The first Tsunami evacuation drill on Enoshima Island. The experience is said to be extremely important for city fire fighters to accumulate/Fujisawa

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1201170020/

January 17, 2012

Training operation where disaster victims requiring assistance are evacuated via a stretcher by firemen=Enoshima Island, Fujisawa City

On January 17th, the first tsunami evacuation drill of Enoshima Island (Fujisawa city) was implemented. The training was conducted to assist injured people in seeking refuge. The island's firefighting group/personal and police force stayed in close contact with each other. Using rear draw carts and stretchers, they simultaneously guided citizens to a safe area.

"This is the first time Tsunami evacuation drills have taken place on Enoshima Island. Even though we're an island, I expect the arrival of a tsunami would cause considerable damage," said a shopkeeper participating in the drill. Managing a souvenir store that has been open since the Edo era, the 76 year old man spoke with a tense expression.

Near the entrance of the main road, the large waves of typhoons, etc. were said to have caused damage to the infrastructure. "If a tsunami came, it seems houses would be washed away. I'm not used to evacuation drills being carried out here."

For the drill, at 9AM an (imaginary) earthquake occurred, whereby forecasts and warnings of tsunamis were broadcast. People requiring protection were recognized by firefighters and given assistance and instruction. They were guided to a landmark (The citizens house of Enoshima Island), located 27 meters above sea level.

Fire Chief Misawa Yoshiro of the city's fire fighting headquarters said "Even though evacuations were quick during the Eastern Japan disaster, the cases of damage were not as low as possible. We wish to quickly evacuate using the smallest amount of time necessary. Because of that, it's extremely important we accumulate this training.”

Original text:

江の島で初の津波避難訓練、市消防「積み重ね極めて重要」/藤沢

2012年1月17日

担架で要援護者を避難させる訓練を実施する消防関係者ら＝藤沢市江の島

藤沢市江の島で17日、初となる津波避難訓練が実施された。避難に助けが必要な災害時要援護者の支援訓練が行われ、リヤカーや担架を使って島内の消防団員や消防署員、警察署員が連携し、住民を一時避難場所へ誘導した。

「江の島での津波避難訓練は初めてのこと。島だから津波が来たら相当な被害が出るはず」。訓練に参加した、江戸時代から続く土産店経営の男性（76）は緊張した面持ちで話した。

 参道の入り口近くでは台風の高波などでもこれまでに被害が出ていたという。「津波が来たら、家は流されるだろう。訓練を重ねて慣れておかないといけない」

訓練は、午前９時に地震発生、津波警報が発表されたと想定。要援護者への支援活動指示や、消防活動の確認、海抜27メートルにある「江の島市民の家」への避難誘導などが行われた。

市消防本部の見澤由郎消防長は「東日本大震災でも素早い避難で被害を最小限にできたケースが少なくない。一分でも一秒でも早く避難してもらいたい。そのためには訓練の積み重ねが極めて重要」と話した。

The New Year's “Honorable Ebisu of Shounan” Festival at the Hiratsuka Mishima Temple/Hiratsuka January 16, 2012

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1201160018/

Atop a specially constructed stage, wrapped sweets are handed out to shrine visitors=Hiratsuka Mishima Temple

The annual New Year's Ebisu Festival was held on the 15th, at the Hiratsuka Temple of Yuhigaoka, Hiratsuka city. Three thousand people visited this year’s event, requesting prosperous business for 2012.

At the temple festival, fisherman and businessmen who are believers in the "Honorable Ebisu of Shounan" gathered. For worshippers looking to buy such lucky items as bamboo leaves (which can be affixed to ties) and rice bags, they were being freely distributed.

Inside the temple grounds, a special stage was set up. At both 2:00 and 5:00PM, men and women in charge of distributing fortune held "Lucky Wrappings" events. "Holding these bamboo leaves will make my business prosper!" the crowd shouted together. In the pursuit of free candy, the crowd was seemingly in competition on who could outstretch their arms the furthest.

Original text:

「湘南のえびす様」の平塚三嶋神社で新春えびすまつり/平塚

2012年1月16日

特設舞台からまかれるお菓子に手を伸ばす参拝客＝平塚三嶋神社

平塚市夕陽ケ丘の平塚三嶋神社で15日、恒例の「新春えびすまつり」が開催され、約３千人が今年一年の商売繁盛を願って訪れた。

同神社の祭神は「湘南のえびす様」とも呼ばれ、漁業者や商業者らの信仰を集めている。参拝客は、無料で配られた開運の福笹に付けるタイや福俵などの縁起物を買い求めた。

境内に設けられた特設舞台では、午後２時と５時の２回、福男や福女による「開運福まき」が行われた。「商売繁盛で笹もって来い」の掛け声とともに景品の当たるお菓子がまかれると、参拝客は競うように手を伸ばしていた。

In aid of the disaster area, a charity New Year’s performance is put on by the Karate and Kendo groups of Kawasaki Commercial High School

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1201160025/

January 16, 2012

Members of the karate club put on an intense performance=Kawasaki Municipal Commercial School

On the 16th, the Kawasaki Municipal Commercial High School (the town of Totehon, in the Saiwai district) held a charity kagami biraki exhibition featuring their karate and kendo groups. The venue collected funds to go towards the Eastern Japan Disaster revitalization efforts. The funds will be channeled through the social welfare organization of the Kawasaki newspaper.

