The spring viewing season for the Ookan Cherry blossoms has arrived in downtown Naka Ward/Yokohama

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1203230003/

March 23, 2012

The Ookan Cherry blossoms add color to the town.

Spring is arriving in Naka Ward’s downtown.

The Ookan cherry blossom viewing season has arrived in Motohamacho, Naka Ward of Yokohama City. The light pink of the flowers adds color to the town.

The trees now are now giving off a true feeling of spring. At lunch time, office workers and passerby’s looked up towards them, yelling "They bloomed…they bloomed…they bloomed at last!" Many people were seen taking pictures with their cellphone cameras.

On the 22nd, the temperature exceeded Yokohama's yearly high temperature average for that day (a low of 32.72ºF to a high of 57.74 ºF, stated by the Yokohama Meteorological Observatory). "On the 23rd, the temperature will not increase after morning due to rainfall. On the 24th, there should be an above average temperature," said the observatory.

The ward's Kitanaka Street Ni Choume area is covered in a deep shade of pink, as the blooming season has also arrived for the Taiwan Cherry blossom.

Original text

オフィス街に春、中区で大寒桜が見ごろ/横浜

2012年3月23日

街に彩りを添えている大寒桜

オフィス街にも春の訪れ―。

横浜市中区元浜町にある大寒桜が見ごろを迎え、薄いピンク色の花が街に彩りを添えている。

昼休みの会社員など、道行く人たちも木を見上げて「咲いた、咲いた。やっと咲いたね！」と春を実感。携帯電話のカメラで写真を撮る姿が多く見られた。

22日の横浜の最高気温は平年より０・４度高い14・３度（横浜地方気象台調べ）。「23日は昼前から雨になり気温は上がりませんが、24日は平年より高くなるでしょう」と同気象台。

同区北仲通２丁目では濃いピンク色の緋寒（ひかん）桜も見ごろとなっている。

While people go out in the nice weather of the spring equinoix, Japanese White Eyes fly in, seeking nectar from plum trees in the middle of viewing season/Yokohama

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1203210003/

March 21, 2012

In search of sweet nectar, Japanese White Eyes have arrived to the blooming plum trees=Negishi Forest Park

On the 20th, the day of the Spring Equinox, the skies were clear as far as the eyes could see. The temperature exceeded Yokohama's highest average temperature range for that day (a low of 35.24 to a high of 53.6, stated by the Yokohama Meteorological Observatory). With the sunlight's warmth and zero wind, it was nice weather to journey out for a day outside.

In the Negishi Forest Park of Yokohama's Naka Ward, the blooming period of the park's plum grove finally arrived over two weeks late, causing many people to come out for a stroll. There was a vast scene of people enjoying themselves, as entire families brought bento boxes for lunch. Occasionally during the viewing period, Japanese white eyes can be seen arriving on their quest for nectar. Going from flower to flower, they seemed quite busy flying around.


Original text:
見ごろの梅の花に蜜求めメジロ飛来、お出掛け日和の春分の日/横浜
2012年3月21日

甘い蜜を求め、梅の花に飛来したメジロ＝根岸森林公園

青空が広がった春分の日の20日、横浜の最高気温は平年よりも１・８度低い12・０度（横浜地方気象台調べ）だったが、風もなく日差しの暖かさもあり、お出掛け日和となった。

横浜市中区の根岸森林公園の梅林も２週間以上遅れて見ごろを迎え、多くの人が散策に訪れた。家族連れらが弁当を広げて楽しむ姿も見られた。見ごろとなった梅の花には時折、メジロが甘い蜜を求めて飛来。花から花へ忙しそうに飛び回っていた。

270 years since the last major repair, the remains of Hinatayashiku's Houjoubou Main Temple are disassembled for more work/Isehara

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1203190023/

March 20, 2012

Work progresses on the disassembled roof of the Houjoubou Main Temple= Hinatayashiku of Hinata, Isehara City

Designated byJapan as an important cultural property, the Hinatayashiku Houjoubou Temple (Hinata, Isehara City) is continuing along in its disassembly and repair operation, reaching the final stage of dismantling. Thought to be the building’s first large scale renovation project in 350 years, a disassembled part indicating repairs 270 years prior was discovered.

According to members from the city's board of education, Houjoubou was opened by the Buddhist priest Gyōki in 716AD, during the Nara period. Having a thatched roof containing four pillars moving diagonally towards the center (a style of Asian architecture), it was appointed by Japan in 1995 as an important cultural asset. Due to damage from both the natural degradation process and termites, the entire structure had sustained progressive damage, giving reason for the disassembly and reconstruction. Total project costs are expected to be Eight Billion Seven Hundred Million Yen (about 96 million US dollars). From January, 2011, the project has been receiving financial aid from the country, the project planned to be complete in the fall of 2016.

Completely covered in footholds and a protective outer roof for the disassembly project, the 17.7 meter high building had its wall boards, flooring and ceiling removed. Presently, only the framework remains. The disassembly will not be entirely finished until June.

The large scale repair during the early Edo period of 1660 (Manji Era Year 3) was recorded, seemingly making this the first renovation in 350 years. However, during the disassembly, a record written black ink was discovered on the opposite side of a ceiling panel. Recorded in 1745 (Enkyo Year 2), it strengthened the viewpoint that a more recent repair occurred 270 years ago.

