#282

February 2014
A Walk Through the Woods
By Jesse Shelton

Little Arch Bridge nestled behind a couple of shrines(Jesse Shelton)

The sun has gone beyond
the mountain. The last rays
sweeping across the tops ofthe trees as they headtoward Tokushima City down
below. The air is crisp, cool.
Full of life. Life in the form ofscent from the dirt and deadleaves I’m sitting on. Life in
the form of sounds from thebirds overhead. There are somany birds. Even to myuntrained ear, I can pick out
at least five different species.
They seem quite happy up
there; content to continue
their conversations over myhead, well outside my reach.
To get here I had to climb.
Past the ovens where the
Shinto priests are burning therelics of the New Year’scelebrations just finished.
Past shrines with devotees
praying outside, seeking
soothing touches from thegods. Above their heads,

Page 1,3-5: A Walk Through the Woods
Page 5-7: Wander-ful Tabi: Sengu Shrines
Page 7: Japanese Lesson; Page 8: Letter from Suketo Hoikuen
Page 8: Irene's Recipe Corner; Page 9: Aparna's Recipe Corner
Page 9: Fitness Corner; Page 10-12: Events & Memoranda

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is a monthly publication of theTokushima Prefectural International
Exchange Association (TOPIA)

Jenifer Tanikawa & Martin Rathmann

Jesse Shelton, Lance Kita, Fusa Tamaki,
Clint Eckstein, Kazue Inoue, Irene
Wachuga, Aparna Matale

Clement Plaza 6F
1-61 Terashima Honcho Nishi
Tokushima City 770-0831 JAPAN
tel: 088.656.3303
fax: 088.652.0616
topia@topia.ne.jp
http://www.topia.ne.jp/
Download a PDF file of awa life or view theonline version by going to TOPIA's website!

Show Tokushima some Love: Awaglot
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or poetry; funny, sad, longor short, we want yoursubmissions! If you like towrite, then express yourself!
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rules do apply!

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things the Awa Life editors
deem inappropriate.

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email the editors atconcerts,
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group information, etcetera.

The Udatsu Street (Martin Rathmann)

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A Walk Through the Woods(con't from page 1)
surrounded by the calming
peace of nature, I think I’ve
found what they're looking
for.
Unbeknownst to most of
us foreigners living inTokushima, there is anarea with forest paths andgardens that rival any inJapan. No exaggeration
included. Mt. Bizan is thefigurehead of the city inmany ways; everyone
knows the mountain anduses the landmark to
guide themselves whentraveling nearby. But it’s
not the views from themountain’s top that are themost awe inspiring thing
about it; it’s the network oftemples and shrines thatsurround its base that set
this mountain apart fromthe others. Getting here iseasy: from the foot of themountain, where the cablecar departs, turn right andwalk away from themuseum and the part ofBizan most are familiarwith. As you walk, you will
notice the old privacy wallsthat are now crumbling. A
mixture of clay, sand, andsharp, flat stones, they area little-noticed introduction
to traditional Japaneseconstruction methods. They
are deteriorating now; longsince neglected in favor of
their new concrete neighbors.
Still, the two neighbors
look oddly right together.

Stairs to the top of Mt. Bizan (Martin Rathmann)

They complement one
another; the old showing
what it was once like andthe new showing how theold once looked. In the
midst of these white andbrown walls, after taking aleft turn to stay close to themountain, you will pass alittle shed. Every time I’ve
gone there is at least one
person inside, facing awayfrom the road. This is thecommunal spring thatspills from Bizan’s base. At
one time, so the sign
beside it says, Kinryosui
Spring, along with waterfrom the Akui River, wasthe main source of fresh
water for Tokushima City
and a guard was posted
here daily to watch overthe important community
resource. Although waterfrom the spring is nolonger necessary for manyin the community (I think itstill is for some), it’s stillpart of the community. It’spart of the physical legacyof Tokushima City’s richhistory. Drink some of thewater and connect with themountain you are about towalk on. It tastes wonderful.
On a more practical note, you
may also want to fill up yourwater bottle while you’re
there.
As you continue walking,you may begin to wonder if
I’m telling the truth about
this complex of beautiful
paths crisscrossing throughthe woods as there is no
obvious entrance. But thisinconspicuousness, and thesolitude it gives thoseinside, is another thing thatmakes the temple districtof Bizan so magical. There
are, in fact, many entrances,and every time I take one I
constantly wonder if I’m
trespassing on someone’s
private property. No one
has said anything yet and I
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A Walk Through the Woods
get the feeling that even if
some of the areas are
privately owned, there is a
general understanding thataccess to the mountainthrough them is foreveryone. The first chance
you get, turn left toward
the mountain and follow
the road as it turns into
stairs. Once you leave thestreet below, a wholecomplex of paths opens up
before you. As you walkover fallen leaves andmoss-covered stone steps,
stop to think about what
you’re experiencing. Don’t
just walk over the stones;
feel them beneath yourfeet. Smell the rich soil on
the forest floor. Listen to
the sounds around you;the chirping birds andwind-rustled leaves. Even
mundane places become
beautifulwhen
you’remore aware of them.
Beautiful places, like Bizan,

becomepuremagic.

