City officials capture a wild boar that's been infesting temples/Odawara

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1207240015/

July 24, 2012

The captured wild boar. (Photo provided by the City of Odawara)

On July 24th, 8:45AM, a wild boar that's been lurking the grounds of temples in Shiroyama, Odawara City was spotted. City officials were contacted and came rushing to deal with the boar, successfully capturing it while aware that it posed a danger to them.

According to the city, the wild boar was a female, 60 centimeters in length, 30 kilograms in weight and estimated to be 3 years old. At around 1:00PM on the day of the call, within the grounds of a different temple, city officials and members of a hunting association used a tranquilizing gun and other equipment to capture the boar. Afterwards, it was put down.

Within the city, one eyewitness report after another has been coming in since the beginning of July. The city said the boar’s outward appearance matched previous reports. On the day it was captured, except for damage to flower pots near the temple, no conspicuous damage was said to be confirmed.

Original text:

寺院にイノシシ出没、市職員らが捕獲/小田原

2012年7月24日

捕獲されたイノシシ（小田原市提供）

24日午前８時45分ごろ、小田原市城山の寺院にイノシシが出没しているのを、連絡を受けて駆け付けた同市職員が確認した。人に危害を及ぼすおそれがあるとして捕獲した。

市によると、イノシシは推定年齢３歳の雌で、体長約60センチ、体重約30キロ。同日午後１時ごろ、別の神社の境内で、市職員や猟友会のメンバーらが麻酔銃などを使って捕獲、その後殺処分した。

市内では７月上旬からイノシシの目撃情報が相次いでおり、市は外見などから今回と同一の個体とみている。この日は近くの別の寺院で植木鉢が破損した以外、目立った被害は確認されていないという。

A cleansing at sea. The Tomioka Hachiman Shrine’s “gion boat ritual” in Kanazawa-ku Bay/Yokosuka July 22, 2012

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1207220010/

 From two Japanese style "wasen boats," a gion straw "cleansing boat" is released into the ocean= Kanazawa-ku Bay, Yokohama City

A straw boat able to cleanse one’s sins during the year is entrusted to float across the ocean. Called the Gion Buta, the Shinto event praying for safety and well-being was held on the 22nd in Kanazawa-ku Bay, Yokohama City. Being conducted annually by the nearby Tomioka Hachiman Shrine, the over 800 year old tradition has been designated as an invaluable city cultural asset.

Bundled into an oval shape with straw, the ship measures 70 centimeters long by 50 centimeters wide. Placed inside of it are dango dumplings and 12 gohei. Receiving an exorcism at the Hachimanguu Shrine's Grand Cleansing Festival, the straw ship is loaded into one of two wasen boats and transported out to sea. Crossing the flowing tide, it's released upon arriving at a suitable, quiet area of the sea. Seemingly escaping from the sin and filth contained in the gion ship, the two wasen row off at full speed. Gallantly yelling out "Ho-rya, Ho-rya!" they compete with each other to reach the shore.

With the sin and impurity flowing away, it’s said the arrival of a refreshing feeling can be felt during the summer.

Original text:

けがれを海へ、金沢区沖で富岡八幡宮の祇園舟神事/横浜

2012年7月22日

２隻の和船から静かに放たれた茅舟＝横浜市金沢区沖

その年のけがれを茅舟（かやぶね）に託して海に流し、無病息災を祈る神事「祇園舟（ぎおんぶね）」が22日、横浜市金沢区沖で行われた。近くの富岡八幡宮で８００年以上にわたり受け継がれている伝統行事で、市無形文化財に指定されている。

青茅を束ねて作った楕円（だえん）形の舟（長さ70センチ、幅50センチ）に団子や12本の御幣を載せた茅舟は、八幡宮の大祭式でおはらいを受け、２隻の和船に積まれて沖へと運ばれた。潮の流れがある場所までたどり着くと、静かに海へと放した。２隻は罪やけがれから逃れようと全速力でこぎ出し、「ホーリャ、ホーリャ」と勇ましい掛け声とともに競い合って岸へと向かった。

罪やけがれを流し去り、すがすがしい気持ちで夏を迎えられるという。

Breathing life into a fusuma painting, the panels are completed at Kenchō-ji Temple/Kamakura

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1207130031/

July 14, 2012

The completed "dragon king" fusuma painting=Kenchō-ji Temple, Yamanouchi, Kamakura City

At Kenchō-ji Temple of Yamanouchi, Kamakura City, a "king dragon" fusuma painting has been completed. It was produced by the ink-wash painting artist Mr. Hakurō (age 67), who was born in China.

