The treasured "Immense Tidal Bore" painting is set to be on exhibit from the 21st, taking place at the "Sagami Bay Knowing the New from Reviewing the Old" exhibit/Odawara

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1201200016/


January 20, 2012

Being displayed at the event: An illustration of inhabitants escaping from the rushing water

On both the 21st and 22nd, the "Sagami Bay Knowing the New from Reviewing the Old" exhibit will take place at the Seikantei building in Minamicho, Odawara city. This year, a (reproduction) of a heavily valued painting from 110 years prior, depicting the immense tidal bore of the Odawara incident will be displayed. The prefecture of Kanagawa and the (Non Profit Body) Odahara Community Support Organization, among others, are sponsoring the event.

At the time of the tidal bore, a citizen painstakingly drew a depiction of the damage. Presently, the painting is under the possession of a woman in Minamiashigara city. The painting is within a double scroll, containing a collaboration of 20 colored sheets.

The Immense Tidal Bore occurred on September 28 of 1902 (Meiji Year 35). The activity of an approaching typhoon caused a storm surge and high tide to pile up and trigger the tidal bore. Massive damage occurred on the Western Shore of Odawara prefecture, resulting in a combination of 60 deaths and people who went unaccounted for.

Admission is free. For inquires, the Seikentai building phone number is 0465(22)2834.


Original text
貴重な「大海嘯」絵図公開、２１日から「相模湾温故知新展」開催/小田原
2012年1月20日

公開される、浸水から逃げる住民の図

小田原市南町の清閑亭で21、22の両日、「相模湾温故知新展」が開かれ、今年発生から１１０年を迎える「小田原大海嘯（だいかいしょう）」の絵図（複写）など貴重な資料が公開される。県とＮＰＯ法人「小田原まちづくり応援団」などの主催。

絵図は、当時の住民が被災状況を克明に描き、南足柄市の女性が現在所有しているもの。２本の絵巻に連作で20枚程度のカラー画が収められている。

大海嘯は１９０２（明治35）年９月28日、接近中の台風による高潮と満潮が重なって発生し、県西部沿岸で死者・行方不明60人などの大きな被害が出た。

入館無料。問い合わせは清閑亭電話０４６５（２２）２８３４。

In Yokohama's first snowfall of the year, Kangaroos create a circle for shelter- Zoorasia

Translated from the original article at: http://kohoku.keizai.biz/headline/493/

January 21, 2012

Red Kangaroos gather, creating a "Kangaroo Circle"

January 20th was the date of Yokohama's first snowfall.  Before the eyes of spectators, the Red Kangaroos of Zoorasia, seeking shelter, formed a circle amongst themselves.
(Zoorasia is located in the town of Kamishirane, Asahi Ward, Yokohama City Tel# 045-959-1000)

On the 20th, the temperature at Zoorasia fell to nearly 2 degrees Celsius (35.6 F). As more and more snow fell and accumulated inside the zoo, thirty red kangaroos gathered under a roof in the corner of their enclosure. Warming themselves up by gathering close together, they had created a "Kangaroo Circle".

Since red kangaroos are used to inhabiting an arid environment, their body hair contains little oil, making conditions such as rain and snow difficult to deal with. They're also not suited for the cold. Thus while the snow was falling in that park that day, they were seen gathering in a circle.

Additionally on that day, Japanese Macaques were spotted forming "Monkey Circles". The adults placed their children in the center, warming up their freezing bodies.


