aWa life
Mini Wagasa Making
Lesson at Mima
Wagasa Studio

Awa Shoku:Tokobushi- Be a Little Shellfish

Tokushima Sakura
Map

Farewell Messages

April 2019
# 343

1

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

We are in the middle of spring and some of you are probably still enjoying the cherry blossoms which
are in bloom until the middle of April in some regions of Tokushima. Others might be looking forward to
the 10-day holiday around imperial succession, starting at the end of April. Maybe you could have yourfirst barbeque of the year in a park or at the beach or walk parts of the Shikoku Pilgrimage. Since it is
not too cold and not too hot it is one of the best times to enjoy outside activities.
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:

awalife@gmail.com
Your editors,
Daralyn and Nico
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:
Daralyn Yee and Nico Bohnsack
Contributors This Month:

Nan Zhang, Kiyomi Fujii, Kazue Inoue, Lance Kita, and Toshiko Yamamizo

2Contents

Pg. 2-3: Mini Wagasa Making Lesson at Mima Wagasa StudioPg. 4: TOPIA Farewell Messages
Pg. 5: Letter from SUKETO NAKAYOSHI
Pg. 6: Awa Shoku: Tokobushi - Be a Little Shellfish
Pg. 7: Japanese Lesson
Pg. 8-9: Events and Memoranda
Mini Wagasa Making Lesson at Mima Wagasa Studio
By: Nan Zhang

W

hile gazing at theoil-paper umbrella(wagasa) he just madeM r. K o b a y a s h i , t e a c h e rof the Group for Wagasa
Production in Mima, asked
me “Mr. Zhang, did you knowthat there is actually a slightdifference between Japaneseand Chinese oil-paperumbrellas?”.The teachers at
the wagasa studio explained
all the details about wagasa
in a very kind way, almost as
if we were old friends. I heard
about the Mima wagasa sometime ago throughmy work. I wanted to see it with my own eyes
and touch it with my own hands so that I really
could feel the beauty and attraction of the clever
design of the wagasa. Through this experience, I
was able to understand Japan’s “artisan spirit”.
The wagasa was introduced to Japan from China
through the Korean peninsula during the Kinmei
Era and has a history of about 1500 years.
Wagasa used in everyday life are generally larger
than folding umbrellas or European umbrellas
and are more focused on design and colors. Thisis a result of considering both effectiveness andcompatibility with traditionalc l o t h i n g . M o r e o v e r, t h e
production process of wagasa
is very complex and time
consuming, it can take several
months to finish one umbrella
once time is added to improvethe design or dry the umbrella.
At the Mima Wagasa Studio
you can choose from different
workshop options, such as
lampshades, mini wagasa
or wagasa for everyday use.
Considering the time andcosts, I chose the mini wagasa
workshop, using indigo silk as my umbrella fabric.
In just half a day I learned about wagasa andits production process while creating a beautiful
indigo craftwork.
Ms. Fukumi, who used to work with me at TOPIA
until April last year, is now responsible for indigodyeing at the Mima Tourism Exchange Center.
She knew that I would come for the mini wagasa
workshop and kindly prepared three indigo
umbrella fabrics which varied in pattern.
1. Spreading glue onto the frame: It is not easy to
spread glue onto the 24 long and narrow parts ofthe frame. When adding one round of glue while

3

adjusting the quantity
and taking care of thebalance, it is necessary
to look closely if there are
any missed parts.
2. Gluing the umbrella
fabrics: Speed, balanceand concentration, alongwith the use of tools,
are vital to glue the silkumbrella fabric onto
the frame smoothly. If
everything goes fine, it
should be perfect when
the frame is pressed downby the palm of your hand
while making the umbrella
fabric fit exactly.
3. Attaching the umbrella
fabric: Gluing the umbrella
fabric is still insufficient.
While carefully pressing it
down from top to bottom
the 24 parts of the frame
are fastened down using
a thin hollow bamboo stick
which is about the same
width of the frame.
4. Closing the umbrella
and adding a crease: The
wagasa are well-plannedin order for the shape tobe perfect in a closed
and opened state. The
umbrella fabric is placed
between the frames into
the inner part. The wholeumbrella fabric is folded
to the right to make aclockwise spiral.
5. Adding the umbrella tip:Umbrella tips are madeout of two squares ofJapanese paper (washi).

