Entering in prayer as the new year approaches, the production of evil-warding arrows at the Tsurugaoka-Hachimangū shrine/ Kamakura

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1112010013/

Caption:  Placing on the arrowhead, shrine maidens produce ceremonial evil-warding arrows = Tsurugaoka-Hachimangū shrine

From today until the end of the year, talismans for new years, evil-repealing arrows, are in production at the Tsurugaoka-Hachimangū shrine in Yukinoshita, Kamakura city. Various meetings are held to produce 245,000 arrows by the end of the year, in preparation for new years.

In the same temple of the arrows, the occasion where Minomoto no Yoriyoshi supressing the Zenkunen War  is celebrated. In the area of Yuiga Beach, the festival of the Hachiman God is held. The city of Kyōtō's Iwashimizu-Kachimanguu shrine sends the festival an offering of bows and arrows. The event was considered the inauguration of the Tsurugaoka-Hachimangū shrine. The arrows come in two types, with a length of 60 centimeters and 94 centimeters.

The shrine maidens and Shinto priests divide the work. The arrowheads are wrapped with Japanese style paper and attached with a bell. The arrowhead is beaten on, where during that time the sound and sensation of knocking resounds strongly.


Original text:
新年へ祈り込め、鶴岡八幡宮で破魔矢作り/鎌倉

 矢に鏑を付けるなど、破魔矢作りをする巫女ら＝鶴岡八幡宮

今日から師走。正月の縁起物の破魔矢作りが鶴岡八幡宮（鎌倉市雪ノ下）で進められている。年内に大小合わせて24万５千本を作製、新年に備える。

同八幡宮の破魔矢は、源頼義が前九年の役を平定した際、由比ケ浜の地に八幡大神を祭り、京都の石清水八幡宮から授かった弓矢を奉納したことにちなむといい、これが鶴岡八幡宮の草創とされる。長さは60センチと94センチの２種類。

 巫女（みこ）や神職らが手分けして、鏑（かぶら）を取り付けて和紙を巻き、鈴を付ける。鏑をたたいて付ける時の「コンコン」という音が心地よく響く。

Professional wrestler Keiji Mutō visits Mayor Fumiko Hayashi, invites 500 people entered into the social welfare institution to attend wrestling event/ Yokohama

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1111300020/

Caption: Mayor Hayashi (Left) is handed a list of 500 invitees from wrestler Keiji Mutō=Yokohama City Government Office

On December 4^th, in the Yokohamas Cultural Gymnasium (In the town of Furō, Yokohama City), Keiji Mutō will be in competing in All Japan Pro Wrestling’s world tag team championship match. On the 30^th, he visited Yokohama City’s governmental office, and offered Mayor Fumiko Hayashi a list of 500 citizens invited to the event.

The spectators invited to the match first had to fill out an application to All Japan Pro Wrestling in order to be considered. Within the city’s welfare institutions, 500 disabled, elderly as well as children were invited.

Keiji Mutō said: I absolutely want the mayor to see the match. This is a gift of our spirit, he saluted. Mayor Hayashi said: I’m grateful for having this talk. As the event draws customers, Yokohama city hopes to receive (greater) vitality, she spoke in gratitude.

Original Text:

プロレスラーの武藤敬司選手が林市長を訪問、福祉施設入所者ら約５００人を試合に招待/横浜

林市長（左）に約５００人分の招待目録を手渡した武藤敬司選手＝横浜市役所

12月４日に横浜文化体育館（横浜市中区不老町）で世界最強タッグ優勝決定戦を開催する全日本プロレスの武藤敬司選手は30日、横浜市役所を訪れ、市民約５００人分の招待目録を林文子市長に贈った。

試合観覧への招待は、全日本プロレス側の申し入れにより実現。市内の福祉施設に入所、通所している障害者や高齢者、子ども約５００人が招待される。

武藤選手は「市長にもぜひ試合を生で見てほしい。元気をプレゼントします」とあいさつ。林市長は「ありがたいお話をいただいた。イベントでお客さんを引き込み、横浜を元気にしてほしい」と感謝の言葉を述べた。

Bari-ba, the polar bear from Ehime prefecture's zoo, pays a visit to Zooasia.

Translated from the original article at: http://kohoku.keizai.biz/headline/449/

Polar Bear Bari-ba, zoo visitor

On November 29, The female polar bear Bari-ba will visit Yokohama's Zoo, Zoorasia (Yokohama City, Asahi ward, Kamishirane city).

With the trend of declining polar bear birthrates inside of the country, the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums encouraged a polar bear breeding project. The project has polar bears from all over the country individually moving among breeding zoos and forming new pairs, with the lone goal being to stimulate breeding activity.

In June, at the same park (Zoorasia), the female polar bear, Chiro, suddenly died. Since then, Janbui, a 19 year old male, has become the only one to be cared for. Meanwhile, Bari-ba (Age 20), the Ehime prefectural institution, as well as the zoo of Ehime prefecture, Iyo district, partnered together under the following condition: as part of a larger plan in this same project, Zoorasia will be the park decided for this visit.

In charge of the polar bears in that same park (Zoorasia) is Mr. Itou Sakura, who said the following: "Each breeding park collaborating in our system is aimed towards the breeding of polar bears. Before arriving at the breeding season, we wish to express our gratitude that the conditions of the pairing for both Janbui and Bari-ba have been decided upon straightaway. Also, with the objective being breeding, the age of both animals is considered, along with the remaining (breeding) time for both Janbui and Bari-ba, who are seemingly carefree and relaxed. We wish to spend this time supporting them.”

Original Text:

ズーラシアにホッキョクグマ「バリーバ」－愛媛の動物園から来園へ

来園するホッキョクグマの「バリーバ」

よこはま動物園ズーラシア（横浜市旭区上白根町）に11月29日、雌のホッキョクグマ「バリーバ」が来園する。

国内のホッキョクグマの飼育頭数は減少傾向にあり、日本動物園水族館協会は「ホッキョクグマ繁殖プロジェクト」を推進。同プロジェクトは、全国のホッキョクグマ飼育園間で個体移動をすることで新たなペア形成を行い、繁殖行動を活性化させることを目的の一つとしている。

同園では6月に雌のホッキョクグマ「チロ」が急死。以来雄のジャンブイ（19歳）1頭の飼育となっていた。一方バリーバ（20歳）も愛媛県立とべ動物園（愛媛県伊予郡）でパートナーがいない状態だったことから、同プロジェクトの一環で今回の来園が決まった。