Original text:
横浜で初雪、カンガルーは「だんご」を作る－ズーラシア
2012年01月21日

アカカンガルーが集まり「カンガルーだんご」を作った

横浜で初雪が観測された1月20日、よこはま動物園ズーラシア（横浜市旭区上白根町、TEL 045-959-1000）で、アカカンガルーの「カンガルーだんご」が確認された。

20日のズーラシアの気温は2度近くまで下がった。雪が降り積もる園内では、飼育されている約30頭のアカカンガルーが屋根のある一角に集まり、体を温め合う「カンガルーだんご」を作った。

アカカンガルーは乾燥した地域に生息する動物のため体毛に油が少なく、雨や雪などが苦手。寒さにも弱いため、雪が降るほどの寒い日には同園では「カンガルーだんご」を見ることができる。

そのほか、この日にはニホンザルによる「サルだんご」も確認され、大人のサルたちが子ザルたちを真ん中に入れ冷えた体を温め合っていた。

Drawings of gratitude from Minamisoma; Responding to Kitsudu, Yokohama city’s disaster recovery assistance program

Translated from the original article at: http://kohoku.keizai.biz/headline/492/

January 20, 2012

‘

A scene from the "Kids Art for Fukushima" disaster recovery assistance program, from August of last year.

An event reporting on the disaster recovery assistance program (Kids Art for Fukushima) will take place on January 21-22 at the North Port Mall (Yokohama city, Kitsudu district, Nakagawa Chuo 1, (TEL 045-913-8000) in the center court of the 2nd level. At the event, will be a display sent from Minamisoma city, thanking the children of Yokohama.

During August of last year in the same building, Tominaga Shuhei, designer for the Mastro Geppetto brand (Japanese site) of wooden toys, constructed a studio. Together with Nakamura Kouichi, owner of kids clothing maker Puttiton (Japanese site), they held the "Kids Art for Fukushima" disaster recovery assistance program. The children of Yokohama created original t-shirt designs to be sent to a nursery school in Minamisoma, Fukushima prefecture.

This time, an update event is being held. On the day the children of Minamisoba received the t-shirts, they energetically created 34 Thank You drawings. They will be displayed in panels and introduced on a DVD projection.

Mr. Tominaga said "Before this event, we designed this project based on our feelings, wanting to do as much as possible within our scope to support the children suffering from the disaster. The children of Yokohama gently drew pictures on the t-shirts to be sent to the children of the disaster area, first trying on each one for themselves. Thus this time, to be receiving Thank You drawings in return, all the children have bonded through their art. At the event, we want to share the energy these children have created."

The event is open both days from 11:00AM to 6:00PM.

Original text:

横浜・都筑で震災復興支援のアンサー企画－南相馬からお礼の絵

（2012年01月20日）

昨年8月に行われた震災復興支援企画「Kids art for Fukushima」の様子

ノースポート・モール（横浜市都筑区中川中央1、TEL 045-913-8000）2階センターコートで1月21日・22日、震災復興支援企画の報告イベント「Kids art for Fukushima 南相馬から横浜の子どもたちへ『ありがとう』展」が開催される。

　昨年8月、同館では福島県に工房を構える木製玩具ブランド「Mastro Geppetto（マストロジェペット）」デザイナーの富永周平さんと、子ども服メーカー「putiton（プットイットオン）」オーナーの中村浩一さんと共に震災復興支援企画「Kids art for Fukushima（キッズアートフォーフクシマ）」を開催。横浜の子どもたちが作ったオリジナルTシャツを福島県南相馬にある保育園に送った。

今回はそのイベントの報告イベントとして開催するもの。当日はTシャツを受け取った南相馬の子どもたちからの絵のお礼34枚をパネル展示やDVD上映で紹介する。

富永さんは「前回のイベントは被災した子どもたちに私たちのできる範囲でダイレクトに支援したいという気持ちから企画した。横浜の子どもたちが素直な絵をTシャツに描き、一枚を自分で着用し、もう一枚を被災地の子どもに送ったが、今回こうして絵のお礼が帰ってきたことで、子ども同士がアートでつながった。今回はこうした子どもたちのエネルギーを伝えたい」と話す。

開催時間は両日共11時～18時。

A ton of retro game treasures! The opening of Anno Haruna's highly praised game museum (Video)

Translated from the original article at: http://www.kotaku.jp/2012/01/retrogameidol_museum.html

10:40PM, January 20, 2012 by Kamio Takeshi

The opening of Anno Haruna's game museum.

