Teruo Iri's photo collection "Thoughts on Irishima: Ritual Ceremonies on Taketomi Island (Tedun Nu Kizaru)"

The solemnity of the sacred ceremonies and the singing of the festival
That dance and this Kyogen performance were offered with great reverence
The images of familiar faces come back to life...

The island once had a population of nearly 2,000 people, but now it is down to just under 350 .

When you open the photo album, you will find many photos that make it seem as if you can hear the conversations between the gods, who cannot be seen with the naked eye, and the priests who serve them. It is also clear that women are at the center of the festival. Since ancient times, the gods have been worshipped as women who nurture life and bring prosperity. The rituals are a religious ceremony that prays for many descendants and promises to develop the island.

The photographs of the Pilsma ritual were commissioned by Uesugi Toru, who had a deep knowledge of island culture, and as the practice of priests performing the Pilsma ritual with swords and garlic has now disappeared, these are extremely valuable photographs.

(Excerpt from the postscript by Ishigaki Hisao)

●Table of Contents●

February festival
Harvest Festival
Welcoming the world
Final Ceremony
Jugoya
Tanad
Ina Kiyoi Pills
Maine
Shu
New building completion celebration
birthday celebration

Teidun Root
(Hateruma Nagayoshi, Professor Emeritus at Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts and Specially Appointed Professor at the Institute for Pacific Rim Studies, Meio University)

Celebrating the publication of Teruo Iri's photo collection "Ritual Events on Taketomi Island"
(Ishigaki Hisao, Chairman of the Taketomi Town History Editorial Committee)

Me, Photography, Bamboo, and Tomishima
(Iri Teruo)

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・Postscript: Teidun root

Hateruma Eikichi, Professor Emeritus, Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts and Specially Appointed Professor, Meio University Institute for Pacific Rim Studies (Omitted) "Their form is invisible. The gods' appearance is in the gaze of the people who worship them. Their earnest eyes. Their perfectly synchronized worship. The gods of Taketomi Island are in the pious hearts of the people. This is evident from the back of the Kanchikasa (Hikasa) praying wholeheartedly. At the end of the Kanchikasa's prayer is the god seated on Ubu. Iriri's camera captures the back of the Kanchikasa, but his gaze is focused on the single grain of white sand just beyond the Kanchikasa's bowed head, capturing the serene figure of Ubu. The white sand spread in the sacred gardens of the Utaki is a symbol of the pure hearts of the islanders who welcome the gods. There the gods reside." Iriri's photographs whisper this in our ears. The highlight is the photograph of Pilsma. Without Iri's photograph, this ritual would surely have been lost forever. It is said that this photograph was taken with the permission of the gods. The Omoro Sōshi sings of the armed warriors of Kikoe Ogimite Okimi to protect the royal authority of Shuri. Volumes 1-5 state, "Ichi Kikoe Ogimite Okimi, Meshowachie Katanauchii Jagunito Yomiyoware." Thus, the female deity of ancient Ryukyu was armed and clashed swords. This is confirmed in other documents. However, this photograph is the only video available. Iri's awe is expressed in the section at the end of the volume, "Me, Photographs, and Taketomi Island." As symbolized by this photograph, this photobook is also a valuable record of Taketomi Island's rituals. Artistic and documentary photography. I see this as an ambitious photobook that simultaneously achieves these two goals. (Omitted)
(Excerpt from the postscript, "In response to Teruo Iri's photo collection 'Ritual Events on Taketomi Island'")

Author: Teruo Iri
Published by Nanzansha (May 9, 2025)
Format: B5 size, hardcover, 224 pages in black and white