Thursday, January 2, 2014

[Movie] All throughout Kanagawa prefecture, the area is blessed with fine weather at the start of the New Year.

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1401010005/

January 1, 2014
The view from the coast of Chigasaki (New Year's Day)

On January 1st, the Pacific Ocean along Eastern Japan was blessed with clear weather. Around 7AM, an orange colored morning sky was seen announcing the New Year throughout all of Kanagawa.

Along the beach area of Chigasaki, where Mount Fuji neighbors off to the West, and the small island of E No Shima to the East, people could be seen rubbing their hands in the cold as they witnessed the first day of the year. Additionally, even in Yokohama City people packed the elevated areas from early in the morning to view the sunrise.

[Movies]




Original text:
【動画】一年の始まり告げる「初日の出」晴天に恵まれ県内各地でも
2014年1月1日

茅ケ崎海岸から見た「初日の出」

東日本の太平洋側では元日、晴天に恵まれた。午前7時ごろ県内の各地でも一年の始まりを告げるオレンジ色の朝日が姿を見せ「初日の出」が見られた。

【動画】

茅ケ崎海岸付近では西に富士山を、東に江の島をのぞむかたちで初日が見られ、寒い中手を合わせる姿も見られた。また、横浜市でも見ることができ、朝早くから大勢の市民が高台に詰めかけた。

Monday, December 30, 2013

A big success among locals: The "daruma city" at Dairokuten Temple/Chigasaki

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1312280011/

December 28, 2013
All lined up together, a "city" of various sized darumas=Dairokuten Temple

The Daruma City, an annual end of the year tradition, was held on the 27th at the Dairokuten Temple in San-Chome, Jukkenzaka, Chigasaki City. Daruma of various sizes were lined up, as locals packed the area to purchase them for use in the New Year.

According to the temple, the annual event began over 50 years ago. This is said to be the only place to find a "daruma city" within Chigasaki. This year, 10 daruma stores from Hiratsuka City gathered for the event, also selling shimenawa decorative ropes and household Shinto altars.

To sell their Darumas, shopkeepers struck flint stones while dancing and yelling out "Yoooiyoi!" as they prayed for safety in their homes and success in business.

As a family of 6 approached the shops, a local female (age 65) said with a smile "Even though I buy lucky amulets at the super markets, I still shop at the daruma city each year. I wish to pray for the health of children as I decorate with them."


Original text:
地元客で盛況、第六天神社で「だるま市」/茅ケ崎
2013年12月28日

さまざまな大きさのだるまがずらりと並んだ市=第六天神社

年末の恒例行事「だるま市」が27日、茅ケ崎市十間坂3丁目の第六天神社で開かれた。さまざまな大きさのだるまがずらりと並び、正月用品を買い求める地元客らでにぎわった。

同神社によると、50年ほど前から毎年行われており、市内で開催されるだるま市はこの1カ所だけという。今年は平塚市のだるま店など10店ほどが集まり、しめ縄飾りや神棚なども販売された。

だるまが売れると、店員が火打ち石を鳴らしながら「ヨヨヨイヨイ」と威勢のいい掛け声と手拍子で、家内安全や商売繁盛などを祈願した。

家族6人で訪れた近くに住む女性(65)は「スーパーでも買えるけど、縁起ものなので毎年だるま市で購入している。子どもたちの健康を願って飾りたい」と笑顔で話した。