Mini Wagasa Making Lesson at Mima Wagasa Studio
After covering the roundtip of the central stick withtwo pieces of washi laying
on each other, two thincords for fixation and one
thick cord for decoration
are tightly fastened.
After completing thewagasa, Mr. Kobayashi
asked, “Do you havetime now?” He continued“Now we will enter a very
interesting step. Why
don’t you take a look?”
Around the tips he added
long and narrow piecesof washi carefully with atweezer and a beautiful
circle appeared. Then
Mr. Kobayashi whispered“It is really magical. The
wagasa. The artisans put
their blood, sweat andtears into the materials andprocess. The traditional
craft and culture of bothcountries, Japan and
China, are being passed
on and will continue todevelop into the future.”
Looking around, I realizedthat this mere 20m² small
studio produces colorfulwagasa in different shapes
and sizes and sends thebeauty of this traditional
Japanese craft to people
in Japan and the wholeworld. If you ever visit
Wa k i m a c h i o r U d a t s u
Townscape, have a lookat this wagasa studio. Youmight be able to encounter
both beautiful wagasa andfriendly locals.

Farewell Messages from TOPIA Staff
Huge Thanks to My TOPIA Friends
By: Kiyomi Fujii

4coordinating international education programs,
understanding and supporting children andparents with a foreign background, promoting
I'm finishing my two- "simple Japanese phrasing" and empowerment
y e a r w o r k a s a n through Japanese language education, making
education trainee at considerations to problems in daily life and issues
TO P I A . T h e TO P I A caused by literacy levels, raising awareness of lifestaff members have saving disaster prevention education, and helpingb e e n h e l p i n g m e , students understand and take pride in their own
taking me by hand and culture in order to introduce Awa Culture to theteaching me step by world.
step. Thanks to theirgreat guidance and Above all, I have seen myself change and growcoaching, I could come through this position. With a growing sense ofthrough even in my wonder and respect for every culture during myclutches.
time here, I became more interested in learning

languages. After rediscovering the depth of
To realize a multi-cultural society in Tokushima, Japanese culture and Awa Culture, I actually
TO P I A h a s b e e n e n g a g i n g i n a s e r i e s o f started to take part in some. I also deepened my
educational activities. This is indeed developing interest on tourism in Tokushima. Most of all, Ia workforce that "Opens Tokushima’s doors to have improved my Awa Odori. Sekai wa Hitotsu!
the world”, an educational goal set forth by our Arasowa-ren!(Unite the world! Do not fight!: theれんprefecture.
cheer of あ ら そ わ 連 ; TOPIA's international
dancing team)
I received many educational hints while engaging
in my service. These hints include realizing the I would like to thank all the people who have beenvalue of giving international exchange and cross- supporting me. I hope to stay connected with all of
cultural experience to young children through my TOPIA friends. ☺
Growing with the Community as an “Outsider”
By Nan Zhang
When I read the job requirements to become aMiyoshi City Regional Revitalization Officer, theword “outsider” caught my eye, and the memories
I made in Tokushima these past two
years flooded my mind. I came toTokushima having no acquaintances,
but thanks to the help from mycoworkers I was able to get used to my
new job and life in a foreign land rightaway. Coincidentally, I joined Musouren with my fellow CIR, and it truly
gave me a kick start to my Awa Life.
I became pa ssionate about Aw a
Odori. The more I danced it, the more
I learned and experienced, and I wasable to deepen my understanding of Japan’s
traditional culture, Tokushima’s cultural climate,
and the nature of the people. The summer nights
in the beginning of tsuyu (the rainy season) weredifficult, but after sweating, it was refreshing tofeel the ocean air against my skin. When standingat the entrance of the stage
during the summer Awa Odori
festival, the feverish excitementin the atmosphere and feeling of
nervousness gave me a senseof thrill. However, even after
dancing for four days straight I still
felt it wasn’t enough. I became
immersed in my life in Japanand Tokushima, and made a lotof friends. Thanks to Awa Odori,
the people of Tokushima haverecognized and accepted an

5Farewell Messages from TOPIA Staff“outsider” like me, and shared joy and excitementwith me.

in these past two years including my colleagues,
friends, and fellow group members.