With the sun and moon being placed across the right and left of the scene, the painting represents "the ruler of heaven and earth". On the 14th, the panel decorated the temple's own dragon king hall.

The drawings were done on 4 sheets of “echizen washi” paper, each roughly 2 square meters in size. 20 different fur brushes of various sizes were used. Light touches were used for dots, vigorous strokes for lines, and sliding spin strokes for the parts of the surface covered in ink. "I attached…breathed my life into it," said Mr. Hakurō.

Lining up both sides (of the room they're placed in), the temple grounds have 16 fusuma panels, also displaying juniper, Mount Fuji and the Shounan Sea. The dragon fusuma was newly created to coincide with 2012's Year of the Dragon. One year was spent on the design. Two weeks were necessary for production.

Original Text:

ふすま絵に吹き込む命、建長寺で完成/鎌倉　

2012年7月14日

完成した竜王のふすま絵＝鎌倉市山ノ内の建長寺

鎌倉市山ノ内の建長寺で、中国出身の水墨画家・白浪（はくろう）さん（67）が竜王のふすま絵を完成させた。

左右に太陽と月を配し、「天地の支配者」を表した。龍王殿に14日、飾られる。

およそ２メートル四方の越前和紙のふすま４枚に描いた。大小20の毛筆を操り、かすらせて「点」、立てて「線」、滑らせて「面」を紡いだ。白浪さんは「命を懸けて命を吹き込んだ」。

両脇に連ねるふすま16枚に境内のビャクシン、富士山、湘南の海をあしらった。辰（たつ）年に合わせて新調。構想１年、制作２週間を要した。

A summer scene at the Yasukuni Shrine. As the Mitama festival begins, the lanterns’ light flows throughout Chidori-ga-fuchi

Translated from the original article at: http://ichigaya.keizai.biz/headline/1425/

July 13, 2012

A scene of summer, as the Mitama Matsuri (Spirit Festival) begins at the Yasukuni Shrine.

On July 13, at Yasukuni Temple (Location: Kyuudan, Kita San, Chiyodaku), the Mitama Festival, the single most familiar reminder of summer, has begun.

Enjoying the cool evening.

Beginning in 1947, this year marks the 66th occasion of the festival. During the festival period, over 30,000 visit. Groups of various sizes visit the temple grounds for the lantern and Kake-Bonbori events. Each night at the main temple, rituals are held to comfort the spirits of fallen warriors.

Enjoying the festivities are families, foreigners, businessmen returning from work, groups wearing yukata and more. 30,000 people pay a visit to the shrine each year. Crossing all ages and genders, many visitors can be seen packing the shrine. From the opening night going into today, Edo period kappore, wind instrument parades and Tokyo's earliest lantern dance rallies are conducted.

Scheduled inside the shrine grounds: A carrying of the mikoshi and an Aomori Nebuta festival on the 14th. On the 15th, among 50 performances done in offering, Hiro Tsunoda will perform a special outdoor concert. The main road approaching the shrine is enveloped in light, as 200 shop stalls line the way.

The festival will be held until the 16th. According to the Chiyadaku Travel and Tourism Association, people will be able to take in the cool evening at the neighboring Chidori-ga-fuchi boat pier, open during the festival. From the boats, participants will be able to float lanterns on the water's surface.

Original text:

靖国神社、夏の風物詩「みたままつり」始まる－千鳥ケ淵で灯ろう流しも

（2012年07月13日）

靖国神社で夏の風物詩「みたままつり」が始まった

靖国神社（千代田区九段北3）で7月13日、夏の風物詩の一つとして親しまれている「みたままつり」が始まった。

【画像】「納涼の夕べ」の様子

1947（昭和22）年から始まり今年で66回を数える「みたままつり」。期間中、境内には大小3万個を超えるちょうちんや懸雪洞（かけぼんぼり）が掲げられ、本殿では毎夜、英霊を慰める祭儀が執り行われる。

毎年30万人の参拝者が訪れ、毎年家族連れや外国人、仕事帰りのビジネスマンなど老若男女問わず多くの参拝客でにぎわいを見せる。初日となったこの日は、江戸芸かっぽれや吹奏楽パレード、都内で最も早い盆踊り大会などが行われ、浴衣姿のグループや家族連れ、仕事帰りのビジネスマンなど多くの人たちが祭りを楽しんでいた。

境内では期間中、みこし振りや青森ねぶた（14日）、つのだ☆ひろさんによる奉納特別野外コンサート（15日）など50の奉納芸能が繰り広げられるほか、光に包まれた参道には200店もの露店が軒を連ねる。

 開催は16日まで。隣接する千鳥ケ淵ボート場ではこの日、千代田区観光協会主催による「納涼の夕べ」が行われ、参加者が船上から灯ろうを水面に浮かべた。

Overcoming illness with a strong friend. Kanagawa prefecture's first therapy dog "arrives for work" at a children's health care center/Kanagawa

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1207070005/

July 7th, 2012

The arrival of Bailey, a golden retriever therapy dog.

