Prefecture police entrust 6 dogs to work as disaster rescue animals/Kanagawa

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1303210040/

March 22, 2013

The disaster rescue dogs that participated in the issuing ceremony.

On the 21st, in the prefecture police headquarters of Yokohama Cities' Naka Ward, disaster rescue dogs went through an issuing ceremony to perform human rescue operations in disaster areas. 6 dogs were signed in for a 1 year period, starting April 1st. In the case that an earthquake or landslide occurs within the prefecture, they would help search for the location of missing persons.

6 dogs were collected, having passed testing from the International Rescue Dog Association with excellent results. The dogs came from 4 different breeds, including German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers. At the issuing ceremony, Sudou Masahiko, Chief of Prefecture Police Crisis Management and Preparation greeted the attendees. "Further strengthening our cooperation, we hope to be completely prepared in responding to disasters." The dog's handlers received certificates entrusting the dogs into the police force.

Kanagawa Prefecture’s system of disaster rescue dogs was introduced to the police as they dealt with 1995's Great Hanshin Earthquake. Directly after the 2011 Great Disaster of Eastern Japan, 6 dogs were entrusted to the prefecture police of Miyagi to search for missing people. Murase Hidehiro, Board Chairman of the non-profit Rescue Dog Trainer's Association commented "Disaster rescue dogs are the first to arrive at a scene and are able to pinpoint the exact location of survivors." Emphasizing that point, he argued for the necessity of increasing the amount of rescue dogs within the country.

Original text:

災害救助犬、　県警が６匹に嘱託／神奈川

2013年3月22日

嘱託書交付式に参加した災害救助犬

災害現場で人命救助活動を行う災害救助犬の嘱託書交付式が２１日、横浜市中区の県警本部で開かれた。６匹が嘱託され、４月１日から１年間、県内を中心に地震や土砂崩れが発生した場合、現場で行方不明者の捜索に当たる。

６匹は国際救助犬連盟の試験で優秀な成績を収めたシェパードやゴールデンレトリバーなど４犬種。交付式で、県警の須藤正彦危機管理対策課長が「連携をさらに強化し、応急災害対策の態勢を万全にしたい」とあいさつし、指導手らに嘱託書を手渡した。

県警は阪神大震災が発生した１９９５年に災害救助犬の嘱託制度を導入。２０１１年の東日本大震災の発生直後には、県警嘱託の６匹が宮城県内で行方不明者の捜索活動に参加した。ＮＰＯ法人救助犬訓練士協会の村瀬英博理事長は「災害救助犬はいち早く現場に駆け付け、生存者の捜索に当たることができる」と強調し、国内での救助犬増加の必要性を訴えた。

At the Oomiya Hikawa Shrine, a gagaku performance is held to memorialize and revive Eastern Japan’s disaster area.

Translated from the original article at: http://omiya.keizai.biz/headline/66/

March 11, 2013

In the music hall of Hikawa Shrine, a scene of the gagaku performance.

On March 11, at the Hikawa Shrine (Saitama-City, Ōmiya-ku, Takahanachō 4), (former) palace of (what used to be the) Musashi Province, a gagaku performance was held in offering to remember those sacrificed in the disaster of Eastern Japan and pray for the area's revival. Continuing since last year, this is the second time that event has been held at the shrine.

(Caption) A scene of the gagaku dedication (Related image)

At the moment of the disaster from  two years prior, everyone observed a period of silence. From there, the gagaku continued within the court hall. The program consisted of  "urayasu"dancing followed by  "ranryouou" dancing. During the urayasu, two miko (shrine maidens) prayed for peace and safety with a fan and bell dance. During the ranryouou, a man wearing a dragon's head mask performed a brave looking dance. The gagaku performance was finished in about an hour.

Original text:

東日本大震災の慰霊と復興の雅楽奉納演奏－大宮氷川神社

（2013年03月11日）

舞殿で演奏された雅楽の様子

武蔵一の宮・氷川神社（さいたま市大宮区高鼻町4）で3月11日、東日本大震災の犠牲者の慰霊と復興祈願で雅楽の奉納演奏が行われた。同神社での奉納演奏は昨年に続き2回目。

【画像】雅楽の奉納演奏の様子（関連画像）

東日本大震災の発生時間に合わせて全員で黙とうが行われ、続いて舞殿で雅楽の演奏が行われた。演目は、神楽が浦安舞、舞楽が蘭陵王の2演目。浦安舞では、2人の巫女（みこ）が平穏無事の願いを込めた扇舞と鈴舞を披露。蘭陵王では龍の頭を模した面を着けた男性が勇壮な舞を披露した。雅楽の奉納は1時間ほどで終了した。

A mere crow messes with a polar bear!