2012 marks the eighth occasion this New Year's event has taken place. School staff members brought kagami mochi and PTA members made shiruko soup. Volunteers from the physical education department cooperated in serving students who came to observe.

This year, 9 pupils from the karate group and 4 from the kendo group participated. In charge of collecting the funds were members of the social welfare pupil committee. A special entrance hall was set up in the venue, where students impressively displayed their kumite and kata, as large rounds of applause erupted from spectators.

Izumida Kasumi (17) of the karate group stated her impressions: "As we put on one performance after another, out hearts filled with prayer for the disaster area." Yokouchi Yasuki (17), president of the Kendo group "I want this year to have a greater start (than the last). We're aiming for victory at the next tournament, and wish to train to our best ability."

Original text:

川崎商業高の空手部と剣道部が鏡開きチャリティー演武、被災地支援へ/川崎

2012年1月16日

迫力の演武を披露する空手部員ら＝川崎市立商業高校

川崎市立商業高校（同市幸区戸手本町）で16日、空手と剣道の両部員による鏡開きチャリティー演武が行われた。会場で集められた募金は、神奈川新聞厚生文化事業団を通じて、東日本大震災の復興支援に役立てられる。

ことしで８回目を迎えた新春の恒例行事。教職員が持ち寄った鏡餅で同校ＰＴＡがお汁粉を作り、運動部員有志の協力で見学の生徒らに振る舞っている。

ことしは空手部９人、剣道部４人の生徒が参加。募金集めは、社会福祉委員会の生徒らが担った。エントランスホールに設けられた特設会場で、生徒らが迫力ある組手や形を披露すると、観衆から大きな拍手が湧き起こった。

空手部の泉田花純さん（17）は「一つ一つの技に、被災地の復興を祈る気持ちを込めた」と感想を述べた。剣道部の横内靖幸部長（17）は「ことしもいいスタートが切れた。大会で優勝を狙うぐらいの気持ちで、練習を頑張りたい」と話していた。

Monks of the Jigen Temple practice the ascetic ritual of cleaning their bodies in freezing water /Yokosuka

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1201150017/

January 15, 2012

Monks engaged in the discipline of covering themselves in cold water.

On the 15th, an event was held by the Nichiren denomination of Sawara, Yokosuka city. While chanting a sūtra and covered in a single fundoshi, participants of the ritual had to clean themselves in freezing water.

Previously, the monks endured a harser version of this practice in asceticism. For a period of 100 days, dressed entirely in white, they dumped the water on themselves, slurping only on rice gruel, day and night.

Before the event started, two monks chanted a sūtra, which seemed to increase their fervour. Covering themselves in dozens of buckets of friged water, an amature cameraman in the crowd took this energetic shot.


Original text:
冷水かぶり身を清め、慈眼院で修行僧が水行/横須賀
2012年1月15日

冷水をかぶる修行僧

横須賀市佐原の日蓮宗「慈眼院」で15日、経文を唱えながら締め込み一つで冷水をかぶり、身を清める水行が実施された。

水行した僧侶は以前、１００日間、白装束をまとい冷水をかぶり、朝晩に粥（かゆ）をすするだけの苦行に耐えた修行僧。

水行場の前で、２人の修行僧が気勢を上げるかのように経文を唱え、冷水を数十杯かぶると、訪れたアマチュアカメラマンらは盛んにシャッターを切っていた。

Young people being called out for blood donations in all areas within Nara prefecture

Translated from the original article at: http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20120116-00000032-san-l29

Transmitted by the Sankei Shimbun January 16, 7:55AM

Vocational school students request blood donations from young people=Nara City (Picture: Sankei Shimbun)

With a shortage of blood available for transfusion during the winter, getting people interested in donating blood is of high importance. The prefecture's Red Cross Blood Center (in Yamatokōriyama city) instituted the "20 year olds’ blood donation campaign”. Taking place in each part of Nara prefecture, it lasts until February 29th.

According to the center, 23-24% of all blood donors aged 16-29 stopped donating blood in 2011. Even fewer in the 30-40 age groups donated. Furthermore, the cold winter season meant that people were not inclined to leave their houses to donate blood, contributing to the decrease. Each year, during this period, the entire country encourages young people to cooperate in donating blood.

On the 14th, a donation campaign took place at the Nara Family shopping center in Nara city. Vocational school students who came of age this year greeted shoppers and made appeals for blood donations. Participant Kuroda Chiharu (Age 20) said "Since donating blood is very important, I want more young people to have an interest in it."


