City officials capture a wild boar that's been infesting temples/Odawara

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1207240015/

July 24, 2012

The captured wild boar. (Photo provided by the City of Odawara)

On July 24th, 8:45AM, a wild boar that's been lurking the grounds of temples in Shiroyama, Odawara City was spotted. City officials were contacted and came rushing to deal with the boar, successfully capturing it while aware that it posed a danger to them.

According to the city, the wild boar was a female, 60 centimeters in length, 30 kilograms in weight and estimated to be 3 years old. At around 1:00PM on the day of the call, within the grounds of a different temple, city officials and members of a hunting association used a tranquilizing gun and other equipment to capture the boar. Afterwards, it was put down.

Within the city, one eyewitness report after another has been coming in since the beginning of July. The city said the boar’s outward appearance matched previous reports. On the day it was captured, except for damage to flower pots near the temple, no conspicuous damage was said to be confirmed.

Original text:

寺院にイノシシ出没、市職員らが捕獲/小田原

2012年7月24日

捕獲されたイノシシ（小田原市提供）

24日午前８時45分ごろ、小田原市城山の寺院にイノシシが出没しているのを、連絡を受けて駆け付けた同市職員が確認した。人に危害を及ぼすおそれがあるとして捕獲した。

市によると、イノシシは推定年齢３歳の雌で、体長約60センチ、体重約30キロ。同日午後１時ごろ、別の神社の境内で、市職員や猟友会のメンバーらが麻酔銃などを使って捕獲、その後殺処分した。

市内では７月上旬からイノシシの目撃情報が相次いでおり、市は外見などから今回と同一の個体とみている。この日は近くの別の寺院で植木鉢が破損した以外、目立った被害は確認されていないという。

A cleansing at sea. The Tomioka Hachiman Shrine’s “gion boat ritual” in Kanazawa-ku Bay/Yokosuka July 22, 2012

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1207220010/

 From two Japanese style "wasen boats," a gion straw "cleansing boat" is released into the ocean= Kanazawa-ku Bay, Yokohama City

A straw boat able to cleanse one’s sins during the year is entrusted to float across the ocean. Called the Gion Buta, the Shinto event praying for safety and well-being was held on the 22nd in Kanazawa-ku Bay, Yokohama City. Being conducted annually by the nearby Tomioka Hachiman Shrine, the over 800 year old tradition has been designated as an invaluable city cultural asset.

Bundled into an oval shape with straw, the ship measures 70 centimeters long by 50 centimeters wide. Placed inside of it are dango dumplings and 12 gohei. Receiving an exorcism at the Hachimanguu Shrine's Grand Cleansing Festival, the straw ship is loaded into one of two wasen boats and transported out to sea. Crossing the flowing tide, it's released upon arriving at a suitable, quiet area of the sea. Seemingly escaping from the sin and filth contained in the gion ship, the two wasen row off at full speed. Gallantly yelling out "Ho-rya, Ho-rya!" they compete with each other to reach the shore.

With the sin and impurity flowing away, it’s said the arrival of a refreshing feeling can be felt during the summer.

Original text:

けがれを海へ、金沢区沖で富岡八幡宮の祇園舟神事/横浜

2012年7月22日

２隻の和船から静かに放たれた茅舟＝横浜市金沢区沖

その年のけがれを茅舟（かやぶね）に託して海に流し、無病息災を祈る神事「祇園舟（ぎおんぶね）」が22日、横浜市金沢区沖で行われた。近くの富岡八幡宮で８００年以上にわたり受け継がれている伝統行事で、市無形文化財に指定されている。

青茅を束ねて作った楕円（だえん）形の舟（長さ70センチ、幅50センチ）に団子や12本の御幣を載せた茅舟は、八幡宮の大祭式でおはらいを受け、２隻の和船に積まれて沖へと運ばれた。潮の流れがある場所までたどり着くと、静かに海へと放した。２隻は罪やけがれから逃れようと全速力でこぎ出し、「ホーリャ、ホーリャ」と勇ましい掛け声とともに競い合って岸へと向かった。

罪やけがれを流し去り、すがすがしい気持ちで夏を迎えられるという。