Yoichiro Kuniyoshi is 6th dan in Uechi-ryu karate, a student of the Uechi-ryu master Kiyohide Shinjo. Recently Yoichiro Kuniyoshi set up his own dojo in Yomitan so James and I stopped by to take some portraits of him and his younger brother Wataru Kuniyoshi (3rd dan).
After shooting portraits in the dojo, we popped down to the beach where Kuniyoshi performed the kata Sanchin, as his younger brother punched, kicked, and smacked him with a piece of timber.
Yoichiro Kuniyoshi 6th dan Uechi-ryu Karate photographed at his dojo in Yomitan for the Karate Masters Portrait Project http://www.TRAVEL67.comYoichiro Kuniyoshi 6th dan Uechi-ryu Karate photographed at his dojo in Yomitan for the Karate Masters Portrait Project http://www.TRAVEL67.comYoichiro Kuniyoshi 6th dan Uechi-ryu Karate photographed at his dojo in Yomitan for the Karate Masters Portrait Project http://www.TRAVEL67.comYoichiro Kuniyoshi 6th dan Uechi-ryu Karate photographed at his dojo in Yomitan for the Karate Masters Portrait Project http://www.TRAVEL67.comYoichiro Kuniyoshi 6th dan Uechi-ryu Karate photographed at his dojo in Yomitan for the Karate Masters Portrait Project http://www.TRAVEL67.comYoichiro Kuniyoshi 6th dan Uechi-ryu Karate photographed at his dojo in Yomitan for the Karate Masters Portrait Project http://www.TRAVEL67.comYoichiro Kuniyoshi 6th dan Uechi-ryu Karate with his younger brother Wataru Kuniyoshi (3rd dan) training on the beach in Yomitan, Okinawa. http://www.TRAVEL67.comYoichiro Kuniyoshi 6th dan Uechi-ryu Karate with his younger brother Wataru Kuniyoshi (3rd dan) training on the beach in Yomitan, Okinawa. http://www.TRAVEL67.com
Images shot with the Sony A7RIV with the 24-105mm lens. Strobe used was a Profoto B1 with a white softlight reflector.
On the east coast of Okinawa Main Island, two farmers are both busily harvesting their crops. Ishigaki-san is digging up ukon (Okinawan turmeric), while Teruya-san is cutting down and chopping up the sugar cane.
Nobuko Oshiro of the Okinawa Karate-do Shorinryu, Taishinkan Association was awarded the rank of 9th-dan in January 2023. She continues to be the highest ranked female karateka in Okinawa.
In 2015, I photographed her in her dojo, and amongst the sugar cane fields that surrounded her home in Sashiki Town. We are hoping that we will have the opportunity to interview her for the Sensei: Masters of Okinawan Karate series.
Nobuko Oshiro, Kyoshi, 9th dan Okinawa Karate-do Shorinryu, Taishinkan AssociationNobuko Oshiro, 9th dan Okinawa Karate-do Shorinryu, Taishinkan AssociationNobuko Oshiro, 9th dan Okinawa Karate-do Shorinryu, Taishinkan Association training a new generation of karateka at her dojo in Okinawa.Nobuko Oshiro, 9th dan Okinawa Karate-do Shorinryu, Taishinkan Association training a new generation of karateka at her dojo in Okinawa.Nobuko Oshiro, 9th dan Okinawa Karate-do Shorinryu, Taishinkan Association in the Sugar Cane fields of Sashiki Town, Okinawa, Japan
In spring 2022 I spent several months traveling around Japan updating four chapters of the guidebook Essential Japan by Fodor’s Travel.
It was great to be back in Hokkaido, and introduce some of the amazing places to ski and snowboard, plus fantastic opportunities for wildlife watching.
Noboribetsu Date Jidai Mura (Historical viallge) Edo period theme park, Noboribetsu Onsen, Hokkaido, Japan
In Kyushu I had great experiences exploring the volcanic scenery of the island, and meeting some amazing people.
