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The Nago Bypass and Beyond

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A couple of weeks ago I dropped in at the Yanbaru Sangyo Festival in Nago which showcases business in northern Okinawa. I made contact with a few local farmers and other small businesses that produce unique Okinawan products. Hopefully I will meet them again when writing or shooting magazine articles. Another aspect of the festival was showing current and future development plans in the region. Of biggest interest to me were plans for the expansion of the Nago bypass In the image above we see the Nago bypass. Currently, after leaving the expressway at Kyoda you drive north along the coast on the 58, then take a right at the Blue Seal / Mcdonalds junction as you enter Nago. At the next traffic light you turn left onto the new bypass. The image however also shows that the south end of the bypass will eventually join back to the 58. The yellow section of road is a further possible overwater extension connecting the bypass with the expressway. (This could also be done overland) In this …

100 Kata for Karate Day at Zakimi Castle.

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October 25th is Karate Day in Okinawa, at 6AM members of several dojos gathered at Zakimi Castle to perform 100 kata (set forms). There were representatives of many different styles of karate. The event was hosted by James of the DOJO Bar, and Arakaki sensei gave the opening words of encouragement. It was great to see so many nationalities, ages, and ranks taking part. After performing 100 kata of their own styles. Everyone gathered together and performed a single kata at the same time. The group size wasn’t big enough to break a world record this year, but that’s just something to achieve another time. See you all next year! If you’d like a copy of the group pic you can download it for free HERE.

Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown – Okinawa

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

The World’s Biggest Tug-of-War, Naha City, Okinawa October 11, 2015

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The world’s biggest Tug-of-War was held once again in Naha City on October 11, 2015. The rope begins in two halves, stretched along the center of Highway 58. Banners are carried along Kokusai Street and then held aloft between the ropes. Representatives of the East and West sections of the rope perform karate kata. Firecrackers are lit deafening those close. After speeches from the Governor of Okinawa, and this year the Governor of Hawaii. The ropes are dragged together. The ends of the ropes are designed to loop one over the other. Numerous men with poles push the ropes as they are drawn together until they are intertwined. The giant wooden connecting pin is then brought to the rope. Around a dozen men hep lift the pin and thread it through the rope. Although it does take a little wiggling. Once the pin is in the ropes are drawn apart locking the pin in place. The kings of the East and West are carried along the rope then challenge each other to battle. Karate masters …

Beyond the Dojo – Tsuneo Shimabukuro at Katsuren Castle, Okinawa

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Another in the Beyond the Dojo series shot with Shimabukuro sensei at Katsuren Castle. The castle is a very important place for him. On January 1st he holds the first training session of the year within its walls. His grandmother was also one of the noro (priestesses) that would lead prayers at the castle shrines. Shot with the Pentax 645Z and 25mm lens. Profoto B1 strobe with white softlight reflector.

Shioya Ungami Sea Festival, Ogimi, Okinawa

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Yesterday, Shioya Ungami was held in Shioya Bay on the north west coast of the main island of Okinawa. Shioya is part of Ogimi village which is famous for having one of the longest living populations in the world. The festival begins with prayers and then the men of the village race dragon boats across the bay. The only woman in the boat is a yuta which is a local priestess. When the dragon boat arrived at the beach, the yuta was carried across the water so she didn’t get her feet and clothes wet. Many of the ladies and girls of the village wade into the water to sing and bang drums as encouragement for the dragon boat racers. They also stopped and prayed after the arrival of the first set of boats. The boats then raced back across the bay again as the ladies sang and waved. After the races the singing and dancing continued. Many of those laughing and bounding around were in their seventies and eighties. Many of the spectators were …

Karate Masters Portrait Project – Giri Award

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Honored to get an award from Cezar Borkowski and the World Ryukyu no Kaze Society for documenting the karate masters of Okinawa with James Pankiewicz. A big thank you to those who nominated me for this, and of course to the inspirational karate masters who let me take their portrait. Although we produced a book in December , we are nowhere near completing the project. James and I will hopefully continue to photograph the karate masters on Okinawa for many more years.

Maternity Sessions in Okinawa

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Last week I had a maternity session with fellow photographer Wendy Sparks. It was a pleasure to photograph her family at this special time. Motobu has great locations for sessions including secluded beaches and Bise’s fukugi trees. Studio sessions are also possible at the new house. Thank you Wendy & Brian for choosing me as your photographer and allowing me to share a few of your pics on the blog. All the best with your growing family, and your move back to the States.

Universal Studios Okinawa or Tropical Refresh Resort? Why Okinawa needs Velociraptors.

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At the start of the year there were whispers in the air that Universal Studios might build a theme park in Okinawa. Not long after there were rumors that officials were considering both Nago’s  Neo Park, and Motobu’s Expo Park as possible locations. In March, Glenn Gumpel (CEO of USJ) stated that they were considering a park in Okinawa. In the last few days it has been announced that the park will be a tropical resort with the theme of relaxation without the Universal name. It’s wonderful that giant corporations are looking to invest in Okinawa. They can help it grow as a tourist destination, but I think a somewhat generic tropical resort may be a missed opportunity if USJ and the Okinawan Government are hoping for it to bring about a new surge in tourism. There are already several excellent resorts that cater to those looking for a tropical paradise. Busena Terrace and Hotel Orion Motobu are both superb with luxurious facilities set on pristine beaches. If visitors want to sample traditional culture they can head …