[A Blue Full Moon] from the space between the Futami married rocks. Will tonight's total lunar eclipse be a red full moon? December, 10 2011

Translated from the original article at: http://iseshima.keizai.biz/headline/1270/

Caption: [Blue Full Moon] from the space between the Futami married rocks. Will tonight's total lunar eclipse be a red full moon?

From December 10th, in the space between the married rocks of the Futami Okitama Shrine (in the town of Futami, Ise city), a blue full moon appears, the moon's light bathing in the blue sea and sky.

The time period for the morning sun emerging from the space between the married rocks is limited to the months of April through August. Especially on the days of summer solstice, with the sun's ability to loom over Mount Fuji in recent years, the married rocks have become a highly popular spot to take photographs. From before and after winter solstice　(November through February) the same full moon emerges from the space between the married rocks, though that fact is still not well-known.

TheShimenawa (Connecting ropes) of the married rocks came from long ago. 700 meters off shore, at the sea bed, lie the sunken Okitamashinseki (stones with a latent spirit) connected with the the Sarutahiko (Monkey God). Also, from the space between the rocks, the sun emerges. And in a straight line of 200 kilometres (in front of the rocks) a Torii gate has been placed, thought to have been used in celebrations of Japan's most spiritual mountain, Fuji.

On this day, it was forecasted that the moment the moon will appear is at the time of 4:25PM. From the horizon of the sea, it will rise straight above through a thin veil of clouds.

At 4:43, a single cameraman called out as the sound of the camera's shooting reverberated simultaneously. A visitor to the shrine casually asked "What are you taking a picture of?" "The lunar eclipse?" "The evening sun?", as he stopped in his tracks and his head tilted towards the lens of the camera. The kind cameraman explained that he was devoted to searching for the lunar eclipse and taking a picture the moment the moon emerged.

At 5:05PM, the full moon appeared from the space between the married rocks. The blue light now released from the sky and ocean was reflected, and the moon's pale light swayed while creating it's own rendition of "Moon River".

This evening, a red full moon, becoming a complete lunar eclipse, can be observed in the entire area of Japan from 11:05PM until 11:58PM. At the same time the moon is emerging and the complete lunar eclipse begins, five hundred camera men and shrine visitors will be packed in the area (of the married rocks), where a thick cloud cover could render the eclipse unwatchable.

After tomorrow, the moon will emerge at the following times: 5:18PM on the 11th, 6:15PM on the 12th, 7:15PM on the 13th, 8:16PM on the 14th. Next year: 3:09PM on January  7th, 4:05PM on the 8th, 5:04PM on the 9th, 6:07 on the 10th, 7:11PM on the 11th. On the 11th, the 9 meter "male" cliff and the 4 meter "female" cliff will be re-upholstered in a ceremony with five new Shimenawa (connecting ropes).

Original Text:

[青い満月」二見夫婦岩の間から－今夜の皆既月食は「赤い満月」か？（2011年12月10日）

「青い満月」二見夫婦岩の間から－今夜の皆既月食は「赤い満月」か？

二見興玉神社（伊勢市二見町）の夫婦岩の間から12月10日、青い満月が現れ、月の光で空と海が青く染まった。

夫婦岩の間から朝日が出るのは、4月～8月の期間だけ。特に夏至の日には富士山と太陽が重なる可能性があるため近年、撮影スポットとして人気が高いが、冬至前後の11月～2月の満月が同じように夫婦岩の間から出ることは、まだあまり知られていない。

古来より夫婦岩としめ縄は、沖合700メートルの海底に沈む猿田彦大神ゆかりの「興玉神石（おきたましんせき）」を、その間から出る太陽を、そして直線距離で約200キロの位置にある日本一の霊峰富士を祭る鳥居と考えられてきた。

