Now "That's" A Car

Okay, it is a bit difficult to see, but that is a "That's" car. That's it's name. Cars tend to be a bit smaller and a bit boxier here than in the States. And they often have puzzling names. Familiar names for cars are 'Move, Cube, Fit, Mark, Tonto, Every, Note, Comfort, Life, Diss', etc.
Trucks I have noticed with names such as 'Carry, MRWagon, ex-Saloon and Scarry'. There seems to be, oddly, quite a few Spanish sounding names for vehicles as well, 'Mira, Alto, Avante, Vamos, Vivio, Dias', etc. But "That's" is still my favorite.

Ryukyu Mura

Before Sonia left for Hawaii the other day, we took a few hours to go visit Ryukyu Mura. To those familiar with Living History Farms in Iowa, Ryukyu Mura is similar, just Okinawa style. The purpose is to show life as it used to be - albeit, a cleaned up version of history some might say. That's okay.

This kimonoed lady is playing the traditional Okinawan musical instrument called a sanshin. Strings are plucked in a lute type fashion.

Sonia and I posed with these snake-skin covered sanshins at the request of the mamasan in charge.



Speaking of snake skins, at Ryukyu Mura there is a very popular exhibit and show of the infamous habu, a deadly venomous snake found here on Okinawa. Habus natural enemy is the mongoose which is not an uncommon site to see as it dashes across the roadways. Sonia and I visited the habu/mongoose show where we were verbally in the dark - all Japanese. But the sight of a habu on the stage only 5 or 6 feet away, repeatedly striking the shoe of the demonstrator was a bit unnerving. A glass partition, maybe 18 inches tall was all that separated the viewers and the viewed. The stakes were raised when a handler grabbed a habu and swung! the vipor above our heads! If the snake had somehow slipped from his grip pandemonium would have been the word of the day. At least from those who didn't collapse from the event instantly-ME. Another handler brought out a habu, held securely behind the head, and at the tail, and proceeded to let the audience members, all 20 or so of us, have a hands on 'touch' of the habu. This same handler had a bit of the sadistic inside him, as on a couple occasions, after letting us touch the body of the habu, he made a 'tossing of the habu' motion at audience members, me included. I guess he liked to hear us scream in fright!

Arts and Crafts on Okinawa

One of the crafts that Okinawans are most noted for is pottery. Gorgeous. Some is ornamental. Lovely vases and wall hangings. Some is traditional, such as the many shi-sas. These front most homes on either side of the front entrance, and/or on the roofs of dwellings. Pottery is also made for practical purposes such as holding grains or as raised beds for planting-on a limited scale. It is also used for dinnerware, - plates, bowls, mugs, etc.

Another native craft is weaving and bingata weaving is a specialty of Okinawa.

Ladies of the Land - Another Age

Lovely to look at. But these are not such common sites anymore. Some older people will still be found in the native attire, or farmers and road workers and construction people will be found in garb that is not typically found in the States. But these ladies are recreating dress worn pre-war and then it is still upper class dress wear. These kimonos won't hold up to field work or fishing.

These lovely ladies are found at Ryukyu Mura.

Ice Cream and Kids - It's a Match

It's still warm here in Okinawa. Mid 80's every day. Humidity that comes and goes. Great weather for an ice cream cone. But then what weather isn't great for an ice cream cone? Polar maybe, but even then . . .

We didn't need a Japanese interpreter to spot this ice cream vendor.

Neighborhood kids - no different than kids anywhere else. Bikes and big brothers. All the ingredients for having fun.

Progress, or Concrete Jungle

The battle of Okinawa, in 1945, now 60 plus years ago, changed the landscape of the Island. The vegetation was burned and scorched and vaporized. Life as the native Okinawans knew it was forever destroyed. The familiar red roofed, or thatched houses that dotted the land, mostly in small villages, were for the most part annihilated. The one shown here was brought to the Ryukyu Mura grounds to show the architecture prewar. These original buildings can still be found but fewer and fewer are used for dwellings to actually live in. Many have been neglected and now serve only for storage. The concrete multistoried buildings grace the Island in great preponderance now.

