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January 2014 Happy New Year!

Artwork by: Hisatoyo Murasawa

Page 3-4: Seeing in the Rising Sun Page 4-5, 9: Wander-ful Tabi: Sengu Shrines Page 6: Fitness Corner; Page 7: Letter from Suketo Hoikuen Page 8-9: Japanese Lesson; Page 10: Irene's Recipe Corner 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 Hisatoyo Murasawa, Yuri Ikegami, Matt [email protected] Lindsay, Lance Kita, Clint Eckstein, Kazue http://www.topia.ne.jp/ Inoue, Kyoko Kamura, Irene Wachuga Download a PDF file of awa life or view the online version by going to TOPIA's website!

Happy New Year! Frohes Neues Jahr! Another year has come Be it fiction, nonfiction, the Tokushima community, and gone in a blink of prose or poetry; funny, email the editors at eye,andhereweare sad, long or short, we [email protected]! ready to embark on a want your submissions! If new year, 2014! You may you like to write, then Whether you’re an avid all have noticed the ever express yourself! reader or new to Awa Life so gallantly prancing horse There is also a classifieds or perhaps you just gracing our cover and section for you, our happened to pick it up, you may have pondered readers, to post ads in, we hope you’ll enjoy to yourself as to why a but a few rules do apply! reading this issue and horse is featured on the many more to come! cover. Well, it just so The following will not be Well, we hope you’ll have happens to be the Chinese posted: Religious, political, an absolutely scintillating astrological year of the or commercial activities, year! horse. businesses searching for clients or employees, Your editors, Horses aside, we are things the Awa Life editors Martin and Jenifer excited to see what 2014 deem inappropriate. has in store for us. With the new year, we decided BUT, you can totally to make slight changes to submit this stuff: the Awa Life design in Concerts, lectures, and regards to the formatting of other event information, the headlines and captions. cultural, sporting, and Of course we are always other community group open to submissions and information, etcetera. suggestions, so email away! If you have something you Artwork by: Yuri Ikegami would like to share with

2 Seeing in the Rising Sun By Matt Lindsay that traditionally flock to Tokushima's best known shrine, Oasa Jinja.

This year the focus of hatsuhinode will shift from mountain to coast. From 6:30 a.m, Uzu-no-michi, the walkway under the Naruto Bridge, will be open to the public. Here you can witness the first sunrise of 2014 over the Pacific Ocean while Taiko drummers beating the chill on Bizan (Matt Lindsay) suspended directly above So here you are in the city. Perhaps it was just a Naruto's famous Uzu- 'land of the rising sun' to little too cold for those shio whirlpools. For those seeintheNewYear. hardy drummers to take, enthusiastic enough to What to do? Depending as unfortunately this year brave the cold, free hot on the weather, the there will not be any drinks will be handed out. answer should be crystal performances at the top. (Most likely the hot ginger clear - witness the first Nonetheless, it still will be drink, shoga-yu, which sunrise of the year, an possible to enjoy the first therapeutically warms the experience known as sunrise of the year without body.) Later in the day hatsuhinode ( ) . even having to hike or between 1 and 2 p.m., there There are two ways you drive to the summit. The will be performances of can approach hatsuhinode; Bizan Ropeway, which the shishimai lion dance, for the hardcore party runs from the Awa Odori another New Year custom. types, countdown the New Kaikan at the foot of Year then party through Bizan to the summit, will until daybreak, for the be open from 6 a.m. quieter types you might While you're at the top prefer to get some sleep you can kill two birds with before rising at dawn. one stone so to speak too. The first visit to a In recent years in shrine for the year, known Tokushima, a hatsuhinode as hatsumode ( ), is event has been held at a deeply engrained New thesummitofMtBizan. Year custom, where people Wearing only thin cotton pray for a happy and clothes, taiko drummers prosperous year. As there braved the elements to is a small shrine at the perform before those who summit, you can observe This year's Hatsuhinode had assembled to enjoy this custom here and event will be at Naruto's Uzu- the expansive views of thereby avoid the crazy shio whirlpools (Matt Lindsay) the sun rising over the traffic jams and crowds

