The taste of spring, a mountain of Hijiki. Harvesting begins at Jōgashima Island/Miura

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1204130038/

April 14, 2012

Fisherman bundle jet-black Hijiki into sacks.

Harvesting the flavor of spring: On Jōgashima Island of Misakichō, Miura City, the reaping of Hijiki has begun. Along the coast, fishermen can be seen bundling sacks of jet-black Hijiki that's been left to dry in the sun.

Jōgashima Island’s Fishing Association states that because of unfavorable weather conditions, the annual harvest period arrived over a month late. According to the fishermen, this year's harvest is somewhat small, with the area not yielding much fully grown Hijime.

Pulling the Hijiki from the tide to the shore, about two days were spent harvesting it, where it was then dried in the sun. It's being bundled into sacks in order for businesses to put in their bids. This season, a harvest of 4 tons has been estimated.

Smiling, a fisherman of 4 years (Age 40) said　"This (harvest of) Hijiki is special for its fluffy and soft texture. I would recommend eating it boiled."

Original Text:

春の味、ヒジキ山盛り　城ケ島で収穫始まる/三浦

2012年4月14日

真っ黒なヒジキを袋詰めする漁師

春の味、収穫―。三浦市三崎町城ケ島でヒジキ漁が始まった。海岸では、天日干しで乾燥した真っ黒なヒジキを袋詰めする漁師の姿が見られる。

城ケ島漁協は、天候不順で刈り取りが例年より１カ月遅れた。漁師たちによると、今年は量がやや少なく、場所によっては生育があまりよくないという。

潮の引いた周辺の磯で刈り取ったヒジキは２日間ほど天日干しされ、業者の入札にかけるために袋詰めされる。今シーズンは計４トンの収穫を見込んでいる。

漁師歴４年という男性（40）は「ここのヒジキはふっくらして柔らかいのが特徴。煮て食べるのがおすすめ」と笑顔で話していた。

Galloping through a tunnel of cherry blossoms. The viewing season for cherry trees arrives at a horse ranch/Atsugi

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1204100027/

April 11, 2012

Surrounded by Yoshino Cherry Blossoms, race horses run ever vigorously around the course=The Takagi Horse Ranch of Kamiogino, Atsugi City

At the Takagi Horse Ranch of Kamiogino, Atsugi City, the viewing season for Cherry Blossoms has arrived. The horses take increasingly fast gallops on a 650 meter course, surrounded by Yoshino Cherry Blossoms.

Originally from other ranches, the active thoroughbreds are now under the care of Takagi Ranch, being trained and adjusting before their debut as race horses. Next, they’ll arrive at the Japan RacingAssociation's Miho Training Center (Ibaraki Prefecture), which will take over responsibility for them.

Presently, there are 30 horses at the facility being held for debut, including a two year old. Farm Manager Takagi Shunsuke (34) commented (Here, the atmosphere is calm and water is purer. The horses are able to refresh their mind and body." Visits to the facility are not available to the general public.

Original text:

桜のトンネル駆け抜ける、競走馬育成牧場でも見ごろ/厚木

2012年4月11日

勢いよくソメイヨシノに囲まれた周回コースを駆け抜ける競走馬＝厚木市上荻野、高木競走馬育成牧場

厚木市上荻野の高木競走馬育成牧場で、桜が見ごろを迎えている。競走馬が勢いよく、ソメイヨシノに囲まれた周回コース約６５０メートルを駆け抜ける。

同牧場では現役馬の調整や調教のほか生産牧場から預かったデビュー前のサラブレッドを競走馬として育て、日本中央競馬会（ＪＲＡ）の美浦トレーニングセンター（茨城県）に引き継ぐ役割を担う。

現在、デビューを控えた２歳馬を含め、厩舎（きゅうしゃ）には30頭いる。場長の高木俊介さん（34）は「ここは静かで空気や水もよく、馬にとっては心身ともにリフレッシュできる」と話していた。一般の人は見学はできない。

The "Nintama" (Ninja Kids) gathering at Fukushiyama Castle. 45 elementary schoolers undergo ninja training

Translated from the original article at: http://www.ryoutan.co.jp/news/2012/04/09/005015.html

April 9, 2012

Boat racing, on the flowing river below the castle.

