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Enjoying Hamada, Shimane

July 13, 2020

Photo by Kyoka Wakabayashi

Hamada, Pretty little port town

By Norio Kawamura

Hamada city is a good city. First, it is place where there is a lot of nature. As Hamada city has sea and mountains. you can enjoy marine sports in the summer and ski in the winter. I tried surfing last summer. It was fun. Also you can see wild boars and foxes if you are lucky.

So, you can enjoy each season. Second you can create new communication in many places. As there are a lot of friendly people in this city. For example, at university, many students from outside the prefecture are coming in, so you can make communication that you can`t normally do.

Wherever you are, conservations will be born and you will find fun. Third, there are many tavern in this city. You can drink a variety of liquor as there are many tavern.

Also, in this city, you can eat fresh fish at the tavern because the sea is beautiful sea, in addition, this city has many households that own fields unique to the countryside, and there are many fresh vegetables many locally.

So, you can eat and drink lots of delicious foods. For those reasons, I recommend you to visit Hamada city.

Photo by Kyoka Wakabayashi

Beautiful Beaches and Mountains

By Kanta Yamamoto

Hamada has a lot of nature such as the beautiful sea and mountains and there are many delicious foods, so there are many ways to enjoy life.

The first way enjoy Hamada is the beautiful sea. The sea of Hamada is so beautiful that you can swim and surf in the sea in summer. You can also enjoy fishing in other seasons. It is great fun to fish on a sunny day. Sea of Hamada is very fun because various fish and large fish can be caught. It will entertain you.

The second way to enjoy the nature of Hamada is the mountain. Hamada is very rich in nature and has many forests. So Hamada has very clean air. So you can enjoy the nature of Hamada more by cycling and hiking in the mountain. It will make Hamada’s nature more enjoyable.

The third way is to eat delicious foods. Hamada has a beautiful sea, so fish is very delicious. Various kinds of fish are caught in each season in Hamada, so you can eat various kinds of fish.

There are also restaurants where you can eat delicious foods in various places, such as near the Hamada station. Therefore, you can eat various dishes. Hamada is very good place because there is a lot of nature to enjoy.

Aquas, Best Aquarium in Japan

By Mai Nakada

AQUAS is the best aquarium I have ever seen. We can see about 400 kinds of interesting fish and no less than 10,000 creatures. In this aquarium, we can see the most fish in the Chugoku region.

Therefore, we won’t tire of seeing them. My favorite fish tank is the shark tank. There are several types of sharks, for example bullheaded sharks. They look funny and pretty! One of the most important reasons I love this aquarium is we are able to see white dolphins.

White dolphins cannot be seen in many aquariums in Japan. So, if you go to AQUAS, you can go through the rare experience! That is why, I would recommend that you go to AQUAS at least once!

Photo by Mai Nakada

Discovering interesting creatures

By Ryu Harada

I always enjoy walking in hamada these days. we can see various things like beetles and flowers, inhabitants, even a beautiful view throughout the walking. Almost all of them are very characteristic because Hamada is located among the nature. There are few places where we can enjoy living among nature like hamada in Japan.

I often run into cute creature like beetles and reptiles. Finding them make me happy because I can see many kinds of them four times a year. Take butterflies for example. When we run into them, we think that the spring has come. In addition, I feel relaxed and lucky when I find stag beetles, too.

We can see not only beetles but also inhabitants. Recently, I often talk with an old man who has a big black dog as a pet. At first, our connection was just greeting. However, we are good terms with each other by my praising his dog. We even talk about our family nowadays. You may be able to meet someone who be on good terms with you.

What’s more, we can see even the beautiful view. There are many beautiful views in Hamada. In particular, I think that we can see the most beautiful view from Yuhi-Park-Hamada. The view that the sun set in the Sea of Japan is very attractive for all people. For the first time I see the view, I thought that it was beyond description.

Why don’t you enjoy walking in Hamada, too?

If you begin this habit, You will be able to find various things that you haven’t ever notice about Hamada.

Photo by Ryu Harada

Fresh sea foods

By Kyoka Wakabayashi

Hamada is rich in nature. I’m sure you will have a good time if you visit in Hamada. First of all, there are many beautiful scenes in Hamada. Especially, I like to see the sunset which is amazing from the view line in the University of Shimane. I recommend you to take a camera if you visit in Hamada. Second, Hamada is facing the Japan’s sea. So Hamada has a lot of fish and you can eat fresh fish. I like BATOU, which is a famous fish in Hamada. Finally, there are some hot springs surrounded by nature in Hamada. For example, “MIMATA ONSEN” is a famous hot spring in Hamada. You can view a waterfall while taking an open-air bath. Therefore, Hamada is in the countryside but it is a very good place. I think you can enjoy yourself if you go to Hamada.

