Farewell messages April 2015 of leavingaWa TOPIA life# 297 staff members JLPT Experiences Studying up on the history of the Shikoku Pilgrimage Awa Life is a Monthly Publication of the Tokushima 1 Prefectural International Exchange Association Every article you send us is appreciated so please consider becoming a writer! A few rules will apply though so please look below to see what content we encourage you to write about and what kind of stuff we cannot publish. You can totally submit articles about concerts, lectures, and other event information, cultural, sporting, and other community group information, etcetera. BUT, the following will not be posted: Religious, political, or commercial activities, businesses searching for clients or employees, things the Awa Life editors deem inappropriate. If you have something you would like to share with the Tokushima community, email the editors at: [email protected]! Tokushima Prefectural International Exchange Association (TOPIA) http://www.topia.ne.jp/ Clement Plaza 6F [email protected] 1-61 Terashima Honcho Nishi tel: 088.656.3303 Tokushima City 770-0831 JAPAN fax: 088.652.0616 Download a PDF file of awa life or view the online version by going to TOPIA's website! Editors: Jenifer Tanikawa & Till Dumke Contributors This Month: David C. Moreton, Sachiko Muramatsu, Kazue Inoue, Jonathan Le Roux, Fukumi Sai, Yui Fujiwara, Mio Morimoto Cover Art: Ken Lee (Picture), Junko Kimura (Cherry blossom photos: Cover & Page 1) Contents 2 Pg. 2-4: The Maeyama Ohenro Kōryū Salon – A Place to Learn About the History of the Shikoku Pilgrimage Pg. 4: Letter from Suketo Hoikuen Pg. 5-6: Japanese Lesson Pg. 6-7: The Road to the JLPT: The History and the Changes to the JLPT Pg. 7-9: TOPIA Staff Goodbye Messages Pg. 10-11: Events and Memoranda The Maeyama Ohenro Kōryū Salon – A Place to Learn About the History of the Shikoku Pilgrimage By David C. Moreton hroughout Japan there Nagaoji and Temple 88, Okuboji oldest stone path marker is Tare countless museums in Kagawa prefecture! from 1781 and there are many and reference libraries where The Maeyama Ohenro Kōryū items from the 19th century. one can see historical and Salon ( 前山おへんろ交流サロ Admission is free and the facility cultural artefacts, but do you ン ) (“a place where pilgrims is open from 9am to 4pm every know of such a place on interact”) opened in November day, but the last entry is at Shikoku that focuses entirely 1999 and has a very large 3:30pm. Kenshi KASHIHARA on the Shikoku pilgrimage collection of henro (Shikoku ( 樫原憲史 ) who is the Assistant route? At some places there pilgrimage) related goods. priest of Temple 75, Zentsūji, is a visitor center where one According to the staff more than became the Director a couple of can listen to commentary 350 items and 150 books and years ago. He and a handful of from knowledgeable staff and/ other materials are on display staff manage the facility, answer or view objects on display and/or stored here. The oldest questions, and provide ex- related to that site. However, guidebook is from 1687, the planations about the displays. in the case of the well- Many pilgrims stop here known and very popular on their way to Okuboji eighty-eight temple for some tea, to use Shikoku pilgrimage route, the washroom, and/ surprisingly there is no or perhaps to chat with such facility near the other visitors. Across the starting point Temple street is a michi-no-eki 1, Ryōzenji. In fact, the (road station) where you place that I recommend can buy vegetables or visiting is near the end have a meal at the café. between Temple 87, Just inside the entrance 3 The Maeyama Ohenro Koryu Salon there is a visitor guestbook, to China in 804 (red line) and pilgrimage 280 times between which gives a very accurate when he returned to Japan in 1845 (age 22) to 1922 (age 78). number of how many people 806 (blue line). In 804, a storm He erected 240 stone markers have come here since it opened blew his ship off course and along the entire pilgrimage fifteen years ago. The total that is why he landed so much route. number of visitors is more further south than the point from 5. A large 1:40 model of the than 200,000 people, of which which he departed from in 806. temple, Seiryūji ( 青龍寺 ) where approximately 30,000 are those who walked the pilgrimage. Last year 160 foreigners left their name, of which 128 were people who made the pilgrimage by foot. When a pilgrim arrives, a staff member will ask that person if he or she has finished or just about to finish the entire 2. In the main room there Kūkai studied at in China. route by foot and if the pilgrim is a large topographical model 6. Maps of each of the 47 says, “Yes,” the