Sports Photo of the Day

Love It When a Granddaughter Smiles

Especially when she passed everyone on the athletic field in a relay race.

It's a busy weekend and I took over 1000 photos of an Undokai so, I'll be brief.

More later.....

Reflections of a School Sports Day in Okinawa

An Undokai is a Big Family Event

The annual Sports Day at a middle school is sort of a family picnic. 

Normally, tents are pitched to shelter everyone from the blazing hot Okinawa sun.

This year things were a little different. The tents served as umbrellas. It rained.

Once it stopped pouring buckets of water from the sky, children hit the athletic field.

It looked almost as if they were standing on a mirror.

This character is a Chondara, sort of a clown in the Eisa group.

Normally, dust would be flying as the Eisa dancing takes place on the dirt field.

Today, I didn't mind slipping and sliding around in my flip-flops. No dust on my lens!

This Chondara, you might say, was outstanding in his field.

Several photos were taken, trying to get compositions, where he was separated from the group.

Once a Chodara gets in with the rest of the dancers, they're difficult to catch with a camera.

For a few minutes, a bit of blue sky poked through the clouds but, it wouldn't last.

A couple of hundred students romping around would drain some of the mud off the field.

Here's a GIF to show some of the unusual relay races the students execute.

It seemed as if the rain might hold off for the rest of the day but, it didn't.

Shortly after the relays were finished and, before lunchtime, the event was canceled.

More stormy weather was on the way so, I left quickly.

On the way home, I grabbed a takeout steak dinner.

Not a bad days work!

Two Animations from Kin Town Sports Day

Elementary School Undokai

An Undokai is a school sporting event, held this time of year, throughout Japan.

They have relays, gymnastics and a tug o war but, my favorite part is the Eisa.

Only a small portion of the orchestra is visible in this GIF.

That's because, I'm up on a hillside, trying to get a good composition.

It was a blazing hot, sunny day which, reminded everyone of mid August.

The kids, down there are from Kin Elementary School. It was October 24, 1017.

The photographer, in this animation probably, got some great close-ups.

But, I was happy, being off the athletic field, taking my shots from a distance.

Actually, I was outside the school grounds and, I had a plan.

As soon as the Eisa was over, I'd be heading for some shade and, wouldn't run into a crowd.

It seemed like, two or three thousand people, were in attendance. The place was packed.

Twenty minutes of walking, had me back in an air-conditioned office, downloading cameras.

3 GIF's from Sports Day at a Middle School

Fun in the Sun

It's that time of year, again. Undokia or, Sports Day in Japan.

Today's event was at Kin Chugakko, the junior high school, where some grandchildren go.

So, I was out there, with a camera, shooting everybody, just to be safe.

When all the kids, wear the same uniforms and, have black hair, it can be confusing.

As many times as I've gone to these sports days, I've never seen anything like this.

For a second, it looked like they were scooting across the dirt field on a surfboard.

But, upon closer inspection, I realized, they had their feet tied to two plastic pipes.

So, I guess it was some sort of pipe walking race. Coordination helps.

One daughter, gave me a perfect description of a grandson's sportswear.

She told me the color of his shorts, headband and, the number 4, would be on his green t-shirt.

Well, he's some sort of champion runner, faster than a greyhound.

I got a few shots of him but, not enough to make a GIF. So, I shot these kids.

There are still a few thousand photos I haven't looked at, yet.

As they get processed, I'll post some in a Facebook album at Ryukyu Life.

Notice the relay team. They have boys and girls, running each relay.

When the numbers, don't come out right, a gal or guy teacher fills out the team.

They didn't do things that way, back when I was in school. Pretty cool, huh ?

Well, I'm glad I ain't a teacher, anyway.

Eisa is always on of the highlights and, usually, close to the end of an Undokai.

In case, you haven't seen one of those clowns before, he's a chondara.

They play an important role, keeping everyone's spirits up.

The adult ones, even pass out, refreshments, sometimes alcoholic spirits but, not here.

It's too bad, all my grandchildren, couldn't be chondara. It would make life easy.

Somewhere in the crowds of purple Eisa uniforms, I shot today, are my kinfolks.

To be sure, I got my grandchildren, I photographed all the Kin Eisa dancers.

That way maybe, their mothers or fathers, can pick them out.

It was blazing hot out there today and, I must thank the family for all they did.

Tents were pitched, for shade. Food and refreshments were provided.

The best part of all, was they gave me iced coffee and, an air-conditioned ride home ! 

Eisa at a Junior High School Sports Day

Gif Contains 8 Images

Today the Chuugakkou (中学校) held a sporting event known as an Undokai.

Late night commitments, kept me from catching the early morning activities; I showed up around noon.

Blazing hot sun and blue skies, were provided by some heavenly spirit.

