Wordless Wednesday: Ryukyu Ritual

Photo of the Day: Seaside Rituals

Camera: Pentax K1

Lens: Pentax 15-30 at 28MM

Exposure:  f/3.5   1/4000   ISO 400

Location:  Yaka Beach, Kin Town, Okinawa, Japan

Date and Time:  May 10 2017  9:58AM


Here's more of what took place at Yaka, Kin Town today:







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Abushibare (畦払) Snails Got Sent Out to Sea Today

Sometimes People Get in the Way

Rituals on a Seashore

A priestess, at an annual event called Abushibare (畦払) is centered in this photo.

The challenge, for me: Get an image of her, isolated from the crowd.

It's sort of a religious ceremony so, I couldn't do what I did last night in a crowded bar.

Yell, "Get out of my way everybody. I gotta pee."

Besides, I know some of those folks with cameras and they're trying to get good photos, too.

From my position I couldn't zoom-in for a good shot so, I went wide angle, to shoot everyone.

Moving around a bit, I managed to catch the priestess and her assistant, from an angle.

But, this wasn't exactly the type of composition, I was aiming for.

Off to her other side, I was able to capture some good elements of the rituals.

She was talking to the spirits, making offerings and, the wooden sailboat was in the scene.

The plastic cup in the boat, contains some varmint snails, that will be sent out to sea.

Those rascal cameramen, just wouldn't get out of my picture but, I kept quiet.

When I did my photo editing some sand and vegetation, made them disappear.

With a bit more touching-up, I'll have a nice printed photo, to give the subject, this year.

Should she ask, how I managed to get the other photographers out of the image, I'll tell her.

"It was easy. I shoveled sand over them until, they all got covered up."

Once that sailboat is launched at sea, the rituals are completed and everyone goes home.

Before departing, I went and spoke to the priestess, which kind of surprised her.

She was friendly, smiled and tried to give me some of the offerings. I politely declined.

Last year, I decided to walk back to my office and, it was quite a hike.

This year if, she tries to give me some of the sake, I may accept. Somebody can drive me home !

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It Only Happens Once a Year

 

 

One of the things, I love doing, is taking the cameras to an event like this.

There are little cultural events held on the sideroads of Okinawa that nobody knows about.

It took about a year of preparation and, some good luck, to get invited to attend, this year.

The rock, sitting on the pedestal, is an ancient stone lion or, shisa.

But, in the Sokei district of Ginoza Village, it is called an Ishigantu or, Ishiganto.

A brochure from the Ginoza Museum says, they sacrifice cows  during rites performed here.

There are three of these Ishigantu in the village. A fourth one was destroyed during WWII.

Thinking, I would get to see, three cattle sacrificed, last year, I asked about the event.

It takes place during the ninth month of the year, by the Chinese calendar.

Believe it or not, last year, the Chinese calendar, had a leap month and, I missed the event.

The lucky part, for me, was, Shinzato-san, the district official, remembered me.

He knew, I missed last year's rituals and, invited me to document it, this time around.

He's the man in the yellow shirt, eating from a bowl with chopsticks.

 At each of the three stone statues, prayers and offerings are made and alcohol is consumed.

Plus, everybody gets to eat some of the piping hot meat from the soup bowl. 

This scene, took place at statue number three and, was the conclusion of the ceremonies.

Little did I know, women aren't allowed to participate and, got the boot.

My translator, Mami Sakiyama, and a news gal, had to watch from a distance but, that was alright.

At the second statue, I got called over to sample some of the meat offered.

It didn't taste like chicken or beef. Maybe it was some other worldly food, I don't know.

After the ritual stuff, women were invited, to join the men in the community center.

And, everybody got to eat some of the special treat that was offered earlier.

They had a great big pot of the meal and lots of awamori (Okinawan sake) too.

Well, I don't drink when out shooting cameras and, had to leave before too long.

There was another mission, to be performed, down the road apiece in Kin Town.

The bowl of meat, soup and vegetables, they gave me, got sipped on slowly.

There was no way, I wanted anyone to think, I needed a second helping !

Abushibare (畦払い) Snails Got Sent Out to Sea Today

Ritual Performed in the Yaka District of Kin Town

 

 

Attending cultural events like this, with the camera is always a pleasure.

Weeks or, months in advance, we start the research and make liaison with key people.

Many times, someone will wonder, "What's the bearded foreigner, doing here"?

Sometimes, they wonder out loud.

Once they learn, I'm there to document Okinawan culture, I'm accepted.

And, I generally return with some photos to give the villagers.

Today, I'll just share this animated GIF; it was the highlight of the day, for me.

This Just In

 

 

 

 

 

The Auto Awesome put a second GIF together for our entertainment.

So, here it is.  I hope you enjoy it s much as I do.

The young man, who launched the boat, I didn't get his name.

He has a printed photo, of his choice, coming, when we meet again !

Learn more about Abushibare.