staff member of the island with little huts prefectures in Japan that have will present a certificate entitled, marking the places of each of a small box attached to them “Shikoku 88 Temples Pilgrimage the eighty-eight temples. If you containing fuda (name-slips) of Henro Ambassador.” Between press a button by the photo of pilgrims. There is also a world 2004 and 2013 the number the temple, that place will light map with the title, “International” of foreigners who received up on the model. Behind the and in that box there are fuda this certificate increased ten model there is a machine from from people from such countries times with a grand total of 630 which you can get some hot tea. as the United States, Australia, during this ten-year period. The Visitors are free to use the sofas Switzerland, Brazil, and Korea. certificate, states in English, “We and chairs. 7. Touch-panel computer wish that the interaction with 3. Inside the exhibition rooms, screens that list the legends the people, the culture, and the there is a display about a priest about Kōbō Daishi from around nature of Shikoku enriches your called Gyōki Bosatsu ( 行基菩 Japan. There life and that you will spread the 薩 )(668-749) who performed are no tales Henro culture worldwide.” various public work projects about him from While there is much to see here, for the local people such Okinawa, but let me point out some items of as constructing roads, river there are three possible interest: embankments, and reservoirs. from Hokkaido He also was the overseer of and four from 1. As you walk the building of the great Todaiji Kagoshima. in the main temple in Nara. It is said that he 8. Pilgrimage door, you will founded thirty of the eighty-eight books (nōkyōchō) see a map of temples. including one the route that 4. There is a display panel about which has red Kūkai took Mr. Mohei NAKATSUKASA, ( 中 pages. This is when he went 司茂兵衛) who completed the from someone The Maeyama Ohenro Koryu Salon 4 who made the pilgrimage over begging bowl with a broom. from Tokushima is by car, which 300 times and used the same will take about 75 min from the book over and over. There is a lot to see and much Tokushima bus/train station 9. Wooden boxes that hold to learn at the Ohenro Kōryū area. Take the expressway to paper fuda as well as straw Salon, but it is very unfortunate Wakimachi and then head north bales (tawara) that on Route 193. The were stuffed full of closest train station fuda and hung in at which only the people`s houses as a local train stops is protective amulet. the unmanned Zoda 10. A display about station that is 8km Emon Saburō ( 衛 away. 門三郎) from Ehime prefecture whose (Website: http:// eight children died as www.geocities.jp/ a punishment against sanukimaeyamanet/ Emon when he got angry with that it is in such an inconvenient ohenro/) Kōbō Daishi and smashed his location. The best way is to go Letter from Suketo Hoikuen By Kazue Inoue ute little flowers are coloring between your fingers, or enjoy Scissor Cthe park in spring colors all the taste of different foods. at once near our nursery school. Stimulating your five senses Directions The insects have come out of will lead to brain development. 1) Using a water-based felt tip hiding and the children can see And as the head and heart are marker, draw a picture on a and feel the herald of spring all connected, developing the brain piece of paper. (The brighter the around. means it will also develop your color of the pen, the better the Up to three years of age, the feelings and emotions. As well, final product will be.) development of a child’s brain when you spend time with your 2) Pour a small amount of water is said to be heavily affected by child and experience various into a Styrofoam tray. Cut up how much the sensory system new things together, you can sponges into sizes that fit your (five senses) is stimulated. foster a deeper bond and it will child’s hands, then wet with The five senses include vision, help with emotional stability. water. hearing, smell, touch, and taste. ＊＊＊ 3) Sponge over your picture and With the weather warming up, This Month’s Craft allow the ink to bleed. You can the upcoming season would be Pen Watercolor see your picture and the color perfect for taking your children Materials change before your eyes. outdoors to train their five Felt tip marker (water-based) senses. So, why not go enjoy Paper the beautiful outdoor scenery, Styrofoam tray listen to the chirping birds, Sponge smell the flowers, feel the sand Water Japanese Lesson 5 By Sachiko Muramatsu his month we will be learning how to relay information you heard from one person to another (third- Tperson narrative).