As Street Fighter X Tekken goes on sale, Miss Sutokuro will popping up all over Tokyo

Translated from the original article at: http://akiba.keizai.biz/headline/2740/

March 9, 2012

From the back, left row: Itou Momo as Miss Asuka, Ootsuka Rina as Miss Nina, Fujita Kaoruko as Miss Cammy. From the front row: Kasuya Nami as Miss Chun-Li

 ©CAPCOM U.S.A., INC. 2012 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 © 2012 NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc.

An amazing shot of Miss Sutokuro!! On March 10, the Tokyo promotion begins.

(Translation note: Sutokuro translates to Street Iron, an abbreviation of Street Fighter X Tekken. Suto is an abbreviation for Sutori-to, the Japanese loan word for street. Kuro is an abbreviation for Kurogane (Steel), one of the readings of the 鉄 character in 鉄拳 (Tekken).)

A Dhalsim spoon from the Street Fighter X Tekken collaboration.

In commemoration of Street Fighter X Tekken’s release (March 08), plans for the 2nd promotion of the "Miss Sutokuro Collection" now unfold. The current four Miss Sutokuro will be appearing at the Miss Sutukuro auditions on the days of March 10, 17 and 24. Dressing up as various characters, Tokyo's Akihabara include the locations for them to stop by. At the audition points, applicants will have their photographs taken to be judged, of which 5 entries will be picked. From there, the "First prize for the best shot in fighting game history" will be chosen.

Schedule:

March 10: Near the front entrance of Shibuya Station..

March 17: The Shinjuku FLAGS event space in Shinjuku.

March 24: Near the front entrance of Akihabara Station and Plaza Capcom in Kichijōji.

At the audition points, Miss Sutokuro original band-age sets will be distributed. On those days, updates from the locations will be sent out on Twitter.

Picture submission guidelines and merchandise information can be found at the promotion’s public site. (Japanese) 

Original text:

「Missストクロ」が都内に出没－「STREET FIGHTER X 鉄拳」発売で

（2012年03月09日）

後列左からMiss飛鳥＝伊藤桃さん、Missニーナ＝大塚莉奈さん、Missキャミィ＝藤田薫子さん、前列Miss春麗＝粕谷奈美さん

 ©CAPCOM U.S.A., INC. 2012 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 © 2012 NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc.

「Missストクロを激写せよ!! キャンペーン」が3月10日、都内で始まる。

【画像】「STREET FIGHTER X 鉄拳」とコラボ－「ダルシム」スプーン

「STREET FIGHTER X（クロス） 鉄拳」の発売（＝3月8日）を記念して展開している企画「MissストクロCOLLECTION」の第2弾となる同キャンペーン。「Missストクロオーディション」で選ばれた「Missストクロ」4人が3月10日・17日・24日の3日間、それぞれのキャラクターの衣装を身に着け、秋葉原をはじめとる都内に出没。その場で「Missストクロ」を撮影し応募された写真を審査のうえ、エントリー作品5枚を選出。その中から「格ゲー史上最大のベストショット大賞」を選ぶ。

出没スケジュールは、10日＝渋谷駅前付近ほか、17日＝ 新宿：新宿FLAGSイベントスペースほか、24日＝秋葉原駅前付近、プラサカプコン吉祥寺店ほか。出没場所では「Missストクロ」が「ストクロオリジナルばんそうこうセット」を配布。当日の出没情報はツイッターで発信する。

写真の応募要項と賞品は同キャンペーン公式サイトで確認できる。

An image of spring at Shima's Isobe River. Ice Goby fishermen busily work during cherry blossom season.

Translated from the original article at: http://iseshima.keizai.biz/headline/1355/

March, 08 2012

An image of spring at Shima's Isobe River. Ice Goby fishermen busily work during cherry blossom season.

At the now brackish water in the downstream of Isebechou, Shima's Isobe River, a common scene of spring time is viewable: A fisherman scooping up Ice Goby, the area bordered by the tracks of the Kintestsu Express, which speeds by every once in awhile.

A scene of spring: An Ice Goby fisherman at the mouth of Isobe River.

