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August 2014 A Visit to Konjiji Temple By David C. Moreton

Painting of pilgrim family at Konjiji (David C. Moreton) Oliver Statler (1912-2003), the temples do not constitute route, which at times are a renowned scholar on the pilgrimage, they merely located very far apart. the pilgrimage punctuate it.” He was referring However, I would like to and author of Japanese to the eighty-eight officially emphasize that there are Pilgrimage (1983), said in a designated Buddhist temples many more sites such as documentary that, “visits to along the Shinto shrines, bekkaku

Page 1, 3-4: A Visit to Konjiji Temple Page 4-6: Paying It Forward; Page 6-7: Gojahei-Ren: Keeping With Traditions Page 8: Fitness Corner; Letter from Suketo Hoikuen; Page 9: Irene's Recipe Corner Page 9-10: Crime Prevention Tips; Page 10: Japanese Lesson Page 11-12: Events & Memoranda

1 is a monthly publication of the 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, Junko Kimura, Rochelle [email protected] Holmes, Clint Eckstein, Kazue Inoue, Irene http://www.topia.ne.jp/ Wachuga, Takako Yamada Download a PDF file of awa life or view the online version by going to TOPIA's website!

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Awa odori dancers adorned in the full female outfit (Junko Kimura) 2 A Visti to Konjiji Temple (Con't from Page 1) ( : special) temples, the nearby waterfall was schedule can be seen on bangai ( : outside the used as a mean of training the temple`s website, but number) sites, okunoin ( and purification. The temple the goma (fire) rituals held : inner sanctuary), and fell into disuse, but during the once or twice a month in the odō ( : small building) 16th century Lord Hachisuka, main hall are something that play an equal role in who controlled the Tokushima to be experienced. As well, the pilgrimage and are domain, offered his support every April there is a huge worth visiting. after Zaō Gongen appeared festival during which a in his dream and instructed portable shrine is carried One such place is Konjiji him on how to win a battle. around the temple grounds temple, which is the okunoin As a sign of gratitude, by children. This is followed of Temple 13, Dainichiji, Hachisuka asked a Buddhist by an arm-wrestling tournament, and is located about twenty- sculpturist to carve a statue mochi (pounded rice cake)- five minutes by car from of Zaō Gongen and present throwing activity, goma Bunka no Mori (Tokushima it to the temple. These ceremony, and a free prize Pref. Library). This temple two statues are hidden giveaway - all of which is located at an elevation behind a door in the cave attracts a lot of people. of 310m (slightly higher within the main hall, but For the giveaway anyone than Mt. Bizan at 280m) you can see a 90cm tall who would like to have a and offers a great view of statue of Amida Nyorai, chance to win something Tokushima city. To get there said to have been carved goes into the main hall you can drive up a long, in the 15th century, which and receives a numbered steep and winding road or has been designated as a card (one card per person), walk up the henromichi cultural treasure of Tokushima. then goes to the open (pilgrim path) as many Gradually the temple once area in front of the office people do on their way again fell into disuse, but building and listens to the from Temple 12, Shōsanji in the 19th century a numbers being called. There to Temple 13, Dainichiji. Buddhist priest called Teia is a wide variety of prizes ( : 1805-1885) worked such as cases of beer, It is believed that during fervently in the community bottles of sake, small pieces the 7th century, En no to gather support for its of furniture, electronic goods Gyōja (634-701), a Buddhist restoration. (His grave is (like the blood pressure ascetic said to be the located beneath the lantern monitor that I won). The founder of Shugendō (mountain tower.) And again, after great prize is a huge asceticism) founded this World War II, work was plasma TV!!! It does not temple. Then Kōbō Daishi done to restore the temple cost anything to get a (774-835) came in the 8th to a usable state. numbered card. century and while he was training here carved a Today, many exciting events Even though visiting a sacred statue of the main deity, are held at Konjiji, but I site, such as a temple or ZaōGongen( ) recommend going early shrine, and viewing the and placed it in a cave. because the parking lot is buildings, gardens, and other Konjiji gradually became small and trying to park on structures may be interesting, a training place for people the narrow road can be personally I like to look for interested in Shugendō and treacherous. A detailed evidence of people who

