Begone Gaijin! Or Something Like That - Possibly

There's a new statue down at Cape Zanpa. A native Okinawan man pointing off to the distance. Has he spotted one of the trading ships returning from China? Maybe he is recounting his days as a fisherman on the Cape. Or maybe he is trying to tell me that my 3 months are up and it is time to head back to the good ol' USA.

And weather, and all other circumstances permitting, that's what I will be doing in about 12 more hours.

It has been an incredible adventure experiencing so many wonderful sights, and sounds and cultural exhibits, food, shopping, photos ops, etc. Ron has been a most generous and knowledgable host for these past months. Many, many thanks Ron.

Sayonara!! to Okinawa and Japan. Aloha, briefly to a 9 hour layover in Honolulu, and then Hello, Iowa!

Chatan Ferris Wheel

One of the last things we did today, Saturday, was to ride the Chatan Ferris Wheel. It has quite a view of the base, the Chatan 'American' area, and the ocean. The ferris wheel does not stop, but moves very slowly. 500 yen, or approximately $5 for one revolution which lasts approximately 15 minutes.

Icons of Yomitan

Driving by Yomitan Cultural Center, across the road from where the Yomitan Festival was held last weekend, I once again saw these images on the side of the YCC. Ron obligingly stopped so that I could get the photos. The first, of course, is the image of the trading ship we were witness to seeing at the Festival in all its resplendent glory.

The second photo is of one of the most well known objects on the island of Okinawa, the Shi-sa Dog, with the image of the Zanpa lighthouse in the background. The Zanpa lighthouse is within easy walking distance of Ron's home here in Yomitan.

The third photo shows the sanshin, the traditional musical instrument of Okinawa. It has 3 strings and the body of the sanshin is usually covered with snake skin, either python, or the native Habu. The wall behind the sanshins represent the many rock foundations of castles still to be seen on Okinawa. At the right are two forms of the bingata, or cloth specially produced on Okinawa.

Mr. President

34th Annual Yomitan Festival

Ron lives in the town of Yomitan here on Okinawa. It is known for its incredible pottery making. Each fall, in the beginning of November, Yomitan has a two day festival. The festival is dedicated to the fall harvest, mainly sweet potatoes and sugarcane. It is also dedicated to the health and well being of the Yomitan village.

There is music, competitions between groups of sanshin players, ( the traditional Okinawan music ) exhibits of bonsai, pottery, and sugarcane production. Food, drink, children's games such as fishing for goldfish. Flower exhibits and sales. The festival is culminated on Sunday night with a fireworks display and the launching, or towing, of the trading ship into the main arena of the festival grounds.

Lights, Action, Entertainment

There was a lot to see at the Yomitan Festival over the weekend. On Saturday there were several displays of wondrous juvenile talent. Dozens of children racing, and marching, and waving flags, scarves, and artistically decorated pop bottles. Their enthusiasm for their sports was boundless.

Yeah, Treats

Absolutely no reason to go home hungry from a Festival.





What's a festival without treats? The first little fellow was eating what appeared to be squid--which was disappearing at a phenomenal rate. Washed down with some good old Kool-aid perhaps.

Ron and I on the other hand sampled Okinawa's version of corndogs, a sort of tortilla covered hotdog, and shown here, a deep fried spam and cheese sandwich and potato chips-on-a-stick. Does the Iowa State Fair know about chips-on-a-stick?

Up Close - The Ship and her Royalty

In the afternoon the Yomitan trading ship sat in the parking lot for all to admire and enjoy. And for photo ops of course. I am perched in the bow of the ship . I am grateful to know that I will not actually be setting sail for China in the hopes of advancing trade as well as exchanging customs and culture as the Okinawas of past centuries were known to do.

The three gentlemen shown with me are the representatives who stood in the bow of the boat for the procession.

Stick Walkers

For lack of the appropriate name of this band of young men, we called them the 'stick walkers'. They were only one troupe of the extraordinary companions to accompany the great trading ship into the arena.

Yomitan's Glorious Past and Present

Now imagine this boat, at dusk, imperial leaders standing tall in the bow, torches lit to show the way, men and women in traditional costumes waving from each side. Men in costume are used to tow the boat into the main arena in a royal procession and with an air of celebration.