At the Misaki Fish Market, children from Fukushima cheer during a tuna preparation show

Translated from the original article at: http://yokosuka.keizai.biz/headline/765/

March 30, 2012

A sliced up tuna fish, its eyes facing the children.

On the 29^th, in the vicinity of the Misaki Fish Market (Misaki, Miura City), children of Fukushima prefecture visited for a tour. They had fun learning about such things as sub-zero freezers and viewing the disassembly of a tuna.

An experiment, where after being placed in a sub-zero freezer, frozen bananas were used to hammer nails.

The event was organized by the Fukushima Kids Project, part of Fukushima prefecture's non-profit organization network. Due to the effects of the earthquake and the nuclear reactor accident, the children of Fukushima have enjoyed less time for outdoor leisure. This event aims to give them as much fun outdoors as possible. The event was managed by the NPO "The Ocean and Nature Ocean Family Experience Center" (based in the town of Hayama), and the "Misaki Fish Market Fish Scale Club" youth group.

On that day, 35 children from Fukushima participated, ranging from elementary grade 1 to junior high grade 2. Children from within Kanagawa prefecture also attended. After the learning experiences, competitions could be seen in the fish market. When the eye of a dissasembled tuna was placed in front of the children, they shouted in excitement.

After bananas were placed into a minus 60 degree freezer, they were wrapped in towels and handled. Children were startled at how the frozen bananas instantly cracked. At lunch time, they were offered pieces of tuna sashimi, which they appeared to enjoy immensely as they stuffed their faces.

Ishibashi Masamitsu of the Misaki-Megumi Company (Japanese) commented "The children enjoy tuna sashimi so much, they finished eating 93 pounds of it within 30 minutes." "We want you to keep going on. Don't let the earthquake defeat you!" he yelled.

The Miura Peninsula’s "Nature in it's entirety" event, which began on the 25th, lasts until April 1st. Also available: Wildlife observation on the beach, hiking on Oogusu Mountain and tours of the nearby farms.

Original text:

福島の子どもたち、三崎魚市場を体験－まぐろ解体ショーに歓声も

（2012年03月30日）

まぐろ1匹分の刺し身を目の前にした子どもたち

三崎魚市場周辺（三浦市三崎）で3月29日、福島県の子どもたちが体験ツアーに訪れ、まぐろの解体ショーや超低温冷凍庫などの見学を楽しんだ。

【画像】超低温冷凍庫に入り、凍ったバナナでクギを打つ実験も

福島県のNPOネットワークが主催する「ふくしまキッズプログラム」の一環。震災・原発事故の影響で外で遊ぶことが少なくなった福島の子どもたちに、野外活動を思い切り体験してもらおうというもの。運営にはNPO法人「オーシャンファミリー海洋自然体験センター」（葉山町）、市場若手グループ「三崎魚市場鱗（うろこ）会」などが協力した。

当日は小学1年～中学2年までの福島の子どもたち約35人が参加し、県内の小学生らと交流した。魚市場で競りの様子を見学後、まぐろ解体ショーを目の前で見て大きな歓声を上げた。

マイナス60度の冷凍庫の中にも入り、持ち込んだバナナやぬれたタオルが瞬時にバリバリに凍ってしまう様子にビックリ。昼食には、解体されたまぐろ１匹分の刺し身が提供され、おいしそうにほお張った。

三崎恵水産の石橋匡光さんは「まぐろ好きな子どもたちは42キロのまぐろの切り身を30分で完食するなど喜んでくれた。震災に負けず頑張ってほしい」とエールを送る。

同ツアーでは、3月25日～4月1日まで「三浦半島・自然まるごと体験」を実施。磯の生物観察や大楠山ハイキング、農業体験なども行う。

The faithful dog Tamako is not forgotten. Children of Niigata attend a memorial service festival/Yokosuka

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1203290031/

March 29, 2012

In front of Tamako's stone monument, children of Kawauchi Elementary School clasp their hands in prayer=Kinugasayama Park, Koyabe, Yokosuka City

10 years prior, the closely involved Yokosuka City and Muramatsu Town (Presently Gosen City) of Niigata Prefecture took the opportunity to create an exchange program involving the memorial service festival for the loyal dog Tamako. It’s held on the 29^th of each year in Kinugasayama Park of Koyabe, Yokosuka City. The children of Niigata’s Gosen Kawauchi Municipal Elementary School, which had closed in 2011, came to attend. There, locals of Yokosuka connected to Tamako let their memories come rushing back.

Raised in Muramatsu Town, Tama the Shiba Inu became known for rescuing his master twice during hunting expeditions in 1934 and 1936. Both times, the master was ensnared in avalanches occurring in the valleys.

Newspapers and radio of the time picked up the master’s story. Though the moving tale became famous within the city of Yokosuka, within the year, Yokosuka City residents born within Niigata erected a stone monument in the city's public park. The memorial service festival is held annually, along with the Kinugasa Cherry Blossom Festival (Organized by the Kinugasa tourism association), as a ceremony for that year’s opening of the mountains.