この日の月の出時刻は16時25分。水平線のすぐ上にうっすらと雲がかかっていたため予定時間になっても月の姿が現れなかった。

16時43分、一人のカメラマンが「出た」と叫ぶとカメラのシャッター音が一斉に鳴り響いた。たまたま訪れた参拝者は「何を撮っているの？」「月食？」「夕日？」などと首を傾げながらレンズの向かう方向を見ながら足を止めていたが、親切なカメラマンが月の出を撮影していることを説明すると目を凝らしながら満月を探していた。 

17時5分、夫婦岩の間から現れた満月が、青い光を放ち空と海を青く照らし、月の青白い光が揺らぎながら自分に向かうムーンリバーを作った。

今夜、赤い満月になる皆既月食が23時5分ごろから23時58分ごろまで日本全域で観測できる。昨年の12月21日は、月の出と同時に皆既月食が始まることから約500人のカメラマンと参拝者が同境内に詰めかけたが、あいにく雲が厚く見ることができなかった。

明日以降の月の出時刻は、11日が17時18分、12日が18時15分、13日が19時15分、14日が20時16分、来年1月7日が15時9分、8日が16時5分、9日が17時4分、10日が18時7分、11日が19時11分となっている。11日は、高さ約9メートルの男岩と高さ約4メートルの女岩に長さ35メートルの大注連縄5本を張り替える「大注連縄張神事」が執り行われる。

The tradition of dancing with flames in the darkness, protection-by-fire festival at Odawara /Kanagawa December 7, 2011

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1112070010/

Caption: A mountain priest draws a Sanskrit character with two torches.

The annual festival to exorcise misfortune and bring in a prosperous new year by imploring the power of fire took place on the night of December 6^th, held by the Ryōgaku Temple on Mount Akiba, Itabashi, Odawara city. Approximately 30 mountain priests gather from around the country, the traditional ceremony being strictly performed during the night in the final month of the year.

Around 6:30 PM, with the area surrounded by darkness, kindling is piled and lit inside the temple grounds. After a dialogue between the mountain priests, bows and swords are cleansed according to etiquette, and Sanskrit characters are drawn with two torches. As a pilgrim places more fire onto the ground, the mountain priests continue to cross the ground barefoot, while praying for protection and health.

The protection-by-fire festival started thirteen hundred years ago, and has continued as a traditional event, conducted every year on December 6^th.

Original Text:

闇に舞う伝統の炎、小田原で「火防祭」/神奈川

2011年12月7日

山伏が２本のたいまつで梵字を描く

ことし一年の厄をはらい新年の繁栄を願う火防（ひぶせ）祭が６日夜、小田原市板橋の秋葉山量覚院で催された。全国から集まった山伏約30人が、伝統の儀式で師走の夜を厳かにともした。

辺りが闇に包まれた午後６時半ごろ、境内に積み上げられたまきに火がたかれた。山伏は問答を交わした後、弓や剣による作法で場を清め、２本のたいまつで梵字（ぼんじ）を描いた。山伏による「火渡り」に続いて、参拝者もおき火の上を素足で渡り、無病息災を祈願した。

火防祭は約１３００年前から続く伝統行事で、毎年12月６日に行われている。

Reaching the summit of Mount Fuji this year at 95, Mr. Minoshima of Hiratsuka city is certainly the oldest to have accomplished this feat/Kanagawa December 6th, 2011

Translated from the original article at:  http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1112050022/

Caption: Mr. Minoshima stands together with his friend Mrs. Koshimizu （Right)　at the summit of Mount Fuji=Photo taken on August 7th.

Mr. Minoshima (Age 95), resides in Tsuchiya, Hiratsuka city.  This year, he climbed Mount Fuji, certainly the oldest person to have done so. (Climbing the mountain) in 2010 was his second greatest feat. As strength and vitality emanated from him, Mr. Minoshima said "I'm grateful for my health, and wish to be well enough to continue completely scaling Mount Fuji."

