(Video) Praying for safety while swinging an adze, the Chouna Hajime ceremony of Tsurugaoka-Hachimangū shrine/ Kamakura

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1301050005/

January 5, 2013

The Chouna Hajime Ceremony, an ancient carpentry ritual=Tsurugaoka-Hachimangū shrine

The year's ceremony for the safety of carpenters, the Chouna Hajime (Beginning with the adze) took place on the 4th, at Yuki No Shita, Kamakura City's Tsurugaoka-Hachimangū Shrine.

The Chouna Hajime traces back to 1181. When Minamoto No Yorimoto was nearly finished with the construction of the Hachiman Guu, there was an accident while transporting material from Yuigahama, spurning the ceremony. Now, it's a tradition within the city in beginning the year's carpentry work.

Area residents involved in construction clothed themselves in traditional Shinto ceremony outfits. After transporting a sacred tree into the kagura hall, they stood in front of it, waving an adze and handsaw. The ancient ritual in carpentry etiquette has once again been performed.

Original text:
【動画】手斧振るい安全祈願、鶴岡八幡宮で手斧始式／鎌倉
2013年1月5日

古式の大工作法を再現した手斧始式＝鶴岡八幡宮

ことし１年の工事の安全を祈願する手斧始（ちょうなはじめ）式が４日、鎌倉市雪ノ下の鶴岡八幡宮で行われた。

１１８１年に源頼朝が八幡宮造営に際して、木材を由比ケ浜から運んだ故事にちなみ、現在では市内の工事の事始め式として伝えられている。

神事では伝統的な装束に身を包んだ地元の建設関係者らが、舞殿に運び込まれた御神木の前で手斧やのこぎりを振るい、古式の大工作法を再現した。

(A fisherman's) "Otoshidama" dances through the air. Tossing oranges for a large catch/Zushi

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1301020004/

January 3, 2013

Families catch oranges being thrown in the air=Kotsubō Fishing Port

On the morning of January 2nd, the annual Orange Throwing Festival took place. The New Year’s ritual is held in prayer of a year of bountiful fishing and safety at sea. Taking place at Kotsubō Fishing Port of Kotsubō, Zushi city, large groups of families scrambled to catch (their version) of the "Otoshidama" being flung through the air.

Stopping by with a truck of full of oranges, the Fishing Industry Union of Kotsubō, sponsors of the event, began tossing them to the crowd. As the fishing union completed the orange throwing at the shore’s edge, fishing boats began sailing though the harbor with their tairyo-bata raised. Making their way through the mist and an occasional strong wind, one boat after another began to throw oranges and candies to a packed crowd, who could be heard calling out "Throw it over here, Please throw them further!"

Bringing cardboard boxes and plastic bags, even children tried with all their might to catch the oranges and candy coming from the boats.

Original text:

空中舞う“お年玉”、豊漁願い「みかん投げ」／逗子

2013年1月3日

投げられるミカンを受け止める家族連れら＝小坪漁港

一年の豊漁と安全を祈願する正月恒例の伝統行事「みかん投げ」が２日朝、逗子市小坪の小坪漁港で行われ、大勢の家族連れが「われ先に」と空中を舞う“お年玉”を受け止めていた。

みかん投げはこの日、主催する小坪漁業協同組合前に止められたトラックから始まった。

同漁協前のみかん投げが終了すると、同漁港の波打ち際に陸揚げされ、大漁旗が掲げられた漁船へと移動。強風が時折、波しぶきを運ぶ中、次々に各漁船からミカンやお菓子が投げられると「こっちにも投げてー」「後ろもお願いします」と詰めかけた人々の歓声が響いた。

子どもたちも段ボール箱やポリ袋などを持参し、漁船から降ってくるミカンやお菓子を一生懸命に受け止めていた。

As this winter enters it's coldest point, the lake of Sankei Park freezes/Yokohama

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1212250018/

December 25, 2012

Some waterfowl swimming on the portion of the lake that's begun to thaw=Sankei Park, Naka ward, Yokohama City (Photo taken at 9:20 AM)

Evan a lake has frozen from the cold.

On the 25th, Yokohama reached it's coldest point of the year at a record low 0.4 degrees Celsius (32.72 Fahrenheit), according to the Yokohama Meteorological Observatory. At 8AM, morning commuters could be seen tensing their shoulders as they were met with a severely cold temperature of 0.9 Celsius (33.62 Fahrenheit).

"Until the 27th, the severe cold will continue with a temperature lower than the yearly average," said the observatory.