3 A Visit to Konjiji Temple (Con't from Page 3) have actually visited that and one of the children There are many other place in the past. At Konjiji, got sick so the parents interesting things to see at I found such in the main fervently prayed for him to Konjiji, but unfortunately not hall. When you go up the get better. Zaō Gongen enough space to write stairs look to your right. appeared to them in their about them, so when you There you will see a dream and said that all have some time please painting of a family of four would be well, and as a visit this interesting temple – father, mother and two result, the boy was cured. that is one of many sites children - in white pilgrim To show their gratitude, that punctuate the Shikoku attire. The father is carrying the family embarked on pilgrimage. a small shrine on his the Shikoku pilgrimage and back. In the upper left when they arrived at Konjiji Temple Information: corner there are three deities they found out that this Accommodation available - Zaō Gongen, Fudō Myōō temple`s main deity was for 4,000yen/night/person and Kōbō Daishi – on a Zaō Gongen, so a token (no meals) cloud. The date states "the of their appreciation, the Website: sixth month of Meiji 11 father left behind the small www7b.biglobe.ne.jp/~konjiji/ (1878)" and the location is shrine that he had been Tel: 088-644-1232 “Hasuike village, Takaoka carrying on his back, which district, Kochi prefecture.” can be seen today in the It is believed that the small building just below family was from this village the main hall.

Paying It Forward By Rochelle Holmes The following is the winning speech from the 2014 Tokushima Prefectural Japanese Speech Contest:

Have you ever received a really special gift? How did you feel? Maybe you said “Thank you, thank you!” again and again. On the other hand, maybe you were so moved you couldn’t say anything. Or perhaps Speech Contest Grand Prize Recipient Rochelle Holmes you gave something back could Japanese people give in return? I think that Before coming to Japan, I and take so much with moment of thankfulness is had heard that Japanese such tiny houses? Instead extremely important. Today, people give gifts all the of giving big gifts, I was I will tell you how grate- time. I imagined a house surprised to see how often fulness can change the cluttered up with nick-knacks the omiyage turned out to world. and forgotten toys. How be food or useful things 4 Paying It Forward (Con't from Page 4) from other prefectures. In show them gratitude. My cry with nostalgia. That America it would be strange first big experience was night I came home to find to give a towel or rice with an obaasan (elderly a bag of KFC on my door scooper to a friend. Couldn’t lady) in Kitajima. One day handle from my pastor’s they just buy it themselves? when I was lost, an old wife. In my homesickness, But in Japan, regional lady called out from her it was exactly what I specialties make these garden, “What are you up needed; the taste of America. gifts both thoughtful and to?” “I’m lost,” I said, and How could I return the exciting. we jumped into conversation. thoughtfulness she showed That day I left with a big me that day? All of this omiyage is a bag of vegetables. When I result of 'on' (gratitude), the came back to give her After many experiences like obligation to repay kindness some cookies, she wouldn’t this, I was overwhelmed in the future. It encourages let me leave without more bythesenseof'on'. The dependent relationships that of her fresh food. So of people of Tokushima have work toward a harmonious course I had to return again invested much time and community and country. I with something else. She care in us temporary visitors admired the way these became my very own here. Even when we can’t gifts connected people to Japanese grandma, tied give back directly, I believe each other. together through the gifts we have a responsibility we share. to keep it going. When I Still, knowing about this go back to the US, I want culture of gift giving didn’t But then there were other to have the same generosity make it any easier to live circumstances where I toward the foreign community in. I was always keeping couldn’t repay the favor. there. I want to welcome mental lists of people who During my first Christmas them with the same had given me something in Japan, singing familiar kindness I witnessed so and wondering how to church songs made me lavishly in Japan, with no