Original text:
若者に「献血を」　県内各地で呼びかけ　奈良
産経新聞 1月16日(月)7時55分配信

若者らに献血を呼びかける専門学校生ら＝奈良市（写真：産経新聞）

輸血用の血液が不足しがちな冬場に献血への関心を高めてもらおうと、県赤十字血液センター（大和郡山市）などは、県内各地で「はたちの献血キャンペーン」（２月２９日まで）を実施している。

同センターによると、県内では平成２２年度、１６～２９歳の献血者数は全体の２３・４％にとどまり、３０、４０代よりも少ない。また、寒い冬場は外出を控える傾向があるため献血に訪れる人は減少するといい、毎年この時期に全国で若者に献血への協力を呼びかけている。

１４日に奈良市のショッピングセンター「ならファミリー」で行われたキャンペーンでは、今年成人式を迎えた奈良市の専門学校生、黒田千春さん（２０）が買い物客に献血を呼びかけた。黒田さんは「献血は重要なことなので、若い人たちにも関心を持ってもらいたい」と話していた。

The cold air illuminated by a bright red flame. Sagicho ritual in the town of Oiso/Kanagawa

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1201150001/

January 15, 2012

Bright flames rising in the town of Oiso

On the night of the 14th, a grand Sagicho burning event took place on Kitahama beach in the town of Oiso. Followed since the Edo period, the Sagicho event has been appointed by the country as a folk cultural asset of immeasurable importance.

Townspeople gathered such things as rope decorations used at New Year's and Daruma, tying them to the 10 foot sagichos. At once, all nine sagichos were lit on fire at the front and back with conical shaped "Saito" (ceremonial torches). As the bright red flames rose, the chilly winter air illuminated.

Townspeople and tourists visit the sandy beaches to see the fire festivals of Little New Year. Using the flames of the Saito torches, they cook Dango and Mochi, stuffing their faces in request for a healthy and safe year ahead.

(Note: Little New Year is an additional Japanese holiday period, taking place primarily on the 15th and the days surrounding it.)

Original text:

寒空照らす炎赤々と、大磯町で「左義長」/神奈川

2012年1月15日

赤々と燃え上がった炎＝大磯町

江戸時代から伝わり、国の重要無形民俗文化財に指定されている、大磯町の「左義長（さぎちょう）」が14日夜、同町の北浜海岸で盛大に行われた。

町民が持ち寄った正月のしめ飾りやだるまなどを結わえ付けた、高さ10メートル前後の円すい形の斎灯（さいと）９基に一斉に火が入れられると、赤々と燃え上がった炎が寒空を照らし出した。

小正月の火祭り行事を見に砂浜を訪れた町民や観光客は、斎灯の火で団子や餠を焼き、一年の無病息災を願って頬張っていた。

Clad in Fundoshis and rushing in the cold for talismans, the Doya-Doya festival of Shitennō Temple

Translated from the original article at: http://abeno.keizai.biz/headline/301/

January 14, 2012

In the middle of the cold, but still piling up. (Doya-doya festival)

(In a ritual marking the end of the Buddhist Shushoe period) Men in fundoshis rushed for scattered lucky talismans at the Doyadoya festival. It took place on the 14th, at the Rokuji Hall of the Shitennō temple (Osaka city, Tennō temple ward, Tennō Temple 1).

At the Doyadoya festival, last year's bad habits are corrected. Also, happiness, world peace and an abundant harvest are prayed for. The day of the festival marks the end of the Shushoe period, where wishes from New Year's Day until the 14th are finalized.

On that day, the temperature was just 8 degrees, attracting many sightseers. The youngest among them were 290 students from Izumi children’s kindergarten, Miikedai kindergarten, Yuuhigaoka nursery and Hidenen kindergarten. Boys half naked and girls lightly dressed in t-shirts ran around the temple grounds together, yelling at the cold weather in defiance.

One thousand young men from the Shitennō Temple Habikigaoka Mid/High Schools, the Seifu Mid/High Schools, and the Seifunankai High School participated. Divided between groups wearing red and white fundoshis, they yelled out at the entrance, being sprayed by water as their victory was decided on the scramble for lucky talismans.

An adjoining event took place in the temple grounds. New Year's decorations were burnt as offerings in a Tondoyaki ceremony (Japanese site).

Original text:

四天王寺で護符を奪い合う祭り「どやどや」－寒さの中、ふんどし姿で

(2012年01月14日）

寒い中でも盛り上がった「どやどや」

四天王寺（大阪市天王寺区四天王寺1）六時堂で1月14日、ふんどし姿でばらまかれた護符を奪い合う祭り「どやどや」（修正会結願法要）が行われた。

どやどやは、旧年の悪習を正し、その年の吉祥を祈り、天下泰平・五穀豊穣（ほうじょう）を祈願し元旦から14日まで行われている「修正会（しゅしょうえ）」の結願日の祭り。

当日は、気温約8度の寒い中、多くの見物客が訪れた。最初に和泉チャイルド幼稚園・御池代幼稚園・四天王寺夕陽丘保育園・四天王寺悲田院幼稚園の園児290人が男児は上半身裸、女児はTシャツなどの軽装で「わっしょい」の掛け声と共に境内を回った。

四天王寺羽曳丘中学・高校、清風中学・高校、清風南海高校の男子学生約1000人は、ふんどし姿で赤・白組に分かれ掛け声と共に入場すると、水を掛けられながら護符を奪い合って勝敗を決めた。

併せて、境内では正月の飾り物のおたきあげ「とんどやき」も行われた。