In a fateful encounter, a dying sparrow is discovered by a dog. Now living together, the dog watches over the sparrow like a mother. (Chiba Prefecture)

Translated from the original article at: http://karapaia.livedoor.biz/archives/52117938.html

February 14, 2013

A dog and a bird met 5 years ago. During a walk, Momo (female, 5 years old at the time) suddenly became agitated, barking and running around the area. Momo's owner, Mr. Yamashita, took a look around and found a weakened sparrow that was unable to fly.

Mr. Yamashita returned home with the sparrow, who Momo seemed eager to take care of. The bird was able to recover, but was still unable to fly. Not able to return to the wild, it was registered with Chiba Prefecture's Volunteer Wildlife Protection Group and scheduled to be taken in.

From the beginning, Momo presented no danger to the sparrow. On the contrary, she seemed concerned with it's welfare. Mr. Yamashita hesitated on transferring it to the center. Momo's feelings towards the sparrow deepened, always transfixed and licking at it. Seeming to be completely endeared by the sparrow, Momo never leaves it's side.

5 years have passed since then. Now, Momo is 9 years old. The sparrow is estimated to be 5, greatly exceeding the 1-3 year lifespan of wild sparrows.  Compared to humans, both the dog and sparrow have reached an advanced age. But even today, they're said to still be spending their lives together in great health. Mr. Yamashita wishes they can continue to live as full of energy as they are now.


Original text:
運命の出会い、瀕死のスズメを発見し母のように見守りながら共に生きる犬（千葉県）
2013年02月14日

1匹と1羽が出会ったのは5年前。散歩中のモモさん（メス、当時5歳）が突然走りだしある場所でワンワン吠えはじめた。飼い主の山下さんがついていって確認してみると、そこには弱って飛べなくなっている1羽のスズメが。

モモさんを手当しようと家に連れて帰ってきた山下さん。治療したものの飛べるようにならなかった為、千葉県の鳥獣保護ボランティア団体に登録し、このスズメを保護することに。

当初はモモさんがスズメに危害を加えないかと心配していたそうなのだが、ところがどっこい。モモさんはスズメを愛情深いまなざしで見つめ、ペロペロと体を舐める。スズメの方もモモさんにすっかり懐いているようで、モモさんの側を離れない。

それから5年。今ではモモさんも8歳、スズメの方も推定5歳と、スズメの野生の寿命（1～3年）を大きく上回り、今日も元気に一緒に暮らしているという。人間だと1匹と1羽は高齢にあたる。飼い主の山下さんも、このままずっと元気で生きていてくれたらと願うばかりだ。

(Movie) Wishing for a rich harvest at the Sogabairin Yabusame Shinto Ritual (Odawara Plum Festival)/Kanagawa

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1302110006/

February 11, 2013

 

A yabusame travels through the plum grove on horseback=Sogabairin, Odawara City

On the 11th, at the Sogabairin Plum Grove of Odawara City, the yabusame Shinto ritual was conducted. Performed for peace over the world and a plentiful harvest, it's the central event of the 27^th annual Odawara Plum Festival.

(Movies)

　

Following the signal of a giant fan being woven, the archer and his horse gallop down a 240 meter straight line. As the horse runs the track, the archer powerfully fires arrows towards three targets set up along the side. Giant rounds of applause erupt from the crowds according to his degree of accuracy.

On an average year, the viewing season for some 35,000 plum trees within the grove arrives right about now. However, this year the blooming has been late. Everywhere on the trees, the buds have remained standing dormant.

Original text:

【動画】曽我梅林で流鏑馬神事、五穀豊穣を願い小田原梅まつり/神奈川

2013年2月11日

梅林を背に行われた「流鏑馬」＝小田原市の曽我梅林

小田原市の曽我梅林で11日、天下太平と五穀豊穣（ほうじょう）を願う神事「流鏑馬（やぶさめ）」が行われた。「小田原梅まつり」の中心行事で、今年で27回目。

【動画】

射手は、特大の扇が振られるのを合図に馬を走らせ、約240メートルの直線沿いに設けられた三つの的へ力強く矢を放ち、的中するたびに観客からは大きな歓声が上がった。

例年なら約３万５千本の梅が見ごろを迎える時期だが、今年も開花が遅く、まだ全体につぼみが目立っていた。

(Movie) Praying for world peace and the nation's welfare at Chōshō-ji Temple's Daikokutōe Festival/Kamakura

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1302110004/

February 11, 2013

At the Daikokutōe Festival, an ascetic ritual is performed in prayer of world peace and Japan's welfare=Chōshō-ji Temple, Kamakura

Wearing only a shimekomi (also called a fundoshi), monks cover themselves in freezing water while chanting a sutra, in prayer of world peace and Japan's welfare during the Daikokutōe Festival. It was held on the 11th at the Chōshō-ji Temple of Zaimokuza, Kamakura City.

For 100 days, from November until the arrival of the festival, the ascetic monks endured the practice of slurping on nothing but rice porridge day and night. Besides being forbidden from trimming their hair and beards, they weren't even allowed to clip their nails. Leading up to the festival, each day was spent dousing themselves in freezing water, wrapped only in white robes.

Original text:
【動画】世界平和と国の安泰を祈願、長勝寺で「大国祷会」/鎌倉
2013年2月11日

世界平和と国の安泰を祈願する荒行「大国祷会」＝鎌倉・長勝寺

経文を唱えながら締め込み一つで冷水をかぶり、世界平和と国の安泰を祈願する荒行「大国祷会」が11日、鎌倉市材木座の長勝寺で行われた。

修行僧らは昨年11月から１００日間、朝晩に粥（かゆ）をすするだけの苦行に耐え、この日を迎えた。髪やひげ、爪さえも切ることが許されず、白装束をまとい冷水をかぶる日々を送ってきた。

[Movie] At the Maru Yama Inari Shrine’s Hatsuuma Festival, shrine maidens dance in prayer of a rich harvest/Kamakura

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1302090015/

February 9, 2013

Praying for harvest, Miko (shrine maidens) perform the "Yorozuyo No Mai" (Dance of Eternity)=Maru Yama Inari Shrine

On the 9th, at the Maru Yama Inari Shrine within Yuki No Shita, Kamakura City's Tsurugaoka-Hachimangū , the Hatsuuma Festival was held. (Hatsuuma is February’s first day of the horse, according to the Earthly Branches).

(Movies)

Before the start of the spring's farming operations, a Shinto ritual is held for the God of Food to pray for that year's harvest. A legend is told that in the year 711 (Year 4 of the Wadou Era), the Inari God appeared at Mitsugamine Cliff, located at the Fushimi Inari Head Shrine. Since then, the festival is held each year on the first Hatsuuma of February.

As the miko performed the Yorozuyo in offering, parishioners and visitors passed, one after another, to pray for success in their business.

Original text:

【動画】丸山稲荷社で初午祭、豊作祈願し巫女舞う／鎌倉

2013年2月9日

豊作を祈願し「萬代の舞」を奉納する巫女＝丸山稲荷社

鎌倉市雪ノ下の鶴岡八幡宮境内にある丸山稲荷（いなり）社で９日、初午（はつうま）祭が行われた。

【動画】

春の農作業が開始する前に、今年一年の豊作を食物の神に祈願する神事で、和銅４（７１１）年に稲荷の神が伏見稲荷の三ケ峰に現れたとの言い伝えから、毎年２月の初午の日に開催されている。

巫女（みこ）による「萬代（よろずよ）の舞」が奉納され、氏子や参拝者が次々に商売繁盛などを祈願していた。