Retro game trivia: At auction sites, a Game and Watch (from the crystal screen series) sells for about the price of a Playstation Vita.

Sexy Game Idol Anno Haruna publicly declared her intention of building a game museum, using her idol activity as a method of raising funds. In October of last year, an office building of the (Japanese equivalent to a Joint-stock company)  Eggcore (Japanese), which she belongs to, was set up as a museum. It features such items as (Stand-alone) handheld games, Famicoms (Nintendo Entertainment Systems), gaming books, a collection of games and related items from the 1980's.

Since Anno Haruna has uploaded a personal introduction video of the museum to Youtube, please take a look at it before continuing.

So, where to begin...for the world of adults (over 30), there's lots of hot gaming related goods. As someone representing the adults, my eyes stopped at the Game and Watch Collection, items from the Hudson Nationwide Caravan,  and strategy guides/magazines from the golden age of the Famicom such as Corocoro Comic, Beep (produced by rabid Sega fans) Gamest (specializing in arcade games). Coming from these books/magazines, it pains me that they've been succeeded by the internet. As the new culture of video games rapidly matures, the magazines still give off the feelings and atmosphere of the 80's.

With a number of these precious items on display in the museum, reservations are fully booked as the public opening commences. At this time, it's natural that regular and nostalgic adult gamers will all want to visit at once. Every once in a while, Miss Anno can also be seen!

The opening of Anno Haruna's game museum. [EGG CORE OFFICIAL SITE]  (Japanese) http://www.eggcore.jp/Game_museum.html

(Kamio Takeshi)


Original text:
レトロゲームのお宝がいっぱい！　杏野はるなゲームミュージアム絶賛公開中(動画あり)
2012.01.20 20:40  by 神尾武司

ゲームウォッチクリスタルスクリーンのオークションでの相場は、PlayStation Vitaが買えるぐらいの価格。（レトロゲーム豆知識）

ガチすぎるゲームアイドルの杏野はるなさん。彼女はアイドル活動は手段で、目的はゲームミュージアムの建立と、かねより公言していました。そんな彼女が、昨年10月に自身の所属する株式会社エッグコアの事務所内にLSIゲームやファミコン、ゲーム関連書籍など80年代からのビデオゲームに関するアイテムを集めた「ゲームミュージアム」を開設しました。

杏野はるなさん自身が紹介する「ゲームミュージアム」の動画がYouTubeにアップされているので、まずはそちらをご覧ください。

どーですか、このオッサン世代(OVER30)を熱くさせてくれる数々のゲームと関連グッズ。そんなオッサン代表として、私の目に止まったのは、ゲームウォッチのコレクションとハドソンの全国キャラバンなどファミコン黄金期を雑誌メディアとして支えた「コロコロコミック」や、熱狂的セガファンを生んだゲーム情報誌「Beep」アーケードゲーム専門誌「ゲーメスト」などのゲーム雑誌や攻略本です。これらの書籍は、後追いのインターネットでは体感しづらい、新カルチャーとしてビデオゲームが急成長する80年代の雰囲気を伝えてくれます。

このような貴重なアイテムを多数展示している同ミュージアムは、完全予約制ながら一般公開も行なっています。当時を懐かしむオッサンゲーマーはもちろん、ゲーム好きなら一度は訪れてみたいミュージアムです。杏野さんもたまに顔を出すそうですぞ。

杏野はるなゲームミュージアム開放中。[EGG CORE OFFICIAL SITE] http://www.eggcore.jp/Game_museum.html

（神尾武司)

The Sun halo, a harbinger of stormy weather. A ring of light enwraps the Sun/Yokohama

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1201190023/

January 20, 2012

A Sun halo discovered in Yokohama=Photographed on the rooftop of the Kanagawa Newspaper Office at 11:30AM

On the 19^th in the city of Yokohama, a Sun halo (a ring of light completely enveloping the Sun) was discovered.