Participants and the judges of the speech contest

5 Paying It Forward (Con't from Page 5) expectation of return. Japan during their stay. On Sunday, July 13th, 11 The smiling faces and participants from around It’s our job to not let that echoes of laughter filled the world, including Vietnam, go to waste. We can carry the room as the 200 or so United States of America, this obligation with us across guests listened to the Nepal, Mongolia, China, the sea to our homelands speeches fervently. A big Cambodia, Brazil and Taiwan and let the goodwill keep congratulations to all the performed their 6 minute going. When Japan reaches entrants! speech with much eloquence friendly relations with countries at the 2014 Tokushima all across the globe, we’ll Prefectural Japanese Speech be able to trace those ties Contest. The participants back to the simple gift of spoke on various topics vegetables fromanobaasan’s such as Japanese customs garden. and food to the bonds that they have fostered in *** Gojahei-Ren: Keeping With Traditions Interview with Hideaki Oka danced in the (now Tokushima). During the bon festival, we would welcome in the spirits of our ancestors by dancing the bon dance. And to welcome them in, we would dance slowly. It was officially named the “Awa Odori” in the 1920s when it started gaining popularity and the Awa Odori you see now is done as part of an event. The Gojahei-ren grace the streets of Tokushima City We still dance to welcome “What is awa odori to me? speaking to him about in the spirits, so that’s why It’s my life, it’s everything Awa Odori. our dance is slower. Of to me.” course we have to add These are the words that What makes Gojahei different new things to keep people Hideaki Oka, the leader of from other dance troupes? interested, but for us 90% Japan’s largest Awa Odori Our dance is much slower, is about keeping with dance troupe, “Gojahei” ( our rhythm is slower. Why? traditions and 10% is ), used to describe Awa Odori only gained its adding in something new. Tokushima’s very own dance, name in the 1920s. Awa But our intention behind the Awa Odori. We spent Odori originally was a type the dance is still the one Thursday afternoon of bon dance that they same.

6 Gojahei-Ren (Con't from Page 6) the men's dance, the girls Why did you decide to do had nowhere to go. So, Awa Odori? And when did we thought, why not have you start? the girls dance the men's I was 18. During my time, dance and wear the men’s not everyone had a TV, outfit and that’s how the nor were there any bowling “Onna Happi Odori” started. centers or golf courses. So the only choices we had What is the most important in regards to entertainment thing to remember when and recreation was either dancing? playing catch or doing the It would be how satisfied Awa Odori. So I chose you are with your dance. Ren leader Hideaki Oka Awa Odori. Back then you That’s because you’re joining had to pass a test to enter the fact that anyone can the troupe because you a dance troupe, but these dance is what makes this want to and not because days everyone can join. dance so great. someone forced you into It’s quite the opposite it. And it’s important to actually, we have to now We don’t need words to aspire to be better and better actively look for people to attract people to this and to want to dance a join, whereas back then dance. You just have to dance that no one can. when there was nothing experience it. Awa Odori You want to be at the top, to do, many wanted to isn’t a beautiful dance to you want to be in the join. watch. You just have to center position. You need dance it yourself, and if to have these ambitions to Gojahei was the first to you like it then that’s that. dance. have women dressed in If you think it’s hard, that’s the men's outfit and doing fine too. Even if you think The driving force behind the men’s dance. How did it’s hard but want to do it Awa Odori isn’t the dance that start? again, that’s great too. I itself. It is the musical We are the first to do this. just want everyone to accompaniment ( hayashi). We started this because experience it once. The instruments are the during the 1930s when key players that create more options emerged like *** the exciting atmosphere basketball and soccer, not Awa Odori in Tokushima that makes it so that many people were joining City everyone would want to Awa Odori. So to save our When: August 12 (Tue) - 15 (Fri) dance. All you have to do troupe, we set up a training 18:00 - 20:00 1st performance is dance to the rhythm, school for children, 'Chibikko 20:30 - 22:30 2nd performance you don’t need words for Gojahei'. But once they Where:Tokushima city center that. There are no set graduate when they reach Cost: Free (excluding paid steps either, just two the end of elementary stage seats) beats. All you have to do school, the option is to Info:Tokushima City Tourism is dance to the two beat either do the men's dance Association and you’ll have a dance of or the women's dance, but TEL: 088-622-4010 your own. The hayashi and as all the children learned

