aWa life
TOPIA Bus Tour
Impressions

Aizome & Ningyo Joruri

February 2024

Fun

Gairaigo Galore: カプセル
Impressions from
Helping Pick Hassaku
Oranges# 399

1

Awa Life is a Monthly Publication of the Tokushima
Prefectural International Exchange Association

Do you know about Japan’s “Hina Matsuri”? In English, it’s called “Doll Festival” or sometimes “GirlsDay”, and is celebrated on March 3rd. Luckily for those who are interested, Tokushima offers plentyof Hina Matsuri events, especially in the Katsuura area! The Big Hina Matsuri and Sakamoto Ohina
Meguri both start in late February and last for a while, so why not take go take a look on your day off?
For all of those who like writing, please feel free to submit an article to us at any point in time aboutbasically anything. There are a few limitations though, such as you can’t write about religion, politics,
commercial activities or businesses or anything that we deem inappropriate. But, other than that, we
would be more than happy to receive articles about anything and everything including but not limited
to concerts, lectures, other events, culture, sports, community group information or anything cool that’s
happening in your local community.
We highly appreciate all of your articles and we love reading them. So if that writing bug of yours isbuzzing about, grab a pen or a computer and write and send away! Please send all submissions to ouremail:Your editors,
Sydney and Rasmus

awalife@gmail.com
Tokushima Prefectural International Exchange Association (TOPIA)
1-61 Terashima Honcho Nishi, Tokushima City 770-0831 JAPAN, Clement Plaza 6F
Tel: 088-656-3303 Fax: 088-652-0616
http://www.topia.ne.jp/
Download a PDF file of awa life or view the online version by going to TOPIA's website!

Editors:
Sydney Bartig and Rasmus Burgmer
Contributors This Month:Shoko Nomizu, Zha Zihang, Naoko Yoshida, Yukari Nagata, and Mari Kimoto

Contents

Pg. 2:

Aizome & Ningyo Joruri Fun

2

Pg. 3-4: TOPIA Bus Tour Impressions
Pg. 4:

Impressions from Helping Pick Hassaku Oranges

Pg. 5:

Japanese Lesson

Pg. 6:

Tokushima Culture and Reading Corner: 雲辺寺

Pg. 6:

Gairaigo Galore: カプセル

Pg.7:

One World Children Support ProjectPg. 7-9: Events and Memoranda
Aizome & Ningyo Joruri Fun
By: Shoko NomizuOn November 26th (Sun.), the Tokushima
Prefectural International Exchange
Association held the “Bus Tour to PracticeJapanese and Experience Tokushima’s Culture”.
33 people, including 9 children, from countries
such as China, Korea, Vietnam, Ukraine, thePhilippines, etc.
participated in theevent.
The first stop was
the Ai no Yakata
i n A i z u m i To w n .
Everyone was
excited to see theunique results of
the indigo-coloredhandkerchiefs thatthey had dyedthemselves.
In the afternoon, the group headed to the Awa
Jurobe Yashiki in Kawauchi-cho to enjoy a
performance of Awa Ningyo Joruri puppet theater.
Thanks to an invitation, the group was able toview a special performance by the Awa Ningyo
Joruri group “Heiseiza” celebrating the 10th
anniversary of their registration as a “UNESCO
future heritage group” as part of the National
Federation of UNESCO Associations in Japan.

The approximately 3-hour performance was
packed with programs, including a performanceof Keisei Awa no Naruto, a puppet demonstration,
an Awa Odori dance with puppets, and more. Not
only the adults, but even the children had theireyes glued to the stage the entire time. Although
the Japanese wasdifficult, the powerfulnarration by thetayu, as well as the
movements and facial
expressions of thepuppets, allowed foreveryone to enjoy thewonder of joruri.
A d d i t i o n a l l y, t h egroup was greetedwith warm hospitality
by the Women’s
Association when
they had lunch at the Kawauchi-cho Community
Center.
The day turned out to be a great chance to study
Japanese and enjoy Tokushima’s culture. Thankyou very much to Heiseiza and the UNESCO
Association, as well as everyone from the
Women’s Association.

3
T

he Ai no Yakata is a museum built in theformer residence of the Okumura Family
who were once influential indigo merchants. On
November 26th, we had the chance to visit the Ai
no Yakata and try out aizome indigo dyeing.

