At the Kamakura Goryō Shrine, the annual Menkakegyoretsu (Masked Parade) is held, in prayer of a rich harvest, fortune and protection from disaster/Kanagawa

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1209180030/

September 19, 2012

A masked group marches in the Menkakegyoretsu=Kamakura City

On the 18th, from the Goryō Shrine in Saka No Shita, Kamakura City, the annual Menkakegyoretsu (Masked Parade) was held. Wearing masks that included the Oni and Okame, a group of ten slowly marched the streets. Over one hundred shrine parishioners followed closely. The event is held to appeal for a rich harvest, the invitation of good fortune and the removal of disasters.

Being a part of the shrine's annual festival, the Menkakegyoretsu has been designated as an invaluable cultural asset of the prefecture. The event recognizes the anniversary of Kamakura Gongorō Kagemasa's death, a warrior of the Heian Period whose family were pioneers of Kamakura City.

The large crowds were grateful for the parade, as there was a concern that it might be halted due to the possibility of rainfall ruining the wooden masks.

Original text:
鎌倉御霊神社で恒例の面掛行列、除災招福と五穀豊穣を祈願／神奈川
2012年9月19日

面掛衆が練り歩いた面掛行列＝鎌倉市

鎌倉市坂ノ下の御（ご）霊（りょう）神社（小林孝男宮司）で１８日、恒例の面（めん）掛（かけ）行列が行われた。鬼やおかめなど１０の面をつけた面掛衆と氏子ら１００人以上が近くの通りをゆっくりと練り歩き、除災招福と五穀豊（ほう）穣（じょう）を祈った。
 　
同神社の例大祭の神事で、県の指定無形文化財。鎌倉開拓の祖と伝えられる平安時代の武士、鎌倉権（ごん）五（ご）郎（ろう）景（かげ）正（まさ）の命日に毎年、行われている。
 　
雨で木製の面がぬれるため中止の懸念もあったが、出発時にはやみ、大勢の観光客らを喜ばせた。

Resembling the warriors of Kamakura, yabusame archers take part in a Shinto ritual at Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū Temple/Kamakura

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1209160026/

September 17, 2012

Caption: Yabusame archers aim at the targets, drawing applause from the crowd as each arrow is fired=Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū Temple, Yuki No Shita, Kamakura City

On the 16th, at the Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū Temple (Yuki No Shita, Kamakura City), a yabusame Shinto ritual took place. Marveling at the skill of the archers, whom resembeled the warriors of ancient Kamakura, the location boiled with excitement

One of several events held at the temple's large annual festival, it originated in 1187, which Minamono No Yoritomo himself attended.

250 meters away from the horse racing track, three wooden targets were set up, measuring a square 55 centimeters. Dressed in hunting outfits while atop the horses, the archers fired one arrow after another in straight lines, hitting the targets and drawing applause and big cheers from spectators.

Original text:
鎌倉武士彷彿と、鶴岡八幡宮で「流鏑馬神事」／鎌倉
2012年9月17日

射手が的を射抜くたびに歓声が上がった流鏑馬＝鎌倉市雪ノ下の鶴岡八幡宮

鶴岡八幡宮（鎌倉市雪ノ下）で１６日、「流鏑馬（やぶさめ）神事」が執り行われ、鎌倉武士を彷彿（ほうふつ）とさせる妙技に会場が沸いた。

同八幡宮の例大祭の行事の一つ。この神事は１１８７年に源頼朝臨席で行われたことが起源とされている。

長さ約２５０メートルの馬場に約５５センチ四方の木製の的が３カ所設置された。馬が一直線に駆け抜けながら狩り装束姿の射手が次々に的を射抜くと、観客から大きな歓声と拍手が湧き起こった。

A captured Asian black bear is released into a reserve/Isehara

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1209100006/

September 10, 2012

The Asian black bear, captured in an orange field in Kamikasuya, Isehara City.

On the 9th at about 8:00AM, the bear was captured in a wild boar trap set up inside an orange field in Kamikasuya, Isehara City. The man who owns the orchard informed the prefecture officials upon discovering the bear.
 　
According to the Prefectural Nature Preservation Department, the captured bear was a female, with a body length of 131 centimeters (4'3") and weighing 46 kilograms (101 pounds). It appeared to be a young, mature adult between 5 to 10 years of age.

