Mostrando entradas con la etiqueta awamori. Mostrar todas las entradas
Mostrando entradas con la etiqueta awamori. Mostrar todas las entradas

miércoles, 25 de marzo de 2015

9.1 Yonaguni / Sonai







Sonai view from Tindahanata sanctuary.











 The death in Okinawa takes space, a lonely person can occupy a grave with many meters squares. Some of them have the shape of a turtle shell.
Near Sonai the biggest village in Yonaguni (500 inhabitants; the whole island doesn´t reach 2.000 and it has 28,8 sq. km.) there is a huge graveyard in front of the sea, tombs are spread all around, near to the cliff. Name of the place is Urano Tombs. 



Green on my walk
White silence 
Blues sea and sky














Death is important in Okinawa, Urano represents.
But life is also, in fact longevity in Okinawa is top of the world, here is not so strange to be in nineties or go over hundred years old.
"Chomeiso" means "long life grass" is a plant who grows in Yonaguni free of agrochemicals.

 
Since 2008 Shiseido has increased its recognition and his health care division commercializes two products.
A drink that blended "chomeiso" with fruit juice and tablets made from granules.
Another firms sell it just to prepare infusions. I still have it, expecting enlarge a few months my life. Let´s see.





In Sonai there is still some beautiful old house although most of them made with modern materials evidence the inevitable impact of the erosive sea winds.






City Hall of Sonai.





House detail.
























































Post Office.



Sonai little jinja.



Altar.







Sonai port at night.



Sonai bar, restaurant, club, disco at night ...


Sonai little river.




With three Yonaguni farmers.







The Sonai Bar day time.














Okinawa weaving commonly is called "jofu".
In Yonaguni tradition of weaving and dyeing with plants lasts more than 500 years. Singular name for that in Yonaguni is : "Hanaon"






Awamori factory.
Yonaguni is the only place where hanazake, a variety of awamori (60 percent alcohol), is produce.



Teaching how to sing and play with shansin the traditional Yonaguni music.

Thanks to Kotoe san, best cakes and coffee in Sonai.


NEXT : 9.2  Yonaguni / Atlas moth Museum

domingo, 1 de marzo de 2015

4.11 Ishigaki here and there / 石垣あちこち


Suzuki commercial, the most seen and impacting during my days on Ishigaki.


Kintaro, is a popular japanese character used very often anywhere.


Sumo season.



Warriors advertising the island.



Suggestive model for me.







Good fish dishes here. (Fisherman's).


Reccomended place for karaage. (Ask me)


Popular place for noodles.



Good meat of pig as in all Okinawa.



But even better : Ishigaki Beef.
 



Containers area on the harbour. As an small island many products come to the island from outside.








Container aground beside the road but decorated with Ishigaki motifs.








Huge shops and meeting center related to dress weddings and celebrations.









Akairomi Miyatori On, people from Kabira used to go to report about management of farm products once a month to the Ishigaki city enshrined God of the Miyatori On in that city. Then they decided to have their own Miyatori On to made it easy.







 Kabira restaurant in a traditional house.






Another On close to Kabira bay.




Very popular Awamori Factory in Kabira bay.







RYUKYU PEARL CO. LTD.

Famous black pearls are cultivated in Kabira bay.
I met Kazufumi san, his father began farming them. 
Thanks Kazufumi san.








 

A group of ladys rehearsed in a rented place the beautiful dance : wasinotori.





The stall has food, crows are a problem some times, that´s why they advertise the danger for them with two crows made in rubber lying down. First from the distance I get astonished then I understood.




Landscapes Toujin Tomb around.








Classic car in Ishigaki city.



In the Ishigaki Yaki Pottery Studio I saw beautiful pieces and I also talked with master Haruhiko san who proudly held some Paris pottery awards on his display.









Taxis brands (¿modern kamon?) from Ishigaki.









NEXT : 5  Taketomi jima