September 2021, Vol.78

The Newsletter for Foreign Residents<People> Interview････P1“Arcrea Himeji” newly opened
as a new exchange base in Himeji city ････P2
Sen-hime and Himeji････P3
Enjoy the Fall Weather atthe Old Silver Mine Carriage Road････P4
What’s the difference? ~Food~････P5
Announcements & Letter from the Editor ････P6

Himeji Cultural and International Exchange Foundation– newsletter editing volunteers (https://www.himeji-iec.or.jp)＜People＞ Mr. Simon Rowe (Australia)
Mr. Rowe is from New Zealand, and moved to Melbourne inAustralia when he was 16 years old. He has been in Himeji since1997. He is teaching at university and writing as an author. Mr.
Rowe’s short story “Good Night Papa” was made into a film. His
latest short stories collection was published last year.

Q: What brought you to Japan?
A: I had written articles about things such as travel as a freelance writer before I came to Japan. I
have been to more than 30 countries to collect information and do interviews. I also visited Japanto write articles. Japan was a mysterious country for me at that time and I became interested inJapanese culture.
Q: What is your impression of Himeji?
A: Himeji is very convenient to live. People in Himeji are very friendly and kind. I feel relaxed every
time I come back to Himeji from my work trips and interviews.
Himeji also has a good balanced mix of modern and traditional culture. I especially like thefestivals and I have written articles about Nada Kenka Matsuri a lot.
Q: How do you feel about being a writer and a teacher?
A: I sometimes use my novels as a textbook in my class at university. Some students want to get ajob in the film and animation industry. I think my novels can be more useful than academic papers.
I also collect data for my novels when I go overseas for my university work.
Q: Tell us about your next plan.
A: There is a story about a single mother detective in my short stories collection which was publishedlast year. I want to write a book where she is the main character.

-1-“Arcrea Himeji” recently opened as a new exchange base in Himeji city
Himeji Cultural Convention Center opened on September 1st. Nicknamed “Arcrea Himeji,”“Arcrea” is a combination of the words “Arc” and “Creation”. It was named with the idea that it would
be a bridge for new creations to continue into the future.
It’s a 10-minute walk east from JR Himeji Station via the covered walkway. Various events can behosted in the three halls, studios, the exhibition hall, and meeting rooms.
・Large Hall 2,010 seats
The first of its kind in Harima district, this hall has over 2,000seats. An ambient hall, the balcony style seating on the 2ndand 3rd floors provides an up-close view of the stage. As anexchange base of culture and art domestic and international
concerts, performances, stage acts, as well as lectures or
panel discussions can be held here.
Large hall・Medium Hall 693 seats
Seats spread in a fan-shape make this hall ideal for various
kinds of ceremonies or lectures including theatrical plays andmusic concerts.
・Small Hall 164 seats
This tiered seating hall is perfect for intimate concerts,
individual or small group presentations, workshops, orseminars.

Small hall

・Exhibition Hall approx. 4,000m2, Roof height approx. 9m
This pillarless, single floor hall can be separated into threerooms depending on the scale of the event. Exhibitions, tradefairs, ceremonies or parties can be held here. In addition, apartially covered outdoor square called “Nigiwai Hiroba” canbe used as an outdoor exhibition center.
・Meeting rooms 10 rooms
This 690m2 multipurpose venue is equipped with partitions toaccommodate various sizes. Available for not only meetings
but also receptions or exhibitions.

Copyright © 2019 姫路市文化コンベンションセンター運営共同事業体. All Rights Reserved-2-.