On the morning of August 6th, Mr. Minoshima set off with his son Saburō (Age 57) and neighborhood friend Mrs. Koshizumi Shiro (Age 79). Although it was more appropriate for 5 (to go hiking), only the 3 of them went. Encountering thunderstorms along the way, their feet did not stop ascending. Resting in mountain huts to recover, during the next day at 3 in the afternoon, they finally arrived at the mountain summit.

According to the Mount Fuji Hongūsengen shrine, responsible for registering and recording the age of climbers who reach the summit, this year, 1319 climbers above 70 were recorded. Second after Mr. Minoshima is Mr. Shōji Sanpo (Age 90) of Tsukagoshi, Saiwai Ward, Kawasaki City. Registration at the reception (of the shrine) was finished after the beginning of September due to weather conditions, etc. However, that did not seem to stop mountain climbers in their 90’s from (passing) that same temple.

Mr. Minoshima began to climb Mount Fuji while in his twenties. Charmed by the scenery, he pursued climbing the mountain twice at the age of 65, while attending to his family business of farming. He's stood at the summit the last 9 consecutive years, and reached it a total of 13 times.

For the last 2 years, he's had this to say about being the oldest mountain climber: "To have become the top age at Japan's number one mountain is exceptional. I'm grateful for the health within me, said Mr. Minoshima. He enjoys playing gate ball, and walks no less than 2 kilometers everyday to train his strength.

Original Text:

95歳で富士山登頂、平塚の蓑島さんが今年の最高齢者確実に/神奈川

2011年12月6日

友人の小清水さん（右）と一緒に富士山頂に立つ蓑島さん＝８月７日撮影

平塚市土屋に住む蓑島兵蔵さん（95）が、富士山に今年登った人の最高齢者になることが確実となった。２０１０年に次いで２度目の快挙。蓑島さんは「健康に感謝し、元気なうちはずっと登り続けたい」と体力づくりに精を出している。

 蓑島さんは８月６日朝、息子の三郎さん（57）と近所の友人の小清水四郎さん（79）の３人で５合目を出発。途中、雷雨に見舞われ、足が上がらなくなった。山小屋に泊まって体調を回復させ、２日間で15時間かけて翌午後３時に山頂へたどり着いた。

富士山頂で高齢の登山者が記帳した名簿を管理する富士山本宮浅間神社によると、今年富士山に登った70歳以上の人は１３１９人。蓑島さんに次ぐ２位は川崎市幸区塚越の三浦正治さん（90）だった。記帳の受け付けを終えた９月初め以降は、気象状況などから「90歳代の登山者はいない」（同神社）とみている。

蓑島さんは20代のとき、初めて富士山に登った。絶景に魅せられたが、家業の農業に追われ２度目の登山は65歳のとき。通算では13回を数え、最近は９年連続で山頂に立っている。

２年連続の最高齢登山者の知らせに、「日本一の山で日本一になったことは格別。健康のありがたさをかみしめている」と蓑島さん。ゲートボールを楽しみ、２キロの散歩を欠かさない毎日で体力を鍛えている。

Waterspout at Sagami Harbor? Occurrence in Kanagawa

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1112040020/

December 4, 2011

Caption: Above Sagami harbor, a naturally occurring waterspout was seen on the 4^th, at around 7:05 AM. It was viewed from Izuō island, near the Enoden electric company’s Kamakura Koukoumae train station, in Kamakura city. (Photo provided by Mr. Izumida Takayuki).

Above Sagami harbor on the morning of December 4^th,  a water spout that appeared to be naturally occurring emerged. The picture was taken by Mr. Izumida Takayuki (Age 48). According to the Southern district of Yokohama harbor, from 6:45 AM until 7:00 AM passed, it appeared in the area of Izuō island, near Enoden electric company’s Kamakura Koukoumae train station, in Kamakura city.

According to Mr. Izumida, a cloud connected with the sea in a single spiral. For the span of several minutes, it is said that the waterspout was seen intermittently disappearing and re-emerging.