This illusionary phenomenon is a sort of "People Tricker." Appearing 5000 to 1300 meters (3.1 to 6.4 miles) upwards in the sky are Cirrostratus clouds shaped in what's called a "veil form".

"Because of the accumulation of crystallized ice in Cirrostratus clouds, light is being bent and distorted, thus a circle can be seen surrounding the sun. It's said that upon seeing a Sun halo on a nice day, one should be worried about the weather," said the Yokohama Meteorological Observatory.

Original text:

荒天の前触れ「日暈」、太陽が光の輪に包まれる/横浜

2012年1月20日

横浜で見られた日暈＝午前11時半、神奈川新聞社屋上で撮影

横浜市内で19日、太陽がすっぽりと光の輪に包まれる日暈（ひがさ）が見られた。

この幻想的な現象の“仕掛け人”は、高度５千～１万３千メートルの上空に現れる巻層雲と呼ばれるベール状の雲。

「巻層雲は氷の結晶が集まったもので、氷が光を屈折させ、太陽の周りに円を見せる。日暈が見えると天気が崩れるといわれています」と横浜地方気象台。

Training held at Yokohama Park for using emergency underground water supply tanks. 100 city and company employees participated/Yokohama

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1201190015/

January 19, 2012

Employees of area businesses participate in a training event, the use of underground water supply tanks during a disaster=Yokohama Park, Naka District, Yokohama City

On the 19th, an event was held in Yokohama Park (Naka District, Yokohama City) as part of Disaster Prevention Volunteer Week (January 15-21). A training session for operating disaster use underground water supply tanks was conducted. One hundred people participated, including employees from area businesses and players from the B-Corsairs professional basketball team (Japanese site). There, they learned such things as the method of accessing the water supply during a crisis.

According to the City Water Bureau, 1.5 meters below the plaza of the park, a tank has been set up to store 60,000 litres of water. During a crisis, it can supply six thousand people with water.

For the drill, city employees took out water from the tank using a hand pump and piping, and explained the method of operating the faucet. Together, company employees filled kettle and plastic bottles as they learned how to use the pump.

Motoba Ryoji (Age 54), of the Tokyo Gas Company Yokohama Branch said "This is the first time I've learned of the water tanks. I want to take this knowledge I've received in the training and share it to others within my company."

Within the city, there are 23 first aid reservoirs, 134 disaster use underground tanks and 358 emergency faucets, only to be used during times of crises. The event was also open for citizens to receive training. The City Water Bureau said "Together with households (understanding how to control) nearby emergency water supplies, we would like each of them to prepare for crises by stockpiling water behind their houses.


Original text:
横浜公園で災害用地下給水タンク使い給水訓練、市職員や会社員など１００人が参加/横浜
2012年1月19日

周辺企業の会社員らが参加し、災害用地下給水タンクを使って行われた給水訓練＝横浜市中区の横浜公園

防災とボランティア週間（１月15日～21日）を迎え横浜市は19日、横浜公園（中区）で、災害用地下給水タンクを使った給水訓練を行った。周辺企業の会社員やプロバスケットボールチーム「横浜ビー・コルセアーズ」の選手ら約１００人が参加し、非常時の給水方法などを学んだ。

市水道局によると、公園内水の広場の地下約１・５メートルに設置されたタンクには水道水約６万リットルがためられており、非常時には約６千人分の水が給水できる。

訓練では、市職員がタンクに取り付けた手動ポンプや水道管、蛇口の使用方法を説明。会社員らは持ち寄ったやかんやペットボトルに水を注ぐとともに、ポンプの扱い方なども学んだ。

東京ガス横浜支店の的場良次さん（54）は「ここに給水タンクがあることを初めて知った。訓練で得た知識を社内で共有したい」と話していた。

市内には、応急給水拠点として配水池が23カ所、災害用地下給水タンクが１３４カ所、緊急給水栓が３５８カ所あり、非常時は給水タンクのみ、訓練を受けた市民が開けることができる。市水道局は「自宅近くの応急給水拠点を把握するとともに、非常時に備えて各家庭で水を備蓄してほしい」と話している。