3 Seeing in the Rising Sun (con't from page 3) New Year zenzai red While it’s bound to be If getting out on New bean soup with a local cold, you’re sure to feel Year's Day sounds like flavour of Naruto kintoki the warmth of the local too much effort for you, sweet potato will be community should you there are opportunities to available free of charge. venture out for New Year. enjoy other New Year To conclude the event, Whatever you do, be safe, festivities at Uzu-no-michi there will be perfor- be happy and have a in the following days. On mances of the Awa Odori good one. Yoi-o-toshi-wo! January 2nd traditional on January 3rd. Wander-ful Tabi: Sengu Shrines - Cycles of Life (Part 1) By Lance Kita How fast 20 years pass... In 1993, I first stepped foot in Japan as an exchange student in Kobe. Wondering if I'll ever come back again (little did I know), I fervently traveled whenever a holiday presented itself. Two decades later (nine years of it spent in Tokushima), a pair of trips stirred such powerful memories that I chose to revisit them recently.

An early January 1994 trip The famed , or rice straw rope, hanging from the brought me to Shimane haiden (offertory hall) of Izumo Taisha is one of the biggest Prefecture. My Hawaiian in Japan. (Lance Kita) blood was struggling with exiled home of Susano-o Oo-kuni-nushi ), the newfound cold of the ), one of the now known as the deity of Japan Sea, but upon three major deities born wealth Daikoku ) entering the pine forest of from the creation gods and one of the seven Izumo Taisha ) and . Here lucky gods depicted on Shrine, the wind stilled he slayed the great dragon New Year's decorations. and what loomed before Yamata-no-Orochi He helped to finish the me were the graceful ), finding a sacred formation of Ashihara-no- curves of a shingled roof sword in its tail. This blade, Nakatsukuni, what are and a massive straw rope, Kusanagi-no-tachi now the islands of Japan. twisted and hung from its ), is one of the Upon its completion, he rafters. three sacred Imperial yielded control of the land treasures. to descendants of the sun The land of Izumo is goddess steeped in myth, being the The shrine's main deity is ), Susano-o’s sister.

4 Wander-ful Tabi: Sengu Shrines (con't from page 4) In return, he asked that a called "en" . En are to meet. I bought an en- shrine be built for him that the spiritual connections musubi ), match- reached to the heavens. that ties people's destinies making amulet, which is together, threads woven what the shrine is most Although Izumo Taisha's into a tapestry of our famous for. As I headed main hall is the tallest lives. The gods gather toward the sea on my shrine building in Japan, every year to discuss how rental bike, I made a massive tree trunks bound en will be doled out in the quick stop at -no-miya together in triplets were coming year. ), a non-descript shrine found in 2000, leading that serves as the researchers to estimate I visited Izumo in early meeting house for the that older versions may December, a week after gods during Kannazuki, have been 48 meters tall! the gods returned home. before ending at the frigid Truly a shrine of heavenly Now is a great time to Inasa Beach ), proportions! visit Izumo Taisha because the site where Oo-kuni- it recently underwent a nushi traded the mortal I was told that all of the five-year sengu ), world for a grand shrine gods in Japan gathered or rebuilding/restoration, and power over spiritual here once a year, and that occurs every 60 fate. As I shielded my that the tenth month of years. The shingled roofs eyes from the whipping the lunar calendar, Kanna- are pristine and clean- winds and sands, I felt a zuki ) ("the month shaven, still immune to strange sense of calm of no gods") derived its the slow advance of moss and renewed energy. name from this annual and the elements. Instead event. When Oo-kuni-nushi of the usual two claps, I In Hawaii, Native Hawaiians relinquished control of the clapped four times in are spiritually connected tangible world, he was accordance with the to sites called wahi pana, given reign over the realm tradition that you are lands that are considered of the unseen world, praying for you and the sacred simply because symbolized by a concept person you are destined there is a story to be told of that area. The wahi pana of Izumo connects Japanese people to their islands by the threads of myth and legend woven into their cultural history. Coming back to it after 20 years renewed my links to this country, layered like the shingles on the shrine's roof.