The Ice Goby (part of the Goby family) is a translucent fish measuring at 4-5 centimeters. In the early spring period of February until mid-April, it returns from the ocean during times of high tide, swimming upstream to lay eggs. A fishing method is to use a four-armed scoop net. 2 meters wide in each direction, the net sinks to the bottom of the river. The ice goby passing by are then scooped up. There are various cooking methods such as eating it while still alive, as tenpura, or in egg drop or other soups. When cooked, the fish turns white. The ice goby's Japanese name "shirouo" closely resembles the "shirauo" (Ice fish). Both fish are distinct from one another, but their names come up during the Spring.

In the rocks at the source of Isobe's river, is a hole from where the water flows from, which also appears in the Japanese Myth, The Legend of the Heavenly Gate. Along the river is the Unagi restaurant Kawaume, established generations ago. An ancedote remains that Mikimoto Kōkichi, the creator of cultured pearls, caught eels from the river to make kabayaki. Rows of Sakura trees line the river, blooming while the fisherman continue to catch the Ice Goby.

An Ice Goby fisherman said  "Each year, the number of Ice Goby are decreasing. Before, I netted 2 shous worth (3.6 liters. Now, I can barely get 1/5 of a shou (.36 liters).

Within the city of Shima, the temples attached to the Ise Grand Shrine are in front of flowing rivers where the delta (mouth) is viewable. Among others, the Nogawa and Ikeda Rivers (Isobechou), Hiyamaji River(Hamajimachou), Toba City's Kawachigawa River（Chigachou), and the Konsa River (Minamiisechou) have viewable river mouths.


Original text:
志摩・磯部川で春の風物詩「シロウオ漁」－桜咲くころまで盛んに
（2012年03月08日）

志摩・磯部川で春の風物詩「シロウオ漁」－桜咲くころまで盛んに

時折近鉄特急が走る線路沿いの志摩市磯部町を流れる磯部川の下流の汽水域で現在、春の風物詩の「シロウオ漁」が盛んに行われている。

【画像】春の風物詩「シロウオ漁」磯部川の河口で

シロウオ（素魚）とは、ハゼ科の半透明な魚で体長4～5センチ。2月の中旬～4月上旬までの春先に海から産卵のため満潮時に川を遡上（そじょう）する。漁法は、「四つ手網」と呼ばれる約２メートル四方の網を川底に沈め、シロウオがその上を通ったときにすくい上げる。調理方法は「おどり食い」「天ぷら」「卵とじ」「吸い物」など。熱を通すと白くなる。よく似た名前のシラウオ（白魚）はサケ科の魚で、同じ春を告げる魚ではあるが別のもの。

磯部川の上流（源流）は、神話「岩戸伝説」にも登場する「天の岩戸」の穴から流れくる。磯部川沿いに立つうなぎ店「川うめ」（同）の先々代が、真珠王・御木本幸吉翁のためにこの川で取った天然のウナギをかば焼きにして出した逸話が残る。川沿いの桜並木が花をつけるころまでシロウオ漁は続けられる。

シロウオ漁をする漁師は「年々シロウオは少なくなっている。以前は2升ほど取ったが今では2合取るのがやっと」だという。

志摩市内では、伊勢神宮の別宮「伊雑宮（いぞうぐう・いざわのみや）」の前を流れる野川（磯部町）や池田川（同）、桧山路（ひやまじ）川（浜島町）、鳥羽市では河内川（千賀町）、南伊勢町では神津佐（こんさ）川（神津佐）などの河口で見ることができる。

Along with supplies, a video message is being sent to the disaster area from Funabashi’s Miyama Junior High School/Chiba

Translated from the original article at: http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20120308-00000002-minkei-l12

Transmitted at 8:05 AM on Thursday, March 8 by the Minna no Keizai Shinbun Network

The entire school (344 students) yells out "Keep going, North-West Japan!"