Head Priest Eishu Sato at the Amanoiwato Jinja, Shinto Shrine, Takachiho, Kyushu, JapanA miko (巫女), or shrine maiden at Takachiho Shrine, a Shinto shrine amongst cedar trees, Takachiho, Miyazaki, Kyushu, JapanFujisaki-san, a master of Kagura the Shinto ritual performance telling the stoires of the gods. Wearing the white mask to perform The Dance of Tajikarao. Takachiho, Kyushu, JapanArtist Yutaka Isozaki at his gallery in Yufuin, Oita, Kyushu, JapanEl Patio Ranch, Frontier Horses, Aso, Kumamoto Kyushu, Japan
My time in Western Honshu was when the cherry blossom was in full bloom, so many of the sights were looking particularly stunning.
Kintaikyo Bridge and Cherry Blossom, Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Western Honshu, JapanMotoyasu-gawa River, Hiroshima City, Western Honshu, JapanMotoyasu-gawa River, cherry blossom, Peace Memorial Park, Hiroshima City, Western Honshu, JapanHimeji Castle with cherry blossom, Himeji, Hyogo, Hoshu, Japan
I’ve been updating the Okinawa chapter for numerous editions of the guidebook, but my daughter has given me new insights into what makes attractions, hotels, or beaches family friendly.
Updating the guidebook also revealed how tough the pandemic has been for many people and businesses. So many restaurants, bars, and even hotels had closed for good. As things return to (a new) normal I hope that everyone is able to get back on their feet once again.
Season finale of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power tonight.
Reminded me that I hadn’t shared the pics I took when visiting the El Patio Ranch in Aso, Kyushu.
Active volcanoes gurgle away across the region, but the blackened landscape is actually due to noyaki grass burning that takes place each March. Burning the old grass encourages fresh new growth, which produces rich pasture for the local cows.
The El Patio Ranch is located in Aso and visitors can take short rides around the area. The ranch dogs often join for the walk, and seem to be loving life in Kyushu’s version of Mordor.
I gave the pics a quick colour grade, and a 1.85:1 aspect ratio crop to get in the mood for tonight’s finale
El Patio Ranch, Frontier Horses, Aso, Kumamoto Kyushu, JapanEl Patio Ranch, Frontier Horses, Aso, Kumamoto Kyushu, JapanEl Patio Ranch, Frontier Horses, Aso, Kumamoto Kyushu, JapanLandscape after grass burning “Noyaki” in March to encourage new grass growth. Road closure and area closure due to level of volcanic activity. Mt, Aso, Aso City, Kumamoto, Kyushu, Japan
Amanoiwato Jinja is a sacred shrine in Takachiho. I was lucky enough to get a guided tour by the head priest Sato-san.
Torii gate of Amanoiwato Jinja, Shinto Shrine, Takachiho, Kyushu, JapanOmikuji fortune papers with picture of the god Tajikarao who lifted the rock door to free Amaterasu. Amanoiwato Jinja, Shinto Shrine, Takachiho, Kyushu, JapanHead Priest Eishu Sato at the Amanoiwato Jinja, Shinto Shrine, Takachiho, Kyushu, JapanHead Priest Eishu Sato using an onusa for purification at the Amanoiwato Jinja, Shinto Shrine, Takachiho, Kyushu, Japan
In spring, while on assignment in Kyushu, I spent a couple of days in Takachiho which is famous for its gorge, and the kagura performances.
Another notable site is the Takachiho Shrine which is hidden in amongst many giant cedars.
Honda S660 at the torii gate of Takachiho Shrine, Miyazaki, Kyushu, Japan
As a Shinto shrine, the entrance is marked by a giant torii gate. There are komainu guardians, flanking the steps to the main shrine buidling, and another sacred komainu housed inside.
Guardian statue at Takachiho ShrineEma prayer tablet showing cedar trees at Takachiho Shrine
Ema, prayer tablets, that are unique to the shrine, can be purchased to write your hope and dreams. Omikuji, fortune papers, tell what your future holds. These are sold in the little shrine shop manned by the miko (巫女), shrine maidens, who are dressed in red and white.
Takachiho Shrine at dusk.
