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July 2014 The Many Possible Benefits of Taking a Journey to Five Temples in Tokushima City By David C. Moreton

Temple 14., Jōrakuji in 1934 If you would like to experience is called gokasho mairi - a Here are some details about part of the pilgrimage five-site pilgrimage that it said each of these temples that all route close to central Tokushima to have been created more seem to offer relief from city, then I recommend going than 300 years ago. The total physical problems or cures to Dainichiji (No.13), Jōrakuji distance is only about eight from sicknesses or ailments. (No.14), Kokubunji (No.15), kilometers and since the route Kannonji (No.16) and Idoji is on flat ground it can be easily Dainichiji ( ) - Before (No.17). Visiting these temples completed in a few hours. 1868, Ichinomiya Shrine, which Benefits of Taking a Journey to Five Temples...continued on page 3

Page 1, 3-4: Benefits of Taking a Journey to Five Temples Page 4-5: The Tokushima Air Raids Digital Archive Page 5-6: What Remains of the City?; Page 6-8: From Brazil to Tokushima Page 8: Irene's Recipe Corner; Page 9: Japanese Lesson Page 10: Letter from Suketo Hoikuen; Page 11-12: Events & Memoranda

1 is a monthly publication of the Tokushima Prefectural International Exchange Association (TOPIA) Clement Plaza 6F 1-61 Terashima Honcho Nishi Tokushima City 770-0831 JAPAN Jenifer Tanikawa & Martin Rathmann tel: 088.656.3303 fax: 088.652.0616 David C. Moreton, Austin Smith, Lance Kita, [email protected] Jenifer Tanikawa, Irene Wachuga, Yoshie http://www.topia.ne.jp/ Motoki, Kazue Inoue Download a PDF file of awa life or view the online version by going to TOPIA's website!

Show Tokushima Some Love: Awaglot The literary corner of Awa Life, If you have something you Awaglot, is a combination of Religious, political, or would like to share with the the words "awa" and "polyglot", commercial activities, businesses Tokushima community, email the which means multilingual. Be searching for clients or editors at it fiction, nonfiction, prose or employees, things the Awa Life poetry; funny, sad, long or short, editors deem inappropriate. we want your submissions! If you like to write, then express yourself! concerts, lectures, There is also a classifieds and other event information, section for you, our readers, to cultural, sporting, and other post ads in, but a few rules do community group information, apply! etcetera.

Crutches left behind by cured pilgrims at Temple 88 from 1934 2 Benefits of Taking a Journey to Five Temples (Con't from Page 1) sedimentary rock called Jizō statue beside the Daishi Ryusuigan no niwa (garden hall so that their children will of running water rocks). To stop crying at night. In the the right of the main hall up main hall there is a painting of high in a tree there is a statue a woman whose clothes are of Kōbō Daishi called Araragi on fire. It is believed that she Daishi to which people pray when visited here on a rainy to for cures of diabetes and day in 1884 her wet clothes eye problems. And, in front of suddenly burst into flames. the main hall there is a statue She realized that she was of Jizō Bosatsu to which being punished for treating people pray to prevent children her mother-in-law cruelly, so from wetting the bed and crying she repented and drew this at night, as well as to be picture. Other people suffering cured of toothaches and foot from eye and lung ailments, pain. rheumatism, and hemiplegia are said to have become well Kokubunji ( ) - During after visiting this temple. Temple 16: Woman Pilgrim the 8th century Emperor Story from 1934 Shomu declared that national Idoji ( ) - The grounds is across the street from the (kokubun) temples be built in are quite large and include a temple was the official sacred each of the sixty-six provinces cemetery and large parking site, but when Buddhism and in Japan and this is the one area. The main hall, originally Shinto were forced to separate for Tokushima. At that time built from wood, was repeatedly in 1868 the temple took over the temple grounds were destroyed by fire so the this position. This is the only much larger and there was a present building was made temple of the five that offers seven-story pagoda and other from concrete. When Kōbō accommodation for travelers buildings. The large rock garden Daishi visited here someone and is the only one among beside the main hall is several said to him, “We suffer from a the eighty-eight that is hundred years old and the administered by a woman new Daishi hall was completed priest. The temple grounds this spring. The Ususama Myōō are very small. At the main hall contains a statue of the hall there is a red statue of “god of toilets” (secchin) and the deity Binzuru and it is there are tales of people being believed that if you touch the punished by this god for not part of his body that corresponds keeping their toilets clean, but with the same place that is there are also stories of others not well with your body, you who were cured of hemorrhoids will be cured of that ailment. or eye problems.

