Cleaning off the first half of the year’s sins. The Koami Shrine's traditional ceremony of "passing through the miscanthus wheel" is performed.

Translated from the original article at: http://nihombashi.keizai.biz/headline/537/

June 20, 2012

In recent years, the Koami Shrine has been considered a "power spot" within the city.

On June 20, at the Koami Shrine (Nihonbashi Koami-cho, Chuo ward), the yearly tradition of passing through the miscanthus wheel has begun.

By passing though the giant miscanthus wheel attached to the torii gate, the sins one accumulated since January get wiped clean.

The "passing through the Miscanthus wheel" ceremony involves crossing through a giant ring of hay affixed to a Torii gate. The sins and crimes committed during the first half of the year are cleansed, while a prayer is performed for health and peace of mind from that summer on. A tradition passed on since ancient times, the evil warding ceremony is part of the greater "Ooharae" (giant cleansing), which shrines all over the country take part in.

Shrine visitors bring what are called katashiro, paper dolls representing humans with a person’s name and birthdate written on it. The katashiro are gently brushed in an act of cleansing. Then, exhaling one’s breath 3 times, their sins and impurities are transferred into the dolls. On the evening of the 30th, the "great cleansing ceremony" will commence. Afterwards, the katashiro are sent to float down Nihonbashigawa River.

Lately, the shrine has gained the reputation as a power spot within the city. It’s gathered attention with this year's opening of the film "Wings of the Giraffe" based on the original novel by author Keigo Higashino. At the end of this month, it appears that many visitors will pay visit to the shrine.

Original text:

小網神社で恒例「茅の輪くぐり」－今年上期のけがれはらう

（2012年06月20日）

近年、都内のパワースポットとして評判を呼んでいる小網神社

小網神社（中央区日本橋小網町）で6月20日、毎年恒例の「茅（ち）の輪くぐり」が始まった。

【画像】鳥居に掛けた大きな茅の輪をくぐり、半年間の罪やけがれをはらう

茅の輪くぐりでは、鳥居に掛けた大きなカヤの輪をくぐり、正月から半年間の罪やけがれをはらうとともに、夏以降の無病息災を祈願する。古くから伝わり、毎年6月と年末に行われる厄よけ行事の「大祓（はら）え」の一環として、全国各地の神社で行われる。

参拝者は「形代」と呼ばれる紙の人形に名前と生年月日を書き、その人形で体をなで清め、息を3回吹きかけることで罪やけがれを人形に移す。同神社では、30日夕方に「大祓式」を執り行い、式の後、形代を日本橋川に流す。

近年、都内のパワースポットとして評判を呼んでいる同神社。今年公開された東野圭吾さん原作の映画「麒麟（きりん）の翼」に登場したことでさらに注目を集め、月末に掛けて多くの参拝客でにぎわいをみせそうだ。

Some rare animals are born. Black-faced Spoonbills, to be shown publically in the fall/Yokohama

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1206190033/

June 19, 2012

Two recently born Black-faced Spoonbills.

Two Black-faced Spoonbills have been born at the Nogeyama Zoo of Oimatsucho, Nishi Ward, Yokohama City. On the 19th, the press was invited for a look. According to the zoo, this was the first successful reproduction within Kanagawa prefecture. In the fall, the birds will be available for public viewing.

Together with the Crested Ibis, the Black-faced Spoonbill has been appointed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as an endangered species. It's said that only 2,000 exist in the world. Breeding in Korean Peninsula and South-East Asia, they migrate over to the Kyushu region of Japan for the winter. Unique for its spatula shaped beak, fully grown adults reach 77 centimeters (30.3 inches) and a weight of 1 to 1.5 kilograms (2.2 to 3.3 pounds)

The birds were born separately on May 11 and 13th. Born weighing 45 grams and 5 centimeters (2 inches) long, they've been growing at a satisfactory rate, now each at 40 centimeters (16 inches) and 1.2 kilograms (2.6 pounds). Their sex unknown, DNA testing currently underway will make the distinction. Their names have yet to be decided.

Nogeyama's zookeeper, Hiroshi Kikuchi (47) commented: "We wish to raise future generations of rare animals on a grand scale."

Original text:

希少種赤ちゃん誕生、クロツラヘラサギが秋公開へ/横浜

2012年6月19日

誕生した２羽のクロツラヘラサギ

横浜市立野毛山動物園（西区老松町）で２羽のクロツラヘラサギが誕生し、報道陣に19日、公開された。同園によると、繁殖の成功は県内初という。秋ごろに一般公開される。

クロツラヘラサギは、国際自然保護連合のレッドリストで絶滅危惧種に指定されているトキの仲間。世界で約２千羽という。朝鮮半島で繁殖し、東南アジアや、日本では九州などで越冬。ヘラ状のくちばしが特徴的で、成長すると体長77センチ、体重１～１・５キログラムになる。

２羽は５月11、13日にそれぞれ誕生。体長約５センチ、体重約45グラムだったが、体長約40センチ、体重約１・２キログラムまで順調に成長している。性別は不明で、ＤＮＡ鑑定を行い、判別する。名前はまだ決まっていない。

野毛山動物園飼育展示係の菊池博さん（47）は「希少な種が次の世代につながるよう大きく育ってほしい」と話していた。

A peculiar "sake bottle" at Fukuchiyama Castle

Translated from the original article at: http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20120619-00000302-rtn-l26

Sent out on June 19th, 5:26PM by the Ryoutan Shinbun

A sake bottle shaped hornet nest at Fukuchiyama Castle.

