4.10 Ishigaki, some other pics in the city

Often in Japan, particularly in Ishigaki, car plaques play with numbers some way. Sometimes are more significative for me.

730 -Nana San Maru- so in July the 30th.

On 1978 then was the datewhen Okinawa prefecture started to drive on the left side.

Allegation to this Museum and so many others anywhere : 

I took many pictures from the Yaeyama Museum in Ishigaki with interesting information about the different islands.

To take pictures were allowed.

I would like to repport graphically about  this interesting museum.

But...

A lady from the staff talked to me that shouldn´t be added in internet.

This policy is not exclusive of Ishigaki but in all the world, a museum let you take pictures and show them wherever you like and the Museum in the other side of the street don´t.

I can not understand. Coherence is required.

Prefectural Museum in Naha has no problem, neither Miyakojima but Yaeyama it has.

Sorry.

Sacred places are around cities and countryside in Okinawa. On the main island are called "utaki", in Miyakojima are "suku" and in Yaeyama name for them is "on". They combine after the torii, a tree or trees, an small "chapel" and behind it a natural space with some stones, plants, trees, surrounded by little fence made with stones, this space is the most holy one evoking spirits.









Ahma On  (Amakawa shrine)

Kanmuriwashi (Crested Serpent Eagle) is very appreciated on the island, I saw one alive in Banna Park. You can see monuments with it and even in pavement motifs.

wasi no tori  traditional dance わしのとり

Turtles on the pavement always welcomed.

Restaurant "enxebre" (galician word).

The expansion of cities has seamlessly integrated the graves. Some are shaped like a turtle shell, something characteristic of the ancient Ryukyu. Here is a good and "beautiful"sample. (Cross fingers).

Uminchou, popular former name of this islands is now the one of a huge "container look" shop full of tourists souvenirs. It is just in front of maritime station.

Wonderful classic home of my nice neighbours.
Thanks Keiko san.

Detail.

Konbini -24 hours 7 days shop- are an institution in all Japan. Coco is number one konbini in Okinawa. My favourite long time is Lawson but coco in Ishigaki.

Great view from my eventual room in a Hotel.

One more "enxebre" place to eat yakitori and oden (Mix of vegetables, tofu, boiled eggs).

"Yu gurena" is the main shopping mall with the city market and many shops full of tourist specialties. There is one more arcade smaller parallel to this one.

City bridge to link with Yashima island and a park full of friendly cats. Once you cross the bridge on the left side.

The view from the bridge.

Well preserved flowers on the road.

Maritime Harbour pier. Busy scene with boats coming and going to the so many islands around.

Nobumoto Ohama Memorial Hall.
http://ohamanobumoto.com/

Hello !!











Watashi no uchi / mi apartamento.
Thanks to nice Marisan. (The owner).

 Watashi no niwa / my garden.




Next :
 4.11 Ishigaki here and there / 石垣あちこち。

4.9 Tourinji & Gonjendo

Tourinji

Tourinji temple was founded in 1614. The temple belongs to the Myoshinji sect of Rinzaishu.

Designated as a Prefectural Art Craft.

At the entrance are the two “niou”,  guardians protectors , the “Benevolent Kings”.
They were made in 1737.
It is said they were sculpted from Ogatamanoki (michelia compressa) by local sculptors Kudeken Niya Shochu, Kabira Niya Seisho, Kohama Niya Toumei.

 

The closed mouth statue is making the sound “om” which represents death.

The open mouth statue is making the sound “Ah” which represents birth.

Together they represents all possible outcomes in the Universe.

They are the only pair of guardians that remain in Okinawa after the one in Shuri at Enkakuji temple that were burned during the war.

Gonjendo

 

When the Shimazu Clan (Satsuma Domain) performed a land survey of the Yaeyama región in 1611, they advised the Ryukyu King Shou Nei to build shrines and temples upon finding that there were none.
So Gonjendo Shrine was the first temple constructed in Yaeyama islands on 1614. 

 

Kumano Gonjen was the deity and the sacred object of worship is a bronze mirror. The roof was originally thatched then change to a tile one during the reign of King Shotei (1669-1709). It was destroyed by the great tidal wave of Meiwa in 1771 and rebuilt again in 1786.
It was designated as a National Cultural Property.

 

All information provided following  a mix of pamphlets of Ishigaki tourism office.

NEXT : 4.10 Ishigaki, some other pics in the city