On the 8th, in the area of Fukuchiyama Castle's Park (Naiki Itchōme Naiki, Fukuchiyama-Castle), "The 11th Mitsuhide Nintama Martial Arts Gathering" was held. (Translation note: Mitsuhide is Fukushiyama Castle's mascot.) Wrapped in ninja outfits, the children challenged themselves in each attraction, including shuriken throwing, blow darts and water running (on a boat).

The event was put together by an action committee made up of volunteer residents, led by Chairman Kawakatsu Yuu. 45 elementary scholars gathered together.

Disguised as the Nintama (child ninjas in the midst of training), they participated in the Nintama Olympics. Aiming for the championship trophy, they were challenged by the "Dokutake Team," (villains from the anime series).

　

The 5th competition was a boat race, held on the river of the lower castle. Each group boarded a boat, competing to pull themselves to the other side of the river in the fastest time.

Cooperating with their full power to pull themselves across the rope, at times it appeared as if some of them would fall into the river, but all made it across safely.

After the competition, the troublesome Dokutake Team stole the trophy and attempted to flee the scene. In an excellent showing during a fierce battle, the children managed to take back the trophy.

Original text:

福知山城で忍たま武道大会　小学生４５人が忍者修行

2012年4月 9日

城の下を流れる法川での水走り（ボートレース）の様子

福知山市内記一丁目の福知山城公園周辺で８日、「第１１回光秀忍たま武道大会」が行われた。子どもたちが忍者衣装に身を包み、手裏剣、吹き矢、水走りなどの各種アトラクションに挑戦した。

市民ボランティアで組織する実行委員会（川勝優委員長）が主催し、４５人の小学生たちが集まった。

忍たま（修行中の子ども忍者）に扮して、「忍たまオリンピック」に参加するという設定で、優勝トロフィーを目指し、悪役のドクタケチームと対戦した。

５競技目の水走り（ボートレース）は、城下の法川で開催。グループごとにボートへ乗り込み、ロープを手繰り寄せながら、対岸に渡るまでの時間を競った。

協力して力いっぱいロープを引っ張り、勢いあまって川に落ちそうになる忍たまもいたが、全員無事に渡りきった。

このあと競技が面倒になったドクタケチームがトロフィーを奪って逃げる場面もあったが、激戦の末、見事取り返した。

At a Abeno Cues Mall event, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu commemorates the sale of her new single

Translated from the original article at: http://abeno.keizai.biz/headline/388/

April 8th, 2012

2500 gather for the Kyary Pamyu Pamyu event.

At the 3rd level Sky Court of Abeno Market Park(Osaka City Abenoku Abeno Kin 1), Kyary Pamyu Pamyu held an event on April 8th.

The popular Kyary Pamyu Pamyu at the event.

An event was held too commemorate the April 4th release of her second single, Candy Candy.  A capacity crowd of 2500 gathered.

On that day, a free live concert was held. Besides performing Candy Candy for the first time in the Kansai region, 5 songs total were performed, including Pon Pon Pon and Tsukematsukeru. Also announced is that Kyary will begin her first Solo Live Tour from Club Nanba Hatch (Japanese site) located in the ward of Naniwa.

In addition, those who purchased CD's were eligible for a hand shake event also held, where over 1000 people lined up.

In an interview before the event, Kyary said "I once again wore these clothes (from the video) to show my love to the fans" as well as "I like people who speak Kansai Dialect."