On March 6, the Miyama Junior High School of Funabashi (Funabashi City, Miyama 6) sent a package including both a recorded video message and requested supplies (Such things as soccer and volley balls) to the Kesen Municipal Junior High School of Rikuzentakata, Iwate (Funabashi Business Newspaper)

In June on last year, immediately after the earthquake, Miyama Junior High wrote and sent 51 letters to the disaster area’s junior high schools. "I don't know if the schools in the disaster area are able to do anything about what they're facing," said the students, who wrote in their feelings of support. After that, it's said that the students of the Municipal Junior High school of Hikoroichi, Ofunato, Iwate prefecture wrote back one by one, with gratitude and photos of the disaster conditions.

"What can we do to help more,” “Let's think even harder as a school" asked the students of Miyama after being introduced to Kesen. Receiving a list of requested items such as volleyballs, soccer balls, basketballs and hockey sticks, they decided to use their previously gathered bell marks to purchase and send them items. (Translation note: A bell mark is an icon on the product packaging of cooperating companies, which can be gathered by students to turn into the school for supplies.)

"This isn't just ordinary support package we're sending. We're attempting to send our feelings" said the student council as they focused on writing down their messages one by one, making a horizontal banner along with the entire school. It read "Keep going, North-West Japan!" which they also yelled out in the video letter. They decided on having the year 3 students form the group which was recorded the main part of the video letter.

Student Council President Katou Tsukino (14) commented on the video letter: "We gave whatever we could to encourage their move towards recovery."

Original text:

船橋の三山中学校が被災地へビデオレター、支援物資と共に　／千葉

みんなの経済新聞ネットワーク 3月8日(木)8時5分配信

全校生徒344人で呼び掛けた「頑張ろう。東北」

船橋市立三山中学校（船橋市三山6）で3月6日、陸前高田市立気仙中学校から要望のあったサッカーボールやバレーボールなどの支援物資と共に同梱（どうこん）して送るビデオレターの収録が行われた。（船橋経済新聞）

同校では震災直後の昨年6月、「被災地の中学生に対し何かできる事は無いだろうか」と生徒たちの応援の気持ちを込めた手紙51通を被災地の中学校へ送った。その後、岩手県大船渡市日頃市中学校から生徒一人一人のお礼の言葉と被災状況の写真が届いたという。

「もっと支援できる事は」と問いかけると、「もっと大変な思いをしている学校がある」と気仙中学校の紹介を受けたという。気仙中学校から要望のあったバレーボールやサッカーボール、バスケットボール、ユニホックスティックを、かねてから集めていたベル・マークで購入し、支援物資として送ることを決めた。

「ただ送るだけではなく支援の気持ちも送ろう」と生徒会を中心に一人一人のメッセージを書いた横断幕と全校生徒で「頑張ろう。東北。」と呼び掛けたビデオレターを送ることに決め、3年生を送る会のメーンとしてビデオレターの収録を行った。

生徒会長の加藤月乃さん（14）は「復興に向けて少しでも励みになってくれれば」とビデオレターに思いを込める。

Being enlightened through the power of an earthquake machine. Yokohama citizens show a high amount of interest/Kanagwa

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1203060008/

March 6, 2012

At Katsuradai Municipal Junior High School, students are educated in an earthquake simulator=Sakae Ward, Yokohama City

In Yokohama City, an earthquake simulator is used to experience the trembling of earthquakes on a magnitude of 4 to 7 degrees, allowing people to be educated on safely dealing with the situation. In 2010, the event was held 379 times, which 36,818 people experienced. In 2011, because of the amount of city employees dealing with the Eastern Japanese disaster, the number of events slightly decreased to 363 that year. However, citizens had a high interest, with 42,566 experiencing the simulator. 　

Yokohama is a trend setter for the entire country, putting the first machine in service in 1975. 4 machines are presently in operation. While broadcasting a video of a severe earthquake scenario that relays practical disaster advice, the trembling of the Great Kantō and Great Hanshin earthquakes are reenacted.

On the 3rd of March, the earthquake vehicle was at the Katsuradai Municipal Junior High School of Yokohama's Sakae Ward for an educational event. A boy who experienced the feeling of a 7 degree earthquake commented "I felt like my head was going to be torn off.” The city's disaster defense office added "This is a chance for people to consider how they would handle themselves during such a time."

