End of the Trail for Minamoto Tametomo

Cave is a Cultural Property

 

 

Last week's discovery in Motobu, led to a search for this cavern.

The site, where Minamoto Tametomo arrived in Okinawa was the first half of the story.

The good Doc, who drives me around, agreed, we'd go hunting for his point of departure.

 All we had to go on, was a tiny image of a cave, somewhere in the Makiminato area of Urasoe.

Neither one of us was drunk but, that smartphone of mine tracked, where we went.

The part, going into the ocean, must be a satellite hiccup; we stayed high and dry.

But, the rest of the map, looks pretty accurate. We zigged and zagged plenty in our hunt.

As the Story Goes

Minamoto Tametomo, sailed out of a port in Urasoe and, never returned.

His wife and son, lived in a cave, near the sea and, waited for him to come home.

Machinato or, Makiminato means, "waiting harbor" so, that's what the area was named.

Image credit: Urasoe City Cultural Property Guidebook 

After covering almost every centimeter of the coast along Makiminato, we became enlightened.

Weaving in and out of alleys, hitting dead ends and, sweating, wasn't getting us anywhere.

If, we were going to find that cavern, we had to get some help so, up the hill we went.

Image credit: Urasoe City Cultural Property Guidebook 

We got everything we needed at the Urasoe City office, in English and, it was free !

It helps, to communicate in Japanese or, the local dialect, even if it's just a smidgen.

A woman at the counter, gave us guidebooks and, maps of Urasoe, in a language, we can read.

It was still a little tricky, locating this cave but, we gotterdun.

Knowing this is sort of a sacred site, I wouldn't enter the cave, just take a peek inside.

Then, I turned around and, took this photo, to show the stairway, leading to the entrance.

Hopefully, the geocache enthusiasts, respect this cultural asset, as well.

The only way, I'd enter a site, like this, is if, I was invited to attend a ritual in there.

 This sign, off to the right of the site, gives the story in Japanese and English.

There are different versions of the story, concerning the fate of Tametomo. 

One thing, for sure is, the son he left behind, did become King of the Ryukyu Islands.

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Cultural Properties of Urasoe

Okinawan at Heart

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Travel Photo: Stuff You Can See in Okinawa

Fortunately the Light Was Red

 

It would have been much more difficult, to catch this rider if, we were moving. 

Usually, I wouldn't bother, shooting my camera, through someone's windshield.

When I noticed this fashionable shirt, it was time to grab the camera.

He probably has no idea, what that t-shirt says because, it's printed in English.

It's cool.  Many foreigners get Chinese or Japanese tattoos on their bodies.

That's cool, too. But, I wonder if, they really know, what the words mean, when translated.

The little scooter dude, motivated me, though. I tried-out for the Marines once. 

Now, I'm wondering if, the Air Force would accept me !

Things Cameramen Must Know About an Eisa Matsuri

It's a Fairly Lively Crowd

 

 

Everybody likes to have their pictures taken but, they won't hold still.

As the sun goes down, you need a wide open aperture and high ISO's to catch the action.

People in the audience are friendly, offering you food and things to drink.

While moving around, to get the best photos, it's best to look behind you.

Just like, you don't want anyone ruining your scene, you shouldn't be blocking others views.

Everybody familiar with me, in this town, knows I've developed a taste for fine spirits.

And, they try to give me beers, awamori (local sake) and things like that.

But, I tell them, when they see me holding a big camera, I'm working.

When the day's work is done, I'll go out and tip a few cups of my favorite beverages.

Sometimes, you can get close to the action and, the crowd, won't get in your way.

Other times, it's best to pick a good location and, zoom in on the dancers.

Being able, to speak some local dialect comes in handy, at times, for a photographer.

It helps, to move around to an advantageous position, where you can compose your shots.

A disadvantage, is when some boozed-up local, wants you to help translate to a American.

It's best to just say, "Sorry Dude, I'm working as a cameraman today."

Once, when I was moving  back through the crowd, I met this girl.

She said, "Mikesan, you remember me?"

Um, I remembered her from a turtle release, a few years ago but, not her name.

What was I supposed to say, "Yeah, you're the turtle lady?"

The next day, I got this photo from her on Facebook and, now I know her name.

Thank you Asami.  You're a sweetheart !

AUG 10 2016 Wordless Wednesday

Clowning Around with Animations

They Aren't Really Clowns

 

 

The two characters dancing in this seen are called chondara or, gajan-gani.

Sort of comical, they play an important role in Eisa dancing.

 Chasing mosquitoes away, making folks laugh and passing around drinks is hard work.

So, I thought it would be nice, to make a GIF of the energetic characters.

Another GIF at the Closing of the Festival

 

 Watching Eisa and, trying to get images of each group, can be lots of fun.

Hopefully, no team was missed and, I'll be processing photos throughout this week.

Shooting hanabi (fireworks) like this was, a first, for me.

No tripod was used.  Sitting on a rock, I propped the camera steady on my knees.

Continuous shooting mode was used to take the 6 photos in this animation.

The clowning around part -- I wasn't sure a GIF could be created with the images.

It worked alright.  Now, it's time for me to go clown around somewhere out of this office !