The first Tsunami evacuation drill on Enoshima Island. The experience is said to be extremely important for city fire fighters to accumulate/Fujisawa

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1201170020/

January 17, 2012

Training operation where disaster victims requiring assistance are evacuated via a stretcher by firemen=Enoshima Island, Fujisawa City

On January 17th, the first tsunami evacuation drill of Enoshima Island (Fujisawa city) was implemented. The training was conducted to assist injured people in seeking refuge. The island's firefighting group/personal and police force stayed in close contact with each other. Using rear draw carts and stretchers, they simultaneously guided citizens to a safe area.

"This is the first time Tsunami evacuation drills have taken place on Enoshima Island. Even though we're an island, I expect the arrival of a tsunami would cause considerable damage," said a shopkeeper participating in the drill. Managing a souvenir store that has been open since the Edo era, the 76 year old man spoke with a tense expression.

Near the entrance of the main road, the large waves of typhoons, etc. were said to have caused damage to the infrastructure. "If a tsunami came, it seems houses would be washed away. I'm not used to evacuation drills being carried out here."

For the drill, at 9AM an (imaginary) earthquake occurred, whereby forecasts and warnings of tsunamis were broadcast. People requiring protection were recognized by firefighters and given assistance and instruction. They were guided to a landmark (The citizens house of Enoshima Island), located 27 meters above sea level.

Fire Chief Misawa Yoshiro of the city's fire fighting headquarters said "Even though evacuations were quick during the Eastern Japan disaster, the cases of damage were not as low as possible. We wish to quickly evacuate using the smallest amount of time necessary. Because of that, it's extremely important we accumulate this training.”

Original text:

江の島で初の津波避難訓練、市消防「積み重ね極めて重要」/藤沢

2012年1月17日

担架で要援護者を避難させる訓練を実施する消防関係者ら＝藤沢市江の島

藤沢市江の島で17日、初となる津波避難訓練が実施された。避難に助けが必要な災害時要援護者の支援訓練が行われ、リヤカーや担架を使って島内の消防団員や消防署員、警察署員が連携し、住民を一時避難場所へ誘導した。

「江の島での津波避難訓練は初めてのこと。島だから津波が来たら相当な被害が出るはず」。訓練に参加した、江戸時代から続く土産店経営の男性（76）は緊張した面持ちで話した。

 参道の入り口近くでは台風の高波などでもこれまでに被害が出ていたという。「津波が来たら、家は流されるだろう。訓練を重ねて慣れておかないといけない」

訓練は、午前９時に地震発生、津波警報が発表されたと想定。要援護者への支援活動指示や、消防活動の確認、海抜27メートルにある「江の島市民の家」への避難誘導などが行われた。

市消防本部の見澤由郎消防長は「東日本大震災でも素早い避難で被害を最小限にできたケースが少なくない。一分でも一秒でも早く避難してもらいたい。そのためには訓練の積み重ねが極めて重要」と話した。

The New Year's “Honorable Ebisu of Shounan” Festival at the Hiratsuka Mishima Temple/Hiratsuka January 16, 2012

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1201160018/

Atop a specially constructed stage, wrapped sweets are handed out to shrine visitors=Hiratsuka Mishima Temple

The annual New Year's Ebisu Festival was held on the 15th, at the Hiratsuka Temple of Yuhigaoka, Hiratsuka city. Three thousand people visited this year’s event, requesting prosperous business for 2012.

At the temple festival, fisherman and businessmen who are believers in the "Honorable Ebisu of Shounan" gathered. For worshippers looking to buy such lucky items as bamboo leaves (which can be affixed to ties) and rice bags, they were being freely distributed.