A hornets' nest appearing to be an upside down sake bottle was recently discovered at Fukuchiyama Castle in Itchōme Naiki, Fukuchiyama City.

When queried, the Itami City Museum of Insects (Hyogo prefecture) stated that the nest appeared to have been created by the yellow vented hornet. Usually, the female queen begins creating the nest from the beginning of May. It appears as a sake bottle during the first stage of construction, eventually being finished off as its normal round shape.

Though yellow vented hornets are not aggressive by nature, caution should be observed as nests can be located on nearby garden trees, shrubs and under the eaves of houses.

The nest was located 4 meters off the ground, under the eaves of a castle connection point.

 　

Although none of the castle visitors appeared to have been stung by hornets, the staff quickly removed what remained of the nest. Upon examination, the nest measured 11 centimeters long. Inside, 6 larvae were discovered.

Original text:

福知山城に とっくりニョッキリ

両丹日日新聞 6月19日(火)17時26分配信

福知山城に作られたとっくり状の巣

とっくりを逆さにしたような蜂の巣が、福知山市内記一丁目の福知山城でこのほど見つかった。

兵庫県の伊丹市昆虫館に問い合わせると、巣を作ったのは「コガタスズメバチ」とみられる。通常、女王蜂が５月上旬から巣を作り始め、初期はとっくり状だが、やがて丸い形に仕上がるという。

人家の軒下や低木、庭木などでよく見かけられるもので、攻撃性は強くないが注意はいる。

 　

巣が作られたのは続櫓の軒下。高さ４メートルあたりにあった。

入館者が刺されないようにと職員がすぐに取り除き、調べたところ長さは１１センチあり、なかには幼虫が６匹いた。

A sea turtle lays eggs on the shores of Chigasaki/Kanagawa

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1206190031/

June 19, 2012

A sea turtle arrived on land in order to lay eggs. (Photo provided by a reader)

On the morning of the 19th, a sea turtle was discovered laying eggs on the beach near Shirahamacho, Chigasaki City. According to the Shin Enoshima Aquatic Center, the type was a loggerhead sea turtle. The Civil Engineering Office of Fujisawa prefecture stated that in addition, last year sea turtles were confirmed to be laying eggs on the shores of Chigasaki.

At about 8:30 in the morning, receiving a report of a sea turtle by the 110 police sub-station, Chigasaki officials arrived at the location, By then, a crowd of onlookers were said to have already formed.

After laying the eggs, the sea turtle returned to the ocean at about 9:50AM. At the location, specialists obtaining data were said to have excavated and reburied the eggs.


Original text:
茅ケ崎の海岸で、ウミガメ産卵/神奈川
2012年6月19日

産卵のため海から上陸したウミガメ（読者提供）

19日朝、茅ケ崎市白浜町付近の海岸で、ウミガメ１匹が上陸して産卵しているのが発見された。新江ノ島水族館によると、「アカウミガメ」という。県藤沢土木事務所によると、昨年も茅ケ崎の海岸でウミガメが産卵する姿が確認されている。

午前８時半ごろ、「ウミガメがいる」と１１０番通報があり、茅ケ崎署員が現場に駆けつけると人だかりになっていたという。

ウミガメは卵を産み落とした後、午前９時50分ごろに海へ帰った。卵は、現場にいた専門家が埋め戻す対応を取ったという。

The U.S. Navy's Ohio class nuclear submarine, USS Michigan, opens to the media at U.S. Fleet Activities Yokosuka/Kanagawa

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1206150020/

  

June 15, 2012

Caption: A look at the torpedoes loaded within USS Michigan=U.S. Fleet ActivitiesYokosuka

The U.S. Navy's Ohio class submarine (Water displacement: 10,8750 tons) recently called port at U.S. Fleet Activities Yokosuka. Members of the press corps were invited for a look on the 15th.

Michigan was put into service in 1981. Its home port is located in the state of Washington.

Besides having a quadruple torpedo tube, it's equipped with 22 Tomahawk cruisingmissiles. Assigned to work in conjunction with the Navy SEALS, Michigan is able to attack both the enemies' submarines and above-water ships. It's said that the Michigan can be loaded with up to 154 Tomahawk missiles.

In order to accommodate and supply the 154 crew members, the submarine was called to port on the 13th at U.S. Fleet Activities Yokosuka. Submarine Captain James Horten commented: "We prepared for the worst case scenario. The sub is always ready to deal with any situation."

Original text:

米海軍がオハイオ級原潜「ミシガン」を公開、横須賀基地/神奈川

2012年6月15日

米原潜「ミシガン」艦内に搭載された魚雷＝米海軍横須賀基地

米海軍は15日、横須賀基地（横須賀市）に寄港中のオハイオ級原子力潜水艦「ミシガン」（水中排水量１万８７５０トン）を報道陣に公開した。

ミシガンは１９８２年に就役し、米ワシントン州に母港がある。

４基の魚雷発射管のほか、巡航ミサイル「トマホーク」の発射管22基を装備。敵の潜水艦や水上艦艇を打撃する任務や海軍特殊部隊（ＳＥＡＬＳ）を支援する役割を担う。トマホークは最大１５４発の搭載が可能という。

１５４人の乗組員の休養や物資の補給などのため、13日に横須賀基地に寄港した。艦長のジェームズ・ホーテン大佐は「万一の事態の発生に備え、船は常に即応態勢を整えている」と話していた。