Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown

Last week CNN aired an Okinawa episode of the travel show Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown.

Anthony Bourdain in Okinawa – Dojo Bar James

I worked on the show for a couple of weeks before Anthony arrived helping set up some of the interviews, locations and  arrange permits. This mainly involved driving around the island, making a lot of phone calls and having interesting meetings.

Pre shooting visit to King Tacos

Anthony Bourdain, famous as a straight talking, hard living chef has recently become passionate about jiu jitsu. He was therefore extremely interested in the martial arts heritage of Okinawa. This is why karate and Okinawan sumo featured so much in the episode.

James Pankiewicz of the DOJO bar in Naha is the guy performing kobudo on the beach. I was taking photos of the 100 Kobudo event while the camera guys were getting B-roll footage for the show.

100 Kobudo Kata Event, Kira Kira Beach, Okinawa

James was also the man showing Anthony around the Makishi Market in Naha, the beach wrestling on Kume Island, Hokama sensei’s dojo, and the Dojo bar itself in the concluding scenes. The DOJO Bar is a great place to visit, or you can see James and several hundred other karateka at the 100 Kata Event in the grounds of Zakimi Castle from 6AM on Sunday 25th October 2015.

James’ pic of Tetsuhiro Hokama with his Karate Masters Portrait Project Book 🙂

Yuki, my wife, worked with the crew and Anthony as an interpreter. She even made it into the show as woman buying sandwiches at Lawson 🙂

Anthony Bourdain in Okinawa – Yuki at Lawson

Other scenes and interviews never made it into the show simply because they had too much good stuff. There was a really interesting reenactment of an Okinawan family hiding in a cave in Yomitan, but it was cut and archival footage was used in its place.

On location with the Parts Unknown Crew

Overall a fascinating experience working on a TV show. I never got to meet Anthony, but I heard he had a great time. Look out for the episode on CNN!