Inside the temple grounds, a special stage was set up. At both 2:00 and 5:00PM, men and women in charge of distributing fortune held "Lucky Wrappings" events. "Holding these bamboo leaves will make my business prosper!" the crowd shouted together. In the pursuit of free candy, the crowd was seemingly in competition on who could outstretch their arms the furthest.

Original text:

「湘南のえびす様」の平塚三嶋神社で新春えびすまつり/平塚

2012年1月16日

特設舞台からまかれるお菓子に手を伸ばす参拝客＝平塚三嶋神社

平塚市夕陽ケ丘の平塚三嶋神社で15日、恒例の「新春えびすまつり」が開催され、約３千人が今年一年の商売繁盛を願って訪れた。

同神社の祭神は「湘南のえびす様」とも呼ばれ、漁業者や商業者らの信仰を集めている。参拝客は、無料で配られた開運の福笹に付けるタイや福俵などの縁起物を買い求めた。

境内に設けられた特設舞台では、午後２時と５時の２回、福男や福女による「開運福まき」が行われた。「商売繁盛で笹もって来い」の掛け声とともに景品の当たるお菓子がまかれると、参拝客は競うように手を伸ばしていた。

In aid of the disaster area, a charity New Year’s performance is put on by the Karate and Kendo groups of Kawasaki Commercial High School

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1201160025/

January 16, 2012

Members of the karate club put on an intense performance=Kawasaki Municipal Commercial School

On the 16th, the Kawasaki Municipal Commercial High School (the town of Totehon, in the Saiwai district) held a charity kagami biraki exhibition featuring their karate and kendo groups. The venue collected funds to go towards the Eastern Japan Disaster revitalization efforts. The funds will be channeled through the social welfare organization of the Kawasaki newspaper.

2012 marks the eighth occasion this New Year's event has taken place. School staff members brought kagami mochi and PTA members made shiruko soup. Volunteers from the physical education department cooperated in serving students who came to observe.

This year, 9 pupils from the karate group and 4 from the kendo group participated. In charge of collecting the funds were members of the social welfare pupil committee. A special entrance hall was set up in the venue, where students impressively displayed their kumite and kata, as large rounds of applause erupted from spectators.

Izumida Kasumi (17) of the karate group stated her impressions: "As we put on one performance after another, out hearts filled with prayer for the disaster area." Yokouchi Yasuki (17), president of the Kendo group "I want this year to have a greater start (than the last). We're aiming for victory at the next tournament, and wish to train to our best ability."

Original text:

川崎商業高の空手部と剣道部が鏡開きチャリティー演武、被災地支援へ/川崎

2012年1月16日

迫力の演武を披露する空手部員ら＝川崎市立商業高校

川崎市立商業高校（同市幸区戸手本町）で16日、空手と剣道の両部員による鏡開きチャリティー演武が行われた。会場で集められた募金は、神奈川新聞厚生文化事業団を通じて、東日本大震災の復興支援に役立てられる。

ことしで８回目を迎えた新春の恒例行事。教職員が持ち寄った鏡餅で同校ＰＴＡがお汁粉を作り、運動部員有志の協力で見学の生徒らに振る舞っている。

ことしは空手部９人、剣道部４人の生徒が参加。募金集めは、社会福祉委員会の生徒らが担った。エントランスホールに設けられた特設会場で、生徒らが迫力ある組手や形を披露すると、観衆から大きな拍手が湧き起こった。

空手部の泉田花純さん（17）は「一つ一つの技に、被災地の復興を祈る気持ちを込めた」と感想を述べた。剣道部の横内靖幸部長（17）は「ことしもいいスタートが切れた。大会で優勝を狙うぐらいの気持ちで、練習を頑張りたい」と話していた。

Monks of the Jigen Temple practice the ascetic ritual of cleaning their bodies in freezing water /Yokosuka

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1201150017/

January 15, 2012

Monks engaged in the discipline of covering themselves in cold water.