Original Text: 

きゃりーぱみゅぱみゅさん、あべのキューズモールでイベント－新曲発売記念で

（2012年04月08日）

きゃりーぱみゅぱみゅさんのイベントに2500人集まる

あべのマーケットパーク キューズモール（大阪市阿倍野区阿倍野筋1）3階スカイコートで4月8日、きゃりーぱみゅぱみゅさんがイベントを行った。

【画像】盛り上がったきゃりーぱみゅぱみゅさんのイベント

4月4日に発売されたセカンドシングル「CANDY CANDY」のリリース記念で催された同イベント。満員の2500人が集まった。

当日はフリーライブも行い、関西で初披露となる新曲「CANDY CANDY」のほか、「PONPONPON」「つけまつける」など5曲を歌った。きゃりーさんからは初のワンマンライブツアーを6月2日から「なんばHatch」（浪速区）で始めることも発表した。

併せて、CD購入者を対象とした握手会も催し、1000人以上が並んだ。

イベント前に行われた会見できゃりーさんは「自分の衣装を再現してくれているファンもいて愛情が伝わる」と話し「関西弁の人が好き」とも。

At the traditional Water God Festival of Funabashi Fishing Harbor, four performances are offered in prayer of safety and bountiful fishing

Translated from the original article at: http://funabashi.keizai.biz/headline/photo/179/

April 5, 2012

Continuing since the Edo era, the annual event took place on the 3rd.

Praying for safety at sea and abundant fishing, the Sea God Festival was held on April 3rd, in Funabashi Fishing Harbor (Minamotomachi 3, Funabashi City), organized by the City of Funabashi’s Fishing Union (Chief Director Oono Kazutoshi). The religious event for believers of the water gods has been appointed within Japan as an intangible cultural asset.

The festival has continued since the Edo period, a tradition passed down among Funabashi's fisherman. "It has gone on since the 1600's" explained a member of the fishing union.

Over the fishing ships anchored in the fishing port's wharf, many Tairyo-bata  fluttered in the strong winds. Shinto and Kagura ceremonies were performed onboard the ships. As the events progressed, workers of the Funabashi Daijinja shrine and those involved in the fishing industry presented offerings of Tamagushi, praying for the safety of the fisherman this season. 180 from the fishing union participated.

As the ritual continued, 4 types of Kagura were offered. The Miko, Sarata, Ebisu and Sanjin dances.
In the middle of a pile of Nori, "The catch of winter," sea bass and short necked clam was transferred over, marking a change to "The catch of spring," requesting safe and abundant fishing as part of the Water God Festival.

With the Kagura offerings finished, citizens gathered where red and white Mochi was being distributed. Those involved in the fisherman boarded a ship which sailed out offshore. Throwing the five Chinese cereals into the ocean, this completed the festival.


Original text:
船橋漁港で伝統の「水神祭」－神楽4座を奉納し豊漁と安全祈願
（2012年04月05日）

江戸時代から続いている伝統行事は毎年4月3日に実施

海上の安全や豊漁を祈願する船橋市漁業協同組合（大野一敏理事長）主催による水信仰の神事で市の文化財指定を受けている「水神祭」が4月3日、船橋漁港（船橋市湊町3）で行われた。

同祭は、江戸時代から船橋の漁師に受け継がれてきた伝統行事で、「西暦1600年ごろから続いているのでは」と語る同漁協関係者も。　

たくさんの大漁旗が強風にはためく中、船橋漁港の岸壁に係留した漁船上で神事や神楽が執り行われた。神事を進行したのは船橋大神宮の神職、漁業関係者は玉串の奉納などを行い、今季の漁の安全を祈願した。同漁協の組合員数は約180人。

神事に続いて、みこ舞、猿田舞、蛭子（えびす）舞、山神舞という4座の神楽が奉納される。ノリ中心の「冬の漁」からスズキやアサリなどが中心となる「春の漁」に移行する節目に漁の安全と豊漁を祈って「水神祭」は行われる。

神楽の奉納が終わり、神事に集まった市民らに紅白の餅がまかれると、漁業関係者は沖合まで船を出し五穀を海にまくことで同祭は終了する。