Of course, I was able to experience more than just
Awa Odori, such as Tokushima’s rich and beautiful
nature, fresh and delicious seafood, vegetables
and fruits, the historical Shikoku Pilgrimage,and charming indigo dye. I was enthralled andfascinated by it all, but I was most impressed by
the local people of Tokushima. The local people
who are always hardworking, the local people
who are kind to all customers from around thecountry and around the world, the local people
who have pride and preference in Awa Odori
and Awa culture. I want to use this opportunity tothank everyone who has helped me along the way

In Japan, April marks the full bloom of the sakura,and it also marks a season of departure for me.
This April will mark a special time in life for me. As
I finish my job as a Coordinator for International
Relations, I will become a Miyoshi City Regional
Revitalization Officer. It is a result of getting toknow people around me and build relationships
with them. In this new job and life, I will grow by
joining forces with the local people of Tokushima.
I will take in Tokushima’s local charms and
Awa Culture and share it with the world while
continuing to enjoy the Awa Odori.

Letter from SUKETO NAKAYOSHI

By Kazue Inoue (Center for Early Childhood Education and Care SUKETO NAKAYOSHI)T

he beautiful cherry blossom season has finally arrived! I’m sure that many of you who
have started a new chapter in life are pushing forward with this new start.

they did a good job after accomplishing something, rather than being told “Do your best!” forsomething they can’t do. Through this, their willpower become stronger as well.

With the beginning of the new term there might bechildren faced with uncertainty but adults aroundthem can actually help children to relax step bystep, by understanding their feelings. Let’s havea look at some methods on how to address children’s feelings.

＊＊＊
Fluttering Butterfly

1. Physical contact is the most effective
It is said that through physical contact, the intracerebral hormone oxytocin (which is also known
as the “love hormone”) is released in both parts ofthe brain.
2. Listen closely to children who are at the talking
stage
When you listen to children, they come to understand that somebody responded to their thoughts.
This encourages them to do their best.
3. Praise children for their accomplishments
Children feel much better when getting told that

1. Fold a drawing paper in half and cut it in to theshape of a butterfly as seen in the diagram.
2. Open the paper and draw your favorite patterns
on both wings of the butterfly.
3. Fold it as seen in the picture and use glue tostick the inside of the body portion together.
Hold the body portion
with your hand whilemoving it up anddown, and the wings
will flutter.

Awa Shoku: Tokobushi - Be a Little Shellfish
By Lance Kita

A

6

it as sashimi in a locals the weather warms
e a t e r y i n M u g i , Yu k i ,up, people flock too r M i n a m i To w n s , o r
the river flats and rake
sautéed with vegetables
the sand or mud, looking
and scrambled with halffor tasty shellfish. This
cooked egg over rice inspring tradition is called
the style of oyako-don.
shiohigari 潮 干 狩 り
Its small size makes it
and is a great way tomore tender and easier toenjoy the outdoors even
eat than regular abalone,though it’s still too cold toand also tends to be moreactually swim. Althoughaffordable.
most people end up
with a bucket of clams Tokobushi are found on seafood restaurant(hamaguri 蛤 or asari ア menus during spring months or in cans at To ensure that tokobushi
can continue to beサリ ), the southern part ofsouvenir shops around Tokushima.
harvested, the local fishery
Tokushima takes it to thenext level. In Mugi Town 牟岐町 and other coastal cooperative raises juveniles until they’re 2 cm longcommunities, families and friends take a picnic and releases them in the bay in the fall so thatout to the seaside on April 3 for a special day they’ll be ready to harvest in spring. They also
called Hamazekku 浜 節 句、and among all the establish strict harvest seasons and even harvest
tasty dishes they bring are some tiny shellfish that times (only three hours in the morning) to regulate
yields. Fishermen aren’t allowed to harvest
just started their season in mid-March.
anything smaller than 3.5 cm either. Divers go
Tokobushi ト コ ブ シ (also called nagareko な out twice a year and cull sea stars from the area,
が れ こ in Tokushima) are mini-abalones, but a which are the natural enemies of the tokobushi.
different species from the large ones you find in They also control the sea urchin populations
Chinese restaurants. Their shells remind me of a that compete with abalone and tokobushi for the
magic talisman, flat oval domes formed by spiral same seaweed. All this to guarantee that every
growth, punctured by a row of breathing holes, Hamazekku will be a seafood-rich picnic, and thatand with an inner lining of mother-of-pearl that their harvests will always be abundant.
swirls in rainbow pearlescence like their abalone
cousins. Found under rocks in shallow waters, In 2002, Mugi Port had the 4th largest harvest of
their outer shell color or brown, green, or red is regular abalone in Japan, so the reputation of thistown for its shellfish is well-known. Every year,
affected by the seaweed that they feed on.
there is an Abalone Festival where people canHarvested when they are just 4-6 cm long, the buy seafood at discounted prices and feast on
bite-size mollusks are most commonly simmered it freshly-made at the port. This year, the Mugi
in soy sauce, sake, and mirin and then the heat Awabi Matsuri 牟 岐 ア ワ ビ ま つ り is on April 27
is turned off and the pan is brought to room and 28 (Sat. and Sun.), and get there early for thetemperature naturally, which allows the food best deals and maybe even some free samples.
to absorb the flavors of the cooking liquid in a Whether it’s the tiny tokobushi or the meaty
technique called fukume-ni 含め煮 . You can find abalone, spring is a great time to head south andsimmered tokobushi in cans at many souvenir try some tasty shellfish.
shops in Tokushima, especially in the south, andit’s a chewy side dish to a glass of sake or a hot (Most of the information for this article comesfrom the Mugi East Fisheries Cooperative website
bowl of rice.
http://www.mugi.or.jp/tokusan/tokobusi/tokobuisiSince this is the season, you might be able to try annai.htm )7Japanese Lesson
By: Toshiko Yamamizo

