photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Sony Forums Challenges | all galleries >> Challenge 49: Gracefully Aging (Hosted by Ann Chaikin) >> Challenge 49 Exhibition >

Sanshin Player
Helen Betts

previous | next
25-MAY-2003 Helen Betts

Sanshin Player
Helen Betts

Okinawa, Japan

This gentleman (whose name I can't remember) drives a water-buffalo cart ferrying people between Okinawa's Iriomote and Yufu islands http://www.pbase.com/image/17842340. As part of the trip, he always pulls out a sanshin (traditional Okinawan three-stringed instrument) and sings. Despite his age, he had by far the best voice I have ever heard -- what an entertainer. The words to the songs were printed on the ceiling of the cart so passengers could sing along as well. His water buffalo (Shintaro-chan, named for the mayor of Tokyo) was quite young and rebellious and kept stopping in the middle of the water, but this guy was so engrossed in his singing that we would sit for a while until he realized we weren't moving and get the animal working again.

Sony DSC-F717
1/80s f/4.5 at 9.7mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto
comment | share
Ann Chaikin23-Aug-2003 17:22
And you got a good exposure in difficult lighting... I can almost hear him singing and playing. Ann C
Sony Forums Challenges21-Aug-2003 04:19
Mick Jaggar, eat your heart out :-) Great image, Helen. Love the expression on the mans face, nicely composed as well. Mark J