Easing the worries of patients with his support, a therapy dog arrived for work at the Municipal Children's Health Care Center of Mutsukawa, Minami Ward, Yokohama City, on the 6th. This is the second time in the whole country that a therapy dog has been stationed at a children's hospital and the first time within Kanagawa prefecture. Children being admitted to the hospital with serious illnesses such as cancer and heart disease can now expect a "strong friend" in the dog.

The newly arrived therapy dog is named Bailey (Male, Age 4), a golden retriever born in Australia. Requests for the dog were sent by the families of childhood cancer patients staying at the center. The requests went out to the Tyler Foundation, a non-profit organization providing therapy dogs free of charge.

According to the children's center, from the age of 6 to 12 months, Bailey received specialized training at a facility in Hawaii. From January 2010, Bailey spent 2&1/2 years working at the Shizuoka Municipal Children's Hospital (Shizuoka City) as Japan's first therapy dog. Along with his partner Yuko Morita (age 30), through animal assistance therapy they aid in training patients to walk, recovery and providing care for their emotions.

On that day, an arrival ceremony was held for Bailey. Forty hospitalized children, parental guardians and center staff participated. Upon receiving a letter of appointment (Titled: Dispatched and stationed as an employee) from Children's Center President Seiyou Yasui, Bailey immediately made the rounds through the ward. Children called out "Cute," "He's warm," etc. as they eagerly pet his head and back, no longer showing a care in the world. "He has a friendly and gentle personality," said Morita. As they toured the room, smiles were seen widening.

In regards to the healing effects that can be expected: In present western medicine, it's said that therapy dogs have been shown to be highly effective in healing and their rate of use is in a continual progression. As the children have their stress and unease alleviated during the fight for their lives, the center looks forward to receiving positive results. "Japan is still just beginning to look into therapy dogs. Our work will serve as the foundation for their widespread use," said Morita.

Original text:

病克服へ強い味方、こども医療センターに県内初セラピー犬“着任”/神奈川

2012年7月7日

着任したセラピードッグのゴールデンレトリバー「ベイリー」

患者の不安を和らげ、治療をサポートするセラピードッグが６日、横浜市南区六ツ川の県立こども医療センターに“着任”した。こども病院に常駐するのは全国２例目で、県内では初めて。がんや心臓病など重い病気で入院している子どもたちの「強い味方」として期待されている。

着任したセラピードッグは、オーストラリア生まれのゴールデンレトリバー「ベイリー」（雄、４歳）。同センターが小児がんの子どもとその家族をサポートするＮＰＯ法人「タイラー基金」に派遣を要請し、無償提供された。

同センターによると、ベイリーは生後６カ月から１年半、米国ハワイの訓練施設で専門的なトレーニングを受け、２０１０年１月から２年半にわたって静岡県立こども病院（静岡市）に勤務した国内初のセラピードッグ。パートナーの森田優子さん（30）とともに、患者の心をケアしたり、治療や歩行訓練に付き添ったりする「動物介在療法」に取り組むという。

この日の着任式には入院している子どもたちや保護者、同センターの職員ら約40人が参加した。康井制洋総長から「派遣常駐職員」の辞令が交付されたベイリーは早速、病棟内を巡回。子どもたちに「かわいい」「あったかい」などと頭や背中を無遠慮になでられてもどこ吹く風。「人懐っこく、おっとりした性格」（森田さん）のベイリーの周りに笑顔が広がった。

　

 欧米の医療現場では、癒やし効果などに期待し、セラピードッグによる治療効果を高める取り組みが進められているという。同センターも闘病生活を続ける子どもたちのストレスや不安を解消し、治療に前向きに取り組んでもらえる効果に期待する。森田さんは「日本での取り組みはまだ始まったばかり。わたしたちが普及の礎をつくれたら」と話していた。

"Tanabata Man" appears in Abeno. Holding a bamboo stick, he calls out for people’s wishes.

Translated from the original article at: http://abeno.keizai.biz/headline/503/

July 7th, 2012

The appearance of Tanabata Man in the Abeno ward of Osaka City.

