Tommy, guitar player in the best traditional Irish music band on Okinawa, gets married. I went sulkily as I blamed the wedding for not giving me enough time to go sailing. It took me an hour and a half to drive there down endless narrow roads with traffic lights every 10 metres. By the time I arrived I was frazzled and in a bad mood. Of course the Okinawans cured that in no time at all.

I had the best time! This wedding was unlike anything I have ever experienced and at my time of life novelty has a special value.

Tommy and Yuki do Hollywood in first costumes.

It is theatre, very carefully choreographed, with frequent change of costume. First the happy couple feed each other. This is projected on the huge screens that festoon the hall.

Eat cake!

There is then a series of acts. Everyone is hooting and clapping and generally having an excellent time.

Kill Bill

Traditional Okinawan Belly Dancing

Then there is a movie about the childhoods of Tommy and Yuki. Everyone dies with pleasure.

Tommy at school

The happy couple meanwhile have been in the make-up room. They make a triumphant reappearance in outrageous costumes.

Look at that dress!

The happy couple then go around each table  to greet us all and light a candle. The candle represents global warming, er maybe.

The time to hesitate is through

Then it is time for traditional Irish music, which of course is de rigueur at Okinawan weddings.

I am the only Gaijin in the 300 or so at the wedding. Actually Gerard is also a Gaijin but he has been here for decades and is like honorary Okinawan

Everyone goes wild

Then all their friends rush on dressed as schoolgirls. Both men and women are dressed as schoolgirls. You can recognize the men by their large breasts.

They must have been practicing the dance routine for weeks.

I love the Japanese!

What a great night. God bless you Tommy and Yuki.