Sen-hime and Himeji
On December 11th and 12th, “Opera -SENHIME-” will be performed as one of
the Arcrea Himeji opening events. Let’s get to know more about Sen-hime, ahistorical figure associated with Himeji.
Sen-hime (1597～1666)
Sen-hime is the granddaughter of TOKUGAWA Ieyasu, the first shogun of theEdo shogunate government. Her first marriage was to TOYOTOMI Hideyori at
the age of seven in 1603. After losing Hideyori in a battle, she married HONDA
Tadatoki from the Kuwana clan (present-day Mie Prefecture) in 1616. In 1617,
she and Tadatoki moved to Himeji Castle. They got along very well and had adaughter, Katsu-hime, in 1618 and a son, Kochiyo, in 1619. However, she hada series of misfortunes, including the death of Kochiyo at the age of three in 1621 and the deathof Tadatoki from illness in 1626.
After Tadatoki’s death, Sen-hime returned to Edo (present-day Tokyo) with Katsu-hime. Later,Sen-hime took the tonsure※, changing her name as Tenjuin and she mourned her two husbands
who had passed away.
※tonsure…A woman of high status who becomes a nun and practices Buddhism.
Himeji, where Sen-hime spent her daysWhen Sen-hime moved to Himeji Castle, the people of Harima welcomed the beautiful princess
who was from the Shogun's family. Although Sen-hime was in Himeji for only ten years, the days
she spent with her husband and children are said to have been the happiest of her life.
Places associated with Sen-hime① Nishinomaru of Himeji Castle
It is believed that Sen-hime and Tadatoki’s residence
was located here. It is enclosed by a 240m Hyakken
corridor. It is said that Sen-hime used the corridor
daily, facing northwest toward Mt. Otokoyama, toMt. Otokoyama seen from the Hyakken corridor

pray for the prosperity and happiness of the HONDA family. Additionally, Kesho tower at the endof the corridor was used by Sen-hime as a place to rest.
② Mt. Otokoyama Sen-hime Tenmangu Shrine
The shrine was built by Sen-hime in 1623 at the foot of Mt.
Otokoyama. It was built facing east so that it could be worshippedfrom Himeji Castle. Because of Sen-hime and Tadatoki’s loving
bond, it is said that this shrine brings fortune to romantic
relationships. The TOKUGAWA family clan crest, a three-leaved
hollyhock, is engraved in several places around the shrine.
-3-Enjoy the Fall Weather at the Old Silver Mine Carriage Road
“Old silver mine carriage road” is the road made for

Old Silver Mine Carriage Road

delivering silver from Ikuno silver mine to Shikama Port inHimeji. In 1868, the Meiji government hired French mining
engineer Jean-François Coignet and developed the road toTakeda
Castle Ruin

modernize Japanese industry. It is the first industrial
highway in Japan and is registered as a Japan Heritagesite. There are some great places around it to visit in autumn.

Tonomine
Highland1. Ikuno Silver Mine
Ikuno Silver Mine opened in 807, early Heian era. ItIkuno Silver Mine

JR Himeji

closed in 1973, but you can still go into the mine and view
the stone walls while animatronic miners depict how itShikama Port

was to work there.
Time needed: Approximately 40 min.
Access:10 min. from Ikuno Ramp, Bantan Renraku Road
8 min. from JR Bantan Line Ikuno Station by Shinki Green Bus and additional 10min. walk

Admission: 900 yen for adults, 600 yen for high school or junior high school students,
400 yen for elementary school students; free parking available
2. Tonomine hiking course
Tonomine Highlands, which is famous for its Japanese pampas grass field, is also known as theplace where the movie Norwegian Wood and historical drama series were filmed. You also can findvarious alpine plants in the wetlands.
Time needed: Approximately 90 min., or 3 to 5 hours if visiting the Mineyama Highlands
Access:30 min. from Kanzaki-minami Ramp, Bantan Renraku Road

Additional access: During the Japanese pampas grass season (October to early November), thereis bus service from Teramae Station, JR Bantan Line, to take you directly toTonomine Highlands. Paid parking available
3. Takeda Castle Ruins and Ritsuun-kyo Canyon
Takeda castle, build at the top of a mountain 350m high, was chosen as one of the top 100 castles
in Japan. If weather permits, you can see the castle ruins floating in a sea of clouds from Ritsuunkyo canyon on chilly, early fall mornings – giving rise to nicknames such as "castle in the sky" or"Japanese Machu Picchu."
Access:approximately 15 min. to each spot from Asago Interchange, Bantan Renraku Road(Takeda Castle) 40 min. walk to the west from Takeda Station, JR Bantan Line
(Ritsuun-kyo) 40 min. walk to the east from Takeda Station. (15 mins by taxi for each)

Admission: (Takeda Castle ruins) 500 yen for adults and high school students, and free for children(Ritsuun-kyo) 200 yen-4-

What’s the difference? ~Food~
They look almost the same, but have different names. Have you ever wondered “what’s thedifference?” We would like to introduce you to some familiar foods that are similar but different.