Wander-ful Tabi: Sengu Oo-kuni-nushi relinquished control of the Japanese islands Shrines...continued here at Inasa Beach. In return, Izumo Taisha was built for him. on page 9 (Lance Kita) 5 Fitness Corner By Clint Eckstein So, you’re doing well on head, and repeat. - Active quadriceps stretch: your workouts, but it’s Walk forward, bringing moving into the middle of - Lunge and twist: Lunge your left heel to your butt winter, your apartment is forward with your left leg and grabbing your ankle cold, and you need to while keeping your torso with your left hand to make sure to warm up straight. When your left stretch your quad. Repeat your muscles so you leg is at a 90 degree with the right leg. don’t get hurt during your angle, twist your torso to awesome workout! Here the left side. Stand back - Leg swings: Keeping your is one good way to warm up and repeat with the legs straight and using a up and help you prevent right leg/right side. pole, tree, or chair for injury: balance, put your weight - Arm circles: Hold your onto your left leg and arms straight out to the swing your right leg sides. Using your shoulders, forward and backwards Stretching your muscles make small circles with ten times. Try to keep is a great idea, but you your arms. Do this for 30 your leg straight without can’t properly stretch a cold seconds and then make locking your knee. muscle. Dynamic stretching circles in the opposite Keeping your weight on uses slow controlled move- direction for another 30 the left leg swing your ments to loosen your seconds. right leg side to side ten muscles and prepare you times. Repeat with the for more strenuous exercise. - Tip Toes/heel walk: Walk other leg. It looks a little silly, but it forward on your tiptoes works great. Here are for twenty steps without - Inchworms: Keeping your some of my favorites. letting your heels touch legs straight, bend over the ground. Now switch and touch your toes. - Hug your knee: Walk and walk on your heels Slowly walk your hands forward, bringing your left for twenty steps keeping forwards, keeping your knee to your chest and your toes off the ground. feet still until you are grabbing your left shin to almost in a push up give a light stretch. Do the If dynamic stretching isn’t position. Keep your hands same with your right leg. your thing, do some yoga or where they are and walk Continue walking forwards another type of stretching your feet back to your and alternate between to keep up your flexibility! hands. Stand up, stretch your left and right legs. See you next time! your hands above your

Sunset over the Seto Inland Sea (Martin Rathmann)

6 Letter From Suketo Hoikuen By Kazue Inoue Happy New Year! What or safety, the special Instructions has everyone been up to meals that we have for 1. Cut open a 1000 ml during this New Year’s holidays and events are a milk carton. Cut off the holiday? In Japan, to perfect opportunity to relay parts as shown in the celebrate the New Year these customs to children. diagram. ( oshogatsu), people Last month, Japan’s 2. Fold a piece of go on their first shrine traditional meal, washoku cardboard (4cm x 25 cm) visit of the year ( ( ), was officially added lengthwise. Wrap the hatsumode) and they to the Intangible Cultural bottom portion with tape, enjoy a special New Heritage list by the United and attach it to the milk Year’s osechi meal. Nations Educational, Scientific carton with tape. and Cultural Organization 3. Fold the milk carton in Osechi ryori ( ), (UNESCO). I hope to half. Fold the flaps over which are traditional continue to pass on this and tape down to hold Japanese meals, are made traditional food culture for the folded cardboard up of many different types years to come. together (rounding the of food. As well, each of corners will make it the dishes that make up *** easier to tape together). osechi symbolizes a Draw on the white portion special wish or meaning. of the carton. For example, the shrimp 4. To make the birdie, is compared to a bent tape together two bottle over senior citizen and This game has long been caps then put it inside a symbolizes a wish for a played in Japan, and just colored plastic bag (20cm long life. The black soy like standard badminton, x 20cm) and tie it up. beans symbolize a wish you hit a birdie with a Wrap the bottle cap with for good health. Just as a racket to play. tape over the bag. fish has many eggs, the fish roe symbolizes a Materials How to play wish to be gifted with 1000 ml Milk Carton Attach a string to the many children. And lastly, Cardboard (4cm x 25cm) birdie, and the safest way as the roots of the 2 Bottle Caps to play is by dangling the burdock is long and thin Plastic Bag birdie from the racket. As and grows deep in the Scissors you hit the birdie, you’ll soil, it symbolizes a wish Tape also be able to enjoy the for a long and happy life. Pens sound it makes. Perhaps some of you have already had osechi ryori before. I hope that the osechi ryori, full of many wishes, will bring you happiness!

Whether it is a wish for good harvest, family, health,

7 Japanese Lesson By Kyoko Kamura

8 Japanese Lesson By Kyoko Kamura

Wander-ful Tabi: Sengu Shrines (con't from page 5) So what of the second trip for foreigners (show your signage throughout the I mentioned? As this passport or resident card). area. issue is delivered to your There is ample multilingual house or computer, I am revisiting that site and finding new "en" that binds me to this country. Happy New Year everyone and more next time...