It's a weekend. Note the laundry on the balconies.

Am I Cool or What?

Nuff said

Kannon Bosatu with Dragon

Birthday present to myself -- exactly what I wanted. Kannon Bosatu is a Japanese Goddess of Mercy. This piece is an ivory Netsuke only 2 1/2 inches tall.

Peace Prayer Park

In the southern part of Okinawa, at Mabuni, is located the Okinawa Peace Memorial Museum and Peace Prayer Park. One of the final battles for Okinawa took place here. Saturday was gray and gloomy, raining at times but we were not to be deterred. The Museum contains numerous exhibits featuring the history of Okinawa. But even more it helps document the story of the Battle of Okinawa in 1945 and the effects of the battle on the land of Okinawa and it's people.

The Cornerstone of Peace memorial is a set of granite walls set in a wave like pattern. The walls contain the names of Japanese, Korean and American lives that were lost as a result of the Battle of Okinawa. Over 234,000 names are engraved so far.

The Heiwa-no-Oka (Peace Hill) monument was built in 2001. On the granite archway is the inscription "A Strong Will Toward Peace".

Along Monument Road

In the Peace Prayer Park is the Monument Road which curves through the woods along the cliffs overlooking the Sea. Brilliant views. The numerous monuments to be seen here were sent by the various Japanese prefectures as a joint message for world peace. One monument, Buddha seems right at home here.

Offerings Left

At many of the monuments offerings are left behind. Sometimes it is sticks of seaweed, or bottles of water, or cups of tea. Other items to be found include the remarkable origami cranes, sometimes by the thousands and bouquets of fresh flowers.

Piece of the Peaceful at Peace Park

Tomori Stone Lion

On a hillside in a lovely green park is a monument known as the Tomori Stone Lion. Standing approximately 5 feet tall it is an enduring reminder of the Battle of Okinawa in 1945. One photo taken during a battle shows the Tomori Lion, even then of unknown age, sitting in the barren, desolate landscape that had become Okinawa. In the photo American soldiers seek shelter next to the only solid object to be found, the Lion. Bullet holes can easily be seen in the body of the Lion.

The Tomori lion was placed near the village of Yaese in 1689. It is the oldest village shi-sa on Okinawa and was said to be the village guardian and protector against fires.

Spider Alert

A walk in the woods has to be done with caution. This fellow is on alert for his next meal, and he can handle a good sized serving considering the size of him. Bigger than my entire hand. He was on the other side of the web but he still made me VERY uncomfortable. And they are not rare. This is the 4th one, at least, that I have had the pleasure of spotting.

Strong Wind Advisory

Along the expressway we were warned of strong winds in a novel manner.

Whale Shark Watch

Ahh . . . now this brings back memories of my visit to Okinawa back in 2000. It appears that I am not the only one fascinated by these gorgeous mammals.

I thought maybe I even recognized one of these from the whale shark dive I took. But it is hard to remember as time has changed his looks and my memories a tad. The third fellow is the one I am writing of. Looks like he recognizes me as well. Maybe he is remembering how I rubbed his belly as he pulled up in this same pose just in front of me. More likely he is just remembering how I was squealing with laughter behind my mask as he took a gentle ? nip to Ron's butt! Yeah, that's more like it!

Sea Wall Art

I took a long walk down by the East China Sea yesterday. Where I am staying we are sitting on a cliff. No danger from the Sea. But down in the low lying beach areas it is understandably another matter. Between the Sea and homes and businesses stands a sea wall. A graffiti magnet to be sure. Only about 3 feet tall, it is covered from end to end with some simplistic, yet delightful artwork. I took 68 photos and did not get it all by a long stretch.

What's For Lunch?

About a block from us can be found an unusual neighbor. On the side of their property can be found this fine fellow. As skinny as he is I would speculate he has missed a few meals and is on the hunt. BEWARE

The Tombs

The island of Okinawa is riddled with tombs. They are located on hillsides, next to beaches, in fields, next door to currently occupied homes. It is impossible to go very far without seeing them. They may be seen singley, in pairs, or small multiples, and also can be seen covering the landscape of a hillside by the dozens and hundreds.

