The Eggplant Man arrives on his bike to Tsukuba, welcomed by the locals as he delivers the donations.

Translated from the original article at: http://tsukuba.keizai.biz/headline/381/

May 29, 2012

The Eggplant Man, having arrived to Tsukuba.

In order to deliver funds to the Hojo area's tornado damaged Tsukuba City, Yuu Suzuki (The Eggplant Man) set off from Akashi, Hyogo Prefecture. Dressed in costume, he called out for donations as he traveled by bike. On May 26th, he safely arrived in Tsukuba, presenting both the fund collection and his bike to the city.

His bike his only partner, the Eggplant Man gathers funds along his journey.

"Hearing about the tornado damage on the news, I remembered a bike at my house that wasn't in use. In order to raise funds and deliver some smiles in between all the stories of disaster, I decided to set off with the bike." said Suzuki. Over a period of 6 days, he crossed a distance of 650 kilometers (404 miles). Riding over 100 kilometers (62 miles) on the first day, he considered what actions to take from there.

(On day one) Mr. Suzuki got news that the locals of Tsukuba were preparing for his arrival, doing such things as drawing illustrations of the eggplant man to welcome him. "The locals awaiting my arrival, people assisting me, the strange eggplant man, with donations, the encouragement people have given me...this has all been wonderful." said Suzuki.

At the beginning, asking for donations while dressed up in normal clothes didn't go to well. Daring to wear a costume to gather attention, he bought the eggplant outfit along the way. After becoming the eggplant man, word began spreading about him. He started to gather both momentum and more donations.

"The biggest problem was getting through Hakone. Getting pelted by the rain while biking the mountain roads was painful. Most of the time, I was pushing my bike while walking. I arrived to the descent, which destroyed my bike's brakes on the way down. In the end, for this journey, the bike repair costs alone totaled over 5,000 yen ($63). Of course, I didn't use any of the funds I raised. If didn't have to invest in repairs, I would have liked to put that money into the donation box." said Suzuki.

"On the 3rd day, I received bike repair donations from my friends at home, knowing what I went through in Hakone, riding with low spirits. That time was wonderfully painful," Suzuki added with a laugh.

"I heard of the conditions at Tsukuba and the increasing worries of the locals. Anywhere where people are effected by disaster, my feelings go out to them. Worried about the residents of Tsukuba, I began my walk towards them. Though dressed as an eggplant, I truly feel this is the best appearance I’ve put on. After this is over, I'll once again think of whatever I can do to bring out my inner strength."

"Arriving to the Hojo area, I still wasn't done collecting money. I didn't even need the Eggplant costume anymore. The entire country now wanted to assist and donate. I could expect anyone to lend their power. My chance must have come."

"I'm requesting for the whole country to continue helping the restoration of the Hojo area." Having giving his bike to the city, Suzuki is now on his way to return the repair funds he received from friends. Still dressed as an eggplant, he hitchhikes his way back home.

Original text:

自転車移動の「ナス男」、つくば到着－寄付金届け地元民も歓迎

（2012年05月29日）

つくばに到着した「ナス男」

竜巻被害のあったつくば市北条地区に自転車と寄付金を届けるため、兵庫県明石市から自転車で募金を呼び掛けながら走行していた、着ぐるみをかぶった「ナス男」こと鈴木佑さんが5月26日、つくば市に無事到着し寄付金と自転車を寄贈した。

【画像】相棒だった自転車と、道中で集めた募金を寄付するナス男

鈴木さんは「竜巻被害のニュースを聞いて、使っていない自転車が自宅にあるのを思い出した。被災地に笑顔と話題を届けるため、募金活動も兼ねて自転車をこいで向かう事を決めた」という。6日間の移動で、計650キロの距離を走破した。1日100キロ以上の距離を走れたのは、現地を思っての行動だったからだという。

現地では情報を聞きつけた地元住民らが鈴木さんを待ち構え、ナス男のイラストが描かれた幕などを持ち到着を歓迎した。鈴木さんは「地元の人が待っていてくれた事、こんな怪しいナス男に募金の協力をしてくれた事、そして応援してくれる人がいた事、それらが何よりもうれしかった」と話す。

当初は普段の服装で走行していたが募金活動がうまくいかず、あえて目立つ格好で注目を浴びようと、道中で着ぐるみを購入した。ナス男となってからは話しかけられる事も多くなり、募金も順調に集まり始めたという。