Jōrakuji ( ) - Unlike Kannonji ( ) - The temple other temples, this one does not is located in a residential area have a main gate (sanmon or and the grounds are extremely niomon) and the buildings are small. Parents come here to Main Hall of Kokubunji (No. 15) situated on an outcrop of pray to the yonaki (cry at night) from 1934 3 Benefits of Taking a Journey to Five Temples (Con't from Page 3) lack of clean water for our years. You can take some of the how people from the 19th fields, so can you do something well water, which is believed to century benefitted by visiting to help us?” Kōbō Daishi dug have medicinal benefits. these five temples, please see: a well (ido) in one night and ci.nii.ac.jp/naid/110008426437 pure water came up making The gokasho mairi gives you the fields fertile. It is said that if a small taste of the Shikoku Photos are provided by David you look into the well and do pilgrimage and will surely be C. Moreton. not see your reflection that beneficial for your mental and something unfortunate will physical well-being, but if you happen to you within three would like to read in detail about : From Tokushima station, take No. 56, 57 or 58 bus (A4 bus stop), which goes via Myodo ( or Enmei ( ) areas to Ichinomiya fudasho mae ( ) bus stop (about 30 min, 410 Yen) Bus route: www.tokushima-tdm.jp/bus/bus/rosennzu/p027.pdf To return, walk to Ko ( ) JR station from Idoji and take the local train to Tokushima. (about 12 min, 220 Yen) Train schedule: www.hyperdia.com

The Tokushima Air Raids Digital Archive By Austin Smith Tokushima was one of a homes were destroyed, affecting every July to mark the number of Japanese cities more than 70,000 people. anniversary of this event. The bombed during a major assault Approximately one thousand exhibition is held in the former which coincided with American people died and about two Takahara Building, a western- Independence Day. The bombing thousand were injured. Tokushima style building that survived began on the evening of 3rd was paralysed, all methods of the bombing. It stands on the July 1945 and continued communication and transportation banks of the Shinmachi River throughout the night. Sixty- were suspended as well as and the room in which the two percent of the city was hit electricity and water supplies. exhibition is held retains the by incendiary bombs from original windows which were B29 bombers. An area of The Tokushima Air Raids cracked on that night. The 4,620 square kilometres was Archive is a small photographic photographs in the collection reduced to ash and over 16,000 collection which is exhibited span the twentieth century

This photograph shows a line of Awa Odori dancers passing over the Shinmachi Bridge. Bon Odori was re- branded as “Awa Odori” by the Tourist Association of Tokushima in 1932 to promote the event nationally as a tourist attraction.

4 The Tokushima Air Raids Digital Archive (Con't from Page 4) history of Tokushima City, with the 2014 exhibition and Some contextual information including pre-war, wartime and to make the modern history of has been added to aid post-war images. Tokushima accessible to a wider understanding for the foreign audience for years to come. reader. The responsibility for The Tokushima Air Raids Digital any in-accuracies is entirely Archive was launched in 2013 Every effort has been made my own. and is available all year round. to retain the essence of the I have written English explanations original Japanese text and all Images are courtesy of the for the collection to coincide of the information provided. Tokushima Prefectural Archive.

There was almost nothing left of the Sako Otani area. Yet, surrounded by the misery of war, an elderly couple relax in an open-air bath. Beautiful colours usually grace Sakoyama in spring but this wartime scene is desolate.

The famous dance festival which had been suspended during the war years was restored in 1946. This is a scene from that time, in front of Tokushima City Hall. The presence of occupying soldiers watching is a symbol of the post-war era.