First was indigo dyeing. Inside of the indigo dyeing
workshop were many large kame (vats), eachbeing filled with a large amount of dye. The dye
was quite beautiful and had a mysterious purple
hue to it. Before starting the dyeing process, wewere able to choose our favorite design fromthree different options. After choosing a design,
we were split up into groups based on our choice.
We then dyed the white handkerchiefs according
the instructions of the staff member in charge ofeach group. All of the staff were kind and gave us
simple instructions that were very easy to follow.
After taking a look at my finished handkerchief,

TOPIA Bus Tour Impressions
By: Zha Zihang

I thought it was very beautiful. I never thought itwould be so easy for me to make such a beautiful
indigo dyed handkerchief by myself. I’m sograteful to the staff!
After we were done indigo dyeing, we entered
the main building of the Okumura Family and had
a look around. Inside of the main building, wewere able to see the processing area for the dye.
Seeing the workplace of the artisans really helped
in imagining the indigo dyeing process fromproduction to sales.
Finally, we visited the exhibition room. In the
exhibition room, a variety of indigo dyed works
were on display, including beautiful clothing.
There were also tools used for indigo cultivationand processing on display. This experience wasboth fun and meaningful, not only because I wasable to try indigo dyeing with my own hands, butalso because I was able to learn about the history
and present state of aizome indigo dyeing.

In the afternoon we watched a performance of
Awa Ningyo Joruri Puppet Theater at the Awa
Jurobe Yashiki. Awa Ningyo Joruri is a type ofplay where the staff manipulate the puppets to thetayu’s (narrator’s) story.
At the Awa Jurobe Yashiki, we were given careful
instructions on how to move the puppet’s hands
and feet, and we were even able to try operating

4

TOPIA Bus Tour Impressions

them ourselves. I’d never tried operating a puppet
before, so it was a very new experience for me.
Afterwards it was time to watch the performance.
It was so amazing to watch the tayu tell the story,changing their voice to match the current events.
I wasn’t able to completely understand the story,
but thanks to the tayu’s voice, I was able to get afeeling of the main character’s emotions. I think
it was amazing that the tayu was able to convey
this just with their voice.

Impressions from Helping Pick Hassaku Oranges
By: Zha ZihangOn December 10th, we boarded a bus boundfor a farm in Mima City in order to help
harvest hassaku oranges.
It was a peaceful, clear, and warm day as werode up into the mountains. Mountains in thewinter give the image of cold and snow-covered
mountain, but it was unexpectedly warm. Once
we exited the bus and were all together, thefarmer carefully explained the points of caution
when harvesting hassaku oranges. Large scissors

are used to cut
the stems of
the hassaku
oranges. Smaller
scissors areused to cleanly
cut the stem as
to not damaget h e o t h e roranges.
The mountainpaths looked
quite normal atfirst glance, but once you try to climb them, they
are actually quite steep and difficult for the elderly
to climb. While harvesting the oranges, it was soheartwarming to be able to interact with so many
people. People help each other, know each other,and talk with one another. I really felt that people
live while helping one another.
Working in the quiet mountains was an experiencethat helped relieve my daily fatigue and refresh
my mind and body. I was very impressed withthe great dexterity of the farmers who regularly
harvested the hassaku oranges.
I feel that my daily life has been enriched thanks
to this local agricultural experience.

5Japanese Lesson
By: Naoko Yoshida

おも「～つもりです」「～と思っています」（Conversation between teacher and student.）
A：Ｂさん、卒 業 したら国に帰りますか。
そつぎょう

くに

かえ

Ｂ：いいえ、帰らないつもりです。
かえ

に ほん

かいしゃ

はたら

おも

日本の会社で 働 こうと思っています。
A：そうですか。これからどうしますか。
Ｂ：もっと、日本語を勉 強 するつもりです。
に ほ ん ごべんきょう

A：そうですね。がんばってください。

おも「～つもりです」and「～と思っています」express the speaker’s intent/plans. Although there
is not a large difference, 「～つもりです」implies a strong feeling of planning to do 「～すおもる」or not do 「～しない」something. 「～と思っています」expresses plans/hopes that the
じ ぶん

speaker will do in the future 「［自分が］～する」.
じしょけい

けい

いこうけい

［Ⅴ意向形
The two phrases are used as follows: ［Ⅴ辞書形・Ⅴない形ない＋つもりです］
おも＋と思っています］.
Volitional Form Conjugation
ど うし