「一番大変だったのは箱根越え。雨に打たれながら山道を走るのはつらかった。ほとんど自転車を押して歩いた。下り坂もきつく、途中で自転車のブレーキも壊れてしまった。結局、今回の道中、自転車の修理費だけで5,000円以上を使ってしまった。もちろん募金のお金には手を付けていないが、修理せず募金箱に同額を入れた方が良かったかも」と鈴木さん。 

「3日目の時点で、現地の友人から自転車の寄付は足りている事を知らされて衝撃を受けたが、気にせず走った。その時もけっこうつらかったかもしれない（笑）」とも。

「現地の状況や地元の人たちの話を聞いて恐ろしさが増した。どこでも起こり得る災害だけに人ごとには思えなかった。心配していたが、地元の人たちは前を向いて歩き始めている。その姿は本当にかっこいいと感じた。あらためて、今後も何かの力になっていきたいと思う」と鈴木さん。

「現地の北条地区ではまだまだお金が足りない。ナスの姿になる必要は無いが、募金の協力を全国規模で行ってもらいたい。誰でも何かの力になれるはず。そのきっかけになれれば」とも。

「北条地区の復興と全国からのさらなる支援を願っています」と話し、自転車を寄付し帰る手段を失った「ナス男」鈴木さんは、ナスの格好のままヒッチハイクで帰路に就いた。

At the Mitama 10,000 lamp festival in Hiroshima, one hundred single women perform the maiden's dance for marraige.

Translated from the original article at: http://hiroshima.keizai.biz/headline/1376/

May 28, 2012

As (the 4) full-time miko (shrine maidens) dance, an especially large number of pictures were taken.

On May 26 and the 27th, at the Hiroshima Gokoku Shine (Motomachi, Naka Ward, Hiroshima City) near Hiroshima Castle, the Mitama 10,000 Lamp Festival was held. Praying for marriage, 100 miko performed their dance.

100 miko participated in the dance.

In front of the temple's main shrine, 100 women under the age of 30 gathered. On that day, they performed the "Marriage Dance of the Miko" to two songs. The participants had been gathered one week prior, and were said to have been trained for the dance within 3 hours.

The miko appeared after 7:00PM. At the location, what stood out were the amount of people travelling on foot with cameras in hand. "Many of the miko participating brought along their families" said Mr. Naito of the Gokoku Shrine. Visitors came to take pictures with everything from camera phones to standard single lens reflex cameras.

Additionally, four full-time miko performed Taiko and Kagura dances. Between 200 to 300 people travelled to the shrine on foot. The miko were recruited by free newsletters and from the shrine's homepage. Part time shrine workers also passed out pamphlets, calling out for participants.


Original text:
広島で「縁結びの巫女踊り」－万灯みたま祭りで独身女性100人が披露
（2012年05月28日）

本職の巫女による舞は、特に多くのシャッターが切られた

広島城近くの広島護国神社（広島市中区基町）で5月26日・27日に「万灯みたま祭り」が開催され、約100人の巫女（みこ）が縁結びを祈念した巫女踊りを披露した。

【画像】約100人の巫女が参加した「巫女踊り」

社殿前の社頭で舞を披露したのは、30歳以下の独身女性から成る約100人の巫女たち。当日は、「縁むすびのみこ踊り」ほか2曲を舞った。参加者は、祭りの1週間前に集まり、3時間ほど舞の練習したという。

巫女の登場は19時過ぎからだったが、会場には、カメラを片手に足を運んだ人が目立つ。「巫女として参加されている方のご家族も多い」と同神社の内藤さん。来場者はカメラ付き携帯電話から、本格的な一眼レフまで使って撮影していた。

このほか、本職の巫女4人による舞や、奉納の和太鼓演奏、神楽の上演が披露され、会場には200人～300人が足を運んだ。巫女は、ホームページやフリーペーパーで募集。神社でのアルバイト経験者にチラシを配るなどして、参加を呼び掛けた。

Encouraged by the cheers and donations of many, the man dressed as an eggplant passes through Hakone into Odawara

Translated from the original article at: http://odawara-hakone.keizai.biz/headline/891/

May 24, 2012

Facing Tsukuba City, Suzuki stops for a photo, while biking along the Japan National Route One highway.

In order to raise recovery funds for the May 6th tornado disaster area, Yuu Suzuki set off on bike from Kobe. While on the way towards his goal of Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture, he’s calling out for donations. On May 25, amid the rain, he safely crossed Hakone Pass, arriving in the city of Odawara.

The eggplant man raising recovery money.

