.

If they want to "have it their way" they should go to another country to eat, I think.

The sign says, "Burgers The Way They Should Be" and, I take their word for it.

It's a good thing, I don't run the place.  I'd tell fussy customers to "Git."

But, the mom and pop, that run this joint are real nice people.

 Probably, it wouldn't be a good idea to complain about anything, while I'm in there.

Somebody from Jehovah's Witnesses business tried inviting me to an event.

Being, the polite person I am, the best thing to do was say, " Sorry, I'm busy that day."

Then, I got far away, in the corner and, shot some movie star's photos.

This was what I had for lunch yesterday and it was scrumptious.

After all that work, taking photos and, telling a fib to the holy people, I was starved.

Restaurants are where people go to eat and, I love this one.

People can practice whatever religion they want and talk to any god, they feel like.

It just isn't a good idea to try and convert me when, I'm waiting for my chow.  Amen.

 Website: Don Quijote

Directions and Map Courtesy of Goya Republic

Best Denki (ベスト電器) Everybody Should Visit

What's It Got to Do with Travel ?

 

 

Tired of the fluorescent lights blinking in my office, I went to this store.

They have Best Denki all over Japan but, this one was just a few blocks away.

It was pouring down rain so, I had 3 of those blinking tubular lights banded together.

And, walked to the electrical store carrying an umbrella, looking like some sort of a nut.

White glass tubes, about 4 feet long and, some old man flying down the street with them.

It wasn't like I was the flying nun but, everybody stopped, to let me cross the street.

The rain was pouring down in sheets and , wind blowing me sideways.

Luckily, I had a brand new undersized, bright red jacket the wife bought me by mistake.

With brand new yellow flip-flops, for good traction, people driving, couldn't miss me.

 A store like this has everything electrical you could imagine.

Just inside the entrance, I looked for a place to drop my soaking wet accessories.

A shopping cart nearby, held my dripping wet umbrella and jacket nicely.

 Luckily, there was a salesman there, who knew something about illumination.

He looked at my useless glass tubes and, let me know there were two different types.

Some fluorescent lights require starters, others have the starter built in to them.

Since, half the dozen lights in my office were blinking, I made a decision.

Buy two of each type and, I should be back in business is what I figured.

 

Months ago, when they first opened, I promised to come back with the cameras, someday.

So, I told the guy and gal working there, I might come back today if, it kept on raining.

Whoops My Starters Were Starting

Back at the shop, I ripped all the cardboard light tubes open and, went to work.

A two step ladder and some stretching, to replace lights, fixed everything, almost.

Before long, I realized, three fixtures, with starters, didn't need new lights.

All the lamps that were broken, needed no-starter tubes replaced.  Groan.

 Stuffing the brand new lights back into soggy wet, torn boxes, I came up with a plan.

This time, I'll bring my camera along and, do some photography.

Maybe, they'll treat me nice and, not be too upset, with my lousy wrapping job.

Hang-in There the Travel Part Comes Later

My second trip to the store, it was still raining hard.  It was cold and windy.  I hate January.

This time, I'm carrying an umbrella, tripod, two light tubes, spare lens and a wet red jacket.

They were glad to see me, drop off my umbrella and wet stuff at the front door.

Ordering four more fluorescent light tubes, made them happy, I bet.

Seeing the guy, wrangling with the cash register, calculator and refund, I excused myself.

That's when all these store photos were taken.  I went all over the joint.

  

It is a fairly small store, with narrow isles so, I'm glad they weren't busy.

Two big people passing each other in this store, might have to do a little rubbing.

Here, you can see some of the sizes, shapes and colors, of rice cookers available.

Way in the back of the store, I found all the refrigerators and vacuums.

It got me thinking. Nobody needs a refrigerator, when it's this cold outside.

Just, stick your bottles of beer, out on the back porch !

 Here are some of the most popular appliances in Okinawa.

Many months of the year, air-conditioning, becomes a necessity, not January though.

The neat thing about these new, energy efficient models is, the have built-in heaters, too.

What's There for Travelers in an Appliance Store ?

 

By now, you're probably thinking, I went and killed too many brain cells.

Some research for travelers led me to an important discovery about Best Denki.

It was so interesting, I went back, in the pouring rain, a third time today.

 

How about -- Items You Must Buy When Visiting Japan ?

With some notes, scribbled down and another camera, I slogged back to the store.

My list had the three most popular electric appliances in Japan on it.

So, I wanted to see if, this tiny Best Denki shop had any of them.

Number One: A Panasonic "Nano" Care Hair Dryer, got me started.

There's all kinds of Nano Care stuff, to make women more beautiful.  I was lost.

So, I walked over near the counter and, asked a gal to help me.

Between my limited Japanese and, her English, we found this item.

Nano Care, is a gadget that drys hair differently than your run of the mill dryer.

The thing, shoots some kind of negative ions in the breeze that drys your fur.

This "ionity" by Panasonic, has the negative ion thingy mounted above the blower.

It probably, does the same thing but, the gal said, she'd order some Nano Cares, too.

Here's a quote from the source, I linked to above:

"If you have Japanese female friends, ask them what is the most recommended hair dyer in Japan. Many or all of them would reply to you that it’s “Nano care” from Panasonic."

 Now, I'm wondering if that would work on softening my beard !

Number Two:  Roomba - a robot vacuum, wasn't available.