まえ

Ⅰ動詞：かいます →かおう
ど うし

Ⅱ動詞：おぼえます →おぼえよう
ど うし

Ⅲ動詞：きます →こようだん

だん

あそびます →あそぼう （ますの前のい段→お段＋う）
みます →みよう （ます ＋よう）

つれてきます →つれてこよう

します →しよう

きゅうけいします →きゅうけいしよう

Practice Questions
Change the word in parentheses (
れんきゅう

ちか

おんせん

しょうらい

じ ぶん

かいしゃ

おも

① 連 休 は近くの温泉にいと思っています。（行きます）
つく② 将 来 、自分の会社をつもりです。（作ります）

なつやす

おも

③ 夏休みにアルバイトをあ した) and write it in the blank.

と思っています。（します）
い④ A：明日のパーティーに行きますか。
いつもりです。
（行きません）Answers: ①行こう ②作る ③しよう ④行かない
い

つく

い

よ うじ

B：いいえ、用事があるので

Tokushima Culture and Reading Corner: 雲辺寺
By: Yukari Nagata

し こ く へ ん ろ だい ろくじゅうろく ばん ふだしょ

うんぺんじ

い

四国遍路第 六 十 六 番札所の雲辺寺に行ったことはうえ

しこくれいじょう

なか

うんぺんじ

もっと

ひょうこう

最も

標高の高いところに上にあり、四国霊場の中でありますか？雲辺寺は、標高 927m の

たか

きざ

ねん

れきし

1200 年 の

よ

しょか

あき

雰囲気です。初夏にはこうぼうだいし

しんぴてき

こうよう

あじさい、秋は呼歴 史があり、弘 法大師

せんじゅかんのん ぼ さ つ ぞ う

刻んだといわれる 「千手観音菩薩像」が

ことが

山の

あります。そのため、「四国高野」ともてら

ふ ん い きやま

しこくこうや

ばれています。このお寺 は、およそ
が

ひょうこう

6

まつられ、とても神秘的な
ふゆ

紅葉、冬は

ゆきげしき

たの

雪景色を

楽しむ

できます。

さんちょう

こうえん

てんくう

また、山頂の公園には ブランコと フォトフレームがあり、「天空のブランてんくうにんき

かがわけんがわコ」「天空のフォトフレーム」として 人気があります。香川県側から、ロー
つか

い

しゃしん

と

プウェイを 使って 行くことが できます。ぜひ、ステキな写真を 撮ってみてくださいね。
Vocabulary List
しこくへんろ

四国遍路
れいじょう

霊場
こうや

高野
せんじゅかんのん

千手観音
ぼさつ

菩薩

しんぴてき

Shikoku Pilgrimage

神秘的
しょか

Sacred Ground

初夏
さんちょう

Koya (Koya-san)

山頂

Thousand-armed Kannon
Bodhisattva

カプセル (Capsule)
By: Rasmus Burgmer

にんき

人気
ひょうこう

標高

Mysterious
Early Summer
SummitPopular

ふ ん い き雰囲気
きざAmbience

刻む

To Carve

あじさい

Hydrangea

ゆきげしき

雪景色

SnowscapeElevation

Gairaigo Galore

Japan is famous for two different kinds of capsules. On the one hand, you have the colorful toy
capsules of gashapon. On the other hand, you have the famous (or infamous?) capsule hotels, theaccommodation of choice for low budget solo travelers.
However, the origins of the loanword “ カプセル ”, found in the Japanesewords for both of these things, is actually connected to medicine.
Looking at the katakana, one could easily assume that the word was
taken from the English language, but it was in fact adapted from
German.
During the Meiji period (1868–1912), the Japanese government invited a lot of German medical
scientist to Japan to have them teach about modern, European medicine. Because of that, a lot of
the medical terminology was directly copied from German into Japanese.
It was also at this time that those same German delegates introduced asmall eatable container for medicine, the so called “Kapsel”.
Adapted into Japanese, it became “ カプセル ”, a gairaigo that has sincethen found all kinds of different applications, like the aforementioned
capsule hotels and gashapon toy containers.