On that day, the weather began to clear from the west. With rainclouds overhead, Suzuki began peddling towards the east. On the mountains of Hakone, his scope of vision was impaired by rainfall since morning. Riding the steep inclines of Hakone's roads and finding his endurance weakening, Suzuki frequently made use of rest stops. He questioned his idea of using an ordinary bike, not equipped with gears. Taking weather and safety into account, on 9 occasions Suzuki switched to walking with his bike on the climb from Mishima to the summit of Mount Hakone. During declines, he cautiously peddled downhill. At 4:20PM, Suzuki arrived in front of Odawara Station uninjured.

At the station, he found himself surrounded by a rush of high school students, married couples and tourists. They were demanding answers to questions such as "Why the heck are you an eggplant?" and "Let's take a picture." One by one, he politely responded to each of them. Asking for tornado relief donations as a favor, many Odawara citizens complied. "Aaa, so cold!" said a woman in her 50's after requesting a handshake, surprised by the coldness of Suzuki's body. "Hang in there," people called out. By reaching Odawara, Suzuki surpassed his aim of travelling 100 kilometers (62 miles) in one day. "Today, I'm set for Yokohama. There’s nothing else on the itinerary until then." Currently not working, Suzuki's past jobs included hotels and restaurants.

Yesterday, his spirits feeling weakened, he said to himself: "I wonder if I should stop cycling and just continue my fundraiser by hitchhiking..." However, he went ahead and rode his bike into the Kanto Region. "Receiving a lot of cheers and donations, I was filled with energy," said Suzuki. Going around the area, he asked himself "What town should I visit from here?" We do know that he'll continue to Oiso, Hiratsuka, Chigasaki, Fujisawa, Ofune and then Yokohama. "Yo-shhhh!" he yelled, starting eastward from the Japan National Route 1 line, still facing a distant journey until he arrives at Tsukuba City.

Original text:

ナスの着ぐるみで箱根越え小田原に－多くの人の声援と募金協力に励まされ 

（2012年05月24日）

つくば市に向けて国道1号線を走行中にフォトコール

竜巻被害地への寄付金と自転車を届けるため、神戸を出発し、茨城県つくば市を目指して募金を呼び掛けながら走行している鈴木佑さんが5月25日、雨の中、無事に箱根峠を越えて小田原市内に入った。

【画像】ナス男募金活動

当日の天候は西から崩れ、走る鈴木さんは雨雲と一緒に東に向かった。箱根の山は昼前から雨が降り視界も良くない。勾配の厳しい箱根路は、野宿を繰り返しているため体力的にも弱くなっている鈴木さんには難関。ギアも付いていない普通の自転車で乗り越えられるのか疑問だった。鈴木さんは天候と安全を考え、三島から箱根山頂までの登りでは、9割を自転車を押しながら歩き、下りは慎重な運転で走行。16時20分、無事に小田原駅前に到着した。

駅前では、高校生、主婦、観光客に囲まれ、「なんでナスなの？」「写真撮らせて」などの質問や要望が殺到。一人一人に丁寧に対応していた。募金も順調で、多くの市民が協力。50代の女性が握手を求めて、「まあ冷たい」と鈴木さんの体が冷え切っていることに驚いていた。「頑張ってね」の声を掛けられ、1日100キロの目標達成のため小田原を後にした。「今日の予定は横浜。そこまで行かないと日程がない」。ホテルや飲食店での仕事をこなしてきた鈴木さんにも、仕事は待ってはくれない。

昨日は、「自転車をやめて募金だけのヒッチハイクにしようかな…」と弱気になっていたときがあったという。それでも自転車を走らせ、関東圏に入った。「多くの声援と募金が自分のエネルギーになっている」と鈴木さん。「これからどんな街があるのですか？」と周りに質問。大磯、平塚、茅ヶ崎、藤沢、大船、そして横浜と続くことを知ると、「よ～し」と声を上げて国道1号線を東に向かってスタートした。つくば市までの道のりはまだ遠い。

Learning to work as a fisherman, children of Toudai Fukuura Elementary board fishing boats/Yugawara

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1205210016/

May 22, 2012

Aboard the fishing boat, the children enjoy touching fresh fish.

On the 21st, sixty 5th and 6th graders from Toudai Fukuura Elementary School (Yoshihama, Yugawara Town) experienced what it's like to be a fisherman, boarding local fishing boats for the day.

The children were split among two fishing boats, according to their grade level. With the boats' tairyo-bata flags raised, they departed from Fukuura Fishing Harbor. After gazing from the ocean at the streets of Yugawara and the Mitsu Ishi Rock of Manazura Peninsula, the boats arrived off-shore for them to witness the operation of fishing nets placed in the area. Bringing up a large catch of saba (mackerel) in the nets, the children were surprised, saying "They captured all that..."