A member of the cultural asset department of the city's board of education commented "Many parts of the building have been recycled, although it's difficult to distinguish the (exact) history of the building's repairs. At the core of the discussion on the history of the Hinatayashiku area, we wish for both the aspects of historical education and area revitalization to connect.

Original text:

２７０年前にも大改修か、日向薬師・宝城坊本堂の解体作業で痕跡/伊勢原

2012年3月20日

解体作業が進められている宝城坊本堂の屋根部分＝伊勢原市日向の日向薬師

国指定重要文化財の日向薬師・宝城坊本堂（伊勢原市日向）で進められている解体修理事業で、建物の取り壊し作業が大詰めを迎えている。当初は約３５０年ぶりの大規模改修とされていたが、解体した部材からは約２７０年前にも改修が行われたとみられる痕跡が発見された。

市教育委員会によると、宝城坊は奈良時代の７１６年、僧・行基が開創。寄せ棟造り、かやぶき屋根の建物で、１９９５年に国重要文化財に指定された。老朽化や白アリの被害により建物全体の損傷が進み、解体修理が行われることになった。総事業費は約８億７千万円の見込みで、国の補助を得て２０１１年１月から工事を進めている。16年秋までに完成の予定だ。

解体作業では、高さ17・７メートルの建物をすっぽり覆う素屋根と足場が組まれ、床板や天井、壁の板などが外された。現在は骨組みだけの状態で、今年６月までに解体がすべて終了する。

江戸初期の１６６０（万治３）年に大規模な修理が行われた記録があり、当初は約３５０年ぶりの大改修とされていた。しかし、解体作業中に天井板の裏側に「延享二年」（１７４５年）と記された墨書が発見され、約２７０年ぶりとの見方が強まっている。

市教委文化財課の担当者は「再利用している部材が多く、建物の修理履歴の判別が難しい。日向薬師は地域の歴史を語る核となる存在で、歴史教育や地域活性化につなげていきたい」と話している。

Celebrating the 6th anniversary of the China Town's Mazu Shrine. The Goddess is sent out on a gorgeous parade/Yokohama

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1203200021/

March 20, 2012

The 6th annual Mazu Festival, a celebration of the Mazu Shrine's opening.

Celebrating the 6th anniversary of the Mazu Shrine opening, the annual Mazu Festival was held on the 20th in the Chinatown of Yokohama's Naka Ward.

During the evening parade, firecrackers echoed with an explosive "Do!" "Ra!" sound. Loaded onto a Mikoshi (Portable shrine), Mazu was led through Chinatown's main street by giant, 3 meter figures. With the addition of Shishi Lion  and Dragon dances, plenty of spectators continually filled the surrounding areas.

A real person who existed 1000 years ago in China, Mazu became widely believed by the people to be a Goddess who protected voyagers at sea.

Original text:
中華街・媽祖廟の６周年を祝う、女神載せ華やかに/横浜
2012年3月20日

媽祖廟開廟６周年を祝う恒例の「媽祖祭

媽祖廟（まそびょう）の開廟６周年を祝う恒例の「媽祖祭」が20日、横浜市中区の横浜中華街で行われた。

夕方のパレードでは、爆竹と銅（ど）鑼（ら）の音が響く中、媽祖を載せたみこしが約３メートルの巨大な人形に先導されて中華街大通りなどを行進。獅子舞や龍舞も行われ、たくさんの観光客で埋まった沿道を盛り上げた。

媽祖は約千年前に中国に実在した人物で、航海の安全を守る女神として広く人々に信仰されている。

A public performance of the Hakuryū's intense dance: the final stages of training/Atsugi

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1203180031/

March 19, 2012

Training and review of the basic movements for the Hakuryū (white dragon) dance.

The final stages of training are being met for the Hakuryū dance performance, at the Atsugi Iiyama Cherry Tree Festival of Iiyama, Atsugi City.

Taking on the training is Kojima Fuji, president of the Iiyama Hakuryū Dance Preservation Group. On the 14th, using a parking lot and relying on the headlights of cars, they went over the basic movements such as sideways waving  and concealing/coiling of the trunk.

During the Iiyama area's Edo period, the dance was performed as a Shinto ritual to summon rain. According to legend, the Hakuryū appearing dancing in the sky, causing rain to fall. From 2002, the group has been creating Hakuryū and performing dances. One of their methods: As the performance's leader ages, he graduates from controlling the dragon's head to taking over the lighter tail portion.

President Kojima commented with enthusiasm "Just now (with this group), we've reached the level of energy we've been wanting to see." The Hakuryū dance performances are to take place on the 31st and April 8th.


Original text:
「白龍」激しい舞を、本番へ稽古追い込み/厚木
2012年3月19日

基本の動きを確認した「白龍の舞」の稽古

「あつぎ飯山桜まつり」（厚木市飯山）で披露される「白龍の舞」の稽古が、追い込みを迎えている。

練習に取り組むのは、「飯山白龍の舞保存会」（小島富司会長）のメンバー。14日には駐車場で、車のヘッドライトの明かりを頼りに、横に振る動作や胴くぐりやとぐろを巻くなどの基本の動きを確認した。

飯山地区には江戸時代に雨乞いの神事を行い、白龍が天空に舞い、雨が降ったといういい伝えがある。保存会は２００２年から、白龍を作り、踊りを披露。一方で、担い手が高齢化し、龍の頭と尻尾を軽量化する作業も進められている。

小島会長は「今までよりも激しい舞をお見せしたい」と意気込む。白龍の舞は31日、４月８日に披露される。