In Sankei Park of Yokohama City's Naka ward, the cold weather has caused the majority of the lake's surface to freeze. "It's rare for the entire surface of the lake to freeze in December," said the park.  In the morning, the ice was sparkling, with waterfowl seen swimming on the portion of the surface that began to melt.


Original text:
三溪園で池凍る、この冬一番の冷え込み／横浜
2012年12月25日

解け始めたわずかな水面で水鳥が泳ぐ姿＝横浜市中区の三渓園（午前９時２０分撮影）

寒さで池も凍る－。

２５日、横浜の最低気温は０．４度（横浜地方気象台調べ）まで下がり、この冬一番の冷え込みとなった。午前８時でも０．９度と厳しい寒さの朝となり、通勤する人たちも肩をすぼめて歩く姿が目立った。

「２７日までは平年よりも気温が低く、厳しい寒さが続きます」と同気象台。

この寒さで横浜市中区の三渓園では、大池のほぼ全面が凍った。「１２月に池の全面が凍るのは珍しい」と同園。朝日で氷がきらきらと輝き、解け始めたわずかな水面で水鳥が泳ぐ姿が見られた。

A fish memorial service to blessing the waters of Lake Ashi with gratitude/Hakone

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1212150010/

December 16, 2012

People within the fishing industry release rainbow trout into the waters of Lake Ashi.

On the 15th, the "gratitude for the water" fish memorial service was held on the side of the Lake Ashi in Motohakone, Hakone.

The event is conducted each year by the Ashinoko Fishery Cooperative Union (Japanese site). This year, union president Nozaki Shigenori began the ceremony, along with 9 others from the lake's fishing industry.

Near the lake, a Shinto ritual was performed at the Hirukawa Fish Breeding area, after which the participants proceeded to the lake's edge. At the fish breeding area, eggs were incubated until rainbow trout measuring 7-8 centimeters hatched. As the participants prayed for their full growth, a thousand immature trout were released into the lake, making the water appear like mist.


Original text:
水の恵みに感謝、芦ノ湖で「魚供養」／箱根
2012年12月16日

芦ノ湖にニジマスを放流する漁業関係者ら

水の恵みに感謝し、魚の魂を供養する「芦ノ湖魚供養　水恩感謝祭」が１５日、箱根町元箱根の芦ノ湖畔で執り行われた。

芦之湖漁業協同組合が、毎年行っている。今年は野崎茂則組合長をはじめ、芦ノ湖の漁業関係者ら約１０人が参加した。

湖近くの蛭川養魚場で神事を行い、一同は湖畔へ。養魚場でふ化した体長７～８センチのニジマス約千匹を霧がかかった芦ノ湖に放流し、その成長を祈っていた。

“Yaku Otoshi,” an annual event at the Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine to drive out evil /Kamakura

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1212130029/

December 14, 2012

A look at bamboo dusters being used to cleanse each part of the temple grounds=Kamakura City's Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine

Driving away the year's evil energy and dirt, the annual soot sweeping ritual took place on the 13th at the Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine of Yuki No Shita, Kamakura City.

100 temple staff and miko (shrine maidens) participated. Using bamboo dusters, 5 meter bamboo sticks with bamboo grass attached at the end, they wiped off the dirt from everywhere within the temple, including the front of the main shrine and the tower gates.

For the temple, this event held on the 13th is part of their preparations taken to kick off the New Year.

Original text:

鶴岡八幡宮で恒例の厄落とし／鎌倉

2012年12月14日

「すす竹」を使って境内各所の汚れを落とす様子＝鎌倉市の鶴岡八幡宮

一年の厄や穢（けが）れをはらい落とす年末恒例の「すす払い」が１３日、鎌倉市雪ノ下の鶴岡八幡宮で行われた。

神職や巫女（みこ）ら約１００人が参加。長さ約５メートルの竹の先にササの葉を付けた「すす竹」を使って本殿前の楼門など境内各所の汚れを落とした。

この行事は、１３日が新年の準備に取り掛かる「事始め」であることにちなむ。

Members of the US Navy throw a Christmas party at an intellectual disability center/Yokosuka

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1212120015/

December 13, 2012

Dressed up as Santa Claus, a member of U.S. Fleet Activities Yokosuka distributed presents to members of the facility=Nagasawa, Yokosuka City

On the 12th, in Nagasawa, Yokosuka City , soldiers and personnel of U.S. Fleet Activities Yokosuka's Ship Repair Facility held a Christmas party at Shiratori Park, Miura’s Facility for the Intellectually Disabled.