If you would like to view the full collection visit the second floor of the former Takahara building this month or visit the links below: Tokushima Air Raids Digital Archive (Japanese): www.shinmachigawa.com/tarda_photo.html Tokushima Air Raids Digital Archive (English): impressionsofeastasia.com/tokushima-air- raids-digital-archive/ Wander-ful Tabi: What Remains of the City? By Lance Kita The American air raids of 1945 which are sadly disappearing are testimony to the intense (see accompanying article) as buildings are modernized. heat generated from the burning destroyed much of Tokushima rows of wooden shops that once City’s center, but a few remnants lined this street. This Registered of the past can be seen. They Cultural Property is presently are wonderful examples of The cracks in the second floor home to an anime production Western-style Showa architecture, German fire-resistant windows office and gallery space for

5 Wander-ful Tabi: What Remains of the City? (Con't from Page 5) gem from outside its iron gates. Look for the concrete gargoyle on the roof and concrete lion in the garden. Two more of note: 1) The original Prefectural Office building also survived the bombing, and a portion of it was relocated to Bunka-no- Mori to be used as the Prefectural Former Mikawa House (Lance Kita) Archives ( ). community exhibitions, like the the only example of classic Even if literary materials are not one this month about the architecture in Tokushima. Its your cup of tea, make the visit Tokushima Air Raids. Located arches and columns gleam to walk through the foyer with on the Shinmachi River white across the street from its granite floor and plaster ceiling, Boardwalk, the scratch-tiled the former Takahara Building. and climb the ornate staircase. Romanesque façade is 2) Miraculously, the former Harada unmistakable along the street residence, a wooden samurai side. house topped with a tile roof, Ever notice the German did not burn down in the flames “gingerbread house” along the that engulfed its neighborhood. JR tracks as they cross the Read the April 2012 Awa Life Shinmachi River near the online issue for a write-up Prefectural Office? Concrete about this amazing house house, concrete balconies, and its special cherry tree. concrete fence, and even a concrete cave storehouse typical of Baroque gardens Dr. Yoshiyuki Mikawa’s reinforced Former Nihon Kangyo Bank Bldg. abode survived the fires from (Lance Kita) the air raids (though his wooden clinic next door didn’t fare so well). Tokushima City was gifted this Important Cultural Property, Though its name has changed and hopefully will open it to several times since its the public in the future, but for construction in 1929, this has now, you can stroll by and admire Former Takahara Bldg. always been a bank, and is this one-of-a-kind architectural (Lance Kita) Tokushima Vortis - From Brazil to Tokushima

The world is abuzz with soccer Sanga F.C. to advance into We had the opportunity to fever, but for Tokushima, they Division 1 of the Japan Professional interview midfielder, Kleiton have long been in soccer fever Football League, a first for any Domingues Barbosa (K), and since 2013 when the Tokushima soccer team in Shikoku! forward, Dyanfres Douglas Vortis won against the Kyoto Chagas Matos (D), both soccer 6 Tokushima Vortis - From Brazil to Tokushima (Con't from Page 6) players on the Vortis team hailing month ago and Douglas has have been playing soccer from Brazil, the host country of been here for five years. They since eight years old. Kleiton the 2014 FIFA World Cup. We both aspired to play overseas, so joined a team when he was sat down and asked them upon receiving an offer from 13 and Domingues when he about soccer and about their the Tokushima Vortis they both was 17, and since then they experience in Tokushima. happily accepted. have been playing soccer.