The Asian black bear population inhabiting the Tanzawa mountains is at the extremely low number of 30. Because they're in danger of extinction, at about 5:15 on the same day, prefecture officials released the bear into a nature preserve deep within the Tanzawa mountainous area. On the occasion that a bear once again appears in an area inhabited by humans, it's said that a measure one can take is to spray them with substances they dislike, such as cayenne pepper.

In addition, at the end of August, a male Asian black bear was captured in a trap within the town of Yamakita's forest covered mountains. It was then released back, deep within the forests' depths.


Original text:
ツキノワグマ捕獲、保護区内に放す／伊勢原
2012年9月10日

伊勢原市上粕屋のミカン畑で捕獲されたツキノワグマ

９日午前８時ごろ、伊勢原市上粕屋のミカン畑に設置されたイノシシ捕獲用のわなに、ツキノワグマ１頭がかかっているのを畑の所有者の男性が発見し、県に通報した。

県自然環境保全課によると、捕獲されたのは雌で、体長１３１センチ、体重４６キロ。５～１０歳の若い成獣とみられる。

丹沢のツキノワグマは生息数が約３０頭と非常に少なく、絶滅の恐れがあるため、同日午後５時１５分ごろ、県職員が丹沢山地奥山の鳥獣保護区内に放獣した。その際、再び人里に出没しないよう、クマが嫌がる唐辛子などが入ったスプレーを吹きかける措置を取ったという。

県内では８月下旬にも、山北町内の山林に設置されたわなに雄のツキノワグマ１頭がかかり、山中に放された。

Hoisting up a barbell, the scarecrow festival begins/Ebina

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1209090001/

September 9, 2012

A scarecrow lifts a barbell towards the blue sky.

The Kakashi Matsuri (Scarecrow Festival) began on the 8th, in the Nakaniida ward of Ebina City. This year marks the 20th occasion the event has been held in the same location. The popular comedian Sugi-Chan  appeared to promote the event, substituting his catch phrase "Wairudo (Wild)" with "Mai (Rice) rudo". Hiromi Miyake, who competed in the 48 kilogram class lifting event at the London Olympics, winning a silver medal, was honored with a scarecrow. It can be seen hoisting a barbell towards the blue sky. The locals have been producing the most spectacular scarecrows since the event began 20 years ago, and wish for people to enjoy viewing the 52 scarecrows they've prepared this year. The event lasts until the 23rd.

From today, the festival is being held in the Imaizumi area of Ebina City, lasting through the 22nd.

Original text:

バーベル高々と、「かかしまつり」始まる/海老名

2012年9月9日

青空に向かって高々とバーベルを挙げているかかし

海老名市の中新田地区で８日、「かかしまつり」が始まった。20回を迎えた同地区の会場では、人気芸人スギちゃんがワイルドならぬ“米（マイ）ルド”をアピールし、ロンドン五輪重量挙げ女子48キロ級銀メダリストの三宅宏実さんが、青空に向かって高々とバーベルを挙げている。第１回開催時の最優秀作品が20年ぶりに出品されるなど、地元住民手作りの作品52体が目を楽しませてくれる。23日まで。

９日から今泉地区でも開催される。22日まで。

Enjoying "summer" for a bit longer...7500 late summer sunflowers/Kanagawa

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1209010028/

September 2, 2012

The arrival of sunflower viewing season=Hadanotokawa Prefectural Park (Japanese site)

At the Hadanotokawa Prefectural Park in Horiyamashita, Hadano City, 7500 sun flowers are in their full bloom.

Facing the Tanzawa Mountains, the park features a farming area, where 1500 square meters of land is available for planting. A park center manager explained "The sowing of the sunflowers was performed late, so the blooming period was somewhat delayed. The viewing period will last until around the 2nd. We want you to enjoy summer a bit longer."