As I was visiting officially, I was able to ask the staff if I could take a photograph of one of the miko in front of the shrine. This is not something I’d usually be able to do, so a huge thank you to the staff of the shrine for being so friendly and accommodating.
A miko (巫女), or shrine maiden at Takachiho Shrine
All pics taken with the Sony A7RIV and the FE 24-105 f4 lens which is a great combination for travel photography when you need one lens for many different situations.
Takachiho Gorge ( 高千穂峡, Takachiho-kyō ) is a small but very pretty gorge in Miyazaki Prefecture, on the island of Kyushu. The sides of the gorge are made of basalt columns, one reminder of the areas volcanic history.
Another indicator of vulcanism is the giant boulder Kihachi-no-chikarashi which could be have been ejected by a volcano, or if you ask the locals, was thrown by the demon Kihachi.
Kihachi-no-chikarashi Rock a 200 Ton stone thrown by a demon Kihachi. Takachiho Gorge, Miyazaki, Kyushu, Japan
Tourists can rent rowing boats and explore the gorge from the river.
Fujisaki-san is a master of Kagura, the Shinto ritual performance that tells the stories of their gods. While in Takachiho, Miyazaki Prefecture, I had the chance to meet up with him, and photograph several of his performances.
Local legend is that Amaterasu Omikami, the goddess of the sun, once hid in a cave, plunging the world into darkness. The other gods worked together to bring her out of the cave, and bring back the light.
First Fujisaki-san performed the Uzume Dance in which he portrays the goddess Ame no Uzume who danced outside the cave to entice Amaterasu Omikami out.
Dressed as the god Tajikarao, and wearing a white scowling mask, Fujisaki-san then performed The Dance of Tajikarao. In the myth this is when the god Tajikarao searches for the cave.
The third performance was the Totori Dance. Fujisaki-san is still the god Tajikaro, but wearing a red mask. In the first pic, the straining red-faced Tajikarao removes the giant stone that closed the cave.
After shooting inside Fujisaki-san’s home, I wanted to get a few shots in the forest next to his house.
Fujisaki-san, a master of Kagura the Shinto ritual performance telling the stories of the gods. Wearing the white mask to perform The Dance of Tajikarao. Takachiho, Kyushu, Japan
A huge thank you to Fujisaki-san and his family for letting me visit their home and take photographs. Thank you also to Aoi Hidaka for guiding me around Takachiho and her introductions, and to Kyushu Tourism for all their assistance.
Fujisaki-san, a master of Kagura in Takachiho, Kyushu, Japan
Images shot with the Sony A7RIVa with the Sony FE 24-105mm. For some images I used the Profoto B1 with the shoot through umbrella for flash.
Udo Shrine is located around 40 kilometers south of Miyazaki City, in Kyushu.
Udo Shrine 鵜戸神宮 (Udo-jingu), Nichinan, Miyazaki, Japan. A cliffside Shinto shrine, a nationally desginated place of scenic beauty. Well known for connections to fertility.Udo Shrine 鵜戸神宮 (Udo-jingu), Nichinan, Miyazaki, Japan. A cliffside Shinto shrine, a nationally desginated place of scenic beauty. Well known for connections to fertility.Udo Shrine 鵜戸神宮 (Udo-jingu), Nichinan, Miyazaki, Japan. A cliffside Shinto shrine, a nationally desginated place of scenic beauty. Well known for connections to fertility.Udo Shrine 鵜戸神宮 (Udo-jingu), Nichinan, Miyazaki, Japan. A cliffside Shinto shrine, a nationally desginated place of scenic beauty. Well known for connections to fertility.Udo Shrine 鵜戸神宮 (Udo-jingu), Nichinan, Miyazaki, Japan. A cliffside Shinto shrine, a nationally desginated place of scenic beauty. Well known for connections to fertility.Udo Shrine 鵜戸神宮 (Udo-jingu), Nichinan, Miyazaki, Japan. A cliffside Shinto shrine, a nationally desginated place of scenic beauty. Well known for connections to fertility.
TRAVEL 67 : Chris Willson Photography 