They had one in stock but, Okinawa is different than the rest of Japan.

People on this island, don't mind doing physical stuff, like sweeping the house.

Some robot, running around, sucking the floor probably, wouldn't be a big seller.

The demand, for this sort of gadget in mainland probably, was greater and, off it went.

 Number Three: Electric Toothbrushes

This one had everybody stumped for awhile because of the word Denki (electric).

But, the electric dude, heard me talking about it and, a light came on.

A battery operated toothbrush uses Denchi (batteries) not, electricity in Japan.

We found a few but, they aren't exactly popular in this neck of the woods.

When I told the gal, I use one everyday, she seemed surprised.

I said, they clean your teeth better than a dentist and, she might order some.

Explaining, that foreign visitors would probably buy the stuff, she agreed.

Then I asked Sayano to stand by the negative ion hair dryer for a photo.

That way, English speaking customers, know who to look for in this store.

This Best Denki is in Kin Town on HWY 329.

It's open from 10AM-7PM seven days a week.

The stores are all over Japan and, they have them in Singapore, too.

Senaga Island: A Peek Inside a Place Called Teshigoto

If You Like Canvas and Leather

 

 

Drop on in this little shop located in Umikaji Terrace and check it out.

Not really much of a lady's handbag sorta dude, I was more interested in the tools. 

They probably have enough hardware hanging on that wall, to shoe horses.

And, if you got a flat tire on your Volkswagen, I bet they could fix that, too !

Travelers can come by here and choose backpacks or handbags.

Everything is handmade out of some pretty durabale looking materials.

Why would anyone want to buy some Madamoiselle Fancy Pants Handbag at a shopping mall ?

At this one man operation, you could save a lot of coins.

And, shake the hand of the dude who did all the designing and sweating !

MORE AT OKINAWA CLIP

Seen in One of Those City Shopping Centers

Not a Shopping Type Person

 

 

Yesterday was one of those Do Things for the Government Days.

My immigration card was ready to expire so, we had to go to a big city and renew it.

The wife convinced a daughter, we needed a ride or, Daddy might get deported.

So, off we went and got all my paperwork done and a brand new immigration card.

It took about ten minutes and, everybody was really nice.

Wishing all the officials a Merry Christmas, I left the place, knowing what would happen next.

The women, having saved me from the wrath of the government, needed to go shopping.

That's what they do.  Always.  Especially to relieve stress.

We went shopping. It made me think about starting to smoke cigarettes, again.

That's what I used to do, to keep from going into the store with shopping women.

But, I quit smoking about 6 months ago.  So, I went into the store; it's air-conditioned.

This t-shirt, I spotted made the trip all worthwhile.

They didn't have one in my size. 

While nobody was looking, I snapped a cell-phone shot of it.

Now, I'm wondering.

How many people are running around, wearing something like this ?

We should probably go to town more often and, bring the big cameras.

Silly Signs Seen While Shopping

Half Way Through the Holidays

 

 

The end of the year routine can be fairly exhausting.

The craziness, associated with Christmas and the New Year, happens mostly in stores.

So, I let the women do all the buying and, just hang around, waiting for them to get done.

The cameras, don't go along on these trips; it's total goof-off time, for me.

Usually, I stay outside, drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes.

That's how, I discovered this doozie of a Loading Zone sign.

It was in the parking lot, in front of the store so, I guess that's where the word, Porch came in.

So many folks wanted to use the spot, I almost got run over, using my cell phone camera.

After, snapping this shot, I decided to go in and see where the women went, with all my money.

Well, I couldn't find the gals, until, I nabbed  a photo of this sign.

Happy Freepy Story

 

 

It reminded me of something, I heard recently.

Do you know what the Chinese janitor said when he jumped out of the hallway closet ?

SUPPLIES !

Camera Stroll Through Heiwa Dori Naha Okinawa (Photos)

12 Photos to Inspire the Shoppers

 

At least once a month Yahoo emails asking for shopping articles to be written.

They are asking the wrong person.  Because, I don't like shopping.

Photos of what you see in the local shops may help you decide if you want to become a shopper.

They have some colors in the materials that just scream at you.

"Take my picture!"

So, after I ask permission, I shoot them.

Heiwa Dori is just one of the side streets off of the International Avenue.

There is a maze of covered streets that you can get lost in walking around down there.

Back in the old days, after the war, lots of people called this Black Market Alley.

Some enterprising GI's could get rich, smuggling stuff off the base, to sell.

Those days are gone.  Who wants an old Hershey's bar from Christmas ?

Both sides of the street are lined with these kinds of shops.

It's best to go through early, before crowds of tourists start showing-up.

The people are all friendly.  Some, don't mind posing for a photo.

Others, I just wait 'til they aren't looking, then, shoot.

That gal, I showed her this photo. She was a beauty.  That's all you need to know.

Those dimly-lit places get to me after awhile so, I shot some kimonos, to wake myself up.

Glassware, pottery and seashell trinkets are hot-selling souvenirs, I guess.

Herbs and spices seem to be popular with travelers from other parts of Asia, too.

You can buy ready-made kimonos or, material, to make your own.

It got me thinking when I saw this character on a kimono.

Wouldn't that look cool on a tuxedo ?

For anyone who would like a video tour of the Naha Market, I found this:

TheBladeChef guy who made it cracked me up !