GALLERY — LATVIA, JULY 2008
Training & Picnic at Artis' Home Dōjō
Making A Shīsā (Okinawan Lion Statue)
In Between Sessions
In between the morning and late afternoon sessions, we had a lunch break and some time to walk around the Riga. The city was full of turist due to the upcoming Song Festival.
One afternoon we had lunch at Restorāns Salve, a great sample of traditional Latvian cuisine and other traditional styles: Russian, German, Ukrainian, Polish, Swedish, and more...
Riga Central Market
After lunch, we had a chance to walk around Riga Central Market which is the largest open market in the Baltics; or according to some sources, the largest in Europe. I am not sure, who measured all the markets in Europe, but the Riga Central Market is pretty big!! And it is one of the tourist attractions here in Riga. So, if you visit Riga, stop by and go shopping.
The market is located around five converted Zeppelin hangars built around 1930. Each one of the "hangars" has a speciality: fish, groceries, meat, fish, or other stuff. Also, it is very interesting how its design and layout combines several architectural styles: Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and others.
Tour of Old Riga
July 5th — Today, some members of the Shinjinbukan Karate delegation had a wonderful tour of Old Riga guided by our friend Elena Viktorova, who is a University professor of Japanese studies. Elena owns a tour company cathering to Japanese tourists: Azure Bridge.
Elena San — Paldies, thanks for all your help...
Riga is famous for its distinctive architecture, which uses traditional Latvian folk elements and natural building materials with an influence of German, Austrian and Finnish Art Nouveau designs. In 1997, UNESCO added the Old City of Riga to the World Heritage List as the city with the finest collection of Art Nouveau buildings in Europe, which is "unparalleled anywhere in the world". Therefore, the center of Riga, known as "Old Riga", is maintained and preserved under strict contruction and renovation codes.
See UNESCO'S official award: World Heritage List — Historic Centre of Riga
Training & Picnic At Artis' Home Dōjō
After the tour, we drove to Jūrmala, about 70 minutes away from Riga. Artis planned an outdoor training session at his home Dōjō in Lapmežciems, Jūrmala.
During these outdoor sessions, Onaga Kaichō explained that Ti, the indigenous Okinawan Martial Arts, was practiced outdoors in contact with nature for hundreds of years... All training was conducted in an open area that in the Okinawan language is called Nā, which was courtyard or entrance to a tomb. First, we reviewed how to enter the Nā area as we prepared to train with the machiwara. Next, we worked on tenshin, kakie and iri kumi.
After training was over, we had an amazing feast, starting with some great grilled steaks and lots of drinks...
Making A Shīsā (Okinawan Lion Statue)
Okinawa Shīsā 沖縄のシーサー The Shīsā or "Shishi" are the traditional Okinawan statues similar to a guardian dog or lion, which are considered to be protectors from evils spirits. They are often found in pairs as decorations for rooftops, large gates or homes. Traditionally, if the Shīsā are found in pairs, the left one has a closed mouth, and the right one has an open mouth.
Mr. Takaesu Shōhei is a new Shinjinbukan member and a professional "Shīsā Maker", who comes from a well-known family of artisans specializing in Shīsā statues and other Okinawan pottery. Take a look at their website: Ikutouen. As a special treat, Mr. Takaesu sculpted a large Shīsā face using clay. It was a great show for children and adults...
In 2000, the Unesco's World Heritage List added all the Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryūkyū. One of the design elements and traditions in Ryūkyū culture a the Shīsā, which adorn many of these preserved sites. And in the Shuri Castle museum collection there are several Shīsā made by Mr. Takaesu's family. Therefore, Okinawan pottery is an important living tradition of the Ryūkyū Culture.
See UNESCO'S official award: Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of The Kingdom of Ryūkyū
After the Shīsā face was completed, the final touch was to "open its eyes". So, the honor was given to Onaga Kaichō to make the final touch and "bring the Shīsā to life"... This Shīsā face was presented as a gift from the Shinjinbukan Honbu Dōjō in Okinawa to Dr. Artis Pabriks for his home Dōjō.
The Shīsā had the following Japanese inscription: 2008.7.6 神人武館 王
The translation to English reads: July 6, 2008 Shinjinbukan King or Ruler