7

Experience the World-One World Children Support Project-

By: Mari KimotoOnJanuary
14th (Sun.),the One WorldChildrenS u p p o r t
Project washeld at theTokushima Prefectural International Exchange
Center (TOPIA). Including children with foreignroots, 16 participants from 7 different countries
participated in the event. Two instructors fromthe United States and Mexico introduced theircountry and games of their country/the traditional
folk dance tinikling. It was a valuable opportunity
to learn about other countries through hands-on
experiences.

In Tokushima, one out of every 100 people is aforeign resident. At this event, we thought about
the importance of getting along, especially as thisnumber is expected to increase.
Everyone, why don’t you take this chance toregister as an international understanding
supporter and introduce your country? For those
who areinterested,p l e a s econtact
us here at
TOPIA.
→ topia@
topia.ne.jp

Events & Memoranda
Kenyan Culture Introduction and Cooking Class
ケニアの文化紹介と料理教室
Join Ms. Irene Wachuga, a native of Kenya anda licensed cook in Japan, for a cooking class on
Kenyan home cooking! Let’s learn about Kenyan
food and culture with simple English in a fun andtasty way! Feel free to prepare any questions you
would like to ask about Kenyan food and culture.
Please contact TIA(Tokushima International
Association) by phone or e-mail to apply.

ケニア出身で日本の調理師免許をお持ちのアイ
リーン・ワチュガさんとケニアの家庭料理を一緒に作って食べましょう！簡単な英語を交えながら、ケニアの料理や文化を楽しくおいしく学びませんか？当日、ケニアについて聞きたい事がある方は、考えておいて下さい。
参加ご希望の方は、徳島市国際交流協会まで電話、メール等でお申込み下さい。

When: February 23 (Fri./National Holiday)
9:45 - 14:00
Where: Tokushima Uchimachi Community Center
Kitchen Studio
71-1, 3 chome, Saiwai-cho, Tokushima
Participants: 20 People (First-come-first-served)
Fee: 1,000 yen (Ingredients are included)
Items to Bring: Apron, bandana or other head
covering, and dish towel
Inquiries: Tokushima International Association
TEL: 088-622-6066
E-mail: info@tia81.com

日 時：2 月 23 日 ( 祝金 )9:45 ~ 14:00
会 場：徳島市内町コミュニティーセンター
調理室
徳島市幸町 3 丁目 71-1（幸町会館２階）
定 員：20 人程度（先着順）
参加費：1,000 円（材料費込み）
準備物：エプロン、三角巾、布巾
お問い合わせ :（一社）徳島市国際交流協会
TEL: 088-622-6066
E-mail: info@tia81.com

8

Events & Memoranda

Fun & Exciting “Games of the World & Learning Matsuri”
ワクワクドキドキ「世界の遊び・学びまつり」
Visit various booths and collect stamps at each. If
you collect enough stamps, something good may
happen!!
Booth Introduction Examples:
1. Let’s try talking to foreign residents!!
2. Let’s color flags!!
3. Let’s listen to an English picture story!!
When: February 24th (Sat.) 10:00 - 15:00
Where: Children’s Science Museum(Multipurpose Hall), Asutamuland
Age Group: 3 & Older
Fee: Free
Inquiries: JICA Tokushima - Hattori
TEL: 088-656-3303 (TOPIA)

ブースを巡ってスタンプを集めよう。 何個か集めるといいことがあるかも！！
各ブース
例 1 外国人とお話してみよう！！
例 2 国旗に色を塗ってみよう！！
例 3 英語紙芝居を聞いてみよう！！
日時 : 2 月 24 日 （土） 10:00 ～ 15:00
場所 : あすたむらんど徳島 子供科学館（多目的ホール）
対象 : 3 歳以上
料金 : 無料
お問い合わせ ： JICA 徳島 服部
TEL: 088-656-3303 (TOPIA)

36th Big Hina Matsuri
第 36 回ビッグひな祭り
The first Big Hina Matsuri was held in the spring of1988 and will now be celebrated for the 36th time.
Hina dolls that are no longer used are gatheredfrom families all around the country, given amemorial service, and then displayed at thisfestival. At the center of the festival, you can find
an approximately 8-meter-high 100-step podium
decorated with hina dolls, with approximately
30,000 total hina dolls being beautifully displayed
at this festival.
A variety of stage performances are planned forthe event.
When: February 24th (Sat.) – April 7th (Sun.)
9:00 – 16:00
Where: Hina Doll Museum, Katsuura Town
Fee: Adults: 400 Yen
Groups: 300 Yen (10 People or More)Children: 100 Yen
Inquiries: Big Hina Matsuri Executive Committee
TEL: 0885-42-4334
URL: https://bighinamaturi.jp/