Yukichi Fukuzawa, the father of Japanese modern education

Yukichi Fukuzawa, the father of Japanese modern education

July 13, 2020

by Ruura Fukunaga

Fukuzawa Yukichi is known as the author of “Gakumonn no Susume,” [Introduction to Learning]. He contributed to creation of the Japanese modern education system. In 1860, Mr. Fukuzawa studied in the United States when he was 25 years old.

He was very surprised at American culture. For example, he was shocked to find there was no classes in the U.S. society. Then he studied abroad in the U.S. again when he was 31 years old. He wanted to tell Japanese people what foreign countries were like.

So, he wrote a book Western affairs. Many Japanese people read this book at that time. In 1868, he established Keio University. The university is one of the most famous universities in Japan and have produced many great graduates.

He was involved in founding other universities, too. In 1872, he published “Gakumonn no Susume.” This book says all human beings have liberty and equality. The ideas in the book made Japanese people surprised because at that time there were difference social classes in Japan.

So, they bought and read this book. Many Japanese people know about this book even now. Fukuzawa Yukichi passed away in 1901, but he ideas contributed greatly to modernizing the Japanese society.

Nobunaga Oda, Game Changer

Nobunaga Oda, Game Changer

July 13, 2020

by　Shouya Ajiki

Nobunaga Oda is a Japanese samurai who is well-known for his unifying Japanese lords during the period called Sengoku Era, which means “the era of battles.” He was born in 1534 and died in1582. He was a man who introduced new ways of battles and politics.

It is considered that he changed how warriors fought at wars in Japan. In 1575 a battle called “Battle of Nagashino” took place. At that time samurai soldiers on horsebacks used swords. However, in this battle, Nobunaga used guns and achieved an overwhelming victory against his enemy.

He also invented new ways to evaluate his men. He considered the talent of a man, not the birth of a man. For example, he appointed men of a lower social status to his close aids when he spotted talented people.

One of such examples is Hideyoshi Toyotomi, a son of a farmer, who rose up to the ruler of Japan after the death of his lord, Nobunaga. It was revolutionary to favor men of a low status family in the time influenced by the family background.

Nobunaga’s adventurous attitude of trying new things may be something the modern people should learn in this time of great social change.

Hideyo Noguchi, Bacteriologist Saving the World

July 13, 2020

by　Reina Yamane

Hideyo Noguchi is well known as an important bacteriologist. He saved a lot of people and countries from germs. In 1911, he is the first person in the world to find a germ in the brain with progressive supranuclear palsy.

This germ was revealed as syphilis by Hideyo Noguchi. Thanks to this discovery, doctors became able to treat the sick.

In 1918, he found a germ of Weil’s Disease only nine days since he arrived at Ecuador. Then he developed a new vaccine to cure the disease, and this pandemic was stamped out by this vaccine in Ecuador.

In 1925, he also found that two illnesses were in fact the same disease in Peru and Columbia. This theory was scientifically proven by him. As a result, his services were appreciated by Harvard University.

Even now, his theory is still used in the health care entities. As a result, his face is reprinted on a Japanese bill to praise his achievement.

Hayato Ikeda, Prime Minister Reconstructed Japan

Hayato Ikeda, Prime Minister Reconstructed Japan

July 13, 2020

by　Yoshihiro Hara

Hayato Ikeda is the 58th, 59th and 60th Prime Ministers of Japan. He changed Japanese economy and society. His famous policy is Income Doubling Plan. This plan is　to double the gross domestic product within ten years and to promote economic growth centered on tax cut, social security and public investment.

In fact, the plan succeeded in the doubling gross domestic product in just four years, which greatly enriched the life of people. In addition, he decided change the Japanese economy to an open economic system. For example, he raised the trade liberalization rate from 42 percent to 93 percent, adapted IMF’s Article 8 and made Japan a member of the OECD.

These encouraged positive participation in Japan’s free trade system. The biggest international event that took place when he was prime minister was the Tokyo Olympic in 1964.

Along with that, the transportation network, cities and living environment were improved and people’s lives became more fulfilling. He is one of the most successful prime ministers of Japan.

He made major renovation to bring Japan into a member of the developed world. I want to work on new things without fear of failure like him. His policy then greatly developed the Japanese economy and society.

Uniforms in Japan

Uniforms in Japan

July 6, 2020

Uniform maintains disciplines

By Ryosuke Tanaka

What kind of clothes did you wear when you were high school students? In Japan most students wear uniforms. A typical high school uniform for a boy looks like this. A male student wears a white shirt and a tie, trousers and a blazer.