The Okinawans do practice ancestor worship, as seen during Obon and the Eisa festivals. The individual tombs can be seen with small altars. The altars are usually placed directly in front of the tomb opening. The altars hold small plates and cups for the offerings brought to the ancestors.

The oldest versions of the tombs are called turtleback tombs or kamekobaka. These are modeled on the process of women giving birth. The rectangular opening is where the cremated remains of the ancestors, in their individual urns, are placed. Because the tomb itself represents a woman's womb the placing of the remains inside the opening represents the ancestor being returned to his or her origins.


The house shaped tombs are the more modern tombs and were reserved until recently for the nobility.



Families visit the tomb sites several times a year to pay respect and bring their food offerings.


The third photo was a tomb built into the back wall of a cave down by the Sea. Rustic it may have been, but there were unmistakable signs that family members had recently been in attendance.

This Kimono is a Keeper

The Marine Corp Gift Shop was the source of a major score last Saturday. No, not for me. But Ron found a stunning 'wedding kimono' with the above pattern. Gorgeous! Absolutely stunning! I told him that if he didn't buy it I was going to. He saved me from having to do so. He is planning to display it in the wide open, white space of his stairwell. When that is achieved I'll show it here.

Brazenly Blitzing Bird

Attack! Attack!

This was one unhappy mama warrior -bird yesterday.
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I dared encroach on her territory. She had babies hidden somewhere on the cliffs too close to where I was traipsing through a lava field. The bombardment was relentless. She was not to be ignored and I was her only and total focus.
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For half an hour I was shooting photos while she was shooting 'looks' and warnings at me.

Welcome - And Watching

White on White

Cape Zampa Lighthouse

This lighthouse is within easy walking distance. For 200 yen a person is allowed to climb to the top for an incomparable view. We are able to see the light from this lighthouse from the yard.

Contrasts

There is little open area in Okinawa. Land is used for closely packed houses and highrises. Next to these homes the land supports small agricultural plots. Sugarcane is a staple here in our neighborhood. With a growing season that is practically year round, the fields are not left fallow for long after any harvest.
Next to fields, and surrounded by fields, can be found highrise hotels such as the Zanpa Misaki Royal Hotel across from the beaches of the East China Sea. Also to be seen is the ultramodern look of the wind generators.

Sign of the Cape Zampa area

I may not be able to read the kanji here but I have no doubt as to what the message is saying. Pictures, the universal language.

Landscapes of Limestone and Coral

This is the coastline just down the way from Ron's apartment. Very rugged. Limestone and coral fields. Very little is able to grow on these grounds, obviously, but they are never-the-less quite beautiful.
The weather changes quickly here. There are frequent but short-lived rain squalls moving through, especially in the afternoon. Refreshing when they occur, they also do add to the humidity.

Grace on the Cape

A three sided monument was sited a short distance from the lighthouse on the Cape. Two depictions of military subjects scored little interest for me. But this graceful lady of the Cape, with her parasol to shield the elements, possibly gazing out to Sea, spoke quietly but untiringly to me.

Ditches and Denizens of the Mountains

Last Sunday we drove north up to Okuma and later to Hedo Point, as far north as you can go. On the drive I was frequently amazed at what I saw.

Along the winding narrow roads in the mountains are cement drainage ditchs. After all this is an area of monsoons and typhoons. Lots of rain. These drainage ditches are probably about 9 inches deep and 6 inches wide. Because small wildlife, such as turtles and salamanders can get into these drainage ditches and have a hard time getting out again, the Okinawa engineers have made frequent use of these small 'staircases' which would allow an animal ease of leaving the 'ditch' should he be otherwise unable to do so. They are cut into the sides of the drainage ditches at convenient distances. I surely would love to see one being used for its intended purpose.


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The second shot is simply of a picnic area. Turtles are supposedly 'lucky'. So are lots of things in the Asian cultures.