Original text:

「起震車」での啓発活動に力を入れる横浜市、市民の関心高く/神奈川

2012年3月6日

市立桂台中学校で行われた起震車による啓発活動＝横浜市栄区

横浜市は、震度４～７度の揺れを体験できる「起震車」を使った防災の啓発活動に力を入れている。２０１０年は３７９回、３万６８１８人が体験。11年は市職員が東日本大震災の対応に追われたため、回数は３６３回とやや減ったものの、市民の関心は高く、４万２５６６人が体験した。

横浜市は全国に先駆けて、１９７５年に１台配備し、現在は４台ある。大地震を想定した啓発ビデオを流すなど、防災の指導も可能で、関東大震災、阪神大震災の地震の揺れも再現できる。

今月３日には、横浜市栄区の市立桂台中学校で起震車による啓発を行った。体験した男性は「頭が持っていかれる感じがした」と震度７の揺れを実感。市消防局は「自分の身に起きたときのことを考えるきっかけにしてもらえれば」と話していた。

Being sent to North-Eastern Japan, the smiles of Tenjin (Photo Event)

Translated from the original article at: http://tenjin.keizai.biz/headline/3407/

March 05, 2012

Mizutani Koji surrounded by smiling umbrellas.

The smile photography project is currently being held at the Inter Media Station of Tenjin 1,Chuo Ward, Fukuoka.

The scene of a photo being taken.

"Smiles are the universal language of the world" and "Enjoyment and Happiness" are the themes that graphic designer Mizutani Koji seeks to deliver. From 1999, he's taken his "Merry Project" beyond Japan, taking pictures of smiling faces to display as a message. So far, Mizutani has taken pictures from over 30,000 people across 26 countries. Since the great disaster of Eastern Japan, he's focused his efforts on taking pictures to support the afflicted area.

During the period of March 3, 5, 6, the smiles will be broadcast to both the disaster area and central Japan, beginning with the enactment of the Fukuoka photography project. On the 3rd, 80 people had pictures taken. On the 4th, holding umbrellas printed with the smiles of children from the disaster area, there was an event where the people of Tenjin walked throughout town, wishing for restoration of north-eastern Japan.

While taking pictures in Fukuoka, Mizutani commented "About the smiles of Fukuoka’s, this is not merely a city district. I feel a window of power within Asia. Fukuoka and Tenjin's power, their hope for the disaster area's restoration. I want to pour all that into North Eastern Japan.

The photos from this round of photography are planned to be displayed in the 2nd basement level of the IMS building from April 3rd. Photography takes place until March 6th. Participation is free of charge. Photography time is 10:00AM to 4:30PM.

Original text:

天神の笑顔、東北へ届け－天神で笑顔の撮影会

（2012年03月05日）

笑顔の傘に囲まれた水谷孝次さん

イムズ（福岡市中央区天神1）で現在、笑顔の写真を撮影するプロジェクトが行われている。

【画像】撮影の様子

グラフィックデザイナーの水谷孝次さんが「笑顔は世界共通のコミュニケーション」をテーマに「MERRY（楽しい、幸せ）」を届けようと、国内外の笑顔を撮影しメッセージとともに展示する1999年より始めたプロジェクト「MERRY PROJECT（メリープロジェクト）」。水谷さんはこれまで世界26カ国・地域で3万人以上の笑顔を撮影。東日本大震災以降は、被災地での撮影など支援活動も行っている。

3月3日・5日・6日の3日間、被災地や日本中に笑顔を発信しようと福岡で初めて撮影会を実施。3日には約80人を撮影し、4日には復興を願い、被災地の子どもたちの笑顔で作った傘を持って天神の街を歩くイベントも行った。

福岡での撮影では「福岡の人たちの笑顔には、単なる地方都市ではないアジアの窓口ならではのパワーを感じられる」と水谷さん。「被災地の復興を願って、福岡・天神のパワーを東北に注入したい」と話す。

