Wordless Wednesday MAR 9 2016

Travel Photo: After the Bull Fight

A crowd gathers around the animal, after an Okinawan bull fight.

People like to pose with and pet the champion.

Some, even hop on its back for a portrait or, have their children do it.

 Camera: Pentax KD 10

Lens: Pentax 18-250 at 50mm

Exposure:  f/9  1/60   ISO 400

Travel Photo: Sushi Bar

Location: Kin Town, Okinawa, Japan

Camera: Pentax K3

Lens: Sigma 10-20 at 13mm

Exposure: f/16  3sec   ISO 100

This photo was taken about an hour before opening time.

Once the doors open for business hours, the counter fills up quickly with customers.

Last week, after shooting photos at a restaurant, I stopped here on the way back to the office.

And, managed to weasel my way in for a few minutes.

Now, I'm thinking, I should go back without any cameras and grab a chair.

Looking at that big bottle of sake, got me thinking.

Maybe, I should give some a try with my dinner.

Yonabaru Tug-O-War 5 Motion GIFs

 A Centuries Old Tradition

 

 

 

This tsunahiki (tug-o-war) has been going on in Okinawa, Japan for over 400 years.

And, there were probably 10,000 or more participants on the field, yesterday.

Here's a peek, at what, I saw through the camera viewfinder, before the tug started.

Just like anywhere else in the Ryukyu islands, the rope comes in two sections.

The ropes were carried in a procession, with royalty being carried on top.

The teams, challenging each other come from the east or, west sides of town.

The folks, riding the ropes, wear period costumes from the old Ryukyu Dynasty.

Once the parade entered the field, I followed them inside, to get a closer look.

There was a pretty lively crowd crowd in there.

For a second or two, I wished the cameras would have stayed at home.

All these gals, wearing summer kimonos were dancing and chanting.

And, some of them were offering me cups of, whatever they were drinking.

Dang.  I like drinking but, I had work to do.

So, I politely turned down the drink and just did a little dance with them.

While they were laughing, they quit flapping their arms around and, quit wiggling.

That gave me a chance, to zoom-in and get this shot.

This shows the wooden pole, used to join the two ropes together.

Coverage of This Event Requires a Team

 

 

This year, I got in with the crowd. The tug, started rather quickly.

That was when, I decided, it was time to climb a building, in order to view the rope.

By the time, I found enough elevation, the tug was over.

Next year, I know exactly where, I want to be, to catch that part of the event.


The Ryukyu Shimpo posted this video from 2011 on YouTube.

It gives an excellent presentation of the sights and sounds, you would encounter.

Read the Ryukyu Shimpo article (English) for more information.