You’re not likely to meetanyone as you walk.
Continue to press forward.
It’s an easy walk, mostly
lateral, and the paths don’tturn uphill for long. Even if
they did, a slow conscious
walk makes even thesteepest hillside seem likeflat land. Parts of thetempledistrict
seem
anything but Japanese tome;archedbridgesspanning small gaps andcarefully-laid stone walkways
cutting back and forth look
more like Rivendell thanJapan. The retaining walls
and handrails, covered inlichens and crumbling,
lifted from the ground inplaces by tree branches
who’ve found space togrow, look centuries old.
Yet, upon closer inspection,
you will see that they are
made of concrete, the iron(con't from page 3)
rebar showing through inplaces. Perhaps they datefrom the 1960s or ‘70s
rather than the 1200's.
Somehow, it doesn’t matter.
The actual age has little
effect on their impression.
Constantly, as you walkaround one corner, over a
new bridge, or cross thisstream, the scenery changes.
It’s like being in an old
Chinese garden; a relatively
small area and yet it
seems, because of thevarious landscapes inside,that you've traveled to newplaces, new areas of themountain.
A little higher on Bizan, youwill pass a statue of asquat man who looks justlike Gimli. Perhaps this is
Middle Earth after all.
At this point, notice thetrees around you. Look attheir size. All around there

Sunrise at Mt. Bizan (Martin Rathmann)

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A Walk Through the Woods(con't from page 3)
is evidence that the area
was not as densely forested
in the not-too-distant past.
I don’t know enough about
Japanese tree species tobe able to date them, but I
wouldn’t be surprised if thosesurrounding the pathways
were seedlings less than

70 years ago. You can eventell by the paths themselves.
Trees have begun to takeover, pushing up concrete
here, dislodging it there,
and in general putting theirstamp on the land. It gives
off the impression thatmany grew, and closed in,after the walls were put up.
Still, this may not be thecase and I’m just imagining
it. Either way, the facts areirrelevant as the impression
remains the same; I can’t
help but think how lucky I
am to be here when Bizan
is so lush and beautiful.

Wander-ful Tabi: Sengu Shrines Pt.2

By Lance Kita
Though the lands of Izumo
Taisha Shrine (Dec. 2013
Awa Life) are shrouded inmyth and legend, the Grand
Shrines of Ise)
are steeped in sacredness.
Amid a deep forest along
the coast of Mie Prefecture,
the main two complexes
are the Inner Shrine (Naiku) and the Outer Shrine(Geku). The first isdedicated to Amaterasu no
Omikami (), theSun Goddess, and the latterto Toyouke no Omikami), the goddessof agriculture and industry.
One of the Three Sacred
Imperial Treasures, the bronze
mirror, is housed in the Naiku.
I started my New Year’s visit
to Ise along the coast, at apair of sacred rocks (Meoto
Iwa) in Futaminoura() that are said toembody the creation gods
Izanagi() and
Izanami (). I visiteda low hut where sacred salt
used in Ise rituals is made.
It’s no wonder that many
people come here first to

The rooftop of the Inner Shrine peeks out over a fence (Lance Kita)

purify their bodies in thewaters of Ise Bay.
I visited the Geku in theevening, which is only allowedon the first few days of the
New Year. The ancient treesof the forest swallowed up
any sound, and my approachto the main shrine wasaccompanied only by myfootsteps on the gravel. The
buildings were unadorned
cypress, which thatched roofs
reminiscent of ancientgranaries. This shinmeizukuri() style is unique toIse, though similar to
Izumo Taisha’s roof lines.
After paying my respects, I
turned my attention to thedarkened buildings to myright...what makes Ise Shrine
unique is that all of theshrine buildings are rebuilt
every twenty years in a
ceremony called shikinensengu (). Thebuildings are erected alternately
on adjoining lots, and thekami (
deity) moved to
the new shrine. Not only
the buildings, but all of the ritual
objects and accompanying
items are also replaced.
This massive undertaking
perpetuates the traditional
craftsmanship and arts in awide variety of disciplines(Be sure to visit the Sengukan
near the Geku
for a glimpse into the effort
needed to rebuild Ise, anda life-size model of the shrinebuildings). Ise has been faithfully
rebuilt since Emperor Temmu’s
wife started the practice in
692 A.D. It just happened
last year, and so the old5Wander-ful Tabi: Sengu Shrines Pt.2
(con't from page 5)complex hadn’t been dismantled
yet. Staring at the weathered
fence and mossy roofs, theold shrine exuded an auraof quiet emptiness, having
fulfilled its duties and devoidof the deity it housed forthe last two decades.
My visit to the Naiku the nextmorning was less contemplative
as this is one of the busiest
places for hatsumode (first shrine visit of theyear) in the country. Throngsof people filled the forested
walkways and it was all I
could to throw my coin andclap twice to pray. However,I also walked around theperimeter of the old shrine there,
and reflected back on whenits gray walls were gleaming
beige...when I first came to Ise.
The rebuildings happen tocoincide with the Japaneserites of passage in my own
life. I was studying abroad,and had just made twenty,
which is the age when
Japanese consider you anadult (Coming of Age Day
in January celebratesthis). Now, the freshly thatchedroofs next door signaled a
new cycle in the life of theshrine, just as I approach
my yakudoshi (), a sortof “mid-life crisis” year for men.
The next shikinen-sengu iswhen I’m sixty, another riteof passage year called
Kanreki (), and I hope to be
in Japan (either as a visitor orresident) to see these buildings
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The Inner Shrine is packed with visitors during the new year
holidays. (Lance Kita)