Verbs and とき

Today we will study the difference between usage of dictionary form and ta-form verbs when placed
before「～とき」.
かい じょう（パーティー会場で）(At a party)
A：

そのバック、いいですね。

That bag is nice.
○ B：

とう きょういか

これですか。これは、東京へ行ったとき買いました。

This? I bought this when I went to Tokyo.
A：

くつ

そうなんですか。その靴も、、、。

Really? And those shoes?
◎ B：

くつ

くつ

とう きょういか

あっ、この靴ですか。この靴は、東京へ行くときに買いました。

Oh, these shoes? I bought these shoes before going to Tokyo.
What did B purchase in Tokyo? Was it the bag or the shoes?
B purchased the bag in Tokyo. The timeline of events that happened in the case of ○ B were 1. B went
to Tokyo and 2. B bought a bag. The bag was bought in the place they went to (B's destination wasTokyo).
The order of events for ◎ B were 1. B bought the shoes 2. B went to Tokyo. Thus, B purchased theshoes before going to Tokyo.
い

く

かえ

In this way, when using verbs that express movement between locations such as「行く、来る、帰る」
in the dictionary form or ta-form, the location were you do/did the action will change.
れん しゅう もん だい

練 習 問題つぎただ次の（）a,b の、正しいのはどちらですか。
く

き

いえ

ちか

か

1. このサンドイッチは、ここに（a 来る、b 来た）とき、家の近くで買いました。
に ほん

く

き

に ほん ごはな

こま2. 日本へ（a 来る、b 来た）ときは、日本語が話せなくて困りました。
いえ

かえ

かえ

か ぞく

くに

かえ

かえ

か ぞ く

ね

3. 家に（a 帰る、b 帰った）とき、家族はみんな寝ていました。

か

4. 国に（a 帰る、b 帰った）とき、家族へのおみやげは、どこで買いますか。
がいしゃ

い

い

かいしゃ

ともだち

あ

5. Ａ会社に（a 行く、b 行った）とき、その会社で、友達に会いました。
いいび じゅつ かんみ6. パリへ（a 行く、b 行った）とき、ルーブル美 術 館で、モナリザを見ました。
みち

わた

わた

さ ゆう

み

わた

7. 道を（a 渡る、b 渡った）ときは、左右をよく見て渡ります。

Answers:

1. a

2. b

3. b

4. a

5. b

6. b

7. a

8
Events & Memoranda
Tokushima Prefecture 2019Japanese Speech Contest - Apply Now!

1. PURPOSE

True internationalization cannot be achieved without first coming in touch with othercultures and ways of life, fostering a sense of international awareness and gaining
mutual understanding with people of the world to create a society in which we canall work and live together in harmony. This speech contest seeks to give a voice tothe international residents of Tokushima Prefecture and engage them in a dialogue
to further discourse on cross-cultural understanding and fostering multiculturalism.