According to the Yokohama area meteorological observatory, waterspouts/tornados occur when warm and cold air flow into each other. The intense temperature change within the atmosphere causes a condition of instability, where during that time, such occurrences easily spring forth. No advisories for tornados/waterspouts were issued.

Original Text:

相模湾で竜巻？発生/神奈川

2011年12月4日

相模湾上に出現した竜巻と見られる自然現象＝４日午前７時５分ごろ、鎌倉市の江ノ電鎌倉高校前駅近くから伊豆大島方面を望む（泉田隆行さん提供）

相模湾上に４日朝、竜巻のような自然現象が出現した。写真を撮影した泉田隆行さん（48）＝横浜市港南区＝によると、午前６時45分ごろから７時過ぎにかけて、江ノ電鎌倉高校前駅（鎌倉市）近くから伊豆大島方面を望む方向に現れた。

泉田さんによると、上空の雲と海上とを結ぶ一筋の線のような状態が、数分間現れては消えるということが断続的に続いたという。

横浜地方気象台によると、竜巻は暖かい空気に冷たい空気が流れ込み、激しい温度差で大気の状態が不安定なときに発生しやすいという。竜巻注意報は出ていなかった。

Entering in prayer as the new year approaches, the production of evil-warding arrows at the Tsurugaoka-Hachimangū shrine/ Kamakura

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1112010013/

Caption:  Placing on the arrowhead, shrine maidens produce ceremonial evil-warding arrows = Tsurugaoka-Hachimangū shrine

From today until the end of the year, talismans for new years, evil-repealing arrows, are in production at the Tsurugaoka-Hachimangū shrine in Yukinoshita, Kamakura city. Various meetings are held to produce 245,000 arrows by the end of the year, in preparation for new years.

In the same temple of the arrows, the occasion where Minomoto no Yoriyoshi supressing the Zenkunen War  is celebrated. In the area of Yuiga Beach, the festival of the Hachiman God is held. The city of Kyōtō's Iwashimizu-Kachimanguu shrine sends the festival an offering of bows and arrows. The event was considered the inauguration of the Tsurugaoka-Hachimangū shrine. The arrows come in two types, with a length of 60 centimeters and 94 centimeters.

The shrine maidens and Shinto priests divide the work. The arrowheads are wrapped with Japanese style paper and attached with a bell. The arrowhead is beaten on, where during that time the sound and sensation of knocking resounds strongly.


Original text:
新年へ祈り込め、鶴岡八幡宮で破魔矢作り/鎌倉

 矢に鏑を付けるなど、破魔矢作りをする巫女ら＝鶴岡八幡宮

今日から師走。正月の縁起物の破魔矢作りが鶴岡八幡宮（鎌倉市雪ノ下）で進められている。年内に大小合わせて24万５千本を作製、新年に備える。

同八幡宮の破魔矢は、源頼義が前九年の役を平定した際、由比ケ浜の地に八幡大神を祭り、京都の石清水八幡宮から授かった弓矢を奉納したことにちなむといい、これが鶴岡八幡宮の草創とされる。長さは60センチと94センチの２種類。

 巫女（みこ）や神職らが手分けして、鏑（かぶら）を取り付けて和紙を巻き、鈴を付ける。鏑をたたいて付ける時の「コンコン」という音が心地よく響く。

Professional wrestler Keiji Mutō visits Mayor Fumiko Hayashi, invites 500 people entered into the social welfare institution to attend wrestling event/ Yokohama

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1111300020/

Caption: Mayor Hayashi (Left) is handed a list of 500 invitees from wrestler Keiji Mutō=Yokohama City Government Office

On December 4^th, in the Yokohamas Cultural Gymnasium (In the town of Furō, Yokohama City), Keiji Mutō will be in competing in All Japan Pro Wrestling’s world tag team championship match. On the 30^th, he visited Yokohama City’s governmental office, and offered Mayor Fumiko Hayashi a list of 500 citizens invited to the event.