The event originated in 1963, when Ship Repair Facility management visited the center to offer presents. This year marks the 50th occasion of what is now an annual volunteer event. 40 personnel from the base visited.

SRF Captain Michael Ballou spoke at the beginning of the event: "We all thought this would be a great opportunity to celebrate the holidays. Merry Christmas!"

Military staff and their families treated people to Christmas cake. A member of the SRF also appeared dressed as Santa Claus to give out presents. 100 members of the facility enjoyed themselves at the party.

Original text:

障害者施設で米海軍隊員ら主催のＸマスパーティー／横須賀

2012年12月13日

基地関係者がふんしたサンタクロースが施設利用者にプレゼントを配った＝横須賀市長沢

横須賀市長沢の知的障害者施設「三浦しらとり園」で１２日、米海軍横須賀基地の艦船修理廠（しょう）（ＳＲＦ）の隊員や従業員が主催するクリスマスパーティーが開かれた。

１９６３年に当時のＳＲＦ幹部が施設を訪問してプレゼントを贈ったことが発祥で、今回で５０回目を迎えた恒例のボランティア行事。基地からは約４０人が訪れた。

イベント冒頭で、ＳＲＦ司令官のマイケル・バルー大佐が「隊員にとっても皆さんと年末の休暇を祝える好機。メリー・クリスマス」とあいさつした。

隊員や家族らがそろえたクリスマスケーキが振る舞われ、ＳＲＦ関係者がふんしたサンタクロースも登場してプレゼントを配るなどして、施設利用者１００人を楽しませた。

Performing a great deed, Vaala the police dog is awarded a certificate of recognition for assisting in the capture of a suspected thief/Kawasaki

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1212110023/

December, 12, 2012

Having contributed to the apprehension of a young purse-snatcher, police dog Vaala is photographed with Lieutenant Kouichi=Rinkou, Kawasaki police station

Because of her contribution in capturing a purse-snatching teenager, Vaala the police dog was praised on December 11. At the forensics branch of Rinkou, Kawasaki's Police Headquarters, Vaala received not only a certificate of recognition, but also some chicken breast jerky as a bonus. A 7-year old, female German Shepard, Vaala has been working as a police dog for the last 6 years. Said to have the highest level of skill within Kanagawa prefecture, this is now the 35th time Vaala has received an award.

According to the police, a theft occurred around 6:10PM, December 10th on the Ni-Chou-Me Street of Sakuramoto in the Kawasaki Ward of Kawasaki City. A female part-time worker (age 58) riding a bicycle was approached from behind by a male, also on a bike. As he moved ahead of her, he grabbed 5,000 ($60) out of 40,000 yen ($485.00) from a bag located in the front basket of the victim’s bike.

From there, the suspect escaped. In the grounds of a nearby factory, the bicycle was discovered abandoned. Relying on the remaining odor from the bicycle's seat, Vaala began the pursuit. Suspected by police as the thief, the male was discovered hiding in a factory storehouse. The captured suspect is an unemployed 16 year old male who lives in the area.

Accompanying Vaala, Lieutenant Kouichi commented "Vaala was born with a tenacious disposition; (during the search) her partner was nearly out of breath."

Original text:

お手柄警察犬「ヴァーラ号」に感謝状、窃盗容疑者逮捕に貢献／川崎

2012年12月12日

ひったくりの少年逮捕に貢献したヴァーラと内警部補（左）＝川崎臨港署

ひったくりをした少年の逮捕に貢献したとして、川崎臨港署は１１日、県警鑑識課所属の警察犬ヴァーラに表彰状と副賞の「ササミジャーキー」を贈った。ヴァーラは雌７歳のシェパードで、警察犬歴は６年。これまでに３５回の賞を獲得するなど県警でもトップレベルの実力の持ち主という。

同署によると、事件は１０日午後６時１０分ごろ、川崎市川崎区桜本２丁目の路上で発生。自転車で走行中の同区のパート女性（５８）が後方から自転車で近づいてきた男に、前籠に入れてあった現金４万円入りの手提げバッグ（５千円相当）を追い抜きざまにひったくられた。

男はそのまま逃走。近くの工場敷地内に放置されていた自転車が見つかった。ヴァーラはサドルなどに残されていたにおいを手掛かりに追跡を開始。工場内の倉庫に隠れていた男を見つけ、同署は窃盗の疑いで、同区在住の無職少年（１６）を逮捕した。

ヴァーラとコンビを組む内幸一警部補は「ヴァーラは粘り強い性格が持ち味。妻以上に息ぴったりの相棒です」と話していた。