On a road in front of Abeno Cues Town (Osaka City, Abeno ward, Abeno Line 1 ), a man appeared on the day of the Tanabata festivals, July 7th. Known as Tanabata Man, wearing a fox mask and holding a bamboo stick, he called out for people to write their wishes on tanzaku paper.

Tanabata Man's true identity is Yoshimichi Kirimoto (19), a part-time worker who lives in Abeno. "Because I've been hearing only bad news lately, my motive for doing this was born from my wish to brighten people's moods, one by one," explained Kirimoto. Until now, he was limited to requesting "free hugs" during Christmas time, exchanging chocolates on Valentine’s Day, etc. "Next, I'm going to put on a mask during Halloween and give out candy to kids," he added.

Attached to his bamboo stick are over 30 tanzaku with wishes written on them. It's said that the bamboo will be offered to the Seimei Shrine (Japanese site), located in the ward of Abeno.

On the same day, the Abe Seimei Shrine was decorated with kusudama, as the Tanabata festivals have gone underway.

  

Original text: 

阿倍野に「七夕男」登場－ササを持ち願い事を呼び掛ける

（2012年07月07日）

阿倍野に「七夕男」登場

あべのキューズタウン（大阪市阿倍野区阿倍野筋1）前の路上に七夕の日の7月7日、キツネの面をかぶってササを持ち短冊に願い事を書いてと呼び掛ける「七夕男」が現れた。

七夕男の正体は、阿倍野区在住のフリーター・桐本愛理（きりもとよしみち）さん（19）。桐本さんは、「最近暗いニュースばかりなので、一人一人の行動で変わることを伝えたかったことが今回の動機」と話す。これまで、クリスマスの時にフリーハグ、バレンタインデーの時にチョコレートをねだるなどの活動を行ってきた。「次はハロウィーンの時に面をかぶって子どもにお菓子を配る」とも。

ササには30以上の願い事が書かれた短冊が付けられた。ササは区内の安倍晴明神社に奉納するという。

同日、安倍晴明神社ではくす玉が飾られ、七夕祭が開かれた。

A frog that enjoys baths? At a tree above an open bath, a spawning nest is discovered in its growths/Yamakita

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1207040026/

July 5, 2012

At the tree above the outdoor bath, Mr. Kurakara (inn manager) confirms the spawning of eggs=Yamakita-cho, Nakagawa

The onsen welcomes a "special visitor". At the Nakagawa onsen open baths of the Ao no Sansou (Japanese site) mountain villa (Yamakita-Cho), a spawning nest of the rhacophorus arboreus frog was discovered on the branch tips of a tree, quickly becoming news

A part of the rhacophoridae family, the rhacophorus arboreus frog first falls into the water as a tadpole upon hatching. They are born from the foam-like nest in the branches of trees growing in the water.

However, this nest was discovered above an open bath, which is usually boiling at close to 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit). A female guest first  discovered a frog nest in the middle of June. Afterwards, one by one, more 10-15 centimeter nests were spotted. As of now, this is the 7th confirmed discovery.

With the onsen water presenting a danger to the tadpoles, upon discovery, inn manager Narioki Kurakara (45) transferred the nest to a waterway above a garden. This location is said to be suitable for the hatching and growth of tadpoles.

Kazumasa Arai, curator at the Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Natural History (Japanese site) commented "Whether or not the waters in the area were appropriate, did (the frog)  simply make a mistake? I haven't often heard of a tadpole being born at an onsen."


Original text:
風呂好きカエル？　露天風呂の上に茂る木に産卵/山北
2012年7月5日

露天風呂の上に茂る木に産みつけられた卵を確認する倉形さん＝山北町中川

温泉に“珍客”―。山北町・中川温泉の旅館「蒼の山荘」の露天風呂で、モリアオガエルの卵の塊が木の枝先に産みつけられているのが見つかり、ちょっとした話題になっている。

アオガエル科のモリアオガエルは、ふ化したオタマジャクシが水中に落ちるよう、水面上にせり出した木の枝に泡状の卵塊を産む。

しかし、今回卵塊が見つかったのは、常時40度近い湯が沸く露天風呂の上。宿泊客の女性が６月中旬に発見したのを皮切りに、直径10～15センチの塊が次々と見つかり、これまでに計七つが確認された。

オタマジャクシには危険なため、旅館経営者の倉形興斉さん（45）が発見のたびに庭の水路の上に移している。今のところ順調にふ化し、育っているという。

県立生命の星・地球博物館の新井一政学芸員は「周囲に適した水場がなかったか、単純に間違えたのか。温泉で産んだというのはあまり聞いたことがない」としている。