Keith’s travelogue

Lifted by the Spirits uploaded on 23 April 2008

In the Spirit uploaded on 23 April 2008

Watching these two was almost as if we went back in time and were watching a play in an ancient Greek theater.

The Dance Begins uploaded on 23 April 2008

The Shaman priestess on Okinawa begins her dance. In this series of photographs if one looks closely at the position of the hands and feet they'll notice the movements mimic karate. Okinawa is the birthplace of this martial art.

Trying his Hand at it uploaded on 22 April 2008

One of the big trends in tourist attractions on Okinawa is hands on and interactive. At this particular tourist trap, the customers have the opportunity to make a variety of artistic crafts such as the clay work he's doing here or hand blown glassware as displayed in an article I recently submitted.

Once he gets the piece where he would like it, its simply handed over to a staff member who will make sure that its kiln fired. This takes place well after the customer has left. It will be mailed to him at his home.

Ye Olde Tourist Trap uploaded on 21 April 2008

The Ryukyu Glass Craft company is one of the oldest and most successful glassware factories in all of Okinawa.

I Did It! uploaded on 21 April 2008

The young lady seated just completed her first masterpiece with the aid of a staff member on the right. Another soon to be happy customer on the left eagerly waits her turn in the master's chair. From the look on her face, she's very excited about the opportunity she's had and pleased with what she's accomplished.

Harder than it looks uploaded on 21 April 2008

A tourist gets their chance to make a piece of glassware. By the expression on her face she's finding it a little more difficult than she imagined.

Getting in on the Action uploaded on 21 April 2008

A tourist takes a turn at the fun. Here she blows on the tube to expand the glass into the shape of a mold. That's the first step. In a little bit, she'll get a chance to shape it more thoroughly.

Final Touches uploaded on 21 April 2008

In an earlier photograph we saw one artisan using air to cool a piece to get the desired color. This one uses heat for the same purpose.