7 Fitness Corner By Clint Eckstein matter how fast you’re This workout will work This is a quick burn that going if you’re not doing your whole body as well will kick your butt even if the exercises right. as giving you a cardio you only have a few workout. Depending on minutes. All you need is a 50 Burpees how much time you have park bench or some kind 50 split squats (single legs and how hard you want to of elevated platform. Do squats with one foot on a go, take a minute or two this workout without taking bench, 25 each leg) off, and do the circuit two any breaks between exercises, 50 tricep dips or three times. Have fun! just finish it as quickly as 50 Bench jumps youcan.Makesureyou 50 mountain climbers keep good form! It doesn’t 50 squats Letter From Suketo Hoikuen By Kazue Inoue I hope you are all doing not spend the summer break Instructions well despite this hot summer or obon break taking your 1. In a container, lightly mix weather. Every year at children out to obtain more 250 g of flour with a pinch Suketo Hoikuen, we grow experiences with nature. of salt (the salt will help summer vegetables in our preserve the clay and if garden with the children. This This month, I would like to stored in a tightly closed bag, year we were able to suc- introduce a type of play it will last up to a week). cessfully harvest, cucumbers, that trains your sense of 2. Mix in 125 ml of water bell peppers, tomato, eggplants, touch and is also an into the flour mixture and corn, and much more. At activity that we often do at knead the dough (if you our center, we value the Japanese nursery schools. want to add color to the children’s interactions with We will be using the main clay, add food coloring to nature, so in the classrooms, ingredients of bread and cake, the water before adding it we are also raising summer flour, to make modeling clay. into the flour mixture). insects (such as Japanese Unlike oil-based modeling 3. Knead the dough well horned beetles and butterflies) clay, it does not have a and form into a ball. Once and we allow children to go strong scent, will not cause the mixture begins to form play outside with water, any harm when accidentally into one big lump, lightly sand and soil. ingested, and most of all it oil your hands and knead has a nice soft texture. some more (the oil helps Your five senses (vision, prevent the flour from hearing, smell, taste and *** sticking to your hands). touch) show the most *If the clay is too soft, add development during early some flour and adjust it to childhood. By providing your your desired consistency. child with more opportunities Materials to interact with people and Flour 250g the environment around them, Water 125ml you are helping your children Pinch of salt develop their senses. Why

8 Irene's Recipe Corner By Irene Wachuga in my passion for anything 1 tablespoon fresh lemon food. It has been fun juice being with you every 1 ½ cup sparkling wine month for the past couple Julienned or sliced lemon of years. It is that time for garnish when the baton must pass on to the next foodie, so I bid you adios. Will be 1. In a blender add the seeing you round town. watermelon, sugar, lemon Wishing you all a splendid juice and half the wine summer. and blend until smooth. And here's something to 2. Divide equally into 4 cool it off. glasses and top with the remaining wine. 3. Garnish with lemon if Dear good readers of Awa (Serves 4) desired and serve Life. Thank you for putting 1 ½ cup water melon (cubed, immediately. up with me as I indulged seeded and frozen) Kampai!!! (Cheers!) 1 tablespoon sugar

Crime Prevention Tips: Be Careful of "Make Easy Money" Offers Have you ever received an offer online through e-mail or social networking sites, asking you if you want to make easy money? If someone that you don’t know asks you to participate in an easy money making business, be weary, as there is a high chance that you will become a victim of a crime or you will become involved in the crime as an accomplice. Before you jump at the opportunity, make sure you think about it carefully. Here are two examples of common cases, in both cases, you are being used as a cover up for their illegal operations and you may have the chance of being prosecuted.