Exploring Izumo: Izumo City in Shimane Prefecture is about 5 hours from Tokushima by express train. Many of the museums and attractions in Izumo and nearby Matsue The 's (main hall) distinctive roof style (taisha-zukuri) City are discounted 30-50% is the oldest design type. (Lance Kita) 9 Irene's Recipe Corner By Irene Wachuga RISOTTO

Happy New Year. The holiday season has come and gone, but the extra calories refuse to bulge. After stuffing ourselves with all the Christmas delicacies, it's time to detox. So, how about something delicate and easy for the digestive system? This is an easy plain risotto, done within half an hour. Give it a try. Risotto (Irene Wachuga) burn. you like. Goes extremely 4. Add the wine and well with bacon too. 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, continue stirring until it is - If adding mushrooms, (plus 2 more) all absorbed. add in after sautéing the 1 small onion/a medium 5. Add the stock, one onions and proceed as size shallot, finely chopped ladleful at a time, stirring usual. 2 cups risotto rice (Arborio), occasionally. Wait until it - If adding green peas or any short grain rice is all absorbed before shrimp, add 2-3 minutes ½ cup dry white wine adding another one. Keep before you take it off the 6-8 cups chicken or adding the stock until it’s heat. vegetable stock almost all used up. Check - Practice is the only 1 cup grated parmesan the rice for doneness at teacher for cooking risotto. cheese this point. The rice should Different rice varieties will Salt and pepper to taste be cooked, but still has a absorb stock and cook bite to it, or "al dente." differently. So check for Should take about 15-18 doneness as you cook minutes at this point. Add until you find your favorite 1. Have the stock sim- more stock if you like creamy point. mering in a separate pot. creamy risotto. 2. In a medium sauce 6. Take the pan off the pan, over medium heat, heat. Stir in the extra melt the butter and add butter and the cheese. the onions. Cook, stirring 7. Taste and adjust the until soft and translucent. seasonings. About 3 minutes. 8. Serve hot. 3. Add the rice and stir to coat. Let the rice toast as Notes you stir constantly for - Risotto is very versatile, another 2 minutes. Don’t so add any veggies/meat

10 Events & Memoranda Taisan Temple Chikara Mochi (Contest of Strength)

Every year on the third Sunday of January, the temple holds their very first event of the year on temple grounds. Men, women, children, and toddlers carry rice cakes of various weight, 169kg, 50kg, 10kg and 5kg respectively, and compete to see who can walk the furthest in this thrilling competition. : 1 ( ) 10:00-15:00 ( : 10:00~) When: January 19 (Sunday) 10:00-15:00 (Sign up from 10:00) Where: Taisan Temple Itano District, Kamiita-cho, Kanyake Aza Daisen 4 Cost: Free Info: Taisan Temple TEL: 088-694-5525 Awa Ningyo Joruri Puppet Theater Performance

The Nakamura Sonodayu-za troupe will be putting on an Awa Ningyo Joruri performance. For more enjoyement, we have made the play easier to understand. And so, we will be giving out a modernized version of the screenplay, subtitles will be shown on screen, and Mr. Takeo Yamato will be commenting on all of the plays. Year by year we are seeing a growth in the audience and more and more young people are coming out to enjoy this : 1 26 ( ) 13 performance. 1 When: January 26 (Sunday) 13:00 100 ) Where: Yume Hall (Anan City Cultural Center) 135-1 Nishi Ikeda, Tomioka-cho, Anan City Cost: 100 yen (Free: High school student and below) Info: Non Profit Organization Yume Hall Civic Council TEL: 0884-21-0808 11 Events & Memoranda

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As of Dec 1st: New Cycling Law in Effect In order to help alleviate the number of bicycle related accidents, as of December 1st 2013, a new cycling law has been added to the Road Traffic Law. Cyclists must now keep to the left-hand side of the road. Cyclists found cycling on the right-hand side of the road, may face up to 3 months in prison or a fine of up to 50,000 yen.

Previously, cyclists were allowed to ride on either side of narrow side lanes also used by pedestrians in the absence of sidewalks, however, now they must stay on the left side of the road at all times.

For more information please refer to the Metropolitan Police Department website: www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.jp/kotu/bicycle/menu.htm 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 Tel: 088-656-3303 or 088-656-3320 (allows three-way conversations with an interpreter)

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