The exchange program began in 2002. Feeling that Tama was a good subject for a musical performance, Muramatsu Town’s elementary school students wrote letters to then Prime Minister Koizumi Junichiro, who in return invited the children to visit Yokosuka. Afterwards, citizens of both cities deepened their mutual visits and trade. In 2006, Muramatsu Town merged into Gosen City, continuing the strengthened relations.

"So that the starting point of the exchange program is not forgotten," 32 children from grades 4-6 of Kawauchi Elementary and other merged area schools participated in the memorial festival, marking a decrease this year. 12 children becoming junior high students in April commented "We're grateful that Tamako came to be connected with Yokosuka. We wish for lots of people to know of his acts of bravery."

Original text:

「忠犬タマ公」忘れない、新潟の子どもと慰霊祭/横須賀

2012年3月29日

「忠犬タマ公」の石碑の前で手を合わせる川内小学校の子どもたち＝横須賀市小矢部の衣笠山公園

10年前から親交がある横須賀市と新潟県村松町（現・五泉市）の交流のきっかけをつくった「忠犬タマ公」の慰霊祭が29日、横須賀市小矢部の衣笠山公園で行われた。２０１１年度で閉校する五泉市立川内小学校の子どもたちも新潟から訪れ、横須賀と地元をつなぐタマ公に思いをはせた。

村松町で飼われていたタマは、１９３４（昭和９）年と36（同11）年、狩猟に出掛けた先の同地の山あいで雪崩に巻き込まれた飼い主を２度にわたって救ったことで知られる雌のシバイヌ。

飼い主を思うタマの行為は当時の新聞やラジオで取り上げられ、横須賀市内でも評判になり、話に感激した新潟出身の横須賀市民らが同年、同公園に石碑を建てた。慰霊祭は、同公園で開かれる「衣笠さくら祭」（衣笠観光協会主催）の山開き式に合わせて毎年行われている。

交流の始まりは10年前。村松町の小学生が、タマを題材にしたミュージカルを演じる旨を伝える手紙を当時の小泉純一郎首相に送ったことがきっかけで、同首相が子どもたちを横須賀に招待。以来、両市町の住民らが相互訪問や物産展を通じて交流を深め、06年に同町が五泉市と合併して以降も親交を続けている。

「交流の原点を忘れないために」と、児童数の減少に伴い新年度から他校と合併する川内小の４～６年生計32人も慰霊祭に参加。４月に中学生になる児童（12）ら子どもたちは「タマ公がつくった縁で横須賀に来られてうれしい。たくさんの人に勇敢なタマ公のことを知ってほしい」と話していた。

Restoring the dark shine to the statues of Nara's Yakushi-ji Temple

Translated from the original article at: http://www.iza.ne.jp/news/newsarticle/natnews/topics/553276/

7:07PM March 29, 2012

Priests cleaning the Yakushi Sanzon Statues=On the afternoon of March 28, Nara City (Photos taken by Takekawa Tomoichiro)

Before the annual Spring Flower Festival and Shuni-e events, a cleaning of the Yakushi Sanzon Statues was performed on the 28^th. A national treasure, they are the object of worship of in main hall of Yakushi Temple in Nara City.

In the hall, amidst the echoes of chanting, together the priests began the work of dipping cloths into steaming water. Using ladders, they carefully scrubbed the Sanzon statues.

Facing the beautiful black shine that returned to the statues, temple visitors silently brought their hands together in prayer.

The flower festival begins on the 30^th until April 5^th. During that time, the monks will be praying for a rich harvest, the country's prosperity and more.

Original text:

黒の輝き取り戻す「お身拭い」　奈良・薬師寺

2012/03/29 19:07

薬師三尊像を清める僧侶ら＝２８日午後、奈良市（竹川禎一郎撮影）

奈良市の薬師寺で２８日、春の恒例行事「花会式（はなえしき）（修二会＝しゅにえ）」を前に、金堂の本尊・薬師三尊像（国宝）を清める「お身拭（みぬぐ）い」が営まれた。

金堂に読経が響くなか、僧侶らが、お供えのもちを蒸した残り湯に浸した布を手に、作業を開始。はしごなどを使い、薬師三尊像を丁寧に磨いた。

美しい黒の輝きを取り戻した薬師三尊像に向け、訪れた参拝者らは静かに手を合わせた。

花会式は３０日に始まり、４月５日まで練行衆（れんぎょうしゅう）が五穀豊穣（ほうじょう）や国家繁栄などを祈願する。

Going out for the Duanwa Festival, Tairyou-bata flags enter the peak of production/Miura

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1203260011/

March 26, 2012

The arrival of the peak production period for Tairyou-bata =The Mitomi Dyed Goods Store of Misaki, Sanpo City

In anticipation of the Duanwu Festival, celebrating the health of boys, the production of Tairyou-bata is at it's peak at Mitomi Dyed Goods of Misaki, Sanpo City. With this being the year of the dragon, many people have requested it's design on the flags.

Working by hand, Mitomo Yoshitaka (Age 32) is a 7th generations flag producer, carrying on the family tradition beginning in 1833 during the Edo period. Tairyou-bata are given to the owners of newly constructed ships as presents to be displayed, used to pray for safe voyages and bountiful fishing. Lately, they've also been used to celebrate children's birthdays, store openings and as various good luck charms.