relieved of their duties.
During the Edo Period, theIse-mairi (Ise
Pilgrimage) was wildly popular,
with millions of people
participating. It was a timeof personal and spiritual
growth. Can’t make it to Ise?
How about a fresh start on2014 by doing the Shikoku
88 Pilgrimage ()? This is a great timeto prepare, and the weather
in March will be perfect for
setting out for the first 23
temples which are all inTokushima. Start at Ryozenji

Temple () and headwest until Temple #10. Follow
Route 192 back down tothe city (#13-16) and turnsouth for the temples until#23. I’ve made it to #12,and hope to keep going as
the weather gets clearer.
What will the next cycle in
my life bring? Only my feetknow where the road goes,but this mini-pilgrimage to
Ise and Izumo during an
auspicious time made me
appreciate the journey I’m on.

The Meotoiwa rocks at Futaminoura (Lance Kita)

Japanese Lesson
By Fusa Tamaki

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Letter From Suketo Hoikuen

Have you taken earthquake
countermeasures and earthquake proofed your home?
19 years have passed since
the Great Hanshin Earthquake. Here in Tokushima,awareness towards disasterprevention and mitigation is
growing and just the otherday, a “Disaster Prevention
Lifelong Learning Promotions
Forum” was held.
Apparently, 80% of those
who passed away from theGreat Hanshin Earthquake
died as a result of being
crushed to death by fallingfurnitureorcollapsingbuildings. Which means, by
securing furniture and by
reinforcing building structures,
80% of the people can besaved! As well, there is a

By Kazue Inouethings like milk, diapers andtoys if you have children).
Nowadays there are more
and more opportunities totake part in disaster prevention
training and education
programs organized by yourlocal community or by schools,
but you can always contact
the Tokushima Prefectural
Disaster Prevention Center(Tainohama, Kitajima-cho,
Historically, the Nankai Trough Itano District/ TEL: 088Earthquake has been occurring 683-2100) to find out more.
every 100 to 150 years andthe probability of it occurring <PlayingwithaHandkerchief>
within the next 30 years is If you fold a handkerchief in
about 60-70%. It is important half into a triangle and tie one
to prepare in advance by end of it, it will become an
discussing with your family airplane! Also, if you tie all four
where the evacuation sites corners of the handkerchief
are, discussing how to keep separately, it will turn into a hat
in contact and to prepare an or a parachute right before
emergency kit (you will need your eyes!
positive correlation between
how long it shakes and thesize of the earthquake ormagnitude. If it continues toshake for over a minute,there will be a tsunami, so
evacuate to higher groundright away! Especially forfamilies with children or
seniors, your split second
decision will make a difference.

Irene's Recipe Corner
By Irene Wachuga

cups olive oil
Winter is the perfect time to try
your hand at home made mayo.
With fish at its best, mayo is
the first step into making
tartare sauce which goes sowell with grilled or fried fish.

1. Place the egg yolks, vinegar,
salt, pepper, mustard andsugar in a clean bowl.
2. Whisk with a fork/wire
whisk until creamy.
3. Add the oil, drop by drop,
beating well continuously.
2 egg yolks, 2 Tbsp vinegar, 4. When half the oil has¼ tsp each, salt, pepper and been used up, add the rest
mustard, pinch of sugar, 2 in a steady stream.

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5. Beat until it forms a thicksmooth sauce. If it’s too thick,just add a little boiling water.

1 ¼ cup mayonnaise, 1 tsp
each,choppedcapers,gherkins, mixed herbs, 1 hardboiled egg white, chopped,
Salt and pepper
Combine all ingredients
together. Season to taste.