Money Transfer Agency Jobs 1) A foreign company will offer to pay you a large commission fee for helping transfer money from their customers in Japan by using remittance agencies (Western Union, Brastel, etc.). 2) Upon acceptance of the offer, an unspecified large number of people will transfer money into your account. 3) You will withdraw this money and transfer it to an overseas account.

The address that you are given to transfer the money too will have nothing to do with the company or the person that you spoke to. As well, the person who you are supposed to transfer the money to will often change.

Package Forwarding Jobs 1) You will be offered a commission for receiving a package that is addressed to someone else then forwarding the package to another address.

9 Crime Prevention Tips (Con't from Page 9) 2) Upon acceptance of the offer, an unspecified large number of packages addressed to a stranger will be sent to your home. You will pretend to be that individual and receive the package. 3) You will forward the package to another address that was given to you.

As you will be receiving packages filled with illegal items, just by receiving the package, you become involved in the crime.

Japanese Lesson By Takako Yamada

10 Events & Memoranda Yoshinogawa City Summer Firework Festival

When: August 6 (Wed) 20:00 - 21:00 Where: Yoshinogawa City Kamojima Sports Field Info: Yoshinogawa Chamber of Commerce TEL: 0883-24-2274 Naruto City Summer Firework Festival

When: August 7 (Thu) 20:00 - 21:00 Where: Area around Naruto Culture Center & Muya River Park Info: Naruto City Uzushio Tourist Association TEL: 088-684-1731 AwaOdoriinNarutoCity

When: August 9 (Sat) – 11 (Mon) 19:00 - 22:00 Where: Naruto City Center Cost: Free (excluding paid stage seats) Info: Naruto City Uzushio Tourist Association TEL: 088-684-1731 Let’s Dance with the Niwaka-Ren!

People who want real experience at the Tokushima Awa Odori, can dance freely with the Niwaka-Ren.

When: August 12 (Tue) – 15 (Fri) from 19:00 or from 21:00 Where: Meet in front of the Tokushima City Hall or at the Motomachi shopping street entrance Cost: Free* * Info: TokushimaCityTourismAssociation TEL: 088-622-4010 *Optional: 3000 yen deposit fee to rent a happi. When you return the happi, 2500 yen will be returned to you (500 yen will go towards dry cleaning fees).

11 Events & Memoranda Disaster Prevention Center Study Tour The importance of preparing for the Great Nankai Trough Earthquake expected to hit Tokushima is only increasing. If a natural disaster occurs, what will you do? The Tokushima Prefectural Government, in conjunction with the Tokushima Prefecture International Exchange Association (TOPIA) is proud to announce a study tour for foreign residents at the Tokushima Prefecture Disaster Prevention Center to provide information on what to do in case of a natural disaster. During the tour you can experience earthquakes, strong winds and more via simulation, as well as learn about what to do when a disaster occurs.

Date: Sunday, September 28, 10:30-13:00 10:30 – Leave Tokushima Station by bus for the center 13:00 – Arrive at Tokushima Station by bus Location: Tokushima Prefecture Disaster Prevention Center (Kitajima Town, Tainohama Aza Onishi 165) Target: Foreign Residents in Tokushima Prefecture Details: Disaster prevention guidance via video, simulation of strong winds /earthquakes, fire fighting and disaster control exercises (English and Chinese Interpreting) No. Places: 30 people Cost: Free How to apply: Please send in the following information by fax to the address below. You can also apply by sending the same information by email or postcard. Name Gender (M/F) Address Nationality TEL E-Mail Address Occupation Workplace Address Deadline: September 22nd, Monday Applications to: FAX: Tokushima-ken Kokusai Koryukyokai FAX (088) 652-0616 Email: [email protected] Postcard: 770-0831Tokushima-shi Terashima Honcho Nishi1-61 Clement Plaza 6F Koekizaidan Hojin Tokushima-ken Kokusai Koryukyokai (TOPIA) Contact: TOPIA (Kimura) TEL (088) 656-3303

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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