Wordless Wednesday in the Woods of Shuri

Then and Now (Photos) Ryutan Pond in Shuri Okinawa

Photo credit: Okinawa Soba on Flickr

1920's Image of Building on Pond

 

 

It's been over 3 years, since my good buddy, emailed this photo for a Then and Now.

In fact, it was so long ago, I couldn't remember, which friend, gave it to me.

I had a print made and carry it around on a clipboard, to help duplicate the scene.

Wouldn't it be nice if, I could get some folks, to pose like that?

September 20, 2016

 

 

Had some suitable subjects, showed up, I would have paid them to be in the photo.

That, wasn't going to happen but, I liked the way the lighting was, on this day.

The printed image, was left behind in my backpack, at the office. Groan

So, I figured the best thing to do, was take several photos, from memory.

They could always, be cropped and, I could duplicate the original, easily.

Most of this area, was destroyed during the Battle of Okinawa.

The pond, was constructed during the 15th Century, for the first Ryukyu King.

The reconstructed version looks exactly like the original.

I just thought, it would be a shame, not to show you the arch in the bridge.

Visit Okinawa Soba on Flickr and, check out the thousands of photos he posts there.

MORE THEN AND NOW

Okinawa Folktale: Gruesome Story of Kurogane

Beyond the Stone Walls

 

 

A younger brother of the Ryukyu King lived in this enclosure near Shuri Castle.

Prince Chatan and, his pregnant wife were residents of this place, called Ufumura Udun.

 Kurogane, a hairy, dark skinned Buddhist Monk, was accused of witchcraft.

The king, ordered Prince Chatan, to eliminate him.

The Prince invited Kurogane to his home for a game of Go (chess) and, they placed bets.

If the Prince lost, he would cut off his topknot and, give it to the Monk.

The Priest, pulled his ears, grinning, "You can have these if, I lose."

Quiet Night of the Full Moon

 

 

The game started and, Kurogane decided it would be best, to cheat.

He began whispering some magic words. 

The Prince's eyes started to close and his head bobbed, as he slumped in his seat.

The crooked, holy man reached to move a stone, to gain the advantage in the game.

The Prince jumped up with his sword and, quickly cut off both of the Monk's ears.

Kurogane's Curse

Dropping to the floor, bleeding, he fell right next to his detached ears.

The dying Monk cursed, "You will never have a son live long enough to see another birthday."

 The Prince's wife had a baby born, shortly later.

The baby turned a dark color and died from an unknown cause.

Seeking the advise of a Yuta (fortuneteller) the Prince was told, it was the curse of Kurogane.

Neighbors had reported, seeing the ghost of Kurogane in the area of Ufumura Udun.

When the Prince's wife became pregnant again, a Yuta's suggestions were sought.

Another boy child, would surely die.  She whispered some guidance and, went home.

When the child was born, everyone exclaimed, "It's a girl."

The ghost of Kurogane faded away and, no harm came to the child.

In reality, a baby boy was born.  And, lived to become a healthy, wealthy prince.

In Okinawa, many people announce, "It's a girl" to avoid Kurogane's curse.

 Lullaby for Crying Baby

Just in case this bit of folklore wasn't morbid enough, here's an added twist.

To silence a crying baby, you comfort them by rocking to this tune:

The song says something like, be quiet or, someone will whack your ears off with a knife !

REFERENCES:

Okinawan Folk Stories ISBN978-4-99009-146-0 P.141

Condensed from Kurogane Zasyu

RCA JAPAN 



MORE OKINAWA FOLKLORE
 

Shuri Castle Pond Again and Again and Again (Photo)

This is a scene we've been working on for months, now.

There is a photo I'm trying to duplicate for the Then and Now Series.

 A Flickr Friend named, Okinawa Soba, gave me a black and white photo of this scene.

My goal, is to recreate the photographic shot, as it was originally made.

The photo, from his collection, was taken sometime, before World War II.

Shuri-jo Castle was leveled by bombs, during that war.

The reconstruction of castles, on this island was accomplished by looking at old photos and sketches.

It amazes me, how much the re-constructed buildings, look like the originals.

So, I try to do the best I can at duplicating the old photos.

The light, has to be right.

And, if there were people in the scene, I try to get someone to pose, in my photo.

Lighting was perfect, when I shot the image above.

Along came a couple, visiting the castle and, I got them to pose.

Then, the clouds, that were blocking the glaring sun, drifted away and ruined my shot.

The couple, were really nice, posing in the hot sun, for me.

They signed model releases and I emailed them the best photo of the day.

But, Shuri Castle Pond's Then and Now will have to wait.

As stubborn as a mule, I'll keep going back to that castle again and again and again.

When the light is right and I get the scene the way I want it you'll know.

That's because I'll post it here and yell, "Gotterdun" !

Fun with a Camera at Night Outside Castle Walls

Last night Map It Okinawa Dude and I got to Shuri Castle late.

We decided to shoot some photos from down below.

That's because, when they shut the gates, they lock them all.

But, there are plenty of places you can still go to outside castle walls.

We hiked around the pond and had fun shooting reflections.

Outside the castle there is another UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Named Sonohyan-Utaki, it is the stone gate to a sacred site, kings used to pray at.

The moon even peeked through the clouds for a few minutes and, I nabbed it in this photo.

After 10PM we figured it would be best to start going back down the hill and around the pond.

I was thinking, we'd be in a real jam, if the lights went out.

Along the way we stopped and took a few more reflection photos.

Now, today, I'm wondering what the rush was all about.  I checked the castle website.

And, here's what I just found out.

They keep the lights on outside until midnight !

UNESCO Shuri Castle in Okinawa, Japan (Photo)

When the light isn't right at a major tourist attraction, I've learned to look around and find out where the best light is available. If it happens to be behind me, I turn around and position myself where I can take home the best photo. The big stuff and all the people snapping horrible photos are behind me. Hey, they paid to get in so, they can do whatever is allowed, I suppose. I live here. I'll do the Castle right but, later.

Shuri-jo (Castle) is the number one tourist attraction on the island of Okinawa, Japan. A UNSECO World Heritage Site, it was the center of the Ryukyu Kingdom and remains the capitol of Okinawa, today. Shuri overlooks the city of Naha and its port on the East China Sea.

This photo was published in the article Five UNESCO Castles at BOOTSNALL and is my weekly submission for BUDGET TRAVELERS SANDBOX TRAVEL PHOTO THURSDAY