Original text:
もう少し“夏”楽しんで…晩夏のヒマワリ７５００本/神奈川
2012年9月2日

見ごろを迎えているヒマワリ＝県立秦野戸川公園

秦野市堀山下の県立秦野戸川公園で、約７５００本のヒマワリが咲き誇っている。

丹沢山地を望む公園内の農体験場周辺約１５００平方メートルに植えられている。同公園パークセンターの担当者は「種まきが遅く、開花時期もやや延びた。見ごろは２日ごろまで。もう少し“夏”を楽しんでほしい」と話した。

In the Shinobaragawa River of Hamamatsu City, a duck and her 5 children can be seen swimming along. August 30, 2012

Translated from the original article at: http://hamamatsu.keizai.biz/headline/701/

August 30, 2012

A family of ducks move along Shinobaragawa River.

During the early morning of August 30, a family of ducks were spotted in the Shinobaragawa River of Shinobara, in Hamamatsu City's West Ward.

Pictured: Surrounded by concrete, the duck family swims through the river.

A type of man made river, Shinobaragawa River runs through a residential town, connecting Lake Hamana  and Lake Sanaru. Typically, wild life such as fish are not often seen within such rivers. Near the area's elementary school, blocks have been placed near the water to enjoy a better look at the koi and carassius  that pass through, although ducks are not usually present.

Spotted in the river was a parent duck, thought to be the mother, swimming along 5 recently born ducklings.

The family came from the west, swimming up north along the Japan Nation Route 1. Day after day, in the intense heat, they were seen travelling through areas mostly devoid of water. Tilting their necks, area residents said to themselves, "I wonder where they came from..."


Original text:
浜松・篠原川でカモの親子－小ガモ5羽引き連れ歩く姿も
(2012年08月30日）

篠原川を進むカモの親子

浜松・篠原の篠原川（浜松市西区篠原）で8月30日の早朝、カモの親子が確認された。

【画像】コンクリートに囲まれた川を泳ぎ進むカモの親子

同川は浜名湖と佐鳴湖をつなぐ川から住宅街を通る準用河川。一般的に魚などはあまり見掛けられず、周囲の小学校には水辺で楽しめるようにブロックなどを配置してコイやフナなどが泳いでいるが、通常カモなどは見られない。

確認されたのは、母親と思われる親ガモが1羽と生後間もない小ガモ5羽を連れて泳ぐ姿。

カモは北側から泳いできて、国道1号線を潜って南へ泳ぎ進んだ。連日の猛暑で場所によっては水がほとんど無いところは親子で歩く姿も見られた。周囲に住む人は「どこから来たのだろう」と首をかしげていた。

The long celebrated cleansing arrow march, a Shinto ritual at Hiratsuka’s Hachimanguu Temple/Hiratsuka

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1208210013/

August 22, 2012

Archers pull back their bows, aiming at targets 15 meters away.

Recently at the Hachiman-guu Temple of Sengen-chou, Hiratsuka City, the ritual of the cleansing arrows was held. Onlookers witnessed the ancient event while bathing in the summer sun.

Long ago, the location was said to be a place where fortune telling took place. Aiming at the targets from a standing position, the archers resembled Yabusame, sans the horses.

Four students of the Ogasawara Horse Archery School participated in each of the two events. Aiming at a target from 15 meters away, they competed for victory by firing two arrows each. The silent onlookers witnessed a tie among two sets of arrows that fired at the 27 square centimeter targets.

Original text:

平塚八幡宮で神事、古式ゆかしい魔よけの歩射/平塚

2012年8月22日

15メートル先の的を狙って弓を引く射手

平塚市浅間町の平塚八幡宮でこのほど、魔よけの神事「歩（ほ）射（しゃ）神事」が開催された。夏の日差しを浴びながら、見物客らも古式ゆかしい行事に見入っていた。

流鏑馬（やぶさめ）のように馬上からでなく、立った状態で的を狙う。かつては当たった場所で吉凶を占っていたという。

「弓馬術礼法小笠原教場」の門弟が４人ずつで２組に分かれ、15メートル先の的を狙って１人２本の弓を引き、勝ち負けを競った。見物客が静かに見つめる中、27センチ四方の的にはともに４本の矢が当たり、引き分けとなった。