Another Shisa

Another Shisa for you now. I spotted this one in the customs hall in Okinawa as we made our way back to our cruise ship.

It had been another long and busy day, and I was looking forward to putting my feet up with a drink in hand as we sailed out of the harbour.

Transport And Trees

While waiting for the bus to take us back to our cruise ship, I found this tree being used to park bicycles behind. The tree is, I think, a fig tree, going by all the air roots coming down. I found the textures that they created quite interesting, and also the lines. More inspiration for my needlework.

The bicycles are something else. obviously transport for the locals. The owners are very trusting as I could not find any chain or lock. Maybe the crime rate in Okinawa is much lower than at home.

A Building

Okinawa is one of those places that is a mix of old and new. Shattered by war, some new modern buildings have risen from the rubble.

A Water Sculpture

We found this sculpture in the main street of Okinawa, just outside the main shopping strip. We were to wait near here for our bus ride back to the Diamond Princess.

Taking on the form of a fountain, we think it was some kind of memorial.

I found the artwork interesting, finding tree shapes and leaves in amongst the cut metal.

Protection

Lion or dog? I think he is a lion. Known as a "Shisa" he is there to protect the building. Made of some kind of metal he is very decorative, and we can see the Chinese influences again in the scrolls. They usually come in pairs at a gateway, entranceway or roof top. One on the right will have an open mouth to ward of evil spirits, while one on the left will have a closed mouth to keep in the good spirits. Interesting Okinawan mythology.

A Lightpost

How is this for a light post? Something a little different from home. Decorative as well as functional in more ways than one. Interesting that the birds still sit on a light post no matter where it is.

Another Wooden Panel

Another wooden panel that I found in a shop in Okinawa. This one was different to the previous post, but still inspirational for my stitching. This one was actually decorating the shop in which I found it.

Wooden Artwork

Just one of the wooden panels that I found in one of the shops in Okinawa. I found the "leaf" patterns interesting and thought that perhaps I could use them somehow in my stitching.

Decorated Shells

This shell was found in one of the shops in Okinawa. Being on a small island in the Pacific, I would imagine that the cowrie shells would abound. I have a collection of cowrie shells myself that I have found over the years on Australian beaches, but not as big as this one. I have seen them this size of course, and yes I have seen them decorated before. This one caught my eye though as it was decorated with a seahorse. 

A Gift Shop

This is a pic of another of the shops that we passed on the tourist strip in Okinawa. This one looked like a gift shop. Coffee mugs, plates, garden and house decorations, postcards etc. Not really my cup of tea, but we did go in and have a look. Just so different to the shops here at home.