And, thunderous Eisa drums provided just what I needed, to keep from napping in the shade.

Camera: Pentax K1

Lens: Pentax 18-250 at 35MM

Exposure: f/11   1/800   ISO 200

Location: Kin Town, Okinawa, Japan

Date and Time: SEP 11 2016  12:46PM

More About Sports Days in Okinawa

6 Animated GIFs from Kin Elenentary School Sports Day

Fun on an Athletic Field

 

 

With so many Undokai (Sports Day) events during October, I get extremely busy. 

Preschools, kindergartens, elementary schools, junior high and, high schools hold them.

 Aemed with a few cameras and a tripod, I try to cover everyone and, everything.

Somewhere, on the field, grandchildren and relatives of mine are participating.

 The kids, own parents can't point them out to me because, everybody looks the same.

So, I usually carry one camera with a wide angle lens and, shoot them all.

Maybe, I'll get a clue like, "Look for the kid wearing orange shorts and a red hat."

They just forget to tell me which relay the rascal is running in, that day.

The kids with the black hair, looked familiar so, I captured the gymnastics, twice.

It turns out, they aren't any relatives, of mine.

But, maybe they belong to someone I know, in my travels through the town.

The parents and teachers got involved in a tug-o-war and had fun, too.

A teacher, the other night, reminded me of another 1,000 images, I forgot to develop.

So, I'll be posting a few more on the Ryukyu Life Facebook Page.

Tomorrow maybe, I'll take a peek at a couple of dozen more if, the weather ain't just right !

Motion GIFs from A High School Sports Day

Ginoza High School Undokai

The weather was almost, like August all over again, in Okinawa today.

The shutter on the camera was opened 2,000 times today but, just a few photos for now.

The scene above depicts the young men going to do a karate demonstration.

The guy, I wanted to shoot was in the crowd somewhere so, I shot everybody.

 The girl, I wanted to catch with the camera, was a bit easier.

Someone mentioned, she was in the third group of gals jumping rope.

Not sure what it's called, when they jump two ropes at a time. Multiple jump rope ?

Now That It's Over

 

 

Three cameras were downloaded and, the batteries are charging.

Just a few dozen images were processed, while I rehydrated.

Next, a few images will be shared on Facebook and, this place will be locked up.

The sun has already gone down and, it's time to see if any bars have opened !

More About Undokai (Japanese Sports Day) on Previous Posts

 

Kin Town Elementary School Sports Day

Just a Few Animations

 

 

It never fails, we get an Indian Summer about this time, every year.

Things cooled off during September and the days were warm but, cooler than August.

 It was cloudy and comfortable this morning and, children had all kinds of fun.

This GIF just shows one of the athletic events; a relay race of sorts.

Two of my cameras were downloaded tonight and one is still in with a relative, I hope.

There are several hundred photos waiting development.

These animations just happened to be some of my color and contrast images.

There are many previous posts concerning Sports Days (Undokai) in Japan.

The last one was SEP 13, 2015 and it has links to several others. 

This afternoon, when the Eisa drums got quiet, I got back to my air-conditioned office.

Because, the athletic meet was over and, I felt like it was August, all over again !

5 Animations from a Sports Day in Japan

Normally an October Event

 

 

A school sports day, is called an Undokai, in this part of the world.

There are so many schools, holding sports days, things start happening in September.

Have a peek at some of the activities, I witnessed today.

Kids were jumping rope in unison under blue skies with flags, flapping in the breeze.

There was some sort of relay race using  bamboo poles and an exercise ball.

These children were either celebrating a win or, had just given up and,  having some some fun.

 Catching these runners, passing the baton is always a challenge for the cameraman.

 It's funny, some of the music, you hear, for these dances.

One time, it might be something that sounds like the Prime Minister of Russia's music.

Then, the next thing you know, they start playing Turkey in the Straw stuff !

The best part of an Undokai, for me, is always the Eisa.

As soon as, I shot this scene, it was time to get out of the hot sun and download cameras.

Next Sunday, there will be Sports Days in two different villages, for me to attend.

It will be fun, shuffling from one school to the next without hurting anyone's feelings.

These Undokai things are huge family events and, grandpa is expected to attend them all.

RELATED POSTS:

Scenes from a Junior High Undokai

Secondary School Athletic Meet

3 More Motion GIFs from an Okinawan Undokai

3 More Motion GIFs from an Okinawan Undokai

People from Kin Town Live Around the Globe

 

 

It was nice to hear from so many people, responding to yesterday's  blog post.

The elementary school undokai is one of the most popular events of the year.

So, for those who couldn't attend, here are a few more photos of the action.

This was some sort of relay race the youngsters were involved in.

Just before noon, I got the bright idea to climb above the crowds and shoot this scene.