Takikomi gohan, Maze gohan, Okowa
Takikomi gohan
This is made by cooking dashi, seasonings, and ingredients together with rice. You can add fish,
meat, seasonal vegetables, or other ingredients as you like. Depending on the region, it is also
called “Kayaku gohan”, “Gomoku gohan” or “Aji gohan”.

Maze gohan
This is a mixture of cooked rice and seasoned ingredients.

Okowa
This is made by steaming glutinous rice. “Sekihan,” which is steamed rice
mixed with red beans, is also a type of okowa.

Senbei, Okaki, ArareSenbei
This is made from non-glutinous rice. This is the same rice that we usuallyeat. It is less sticky, so it is less likely to swell and is often hard.

Okaki・Arare
These are made from glutinous rice. The larger ones are called “Okaki” and the smaller ones arecalled “Arare”. Glutinous rice swells easily when cooked, so it is often softer than senbei.

Manju, Daifuku, DangoManju
Dough made by kneading flour is wrapped around sweetened bean paste or otheringredients, then steamed or baked. “Kohaku Manju” is eaten when celebrating,“Kuri Manju” is in the shape of chestnuts, and “Momiji Manju” is in the shape ofmaple leaves, etc.

Daifuku
The dough made by kneading glutinous rice or rice flour is wrapped around
ingredients such as sweetened bean paste. This includes “Choco Daifuku” in which
the sweetened bean paste filling is replaced with chocolate, “Ichigo Daifuku” whichcontains sweetened bean paste and strawberries, and “Mame Daifuku” in which
the dough is mixed with beans, etc.

Dango
This is made by kneading glutinous rice or non-glutinous rice flour, rolling it into
small balls, and steaming or boiling it. Some are seasoned with soy sauce orsoybean flour, and some are skewered.

-5-

☆Announcements from the Himeji Cultural and International Exchange Foundation☆
■“My International Exchange” exhibition will be held!
From November 15th to 30th, we will hold an exhibition called “My InternationalExchange”, which exhibits International Exchange photos and Senryu on the 1st floorof Egret Himeji. We hope you enjoy it.

Senryu …A poem composed of 17 syllables and arranged in lines of 5-7-5 morae.
Unlike haiku, there are no rules such as using seasonal vocabulary.

◇◆◇Letter from the Editor◇◆◇Sown as seedlings in the spring, the tall grass has grown with plenty of rice – time to harvest.
Every year, festivals are held to thank God for the rich harvest. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19,
the festivals have been canceled. But I hope have the opportunity to get in touch with nature. Takecare and stay healthy.

Disaster Prevention Vocabulary of This Issue
てい でん

停電
けい かく てい でんEx) 計画停電

Teiden: Power outage
Keikaku-Teiden: Rolling blackout

People Who Cooperated in Creating This Newsletter
Japanese: HONJO Masako, ISHITANI Hiroshi, MOCHIZUKI Toshiharu, MIYAMOTO Mika,
SHIGETA Fusako
English：YAMANAMI Mie, ITANI Megumi, SUGAHARA Tomohiro, YOSHIDA Ayano,
HAMADA Akari, OKABE Rosie, Tiffany Gibson
These names are used with the contributors’ permission.
Their assistance is much appreciated.
You can read previous issues of “VIVA! ひ め じ ” on the Himeji Cultural and International
Exchange Foundation’s website (International Exchange Section) (https://www.himeji-iec.or.jp/).
The next issue will be available in December 2021.
We welcome your comments and suggestions. We are also looking for translators and nativespeakers to assist us with translating and proofreading upcoming editions. If you are interested,
please contact us at the following address.
Contact Information
Himeji Cultural and International Exchange Foundation
3rd floor, Egret Himeji, 68-290 Honmachi,
Himeji City, Hyogo 670-0012
TEL : 079-282-8950 FAX : 079-282-8955
Email: info-iec@himeji-iec.or.jp-6-