今回撮影した写真は4月3日より、同館地下2階に展示する予定。撮影は3月6日までで、参加無料。撮影時間は10時～16時30分。

"Game Border" - Experience a game spanning multiple consoles throughout history (Movie)

Translated from the original article at: http://gigazine.net/news/20120305-game-border/

  

Posted at 10:31 on March 05, 2012

In 1980, Nintendo's Game and Watch went on sale. From there, the Famicom was introduced in 1983. The 1990's saw the appearance of the Playstation and Sega Saturn. The new millennium introduced the current hardware, the XBox 360, Playstation 3 and Wii. Including the amount of less significant hardware that's been introduced to the world, it adds up to quite a large number.

At the 15th Japan Media Arts Festival Exhibition, the "Game Border" experience was on display. Although not every system was present, it allowed people to experience what it's like to play various game systems throughout history. Here's a movie of what it's like to play it:

15th Japan Media Arts Festival Exhibition "GAME BORDER" - YouTube

Continuing the game through different sized horizontal screens is a bit strange (Game Border)

We begin by starting from the Game and Watch.

 Until reaching the right side of the Game and Watch screen, the character you move takes the form of LCD characters. To the right is the Famicom world.

Next is the Gameboy. From the top of the screen, you control tetromino to form a bridge for the character to cross.

For the Super Famicom, you dive from the air. The Famicom and Gameboy did not have the capabilities to fully display such a scene.

Upon landing, you engage in a Sega Saturn-style fighting game. The polygons have a nostalgic feeling to them.

Also, we have the Playstation.　This screen brings back memories of playing Biohazard (Resident Evil) for the first time. The clumsy controls make one say "I want to move that way but don't know how!"

A moment later, we were in the Nintendo DS era until we flew off the screen. The game was played by touching the screen.

Moving from the DS to the PSP, we had to rotate the screen to play this game.

The Wii World could be played by intuitively swinging the Wii controller.

Now, a game from the smart phone (iPhone).

At the end, the game used the X-Box 360 Kinect to sense the player’s movements.

Which console worlds have you already crossed….?

Original text:

2012年03月05日 10時31分16秒

ゲーム機の連綿と続く歴史を体験できるゲーム「ゲームキョウカイ」のムービー

任天堂がゲーム＆ウォッチを発売したのが1980年のこと。それからファミコンが1983年に登場、1990年代にはプレイステーションやセガサターンが現れ、2000年代になるとXbox 360、プレイステーション3、Wiiといった現行ハードが登場してきました。これまでに登場したゲームハードの数は、マイナーなものまで合わせるとかなりの数に上ります。

第15回文化庁メディア芸術祭では、その全てではないものの、ゲーム機の歴史を実際にプレイして体験可能な「ゲームキョウカイ」というゲームの展示が行われていました。実際に遊んでいるところのムービーがこちらです。

15th Japan Media Arts Festival Exhibition "GAME BORDER" – YouTube

横に画面サイズの違うディスプレイが続いているのがちょっと不気味な「ゲームキョウカイ」

最初はゲーム＆ウォッチからスタートです。

ゲーム＆ウォッチの画面右端まで到達すると右側にあったディスプレイにキャラクターが移動。これはファミコン世界です。

次はゲームボーイ。上から落ちてくるテトリミノでキャラクターがわたれる橋をかけてあげます。

スーパーファミコンでは上空からダイビング。これはファミコンやゲームボーイではできなかった表現をフルに生かしたゲームです。

着地したらセガサターンで対戦格闘ゲーム。ポリゴン感が懐かしいです。

そしてプレイステーション。「そっちへ動かしたいわけじゃないのに！」という、バイオハザードを初めて触ったときのぎこちなさを思い出す画面です。

一気に時代がニンテンドーDSまで飛び、画面をタッチして遊ぶゲームに。

DSからPSPへと移動、画面をぐるんぐるん回転させるゲームです。

Wiiリモコンを振ったりして直感的に遊べるWii世界。

そこからスマートフォン(iPhone)へ。

最後はXbox 360、Kinectでプレイヤーの動きを感知するゲーム。

ゲーム機の世界を渡りきった先にあるのは……？

Shrine Maidens pull the Nigashi Bina out from the sea, Awashima Temple/Yokosuka

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1203040005/

March 4, 2012

Awashima Temple's traditional Nagashi Bina event=Ashina, Yokosuka City

On the HinaMatsuri (Girl's Day Festival) of March 3, Ashina, Yokosuka City's Awashima Temple held its Nagashi Bina event.