While the children caught kawahagi, japanese bullhead sharks and touched 1-meter long, giant conger eels, flying fish were seen leaping from the ocean's surface. There's was always something interesting to rediscover in different parts of the sea.

5th grader Iwata Yukihisa (Age 10) commented: "Now I understand how cool being a fisherman is. I would like to do this again." Boat captain Takahashi Minoru (Age 52) added: "Not having enough successors is my biggest worry. If even one of these children takes the path of a fisherman, that would be wonderful."

Original text:

漁師の仕事学ぶ、東台福浦小児童が体験乗船/湯河原

2012年5月22日

船上で新鮮な魚を触り、喜ぶ子供たち

湯河原町立東台福浦小学校（同町吉浜）の５、６年生約60人が21日、地元の漁船に体験乗船し、漁師の仕事を学んだ。

児童は学年ごとに２隻に分かれ、大漁旗が掲げられた福浦漁港を出航。海上から湯河原の街並みや真鶴半島の三ツ石を眺めた後、沖合で定置網漁の様子を見学した。たくさんのサバが掛かった網が引き上げられると、「あんなに捕れるんだ」と驚いていた。

児童たちは捕れたてのカワハギやネコザメ、体長約１メートルのオオアナゴを触ったり、海面を飛ぶトビウオを見つけたりして、いつもとは違う海の面白さを再発見していた。

５年の岩田幸久君（10）は「漁師さんの仕事のかっこよさが分かった。１度やってみたい」。船長を務めた高橋稔さん（52）は「後継者不足が最大の悩み。子どもたちが一人でも漁師の道を歩んでくれたらうれしい」と話していた。

With tree frogs laying eggs, the Daikō Temple Sect of Shōmyō Temple is this year's first location.

Translated from the original article at: http://www.ryoutan.co.jp/news/2012/05/22/005187.html

May 22, 2012

A rhacophorus arboreus egg sticking out from a tree branch. (May 22, 9:30AM)

The Daikō Temple (Chief Priest Ariga Sadou) of Fukuchiyama City's Shōmyō Temple is known as "the temple of the tree frogs." On the 22nd, egg-laying began. In an average year, egg-laying begins at this time and lasts until the end of June.

Before and after the annual summer rain season, frogs arrive from the mountains behind the main temple, forming and laying their eggs in the trees of the surrounding lake. During this period, the males and females come to the area issuing mating calls. Afterwards, the females climb the lake’s tree branches. Hanging on to the branch with her body enveloped in a secretion of meringue-like bubbles, she buries half of herself into the nest and begins laying the eggs.

Being appointed Chief Priest of the temple in 1988, Ariga (Age 51) held an interest for the frogs, continuing to protect and observe them to this day.

This month began the current observation. At about 6:30 AM on the 22nd, the first egg-nest was spotted. Around day break, the frog was observed laying eggs.

Within a week, tadpoles will hatch, falling into the river below. Chief Priest Ariga commented: "Before, we would have about 30-40 eggs per year. But lately, they've decreased to about 15 per year. As the humidity increases from the rainfall, we'll get a greater number of eggs."

Original text:

モリアオガエルが産卵　正明寺の大興寺で今年第１号の卵塊

2012年5月22日

写真＝木の枝に出来た卵塊（２２日午前９時３０分ごろ）

モリアオガエルの寺として知られる福知山市正明寺、大興寺（有賀祖道住職）で２２日、産卵が始まった。例年並みの産卵開始で、６月終わりごろまで続く。

毎年梅雨前後に、本堂そばの池の木に、裏山からやってきたモリアオガエルが卵塊をつくり産卵する。この時期になると池の周りに下りてきた雄が雌を呼ぶため鳴き出す。あとからきた雌が、池の上に枝を垂らしている木に登り、体液を出してメレンゲ状の泡をつくり、体半分を埋めると産卵を始める。

１９８８年に同寺住職に就いた有賀住職（５１）がカエルに興味を持ち、ずっと保護、観察を続けている。

今シーズンは５月に入ってから観察を始め、２２日午前６時３０分ごろに第１号の卵塊を見つけた。夜明けごろに産卵したと見られる。

１週間ほどでオタマジャクシになり、下の池に落ちる。有賀住職は「以前は３０－４０個ほど卵塊が出来たこともありましたが、近年は１５個ほどに減っています。雨が降って湿気が増えると、卵塊の数が多くなってきます」と話している。

Discovered in Ofuna prefecture, a snapping turtle over 50 centimeters is currently in custody/Kamakura

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1205210026/

May 21, 2012

The captured snapping turtle=Ofuna Police

A snapping turtle was discovered in the Sunaoshi River of Ofuna, Kamakura City. It's currently being protected by Ofuna's police as a lost and found item.

