Jigokudani Onsen, Nagano
2015 began with a quick trip to photograph the snow monkeys of Jigokudani Onsen, Nagano.
Yoshimasa Matsuda, Hanshi 9th-dan Okinawa Shorin-ryu Myobukan at Naminoue Shrine
Back in Okinawa I continued to document the karate masters and the people of the Ryukyu Islands.
Okinawa man in yukata and straw hat, Yomitan.
A few weeks in spring were spent in the UK where I hung out with family and took pics of some local icons.
Stonehenge, prehistoric monument of standing stones, Wiltshire, England. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Kelpies, 30-meter high horse sculptures by Andy Scott. Falkirk, Scotland
Lotus Eclat British sports car Rudding Park Hotel, a Grade I listed Regency-style country house in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England.
Back in Okinawa I had to update the Okinawa and Kyushu chapters of the Fodors Japan travel guide. I popped down to Iriomote to check out the options for visitors.
Jungle Trekking on Iriomote Island, Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa
And up to Kumamoto for a bit of history.
Japanese samurai in armour at Kumamoto Castle, Kumamoto
Yuki drinking green tea at the Kokin-Denju-no-Ma teahouse, Suizenji Jojuen Park, Kumamoto City
Around the same time I was working as a location manager for the Okinawa episode of Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown. A cool experience introducing Okinawa to a huge new audience.
Okinawa Peace Memorial Park, Itoman, Okinawa.
On March 25th, I bought a house in the morning, then in the afternoon Yuki and I got married at the town office. A good chunk of the summer was then spent renovating the house and making it weatherproof.
The house ( after some elbow grease and a lick of paint!)
Yuki and I got some wedding pics done by being models for a photo class with my mate Pete Leong. Always good to have friends in the business!
We had a few days in Hong Kong as a mini honeymoon.
Back in Okinawa it was time to photograph the summer festivals.
Chondara at the Heshikiya Eisa Festival, Katsuren, Okinawa, Japan
Shioya Ungami Sea Festival an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Properties of Japan, Shioya Bay, Ogimi Village, Okinawa
Shioya Ungami Sea Festival an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Properties of Japan, Shioya Bay, Ogimi Village, Okinawa
The Karate Masters Portrait Project continued both indoors and beyond the dojo.
Tsuneo Shimabukuro 島袋 常雄 9th-dan Uechi-ryu Karate, 9th-dan Ryukyu Kobudo
Yonamine Kousuke, 10th-dan Okinawa Karatedo Association Shohei Ryu, Ryukyu Kobudo Kenryoryu
Nobuko Oshiro, Kyoshi, 8th dan Okinawa Karate-do Shorinryu, Taishinkan Association in the Sugar Cane fields of Sashiki Town, Okinawa, Japan
Hiroshi Takamiyagi, Hanshi Goshukan Ryu Karatedo, Sunabe, Okinawa
Kensho Tokumura, Hanshi 9th-dan Ryukyu Dento Kobujutsu Hozon Budo Kyokai Training on Heshikiya Beach, Katsuren, Okinawa.
Masaharu Higa 8th dan Okinawa Shorin-ryu Karate-Do Myobu-kan Yomitan Chapter Dojo
Katsuyoshi Chibana 7th-dan Okinawa Shorin-ryu Karate-Do Myobu-kan Yomitan at Zakimi Castle, Okinawa, Japan
I also photographed a few very cool cars, and was sent on assignment by the Guardian newspaper to a galaxy far, far away.
Godzilla in Okinawa, Nissan GTR
2015 Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale sports car
Richard Napier (48) American living in Fukuoka, Japan spent 4 years and US$34,000 to build a working R2-D2 called R2-J1.
Thanks to all my family, friends, students and clients for a great 2015. Looking forward to seeing you all in 2016.
The force is strong with this one. Photo by Toma Fumiya at the Off Camera Flash workshop with Pete Leong (Japanese version)
TRAVEL 67 : Chris Willson Photography 