Aparna's Recipe Corner
By Aparna Matale

Powder, 2 Tbsp to rollballs, 1/4 Tsp Mixed Nuts
powder (Almond, Cashew),
Few pinches of Cardamom
powderPrepation time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min

1 cup Ripe Persimmon Pulp,
2 Tbsp Sugar (add dependingon the sweetness of fruit),
1/2 cup Milk Powder (addmore to form ball if required),
2 cup Desiccated Coconut

1. In a non stick wok, heat
Persimmon pulp on a medium
flame, cover lid and stiroccasionally as water content
from Persimmon starts toevaporate add sugar and
let it cook until it thickens
just more than a pancake
batter.
2. At this point add milk
powder (add more to formball if required), mixed nuts
powder, coconut powder,cardamom powder.

3. Take it off from flame, let
it cool a bit and start
making golf size balls. If
requiredadd
moredesiccatedcoconut
powder. In a separate bowl
take just enough ofdesiccated coconut powder
to roll these balls for evencoating.

Fitness Corner
By Clint Eckstein

If you’re like me, you’ve
spent the better part of thewinter thinking about working
out… and then crawlingback under the kotatsu,
eating some karinto, andpleasantly forgetting aboutstaying in shape. It’s ok!
We can turn this around!
Here’s a good way to startworking your way back into
shape, even if you can’t go
to the gym and don’t havevery much room in yourapartment. It not meant tobe hyper intense, just to
help you get back into thegame! As always, makesure to warm up, cool

down, and stretch before
and after working out!
Set one – cardio intervals –each interval lasts for 30
seconds – no rest in between- Jump rope (if you don’t
have a rope, just pretend)- Push ups- Mountain climbers- Squats- Jump rope
- Push ups – hands wide
- Flutter kicks – sit down,
leaning back and using yourhands for support, straighten
your legs and do flutter
kicks like you are kicking in
the water- Chair tricep dips
- Lunges with a twist- River hops – roll up a towel,
put it on the floor and hoplaterally back and forth over
the towel- Push ups – hands narrow
close to your torso
Rest for one minute andrepeat the same cycle 3-5times.

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Events & Memoranda
Come Join Futsal!
Once a month every Sunday afternoon, come out and enjoy international futsal!
Foreign residents are more than welcome to join!
When:
Where:
Leaders:
Info:
TEL:

Feburary 16. (Sun), March 16. (Sun)13:00-17:00
Tokugin Tomoni Plaza (Tokushima-Ken Seishonen Center) Indoor facility
Kazuya Goto, Adam G.
Tokushima International Association
Weekday 088-622-6066/ Weekend 090-4976-9402

52nd Tokushima Jazz Street
When: February 23 (Sun)Event starts at 19:00
Where: In the Akita-machi area
(Tokushima City)
Cost: 2500 Yen (in advance)
3000 Yen (at the door)*Tickets come with 1 drink
Info:
Tokushima Jazz Street Committee
Email: info@tkjs.j)

26th Big Hina Matsuri - Doll Festival
The Big Hina Matsuri Doll Festival is an eventthat was started to herald the arrival of spring,and this year marks its 26th year. Acting as a“foster parent,” Katsuura sends out their dolls to
locations nationwide. As this event is welcoming
the spring, it is gaining popularitz nationalwide. In
the center of the venue stands a 100-tiered dollstand, rising up like a pyramid with more stands
surrounding it, totaling 300 tiers. With over 30,000
dolls, this big-scale hina matsuri doll festival issaid to have originated here.
When: February 23 (Sun) to April 6 (Sun)9:00 – 16:00
Where: Ningyo Bunka Kouryu-kan
Katsuura-gun, Katsuura-cho,Oaza Ikuna Aza Tsukinose
Cost: 300 Yen adults
200 Yen groups (>10 people)
100 Yen elementary student
Info: Ningyo Bunka Kouryu-kan
TEL: 088-542-4334

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9:00 – 16:00

Events & Memoranda
Awa Folk Art Forum -moment of returning homeCome and enjoy, revel in the depth of andfeel the passions of the performers ofTokushima’s folk art. Why not share a
moment of nostalgia about home withothers?
When: February 9 (Sun)13:00-16:00
Where: Wakimachi Odeon-Za Theater
Mima City, Wakimachi,
Oaza Inoshiri Aza Nishibun 140-1
Cost: Free
Info: Tokushima Pref. Regional
Traditional Culture Promotions
Committee
TEL:

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Events & Memoranda

Schedule
2/22 Ishii Chuo Kominkan
16-18
3/1 Yume Hall 18-20
Anan City Cultural Center
3/2 Tokushima Pref. General
14-16
Education Center
3/8 Kitajima Sousei Hall
16-18
3/15 Wakimachi Theater - Odeon-za 18-20

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)12