Translated from the original article at: http://karapaia.livedoor.biz/archives/52118228.html

February 16, 2013

At Ueno Zoo, a single crow approaches a polar bear. Wishing to play with the bear for reasons no one can understand, the crow begins to absent-mindedly annoy it with its beak.

To the bear, a crow pecking at it is merely like being bitten by an insect. At first, the bear doesn't seem to be bothered at all. But after enough of the crow's obstinate, ill-tempered attacks, the bear finally begins to deal with him.

Even though the polar bear is now paying attention, it seems the crow will not leave. Could it be that they've become friends? Is what the crow did to the polar bear his method of befriending animals at the zoo?

Original text:

シロクマにちょっかいだせるのはカラスだけ！

2013年02月16日

上野動物園にいるホッキョクグマ（シロクマ）に近づいてきたのは一羽のカラス。遊んでほしかったのかどうかはわからないままに、ツンツクツンとそのクチバシでシロクマにちょっかいをだしている。

シロクマにとっては虫に刺された程度なのだろう。最初はまったく気が付かなかったようだが、あまりにも執拗なツンツク攻撃にやっと気が付く。

シロクマに気が付かれても、その場から立ち去ろうとしないカラス。やっぱり友だちになりたかったのかな？シロクマを仲間にしたら動物園を制したようなもんだもんなー？

In a fateful encounter, a dying sparrow is discovered by a dog. Now living together, the dog watches over the sparrow like a mother. (Chiba Prefecture)

Translated from the original article at: http://karapaia.livedoor.biz/archives/52117938.html

February 14, 2013

A dog and a bird met 5 years ago. During a walk, Momo (female, 5 years old at the time) suddenly became agitated, barking and running around the area. Momo's owner, Mr. Yamashita, took a look around and found a weakened sparrow that was unable to fly.

Mr. Yamashita returned home with the sparrow, who Momo seemed eager to take care of. The bird was able to recover, but was still unable to fly. Not able to return to the wild, it was registered with Chiba Prefecture's Volunteer Wildlife Protection Group and scheduled to be taken in.

From the beginning, Momo presented no danger to the sparrow. On the contrary, she seemed concerned with it's welfare. Mr. Yamashita hesitated on transferring it to the center. Momo's feelings towards the sparrow deepened, always transfixed and licking at it. Seeming to be completely endeared by the sparrow, Momo never leaves it's side.

5 years have passed since then. Now, Momo is 9 years old. The sparrow is estimated to be 5, greatly exceeding the 1-3 year lifespan of wild sparrows.  Compared to humans, both the dog and sparrow have reached an advanced age. But even today, they're said to still be spending their lives together in great health. Mr. Yamashita wishes they can continue to live as full of energy as they are now.


Original text:
運命の出会い、瀕死のスズメを発見し母のように見守りながら共に生きる犬（千葉県）
2013年02月14日

1匹と1羽が出会ったのは5年前。散歩中のモモさん（メス、当時5歳）が突然走りだしある場所でワンワン吠えはじめた。飼い主の山下さんがついていって確認してみると、そこには弱って飛べなくなっている1羽のスズメが。

モモさんを手当しようと家に連れて帰ってきた山下さん。治療したものの飛べるようにならなかった為、千葉県の鳥獣保護ボランティア団体に登録し、このスズメを保護することに。

当初はモモさんがスズメに危害を加えないかと心配していたそうなのだが、ところがどっこい。モモさんはスズメを愛情深いまなざしで見つめ、ペロペロと体を舐める。スズメの方もモモさんにすっかり懐いているようで、モモさんの側を離れない。

それから5年。今ではモモさんも8歳、スズメの方も推定5歳と、スズメの野生の寿命（1～3年）を大きく上回り、今日も元気に一緒に暮らしているという。人間だと1匹と1羽は高齢にあたる。飼い主の山下さんも、このままずっと元気で生きていてくれたらと願うばかりだ。

(Movie) Wishing for a rich harvest at the Sogabairin Yabusame Shinto Ritual (Odawara Plum Festival)/Kanagawa

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1302110006/

February 11, 2013

 

A yabusame travels through the plum grove on horseback=Sogabairin, Odawara City

On the 11th, at the Sogabairin Plum Grove of Odawara City, the yabusame Shinto ritual was conducted. Performed for peace over the world and a plentiful harvest, it's the central event of the 27^th annual Odawara Plum Festival.