At around 4:30PM on the 19th, it's said that "An unusual turtle in the bottom of the river" was spotted. Passing neighborhood residents informed the police. Several officers arrived, using a net to capture it.

The length of the turtle's shell measured 34 centimeters, it's total body length measuring over 50 centimeters. On the 21st, the turtle was confirmed by the Shin E No Shima's Aquarium to be an invasive species.

In the situation that the owner does not come forward after several days, the turtle will be taken by the prefecture's animal shelter. It's forbidden to release invasive species outdoors. The police commented "If someone is doing such a thing, we would like them to stop."


Original text:
50センチ超のカミツキガメ保護、大船で見つかる/鎌倉
2012年5月21日

捕獲されたカミツキガメ＝大船署

鎌倉市大船の砂押川でカミツキガメが見つかり、大船署が拾得物として保護している。

19日午後４時半ごろ、「川の水底に変わった亀がいる」と、近隣住民が通りかかった警察官に通報。署員数人で網を用いて捕獲した。

亀は甲羅の長さが約34センチで、体長は50センチ以上。21日に新江ノ島水族館で確認したところ、特定外来生物のカミツキガメと判明した。

数日間持ち主の申し出がなかった場合、県動物保護センターに引き取られる。特定外来生物は、野外へ放つことが禁じられており、同署は「誰かが放したのだろうが、やめてほしい」と話している。

A speedier harvest from the rice paddies of Ishigaki Island (The fastest yielding rice in Japan)

Translated from the original article at: http://ishigaki.keizai.biz/headline/939/

May 21, 2012

Mr. Nakaarashiro, smiling broadly.

At Okinawa's #1 rice field, Hirata Field of Ishigaki Island, the harvest of its fast growing rice has begun.

On Nakaarashiro Jun's 9-hectare rice paddy, the harvest season has already begun. Nakaashiro's island farm is battling to be ranked above all others as the fastest producing rice farm. Usually, farms begin harvesting rice from the end of this month. Planting his koshihikari rice in the middle of January, he's been harvesting since May 18 from 50 ares of space. "On the Chinese Calendar, March 2012  marks a leap month, extending the time period from planting until harvesting. From March, the temperatures have gradually risen, creating a favorable condition for the growth of the rice. Selecting delicious tasting rice is the basis for improving the flavor of a meal. 2012 is set to have the greatest harvest in several years," said Nakaarashiro, his face cracking with a huge smile.

Nakaarashiro divides the cultivation of rice between 3 periods within each year. After the end of this period, the next goes from the end of June until mid-August, followed by another period from late August until late November. "Even though the summer typhoons cause damage, the harvests from the other seasons supplement the total yield and disperse the risks from the weather." said Nakaarashiro.

Retailers within the city quickly line their shelves with Nakaarashiro's recently grown rice, for residents of Ishigaki to enjoy Japan's fastest growing rice. 

Original text:

石垣島の水田で早くも稲刈り－「日本一早い米」収穫

（2012年05月21日）

顔をほころばせる仲新城さん

沖縄一の米どころ・石垣島平田原（ひらたばる）で早くも米の収穫が始まった。

稲刈りが始まったのは仲新城淳さんの9ヘクタールある水田。仲新城さんは島内の稲作農家の中でも1、2位を争う超早場米の生産者で、一般農家は今月末ごろから収穫を始めるのに対し仲新城さんは1月中旬に植えたコシヒカリを5月18日から日に50アールずつ収穫している。「今年は旧暦の閏（うるう）3月があり田植えから稲刈りまでの期間を長く取った。3月から気温が徐々に上昇したのは稲の生育に好条件だった。米のおいしさの基準である食味が増し、今年は数年に一度の豊作になるだろう」と顔をほころばせる。

仲新城さんは毎年3期に分けて米を生産し、今後は5月末から8月中旬、8月下旬から11月下旬にかけても稲作を行う。「夏場の台風で被害が出ても、ほかの期の収穫で補えるリスク分散の役割もある」と仲新城さん。

市内の小売りスーパーでは早くも仲新城さんの生産した新米が並び、石垣市民は日本一早い新米を食べることができる。