What are your impressions of Is the soccer here different from Tokushima? than in Brazil? Things like rhythm The atmosphere of this city and play style seem to differ, but is very relaxed and calm. It’s also has the way you looked at it very quiet, which reminds me of changed since coming here? my hometown. It’s a really easy It definitely has changed. I’m place to live in. completely used to Japanese The people here are so warm soccer now, so I don’t notice and have such an open heart. much of a difference anymore. When I first arrived here, there I am so used to the play style, weren’t many people from Brazil all over again here that if I living here, but they still welcomed were to ever go back and play me with open arms. I also soccer in Brazil, I’ll have to get think that Tokushima reminds used to their style all over again. me of home and it’s a quiet and The rhythm of play is different. more rural area. The culture isn’t Because the players play as Dyanfres Douglas Chages too hard to adjust too either. Even one big group as opposed to Matos (© Tokushima Vortis) after five years, my impressions as individuals within a team, of Tokushima are still the the rhythm is much faster. As First of all, what inspired you to same. I still think Tokushima is Brazil focuses more on individual be a soccer player? full of warm hearted people. I have an older brother. Ever since I was young, he lived away What has your experience from home and was training to been like, living here as a become a soccer player. And non-national? I aspired to be a soccer player There are major cultural just like him as well. differences like language and Brazil is known for being the food, but Japan as a whole is ‘Country of Football’ and since a well-developed country, so I the moment you are born, you never really had a hard time will be presented with a soccer adjusting in that sense. ball. So many aspire to be a I feel the same as Kleiton, soccer player from a very young both Tokushima and Japan are age, even if it doesn’t come true, well-developed so I never had many dream to be one, and for much of an issue. And even if I me, I’m really happy that dream can’t eat something, there are came true. options available. Kleiton Domingues Barbosa Kleiton moved to Tokushima 6 Kleiton and Douglas both (© Tokushima Vortis) 7 Tokushima Vortis - From Brazil to Tokushima (Con't from Page 7) skills, the rhythm is much slower. me, I’ll go. But since Vortis I want to win it for the fans. has a great playing environment (He is currently back on the What is special about Vortis? and the team is strong, I wouldn’t field, but back on the field, but The team really is united. For mind staying here at all. was injured at the time of the example, we’re not in the I’ve been here for a while, interview) best of positions right now, but but I wouldn’t mind staying for we’re all still holding our as long as I can. But of course, This month we will be doing a heads up and giving it our I’m also open to playing special giveaway! Please email very best as a team. The soccer elsewhere as well. us your name and contact resilience and team spirit of information to: Vortis really defines the team. What do you want to the fans [email protected] I agree with Douglas, even to look for when they come to though I haven’t been here for watch? We will be drawing a name at that long, I really feel like they No matter what the situation random from all our entries and work hard as a team. It’s not just is, either good or bad, once we’re the lucky winner will receive a a bunch of individuals playing, on the field we give it all that notebook signed by Kleiton and but rather, we play as one, we can, we give it our 100%. Dyanfres! We’re looking forward we play as one team. I’m injured right now, but to your emails! since we’re not doing too well Where do you foresee yourself right now, once I’m back on in the future? the field, I want to do all that I I want to improve as a football can to change this situation. I player, so wherever that takes want to win some games and

Irene's Recipe Corner

(Thicker than crepes, make a smooth consistency. thinner than hot cakes. No fuss. Rest the batter for 15-30 Super easy.) minutes. Oil a griddle or fry pan lightly and pour a ladleful, swirl to make it round, cook - 500g all purpose flour, about a minute, when it browns - 400-500cc water on the underside, flip and - 2 Tbsp sugar cook the other side. Serve - 2 whole eggs (slightly beaten) Mix all the ingredients together, with jam, honey or whipped - Oil (for cooking) just add enough water to cream.

8 Japanese Lesson By Yoshie Motoki

9 Letter From Suketo Hoikuen By Kazue Inoue Once the rainy season is over, day (from 10:00-14:00). As well, summer will be fully upon us. take breaks periodically, especially - Container (you can use old One of the illness that you for younger children, they can’t food containers, tofu cases, or need to be careful of during manage themselves well, so even ice cream cups) this season is heatstroke. it is the responsibility of the adults - Water to make sure they are okay. - Flower petals (after they have Heatstroke happens as a result finished blooming) of being in a high temperature There are many events and and a very humid environment. activities that are fun for If you notice you are experiencing families, including going to the 1) Fill a container with water various symptoms associated pool or the ocean and summer 2) Rub the petals in the water with heatstroke, such as a red festivals or camping. By looking with your fingers. face, excessive sweating or dry out for your own health and your *There are many ways to play lips, you may be experiencing family’s, we hope that you’ll with colored water, you can even the early stages of heatstroke. have a fun-filled summer. pretend to be a juice shop (For You need to go to a hospital example, red water can be right away if you experience strawberry and pink can be nausea or vomiting and can’t peach. You can also use other hold down liquids, your face is materials like grass to make red and you are not responding Have fun playing with flower green tea and soil to make to anyone’s call, and if your petals (morning glory and four coffee.) fever is not going down. o’clock flower)!