2. DATE & PLACE		

July 21st, 2019 (Sunday), 13:30 - 16:30
Awagin Hall (Tokushima Prefecture Kyodo Bunka Kaikan), Small Hall (5F)

3. ELIGIBILITY		

Only foreign residents whose native language is not Japanese are eligible to apply.
(However, foreign residents who have had over three years of compulsory
education in Japan and those who have previously won the Grand Prize or theTokushima Prefectural Assembly's Chairman of the Federation of International
Exchange Assembly Members Award are not eligible to apply.)

4.

SELECTION

Application will be open to all foreign residents of Tokushima Prefecture that fulfil
the eligibility requirements. We will ask all applicants to submit an outline of theirspeech (about 800 characters), and after reviewing all of the applications, roughly
10 or so applicants will be chosen to proceed to the final contest.

5.

THEME

The topic is left to your discretion, but it should relate to the event's purpose of
fostering cross-cultural understanding and multiculturalism.

6.

LENGTH

Speeches should be no more than 6 minutes in length.

7.

AWARDS

Grand Prize, one person (Prize: 50,000 yen gift certificate)
The Tokushima Prefectural Assembly's Federation of International Exchange
Assembly Members Chairman’s Award, one person (Prize: 30,000 yen gift
certificate)
Awa Bank Award, one person (Prize: 30,000 yen gift certificate)
Tokushima Bank Award, one person (Prize: 30,000 yen gift certificate)
Tokushima Chamber of Commerce and Industry Award, one person (Prize: 30,000
yen gift certificate)
Tokushima City International Association Special Recognition Award, three people(Prize: 10,000 yen gift certificate)Special Effort Award, to be decided (Prize: 5,000 yen gift certificate)*All participants will receive a participation award.

8.

HOW TO APPLY

Submit your application form by mail or fax. Alternatively, you may submit yourapplication in person.

9. DEADLINE		May 27th, 2019 (Monday)
Applications must be turned in by 17:00.

10. ORGANIZED BY

Tokushima Prefectural International Exchange Association (TOPIA)

11. CO-ORGANIZER		 Tokushima Regional Conference for Promotion of Student Exchange
12. SPONSORS
(TBA)
		
		

The Tokushima Prefectural Assembly's Federation of International Exchange
Assembly Members, Awa Bank, Tokushima Bank, Tokushima Chamber of 		Commerce and Industry, Tokushima International Association (TIA),
Otsuka Pharmaceuticals, Nichia Corporation

13. WITH THE
NHK Tokushima, Shikoku Broadcasting, Tokushima Shimbun, Cable TV Tokushima,
SUPPORT OF (TBA) FM Tokushima, FM Bizan
14. WHERE TO APPLYTokushima Prefectural International Exchange Association (TOPIA)〒 770-0831 1-61 Terashima Honcho Nishi, Tokushima City, Clement Plaza 6F
TEL: 088-656-3303 FAX: 088-652-0616

9Events & Memoranda
Tokushima Hanami Map 2019
徳島花見案内図 2019

Hana Haru Festa 2019
はな・はる・フェスタ 2019
You will be able to enjoy fantastic performances of

阿波おどり有名連の豪華競演を屋内外でたっぷり

famous Awa Odori groups indoors and outdoors.

とご覧いただけるほか、徳島のおいしいものが並This event will be jam packed with a food street

ぶグルメストリートや、ステージイベント、伝統with specialties from Tokushima, stage events,

文化の体験コーナーなど、楽しいイベントが目白

and traditional culture booths.

押しです！

When: April 20 (Sat), 21 (Sun)10:00 – 17:00 (Additional hours on April
20 18:00 to 21:00)
Where: Aibahama Park (Tokushima City),
Shinmachi Boardwalk
Info: Hana Haru Festa Executive Committee

日時： 4 月 20 日（土）、21 日（日）10：00 ～ 17：00※ 20（土）は 18：00 ～ 21：00 も開催
場所：徳島市 藍場浜公園、
しんまちボードウォークほか
問い合わせ：はな・はる・フェスタ
実行委員会事務局

TEL: 088-655-7331

TEL: 088-655-7331

URlL: https://ameblo.jp/hanaharu-f/

URL: https://ameblo.jp/hanaharu-f/

Counselling Service at TOPIA・トピアの相談窓口
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 isavailable in English and Japanese. Please note that although every effort will be made, we may not beable to deal with all cases.
Everyday, 10:00 - 18:00 (closed during the New Year's holidays)
Tel: 088-656-3303 or 088-656-3320 (allows three-way conversations with an interpreter)