It was nice to go wide angle with the lens and use auto focus.

From the position, I had, nobody could accidentally, walk in front of my lens.

With the tripod and I, secured so we wouldn't fall, it was easy to shoot about 1,000 frames.

They held mothers and daughters relays and fathers and sons, as well.

Some of those parents should join the Olympics.

They run faster than jackrabbits.

Back on ground level, after eating a picnic lunch, I shot the Eisa Dancers.

It was real important to capture these scenes for a GIF.

That's because the Chondara, in there, is one of my grandsons.

Did You Know They Have Chondara in Hawaii ?

 

 

 

Doing my research, I came across this video on YouTube.

It comes from the Young Okinawans of Hawaii.

Have a look and listen. I bet you'll enjoy it, too.

5 GIFs from a Shougakkou Sports Day in Okinawa

A Great Way to Spend a Sunday

 

 

A sports day at a Japanese school is called an Undokai.

This one took place at an elementary school (shougakkou) in Kin Town.

Entire families, line the athletic field and picnic under tents.

Every time, I attend one of these events, they seem to come up with something new.

Relay races are always part of an undokai.

Sometimes parents or, grandparents get involved in them, too.

The younger children danced with pom poms and put on quite a show.

Taking a sneak peek, I saw how a Chondara gets his face made-up.

That could come in handy if, I ever want to become a clown.

It was hot out there today but, we had a few sprinkles of rain to cool things off.

The best part of any Undokai, in Okinawa, is always the Eisa Dance.

As soon as my camera, let me know 64GBs of SD cards were full, I left the Undokai.

And, got back to the air-conditioned office.

While the batteries are recharging, I think I might go recharge myself, too !

GIFs from a Secondary School Athletic Meet in Kin Town Okinawa

Fun in the Sun

 

 

If you ever get an invitation to an Undokai (Sports Day Event) in Japan, don't turn it down.

This was my first, of many, I'll be going to this year.

With a few photos, I can show you highlights from yesterday's entertainment.

The best part of any Undokai, has to be the Eisa performance.

A few of my grand-kids, are in there somewhere.

Dressed in those uniforms, everybody looks the same, to me.

So, I shot over 1,000 photos, to make sure, I didn't miss anyone.

Students, aren't the only ones being athletic.

Parents and teachers get to participate in things like relay races, too.

The crowd really enjoyed, watching these students folk dance.

At that age, I bet the boys were wishing they were somewhere else like, home.

But, they put on a good presentation, being the gentleman that they were.

 Here we had a tug-o-war.  It was guys against gals.

Parents, teachers, students, grandparents, cousins, nephews and nieces, were involved.

And, the girls won !

 When, they held a re-match, I switched cameras and used a wide angle lens.

That way, you could see everybody, when the guys handed those gals a defeat.

But, the women, dragged the boys over the line, again.

You don't suppose, they were just being gentlemen and, letting the ladies win.

Do you ?

Photo of the Week: What a Character !

 

 This is one of the photos I shot last Sunday at a school in Kin Village.

At an Undokai  (Sports Day, in Japan) Eisa dancing was performed.

Depending on who you ask, the one clowning around while everyone else is dancing,

would be called either a Gajan Gani, or a Chondara.

The kid was a real lively character.  One of the best I've ever seen.

So, I'm going to do a little searching and see if I can locate him, or her.

To give the character this photo.

Sports Photo: The Gal with the Baton

 

This just happens to be one of my favorite photos from the past week.

It was taken at an Undokai (Sports Day) in Okinawa, Japan.

The baton was just passed in a family relay race.

Normally, I wouldn't post a gal's picture here without her consent.

But, I'll stick my neck out, hoping I can get her to sign a model release.

That way she can get a free print from me, probably framed, too.

If she squawks, I'll  just take this photo down and replace it with another gal's.

Like, that girl who gets away with murder.

Visit my website for today's Feature Photo

Scenes From A Junior High Undokai

Today was Undokai Day in Kin Village

An Undokai is what you might call Sports Day.

The Junior High athletic field was where I spent the day.

Here are some photos to give you an idea what you might see at one of these events.

Undokai isn't just for students.  Adults participate, too.

If you were a mama or papa you could be in a relay race.

Do stuff like Izzy-dizzy.

And have a hard time running after you took a spin.

Young athletes are the most fun to watch.

Little kids are camera shy, sometimes.

What I try to do is sneak up on them and do something to make them smile.

Like, stick my tongue out at them.

This rascal, did it back to me !

The Pom-Pom girls let you take their picture as long as peace signs are OK.

There was even a sign that said "Yes We Kin Final".

There are over 500 more photos of the Kin Village Undokai on my back burner.

Hopefully, they'll be developed by October 10th.

That's the official Sports Day, all over Japan.


Related Post: Sports Day in Japan