1) Wear a hat when you are outdoors (make sure you periodically wipe your sweat too) 2) Stay hydrated – dissolve 1 gram of salt (pinch of salt) in 1 liter of water to make salt water 3) Avoid going out during the Events & Memoranda Fireworks in Tokushima

When: July 13 (Sun), 20:00- Where: Aibahama Park

When: July 21 (Mon), 20:00- Where: Komatsushima Port

When: July 25 (Fri)–27 (Sun), 20:50-21:20 Where: Yoshinogawa Riverside Grounds, Tokushima City 10 Events & Memoranda Apply to Participate in the Arasowa-ren Dance Troupe!

The chance to join the Arasowa-ren and secure your place in the 2014 Awa Odori Festival is here! Make sure you sign up soon, as places go quickly! You can also sign up to play an instrument. No experience is necessary, and there will be practice sessions before the event.

When: Thursday, August 14 Location: Meet at the Awa Kanko Hotel Time: 15:00 - 15:40 Assemble 16:00- Opening Ceremony and pre-dance party 17:40- Dancing 21:30 End Participation Fee: 3000 Yen Japanese 2000 Yen non-Japanese Applications: - Apply in person at TOPIA or reply via paid postcard (see below) - On receiving your application, TOPIA will mail you whether you can participate or not. We will include a post-office bank account number to where you can pay the participation fee within one week. Or you can pay at TOPIA. PLEASE NOTE: We cannot accept applications by fax or telephone. You cannot apply on the day of the event. Also, we cannot refund the participation fee for any reason. In the event of rain, the party and dance will take place inside the Awa Kanko Hotel. Participants will be limited to the first 80 applicants. Musicians Wanted!!!!

Fold the postcard so the address of the intended recipient is facing out and post it like a regular postcard. Return-paid postcards ( - oufuku hagaki) can be purchased at the post office or at convenience stores for 104 Yen. 11 Events & Memoranda Japanese Speech Contest Foreign residents whose native language is not When: July 13 (Sun), 13:30 - 16:30 Japanese will be giving a speech in Japanese Where: Awagin Hall, Small Hall, 5F on various topics such as cultural differences, their (Tokushima Pref. Kyodo Bunka Kaikan) experiences with life in Tokushima, and more. TEL: 088-622-8121 Please come watch and cheer on the participants! Entry: Free English Rakugo/ HIROBA Performance of traditional Japanese comedic rakugo, in English! Stories include “The Substitute Quack”, “A Cat and Goldfish”, etc. There is also a rakugo workshop, magic and shamisen performance. Attendance limited to 60, contact HIROBA by July 31!

When: August 3 (Sun), 14:00 - 16:00 Where: Tokugin Tomoni Plaza, 6F TEL: 090-2787-3597 Email: [email protected] Entry: 500 Yen (actual cost) Crime Prevention Tips: Combatting Cyber Crimes Protecting yourself from somplease choose a different As well, avoid downloading unauthorized access to your password for every account applications that requests online accounts you create. unnecessary permissions. Please be extra careful of your online account information Protecting yourself from Protecting yourself from billing such as your user ID and your computer viruses scam websites password. Avoid using easy to Always make sure your While browsing a free website, guess combinations, such as operating system is up to date. if a pop-up suddenly appears “12345” or “password” for your As well, install a virus protection with an unwarranted request, password. If you share one software and always make asking you to pay for among several accounts and if sure that it is updated. When registration or to unregister, a third party figures out the downloading applications on before you make a decision to password for one of your your smart phone, make sure pay or to call to talk to them, accounts, they will be able to that you can trust the site that make sure that you consult access all your other accounts, you are getting the app from. someone you can trust. Counselling Service at TOPIA / TOPIA offers a counselling and advisory service to all foreign residents to help with issues involving accidents, working conditions, housing, visas, international marriage, and more. Counselling is available in English and Japanese. Please note that although every effort will be made, we may not be able to deal with all cases.

Everyday, 10:00 - 18:00 (closed during the New Year's holidays) Tel: 088-656-3303 or 088-656-3320 (allows three-way conversations with an interpreter)

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