Helping out the damaged area after the Eastern Japan Disaster, Mitomo has been exchanging gifts with the Sanriku area, offering dyed Tairyou-bata to owners of newly constructed fishing boats, written with messages for the area's recovery.

"However possible, we're celebrating the turning points of life and starting anew." said Mr. Mitomi.


Original text:
門出に大漁旗を、端午の節句へ製作ピーク/三浦
2012年3月26日

ピークを迎えた大漁旗の製作＝三浦市三崎、三富染物店

浦市三崎の三富染物店で、端午の節句を控え、男の子の誕生を祝う大漁旗の製作がピークを迎えている。ことしの干支、龍のデザインを依頼する人も多い。

手掛けるのは、江戸時代の１８３３年から続く７代目、三冨由貴さん（32）。大漁旗は航海安全と大漁を祈り、新造船がお披露目されるたびに船主へ贈られてきた。最近では子どもの誕生や開店祝いなど、さまざまな祝い事の縁起物としても使われている。

東日本大震災以降は被災地を元気づけるための寄せ書き用や修復、新築した三陸地方の漁船へ贈答する大漁旗も染め上げた。

三冨さんは「人生の門出や節目を祝うことができれば」と話している。

The arrival of spring at a mountain field, viewing season for edible flowers/Ooi

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1203240027/

March 25, 2012

The viewing season has arrived at a flower garden=Ooimachi Shinokubo

At a farm in Ooimachi Shinokubo, the viewing season for edible flowers has arrived. In one area,aA field of flowers is dyed in a vivid gold, announcing the arrival of spring to the Satoyama’s visitors.

A farming corporation is using the flower field as a garden to support bees, an activity used in crop rotation. At first, the area took up about 1500 square meters. After 33 years, it's expanded to 20,000 square meters.

"You can enjoy the flowers until (the end) of March. Seeing the sunlight over Mount Fuji and Sagami Bay is dazzling" said President Koide Kouji. 100 cherry blossoms have been planted on the premises, making it look more like spring. It's said that they will bloom over the weekend.

Located 10 minutes from the Odakyu line's Shinmatsuda Station. For questions, contact the bee garden at 0465(85)3215. 

Original text:

里山に春到来、菜の花見ごろ/大井

2012年3月25日

見ごろを迎えた菜の花畑＝大井町篠窪

大井町篠窪の農園で、菜の花が見ごろを迎えた。辺り一面を鮮やかな黄色に染めた花々が、里山に春の訪れを告げている。

 菜の花は農業法人蜂花苑が蜂の飼育のため、休耕地を活用して育てている。当初１５００平方メートルほどだった菜の花畑は、33年かけて約２万平方メートルにまで広がった。

「花は３月いっぱいまで楽しめる。晴れた日には富士山や相模湾が一望できる景観が魅力」と社長の小出晧治さん（75）。敷地には春めき桜約１００本も植えられており、来週末には桜も見ごろになるという。

小田急線新松田駅から車で約10分。問い合わせは蜂花苑電話０４６５（８５）３２１５。

The fluttering of the Udo. Now is the peak time for harvesting the spring vegetable/Yokohama

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1203250005/

March 25, 2012

Udo that has reached the harvest season.

For the farmers of Yokohama City's Seya Ward, the best time for harvesting udo has arrived. Located near Kaigun road are what are called "udo rooms." Narrow, vertical cave-like structures. Relying on the faint lighting, farmers arrive to ship them out.

Produced only inside of Yokohama City's Seya Ward, 14 farming establishments cultivate the udo. Just 1.5 meters tall and stretching 8 meters long, 88 udo rooms have been set up. Near the end of January, udo trunks (about 15 centimeters high) are moved into the rooms. After a week of watering, they mature at a height of 80 centimeters. Until the end of April, they're sent out to the marketplace, but only available for direct sale within Seya.

Unique to the flavor is its peculiar crunchiness. Aoki Kazuaki (58) of the Kamiseya Shipping Association said "While the coldness of this winter meant shipments got sent out late, it was good to feel their crunch while tying them."

Original text:

ヒョロッと春野菜、ウド収穫最盛期/横浜　

2012年3月25日

最盛期を迎えたウドの収穫

横浜市瀬谷区の生産農家で、春野菜のウドの収穫が最盛期を迎える。海軍道路近くにあるウド室（むろ）と呼ばれる狭い横穴で、ほのかな明かりを頼りに出荷作業に追われている。

横浜市内では瀬谷区内だけで生産され、栽培農家は14戸。高さ１．５メートル、奥行き約８メートルのウド室が計88室設けられている。１月下旬に15センチほどの根株を室に移し、週１回の水やりで約80センチに成長した。４月下旬まで市場に出回り、同区内の直売所でも販売される。

独特の風味と歯応えが特徴で、上瀬谷出荷組合の青木和昭さん（58）は「この冬の寒さで少し出荷が遅れたが、締まってシャキシャキしていい感じになった」と話す。