7 More Motion GIFs from Kin Town's Harvest Moon Festival

A Procession to the Shrine

 

 

Before the sun went down and, prior to festivities on the stage some offerings are made.

The parade is fairly small but, noisy.

Village dignitaries, lead the ceremony, carrying items to be presented the spirits.

They are followed by the shishimai, handler, Miruku and a small band.

The music consists of some gongs, sanshin and folks blowing conch shells.

A group of women in dark kimonos did some classical Okinawan dance.

 These young guys were obviously playing the role of farmers.

In the past, I thought these were some hip hop crowd and, only took a few photos.

This year, I heard them singing about the ocean.

And, noticed that sabani paddle, center stage.

That's when, I realized,  it's modern dance but, it is a form of art.

These youngsters are keeping Okinawan tradition alive and well.

So, I shot a few hundred photos while they performed.

The ladies in red, I have been photographing for years and years.

And, I still have no idea, what the story behind this dance might be.

For sure, these performers represent the working class.

They don't have shoes or socks and aren't wearing any fancy silk kimomos.

One of these days, I should buy a big bottle of sake and sit down with a dance instructor.

Then, get the story on all these traditional Okinawan dances.

Don't you think that would be the best way to getterdun ?

Photography: Editor's Picks for the Month of August 2014

Eisa Drums

Obon Full Moon

Statues in Okinawa of People Pointing Towards Places

There Must Be a Reason

 

 

Famous individuals don't just point out things to be rude.

Whenever I see a statue, pointing at something, I have to figure out what was going on.

This is a statue of King Sho En, located on Izena Island

His name was Kanamaru when he was young and, he's pointing east, towards Okinawa.

Across the sea, he went and, became King of the Ryukyu Islands.

Over in Yomitan, Okinawa, there's a statue of Taiki, pointing west.

His big brother, King Satto, sent him on missions to trade with China and, he did well.

The Village of Yomitan, holds a Taiki Festival every year in his honor.

This is a statue of  Kyuzo Toyama, considered the father of Okinawan emigration.

He is pointing to the East, towards Hawaii.

His emigration policies led to Okinawan communities being established worldwide.

Last and Least

 

 

 

The next photo, isn't a statue, just someone pointing, back towards Okinawa.

It's me and, after three days running around on Izena, I wanted to go home.

It would be nice, to become royalty someday but, I wouldn't want to be a king.

Emperor, benevolent dictator or, something like that, would be fine.

"Free beers and yellow flip-flops for everyone."  That's what I'd say. 

A Golden Dragonfly Made My Day (GIFs)

Down by the River

 

 

The construction outside my office was a bit noisy.

It's not like, I don't have enough catching-up to do around here.

Taking a few hours hike in the fresh air just seemed to be the best way to spend the day.

There were all sorts of these critters, flying around the Okukubi River banks.

Red, blue, green and black dragonflies were buzzing around the water.

Only one, gold dragonfly, kept showing up.

And, it seemed to be attracted to the same clump of weeds.

So, I spent most of the day goofing off and shooting the critter.

Then, walked back to the office with another thousand images to develop.

Sitting down by the river on a nice autumn day, sure beats working in an office.

Dontcha think ?

Selected Photos from the Kin Town Full Moon Festival

5 Motion GIFs Depicting Some of the Action

 

 

It would be impossible to show you all of the 1000 images taken last night.

These photos are an example of what you may have missed.

And, part of the reason, I decided to take photos locally, instead of traveling to another location.

This stage was set-up just a few minutes walk away from my office.

There are probably 1,000 guests sitting down in front, who got cropped out of the photos.

At a shrine nearby, some offerings are made, before the sun goes down.

Off to one side, this gentleman, warms up.

He will be taking a shishimai (lion-dog) to the festival.

Just in case, you've never met a shishimai, here's what the look like.

Two very talented and, athletic individuals, are inside that hairy suit.

Don't ask, who's uncle is in the background. He just wanted to make an appearance.

So, everybody let him.

It wouldn't be a festival, without Eisa and these characters were good at it.

The colors might not be coordinated in this scene but, it sure jumped out at me.

Now, I'm having a tough time deciding what color my next umbrella should be.

What do you think would look best ?

A blue or green umbrella, to replace the one I lost to the last typhoon.

Ya'll know, I'm usually wearing yellow flip-flops !