On the 15th, an event was held by the Nichiren denomination of Sawara, Yokosuka city. While chanting a sūtra and covered in a single fundoshi, participants of the ritual had to clean themselves in freezing water.

Previously, the monks endured a harser version of this practice in asceticism. For a period of 100 days, dressed entirely in white, they dumped the water on themselves, slurping only on rice gruel, day and night.

Before the event started, two monks chanted a sūtra, which seemed to increase their fervour. Covering themselves in dozens of buckets of friged water, an amature cameraman in the crowd took this energetic shot.


Original text:
冷水かぶり身を清め、慈眼院で修行僧が水行/横須賀
2012年1月15日

冷水をかぶる修行僧

横須賀市佐原の日蓮宗「慈眼院」で15日、経文を唱えながら締め込み一つで冷水をかぶり、身を清める水行が実施された。

水行した僧侶は以前、１００日間、白装束をまとい冷水をかぶり、朝晩に粥（かゆ）をすするだけの苦行に耐えた修行僧。

水行場の前で、２人の修行僧が気勢を上げるかのように経文を唱え、冷水を数十杯かぶると、訪れたアマチュアカメラマンらは盛んにシャッターを切っていた。

Young people being called out for blood donations in all areas within Nara prefecture

Translated from the original article at: http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20120116-00000032-san-l29

Transmitted by the Sankei Shimbun January 16, 7:55AM

Vocational school students request blood donations from young people=Nara City (Picture: Sankei Shimbun)

With a shortage of blood available for transfusion during the winter, getting people interested in donating blood is of high importance. The prefecture's Red Cross Blood Center (in Yamatokōriyama city) instituted the "20 year olds’ blood donation campaign”. Taking place in each part of Nara prefecture, it lasts until February 29th.

According to the center, 23-24% of all blood donors aged 16-29 stopped donating blood in 2011. Even fewer in the 30-40 age groups donated. Furthermore, the cold winter season meant that people were not inclined to leave their houses to donate blood, contributing to the decrease. Each year, during this period, the entire country encourages young people to cooperate in donating blood.

On the 14th, a donation campaign took place at the Nara Family shopping center in Nara city. Vocational school students who came of age this year greeted shoppers and made appeals for blood donations. Participant Kuroda Chiharu (Age 20) said "Since donating blood is very important, I want more young people to have an interest in it."


Original text:
若者に「献血を」　県内各地で呼びかけ　奈良
産経新聞 1月16日(月)7時55分配信

若者らに献血を呼びかける専門学校生ら＝奈良市（写真：産経新聞）

輸血用の血液が不足しがちな冬場に献血への関心を高めてもらおうと、県赤十字血液センター（大和郡山市）などは、県内各地で「はたちの献血キャンペーン」（２月２９日まで）を実施している。

同センターによると、県内では平成２２年度、１６～２９歳の献血者数は全体の２３・４％にとどまり、３０、４０代よりも少ない。また、寒い冬場は外出を控える傾向があるため献血に訪れる人は減少するといい、毎年この時期に全国で若者に献血への協力を呼びかけている。

１４日に奈良市のショッピングセンター「ならファミリー」で行われたキャンペーンでは、今年成人式を迎えた奈良市の専門学校生、黒田千春さん（２０）が買い物客に献血を呼びかけた。黒田さんは「献血は重要なことなので、若い人たちにも関心を持ってもらいたい」と話していた。

The cold air illuminated by a bright red flame. Sagicho ritual in the town of Oiso/Kanagawa

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1201150001/

January 15, 2012

Bright flames rising in the town of Oiso

On the night of the 14th, a grand Sagicho burning event took place on Kitahama beach in the town of Oiso. Followed since the Edo period, the Sagicho event has been appointed by the country as a folk cultural asset of immeasurable importance.

Townspeople gathered such things as rope decorations used at New Year's and Daruma, tying them to the 10 foot sagichos. At once, all nine sagichos were lit on fire at the front and back with conical shaped "Saito" (ceremonial torches). As the bright red flames rose, the chilly winter air illuminated.

