Blog for The Okinawa Cultural Association of Texas

Okinawa Spouts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo from Weekly Japan Update - Okinawa news and more / via Okinawaology Blog

*August 21, 2010 *                                                                                                                  Waterspout Shows Power Off Yomitan Coast - A thunderstorm sweeping across Okinawa’s west-central coast Wednesday afternoon provided an impressive exhibition for those looking to the water near Yomitan. A waterspout wound its way down from the dark storm cells, dancing its way along the water and approaching within a few hundred meters of the coastline. Fair weather waterspouts formed over water  due to warm temperatures and high humidity are generally not as dangerous as tornadic waterspouts that continue over land. Photo by Jeremy Goins.

Nago at Night

 


Photo taken from Nago Mountain during the Cherry Blossom Festival 2011.  Nago is the second  largest city in Okinawa.  A town with the tourist in mind as it is home to Pineapple Park, Nago Paradise, Neo Park and Orion Brewery.  It also hosted the World’s Fair in 1975-76 and the G8 Summit in 2000.

 

Michael Lynch is a photographer and travel writer who has spent  half his life capturing the
wildlife, culture, travel destinations and festivals
of Okinawa in pictures. 
He is a widely published with credits that include
the National Geographic Traveler.
www.mikesryukyugallery.com

OKINAWA FEATURE PHOTO

Photo by Michael Lynch

Summertime brings out the dragon boats in Okinawa.  Paddling feverishly to get to the finish line these men are participating in a race that has become part of the Ungami Festival held in the Shioya District of Ogimi.  But not only are they having fun in this recreational sport, these men are also taking their place in a heritage handed down in Okinawa through the centuries.

It is thought that the dragon boat races held widely on the islands today originated with the Ungami ritual.  This rite takes place on traditional fishing boats where deities descend upon priestesses to communicate and is reenacted every year in Ogimi. 

For more info and pictures of Ungami today see
www.wonder-okinawa.jp

 

Michael Lynch is a photographer and travel writer who has spent  half his life capturing the
wildlife, culture, travel destinations and festivals
of Okinawa in pictures. 
He is a widely published with credits that include
the National Geographic Traveler.
www.mikesryukyugallery.com

OKINAWA FEATURE PHOTO

   Shurijo Castle; like a beacon in the night.                                                                  Photo from Okinawatime.com

For 450 years, starting in the 15th century, Shuri Castle was the royal court and administrative center of the Ryūkyūan Kingdom. It stood as proud testament to the ingenuity, fortitude and strength of this tiny kingdom in the middle of such giants as China, Japan and Korea.  A strength and fortitude that has persevered throughout the centuries as Shuri Castle has been burned and demolished several times – literally flatten to the ground during WWII. 

But here, today, Shuri Castle stands again, brighter than ever, like a beacon in the night; letting the world know that among the giant civilizations of the 21st century; Ryukyu is still alive in the hearts of Okinawa people all over the world.

Okinawatime.com is a wonderful blog by Chiaki.
It is just full of all kinds of information
and pictures about Okinawa.

OKINAWA FEATURE PHOTO

photo by John Burgreen

Participating in the Ungami Festival, this young girl is taking her place in the cultural heritage and history of Northern Okinawa.  As she learns the rituals for honoring the god of the sea from her Mother now, one day she will past this tradition down to her daughter - thus sustaining her heritage for the future.

(Map shows the general location of where the picture was taken.)

Mr. Burgreen currently resides in Okinawa where he serves as one of two Art Director's and one of several contributing Photographers for Okinawa Living Magazine, and has served as the Director of Photography for U21 Magazine as well as Art Director for Okinawa Outdoors Magazine.  

Johnburgreen.com
John Burgreen Photogaphy Facebook