(Movies)

　

Following the signal of a giant fan being woven, the archer and his horse gallop down a 240 meter straight line. As the horse runs the track, the archer powerfully fires arrows towards three targets set up along the side. Giant rounds of applause erupt from the crowds according to his degree of accuracy.

On an average year, the viewing season for some 35,000 plum trees within the grove arrives right about now. However, this year the blooming has been late. Everywhere on the trees, the buds have remained standing dormant.

Original text:

【動画】曽我梅林で流鏑馬神事、五穀豊穣を願い小田原梅まつり/神奈川

2013年2月11日

梅林を背に行われた「流鏑馬」＝小田原市の曽我梅林

小田原市の曽我梅林で11日、天下太平と五穀豊穣（ほうじょう）を願う神事「流鏑馬（やぶさめ）」が行われた。「小田原梅まつり」の中心行事で、今年で27回目。

【動画】

射手は、特大の扇が振られるのを合図に馬を走らせ、約240メートルの直線沿いに設けられた三つの的へ力強く矢を放ち、的中するたびに観客からは大きな歓声が上がった。

例年なら約３万５千本の梅が見ごろを迎える時期だが、今年も開花が遅く、まだ全体につぼみが目立っていた。

(Movie) Praying for world peace and the nation's welfare at Chōshō-ji Temple's Daikokutōe Festival/Kamakura

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1302110004/

February 11, 2013

At the Daikokutōe Festival, an ascetic ritual is performed in prayer of world peace and Japan's welfare=Chōshō-ji Temple, Kamakura

Wearing only a shimekomi (also called a fundoshi), monks cover themselves in freezing water while chanting a sutra, in prayer of world peace and Japan's welfare during the Daikokutōe Festival. It was held on the 11th at the Chōshō-ji Temple of Zaimokuza, Kamakura City.

For 100 days, from November until the arrival of the festival, the ascetic monks endured the practice of slurping on nothing but rice porridge day and night. Besides being forbidden from trimming their hair and beards, they weren't even allowed to clip their nails. Leading up to the festival, each day was spent dousing themselves in freezing water, wrapped only in white robes.

Original text:
【動画】世界平和と国の安泰を祈願、長勝寺で「大国祷会」/鎌倉
2013年2月11日

世界平和と国の安泰を祈願する荒行「大国祷会」＝鎌倉・長勝寺

経文を唱えながら締め込み一つで冷水をかぶり、世界平和と国の安泰を祈願する荒行「大国祷会」が11日、鎌倉市材木座の長勝寺で行われた。

修行僧らは昨年11月から１００日間、朝晩に粥（かゆ）をすするだけの苦行に耐え、この日を迎えた。髪やひげ、爪さえも切ることが許されず、白装束をまとい冷水をかぶる日々を送ってきた。

[Movie] At the Maru Yama Inari Shrine’s Hatsuuma Festival, shrine maidens dance in prayer of a rich harvest/Kamakura

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1302090015/

February 9, 2013

Praying for harvest, Miko (shrine maidens) perform the "Yorozuyo No Mai" (Dance of Eternity)=Maru Yama Inari Shrine

On the 9th, at the Maru Yama Inari Shrine within Yuki No Shita, Kamakura City's Tsurugaoka-Hachimangū , the Hatsuuma Festival was held. (Hatsuuma is February’s first day of the horse, according to the Earthly Branches).

(Movies)

Before the start of the spring's farming operations, a Shinto ritual is held for the God of Food to pray for that year's harvest. A legend is told that in the year 711 (Year 4 of the Wadou Era), the Inari God appeared at Mitsugamine Cliff, located at the Fushimi Inari Head Shrine. Since then, the festival is held each year on the first Hatsuuma of February.

As the miko performed the Yorozuyo in offering, parishioners and visitors passed, one after another, to pray for success in their business.

Original text:

【動画】丸山稲荷社で初午祭、豊作祈願し巫女舞う／鎌倉

2013年2月9日

豊作を祈願し「萬代の舞」を奉納する巫女＝丸山稲荷社

鎌倉市雪ノ下の鶴岡八幡宮境内にある丸山稲荷（いなり）社で９日、初午（はつうま）祭が行われた。

【動画】

春の農作業が開始する前に、今年一年の豊作を食物の神に祈願する神事で、和銅４（７１１）年に稲荷の神が伏見稲荷の三ケ峰に現れたとの言い伝えから、毎年２月の初午の日に開催されている。

巫女（みこ）による「萬代（よろずよ）の舞」が奉納され、氏子や参拝者が次々に商売繁盛などを祈願していた。