Townspeople and tourists visit the sandy beaches to see the fire festivals of Little New Year. Using the flames of the Saito torches, they cook Dango and Mochi, stuffing their faces in request for a healthy and safe year ahead.

(Note: Little New Year is an additional Japanese holiday period, taking place primarily on the 15th and the days surrounding it.)

Original text:

寒空照らす炎赤々と、大磯町で「左義長」/神奈川

2012年1月15日

赤々と燃え上がった炎＝大磯町

江戸時代から伝わり、国の重要無形民俗文化財に指定されている、大磯町の「左義長（さぎちょう）」が14日夜、同町の北浜海岸で盛大に行われた。

町民が持ち寄った正月のしめ飾りやだるまなどを結わえ付けた、高さ10メートル前後の円すい形の斎灯（さいと）９基に一斉に火が入れられると、赤々と燃え上がった炎が寒空を照らし出した。

小正月の火祭り行事を見に砂浜を訪れた町民や観光客は、斎灯の火で団子や餠を焼き、一年の無病息災を願って頬張っていた。

Clad in Fundoshis and rushing in the cold for talismans, the Doya-Doya festival of Shitennō Temple

Translated from the original article at: http://abeno.keizai.biz/headline/301/

January 14, 2012

In the middle of the cold, but still piling up. (Doya-doya festival)

(In a ritual marking the end of the Buddhist Shushoe period) Men in fundoshis rushed for scattered lucky talismans at the Doyadoya festival. It took place on the 14th, at the Rokuji Hall of the Shitennō temple (Osaka city, Tennō temple ward, Tennō Temple 1).

At the Doyadoya festival, last year's bad habits are corrected. Also, happiness, world peace and an abundant harvest are prayed for. The day of the festival marks the end of the Shushoe period, where wishes from New Year's Day until the 14th are finalized.

On that day, the temperature was just 8 degrees, attracting many sightseers. The youngest among them were 290 students from Izumi children’s kindergarten, Miikedai kindergarten, Yuuhigaoka nursery and Hidenen kindergarten. Boys half naked and girls lightly dressed in t-shirts ran around the temple grounds together, yelling at the cold weather in defiance.

One thousand young men from the Shitennō Temple Habikigaoka Mid/High Schools, the Seifu Mid/High Schools, and the Seifunankai High School participated. Divided between groups wearing red and white fundoshis, they yelled out at the entrance, being sprayed by water as their victory was decided on the scramble for lucky talismans.

An adjoining event took place in the temple grounds. New Year's decorations were burnt as offerings in a Tondoyaki ceremony (Japanese site).

Original text:

四天王寺で護符を奪い合う祭り「どやどや」－寒さの中、ふんどし姿で

(2012年01月14日）

寒い中でも盛り上がった「どやどや」

四天王寺（大阪市天王寺区四天王寺1）六時堂で1月14日、ふんどし姿でばらまかれた護符を奪い合う祭り「どやどや」（修正会結願法要）が行われた。

どやどやは、旧年の悪習を正し、その年の吉祥を祈り、天下泰平・五穀豊穣（ほうじょう）を祈願し元旦から14日まで行われている「修正会（しゅしょうえ）」の結願日の祭り。

当日は、気温約8度の寒い中、多くの見物客が訪れた。最初に和泉チャイルド幼稚園・御池代幼稚園・四天王寺夕陽丘保育園・四天王寺悲田院幼稚園の園児290人が男児は上半身裸、女児はTシャツなどの軽装で「わっしょい」の掛け声と共に境内を回った。

四天王寺羽曳丘中学・高校、清風中学・高校、清風南海高校の男子学生約1000人は、ふんどし姿で赤・白組に分かれ掛け声と共に入場すると、水を掛けられながら護符を奪い合って勝敗を決めた。

併せて、境内では正月の飾り物のおたきあげ「とんどやき」も行われた。