After a Shinto ceremony on the shore of Ashida, 30 dolls were loaded onto a tiny boat by the Miko (shrine maidens), which went floating around the coast to later be pulled back in. (Pictured)

Taking into account the possibility of the boats sinking, some of dolls were substituted for papers inscribed with people’s wishes. Under the care of the maidens, they were too sent out to float on the sea.

Original text:

巫女らに引かれ「流し雛」海へ、淡島神社/横須賀

2012年3月4日

淡島神社で行われた伝統行事「流し雛」＝横須賀市芦名

ひな祭りの３日、横須賀市芦名の淡島神社で「流し雛（びな）」が行われた。

 芦名海岸で神事を執り行った後、約30体のひな人形が載せられた小舟は巫女（みこ）らの乗った船に引かれ湾内を回った＝写真。

 　環境に考慮して実際には流さず、代わりに人形を持ち寄った人たちの願い事が書かれた紙でできたお守りを巫女らが海に流した

As the Oyama Tofu Festival begins, the tofu within the giant "hermit pot" is blessed with gratitude

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1203040004/

March 4th, 2012

In one day,  a thousand people are treated to tofu soup from a huge pot, 4 meters in diameter [The Oyama Tofu Festival]=Oyama, Isehara City

On the 3rd, the Oyama area of Isehara City, known as the home of tofu dishes, began the annual Oyama Tofu Festival event. Sponsored by an executive comitee created by local business members involved in the tourist industry, this year marks the 22nd occasion of the festival.

At the main location  (the city's Dai-Ni parking lot) a huge, 4 meter diameter cooking pot (Hermit Pot) is stationed. Both in the morning and afternoon, a Shinto ritual was performed, blessing the tofu with gratitude. Afterwards Oyama area's own unique medicinal herbs were added into the pot. An estimated 1000 spectators received tofu soup, free of charge.

In addition, there were other events such as a 90 second eating contest for who could eat the most plates of tofu (The Fried Tofu Speed Eating Contest) and a workshop for creating tofu by hand.

”Although I've already come to Oyama, this is my first tofu festival. I was suprised that the pot was bigger than I thought. The bitterness of the herbs makes the tofu soup even more delicious,"  said Kanno Yuji (58) a company employe of Fujisawa City, inbetween slurps.

The festival will also be held on the 4th, with the tofu soup being served at 9:45AM and 2:00PM.

Original text:
大山とうふまつり始まる、「仙人鍋」で恵みに感謝/伊勢原
2012年3月4日

直径４メートルの大鍋で１日千人分の湯豆腐が振る舞われた「大山とうふまつり」＝伊勢原市大山

豆腐料理の里として知られる伊勢原市の大山地域で３日、毎年恒例の「大山とうふまつり」が始まった。地元の観光事業者などでつくる実行委員会の主催で、今年で22回目。

メーン会場のとうふ広場（市営第２駐車場）では、直径４メートルの大鍋「仙人鍋」が設けられた。豆腐の恵みに感謝する神事の後、地元特産の薬草「大山菜」とともに豆腐が鍋に入り、午前と午後の２回、計約千人分の湯豆腐が観光客らに無料で振る舞われた。

このほか、90秒間で豆腐を何杯食べられるかを競い合う「椀子（わんこ）豆腐早食い大会」や、手作り豆腐体験なども行われた。

藤沢市の会社員今野祐司さん（58）は「大山には来たことがあるけど、とうふまつりは初めて。鍋が思ったより大きくてびっくりした。湯豆腐も薬草の辛みが効いておいしい」と舌鼓を打っていた。

まつりは４日も行われ、湯豆腐は午前９時45分と午後２時に振る舞われる。