Wearing school uniforms is a Japanese school tradition. When we go to school, we can’t go in any clothes. We need to wear uniforms that is decided by each school. Basically, we wear uniforms from elementary school to high school.

By wearing the same uniform, the school’s discipline is maintained. There are a lot of rules regarding the dress codes. Students always need to wear uniforms properly, especially, on special occasions such as graduation and entrance ceremonies.

I think it is a good idea for students to wear school uniform, because the school is a place to study. Wearing proper clothes helps students focus on study. If students wear anything they want to wear, they will wear inappropriate clothes and that will be distracting.

Uniforms gives a sense of belonging

By Chio Yamamoto

The school uniform is adopted by most Japanese schools. Students wear it in junior high school, high school, and even elementary school and kindergarten. I think school uniform gives a sense of belonging to their schools.

The school uniform has a different design depending on the school. So, wearing that school uniform represents you as a student of the school. Also, the school will be a memorable item for students.

By looking at their uniforms after graduation, uniforms become a reminder of their student life. Thus, the school uniform is plays important fuctions for high school students.

Photo by Ryousuke Tanaka and Chio Yamamoto

Celebration of First Birthday

Celebration of First Birthday

July 6, 2020

By Saki Suyama

The Japanese first birthday celebration is unique. It is called “isshyou mochi.” On the first birthday,a baby is humped with a very big rice cake on her back and encouraged to stand up.

The rice cake is made from an isshyo of rice, which is about two liters of rice, so it is very heavy for a one-year old baby. Some babies and stand up others fall down by the weight of the rice cake.

Ishyou has double meanings: a volume of rice which is approximately two litters, and “as long as one lives.” Parents and grandparents make a wish so that their children will be able to eat rice as long as they live.

After the celebration, parents distribute the rice cake used in the event to their relatives. Proud parents let many people know that they have a healthy child in their family. This event symbolizes the love of parents, and I think we should continue to celebrate the festival in the future.

Photo by Saki Suyama

Traditional Umbrella to Pray for Rain

Traditional Umbrella to Pray for Rain

July 6, 2020

By Reina Yamane

This traditional umbrella was used to pray for rain in Tottori Prefecture in the Edo Period. This umbrella is called “shan-shan gasa’’ because of a lot of bells are attached on the umbrella and it sounds like ting-a-ring. At end of the Edo Period, villagers in the Tottori region experienced a record drought.

So, one man started to dance to pray for rain. His name was Gorosaku. This incident is believed to be the origin of the traditional umbrella. Being passed down to the current generation, this umbrella reminds the connection between gods and the people in Tottori Prefecture.

For example, children in Tottori Prefecture dance spinning this umbrella in summer. Children make their umbrellas themselves by using glue stick, paper, and wire. The umbrellas in the photo are made of bamboo and cardboard.

Once their decorative umbrellas are made, they dance for fun. There is a big festival, called Shan-Shan Festival, has been held every year in Tottori since 1965. The festival is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s biggest umbrella festival.

Photo by Reina Yamane

Mirror rice cake and Japanese Spirituality

Mirror rice cake and Japanese Spirituality

July 6, 2020

By Masato Kusakari

Japanese families display enormous rice cakes called kagami-mochi, namely, mirror rice cake, during the New Year Holiday. The kagami-mochi is as large as a volleyball, but it is flat like a pie.

The kagami-mochi is a sacred food for Japanese. The New Year Holiday is for Japanese to welcome the god of the incoming year, and the god must be welcomed to their houses and entertained by the special rice cake.

The incoming year god is called Toshi-gami-sama, namely, Mr. God of the Year. The god visits everyone’s house on January 1, and after a few days the god leaves back to the mountain. Then people are allowed to eat the rice cake. People eat it on a certain day, which is called “the day to open the mirror.”

They believe the rice cake has special powers: they will not get sick and can avoid disasters by eating the mirror cake on the mirror opening day. To sum up, kagami-mochi represents traditional beliefs that have been passed from generation to generation.

Photo by Masato Kusakari

Meaning of Osechi

Meaning of Osechi

July 6, 2020

By Kotone Muraki

Osechi a dish that can be eaten during the New Year in Japan. There are 20 to 30 types of side dishes in osechi. I think osechi is a gift from ancestors who have wished for good health. The reason is that each side dish in the osechi has its own meaning.

For example, shrimp symbolizes longevity because a shrimp is bent, which is similar to the back of an old man who lives long until the waist is bent. Black beans have the meaning that they work hard until they get a black tan. In addition to this, osechi also has wonderful meaning that each side dish can be healthy for one year this year.

Also, osechi has a very long history of 1000 years. These are inherited from the generations of ancestors. Therefore, osechi is a present from forefather who is connected to the past and the future.

Photo by Kotone Muraki