TRAVEL 67 : Chris Willson Photography

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Andase Singsing Group, Kainantudis, Eastern Highlands Province

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Andase Singsing Group, Kainantudis, Eastern Highlands Province – Goroka Show, Papua New Guinea

The Andase Singsing Group of Kainantudis. Simple natural tones created using leaves, grasses and shells made up their traditional dress.

Andase Singsing Group, Kainantudis, Eastern Highlands Province – Goroka Show, Papua New Guinea

Zenshu Toyama 富山全秋 10th dan Goju Ryu Karate

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Zenshu Toyama 10th dan Goju Ryu Karate

Toyama Zenshu was born in Awase in 1936, he used to swim in the bay as a kid, and now at age 77, his dojo looks out over the same bay. He is still very strong and demonstrated with James how easily he could throw someone to the floor and dominate an encounter. His favorite kata (set forms) are sepia, suparenpei and saifa. When asked about his favorite kotowaza (idiom / words of wisdom) he said Mikan se no kasei which refers to the imperfection of vision or the inability to see what is right in front of you, like your eyelashes.

Zenshu Toyama 10th dan Goju Ryu Karate

Satoshi Toyama 9th dan & Zenshu Toyama 10th dan Goju Ryu Karate

Fearsome and powerful, but also a lovely friendly grandfather. Toyama-san gave James advice on how to dislocate a man’s jaw. He gave me a can of coffee and a hug.

Zenshu Toyama 10th dan Goju Ryu Karate

Kunai Culture Singsing Group – Goroka Show, Papua New Guinea

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Kunai Culture Singsing Group – Goroka Show, Papua New Guinea

The Kunai Culture Singsing Group with their red, black, white and yellow face paint gives them one of the most distinctive looks of the Goroka Show.

Kunai Culture Singsing Group – Goroka Show, Papua New Guinea

Satoshi Toyama 9th dan Goju Ryu Karate

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Satoshi Toyama 9th dan Goju Ryu Karate

Father and son shoot at the Toyama dojo on Sunday evening. Satoshi Toyama is 9th dan in Goju Ryu karate and now runs their dojo in Awase, Okinawa City.

Satoshi Toyama 9th dan Goju Ryu Karate

Satoshi Toyama 9th dan with Zenshu Toyama 10th dan Goju Ryu Karate

The Sound of the Shell

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Man from Buim Akwa tribe with conch shell horn, Goroka Show, Papua New Guinea

Interesting to see another cultural parallel between Papua New Guinea and Okinawa.

Girl with shell horn at Tug of War Festival, Okinawa

Girl with conch shell horn at Tug of War Festival, Okinawa

And remember, “Whoever holds the conch gets to speak.”

Tsuyoshi Uechi 8th dan Isshinryu Karate

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Tsuyoshi Uechi 8th dan Isshinryu Karate

Tsuyoshi Uechi, 8th dan master of Isshinryu karate. We photographed him at his dojo in Okinawa City. His preferred weapons for kobudo are sai, which as you might expect, he wields with complete control.

Tsuyoshi Uechi 8th dan Isshinryu Karate

Koteka ( Penis Gourd ) – Goroka Show, Papua New Guinea

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Koteka ( Penis Gourd ) usage – Goroka Show, Papua New Guinea

A few shots of the various Koteka worn by men of one tribe at the Goroka Show. I can’t find the name of this tribe in my notes so if anyone knows please tell me!

Koteka ( Penis Gourd ) – Goroka Show, Papua New Guinea

Koteka ( Penis Gourd ) usage – Goroka Show, Papua New Guinea

October 25th, Karate Day – A Master Class at Shuri

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Karate Day Demonstrations at Shuri Castle, Naha, Okinawa

Karate Day Masters Demonstration at Shuri Castle, Naha, Okinawa

After the earlier demonstrations in the shicha-nu-una, the final events of karate day took place in the forecourt of Shuri Castle. Eight of the most senior karate masters in the world each performed a kata. Of the eight, I’ve only photographed Zenpo Shimabukuro sensei which just shows how much further we have to go with the Karate Masters Portrait Project.

Karate Day Masters Demonstration at Shuri Castle, Naha, Okinawa

Karate Day – October 25th

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Karate Day Demonstrations at Shuri Castle, Naha, Okinawa

On Okinawa, October 25th is Karate Day. There have been various events happening all month, but yesterday the main ceremony took place at Shuri Castle.