昭和 63 年の春に始まったビッグひな祭りは、今回で 36 回目を迎えます。本祭では、全国より、家庭で飾られなくなった雛人形を集め、供養し、展示させていただいております。場内には、中央にそびえ立つ高さ約 8m「百段のひな壇」をはじめ、約 3 万体もの雛人形が豪華絢爛に飾られています。
期間中は様々なステージプログラムをご用意しております。
日時：2 月 24 日（土）～ 4 月 7 日（日）9:00 ～ 16:00
場所：勝浦町
料金：大人

人形文化交流館
400 円

団体

300 円（10 人以上）

子供

100 円

お問い合わせ：ビッグひな祭り実行委員会
TEL: 0885-42-4334
URL: https://bighinamaturi.jp/

9Events & Memoranda

Sakamoto Ohina Meguri
さかもとおひな巡り

This year’s “Sakamoto Ohina Meguri” theme is 本年の「さかもとおひな巡り」の展示テーマは“Heart”. Hearts, a symbol of caring for others, will 『ハート～心～』。他人を思いやる気持ちの象徴で
be scattered about the event venue. While feeling もある「ハート」を会場に散りばめています。人the warmth of people-to-people interactions, と人とに通じ合う温かい気持ちを感じていただき
please enjoy Katsuura Town’s “Ohina Meguri”.
ながら、勝浦町の『おひな巡り』をお楽しみください。
When: February 24th (Sat.) – March 10th (Sun.)*Until March 31st (Sun.) at Sakamoto
日時： 2 月 24 日（土）～ 3 月 10 日（日）Hachiman Shrine※坂本八幡神社は 3 月 31 日（日）まで
8:00 – 17:00 (Until 15:00 on the final day)8:00 ～ 17:00 ※最終日は 15:00 まで
Where: Around Fureai no Sato Sakamoto/
場所： 勝浦町 ふれあいの里さかもと・
Sakamoto Hachiman Shrine in
坂本八幡神社周辺
Katsuura Town
お問い合わせ：ふれあいの里さかもと
Inquiries: Fureai no Sato Sakamoto
TEL: 0885-44-2110
TEL: 0885-44-2110

Let’s Think Together! ~Child Rearing in Japan for Foreigners~
いっしょに考えてみよう！～外国人の日本での子育て～
徳島で子育てをしている外国の方々が、自国の子育てと日本での子育てについて発表します。 外国人の徳島での子育て事情を知ることにより、お互いに何ができるかをいっしょに考えてみませんか。
日時：２月１７日（土） 14:00 ~ 16:00
場所：徳島県国際交流協会 大会議室 （クレメントプラザ６F）
対象：子育て中の外国人・日本人、国際交流や日本語支援に関心がある方
料金：無料
定員：３０名申込方法：参加ご希望の方は、メールで、下記の項目を事務局 jtmtoku@nifty.com までお知らせください。
① お名前 ②Ｅ -mail ③ 電話番号 ➃所属 ⑤保育の利用（希望する方は、お子さんの人数・年齢・学年）
申込締切：２月１２日（月）
お問い合わせ：JTM とくしま日本語ネットワーク
徳島市昭和町３丁目３５- １わーくぴあ徳島２階 公益社団法人徳島県労働者福祉協議会内
TEL：088-625-8387
URL: http://jtmtoku.com/

Counselling Service at TOPIA・トピアの相談窓口
TOPIA provides consultation on everyday life, education, labor, medical institutions, and disasterprevention; and information on sightseeing spots to overseas residents and visitors. When necessary,
we will refer you to the appropriate organization that can assist with your needs.Counselling is available
in English, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Japanese. Please note that although every effort will be made,we may not be able to deal with all cases.
Japanese, English, Chinese: Everyday, 10:00 - 18:00 (closed during the New Year's holidays)
Vietnamese: Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, 10:00 - 14:00
Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, 10:00 - 18:00 (closed during the New Year's holidays)