The spectators invited to the match first had to fill out an application to All Japan Pro Wrestling in order to be considered. Within the city’s welfare institutions, 500 disabled, elderly as well as children were invited.

Keiji Mutō said: I absolutely want the mayor to see the match. This is a gift of our spirit, he saluted. Mayor Hayashi said: I’m grateful for having this talk. As the event draws customers, Yokohama city hopes to receive (greater) vitality, she spoke in gratitude.

Original Text:

プロレスラーの武藤敬司選手が林市長を訪問、福祉施設入所者ら約５００人を試合に招待/横浜

林市長（左）に約５００人分の招待目録を手渡した武藤敬司選手＝横浜市役所

12月４日に横浜文化体育館（横浜市中区不老町）で世界最強タッグ優勝決定戦を開催する全日本プロレスの武藤敬司選手は30日、横浜市役所を訪れ、市民約５００人分の招待目録を林文子市長に贈った。

試合観覧への招待は、全日本プロレス側の申し入れにより実現。市内の福祉施設に入所、通所している障害者や高齢者、子ども約５００人が招待される。

武藤選手は「市長にもぜひ試合を生で見てほしい。元気をプレゼントします」とあいさつ。林市長は「ありがたいお話をいただいた。イベントでお客さんを引き込み、横浜を元気にしてほしい」と感謝の言葉を述べた。

Bari-ba, the polar bear from Ehime prefecture's zoo, pays a visit to Zooasia.

Translated from the original article at: http://kohoku.keizai.biz/headline/449/

Polar Bear Bari-ba, zoo visitor

On November 29, The female polar bear Bari-ba will visit Yokohama's Zoo, Zoorasia (Yokohama City, Asahi ward, Kamishirane city).

With the trend of declining polar bear birthrates inside of the country, the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums encouraged a polar bear breeding project. The project has polar bears from all over the country individually moving among breeding zoos and forming new pairs, with the lone goal being to stimulate breeding activity.

In June, at the same park (Zoorasia), the female polar bear, Chiro, suddenly died. Since then, Janbui, a 19 year old male, has become the only one to be cared for. Meanwhile, Bari-ba (Age 20), the Ehime prefectural institution, as well as the zoo of Ehime prefecture, Iyo district, partnered together under the following condition: as part of a larger plan in this same project, Zoorasia will be the park decided for this visit.

In charge of the polar bears in that same park (Zoorasia) is Mr. Itou Sakura, who said the following: "Each breeding park collaborating in our system is aimed towards the breeding of polar bears. Before arriving at the breeding season, we wish to express our gratitude that the conditions of the pairing for both Janbui and Bari-ba have been decided upon straightaway. Also, with the objective being breeding, the age of both animals is considered, along with the remaining (breeding) time for both Janbui and Bari-ba, who are seemingly carefree and relaxed. We wish to spend this time supporting them.”

Original Text:

ズーラシアにホッキョクグマ「バリーバ」－愛媛の動物園から来園へ

来園するホッキョクグマの「バリーバ」

よこはま動物園ズーラシア（横浜市旭区上白根町）に11月29日、雌のホッキョクグマ「バリーバ」が来園する。

国内のホッキョクグマの飼育頭数は減少傾向にあり、日本動物園水族館協会は「ホッキョクグマ繁殖プロジェクト」を推進。同プロジェクトは、全国のホッキョクグマ飼育園間で個体移動をすることで新たなペア形成を行い、繁殖行動を活性化させることを目的の一つとしている。

同園では6月に雌のホッキョクグマ「チロ」が急死。以来雄のジャンブイ（19歳）1頭の飼育となっていた。一方バリーバ（20歳）も愛媛県立とべ動物園（愛媛県伊予郡）でパートナーがいない状態だったことから、同プロジェクトの一環で今回の来園が決まった。