aWa life

March 2024

TOPIA JapaneseClasses ScheduleJapan’s Goshuin
StampsPink Season in Kaiyo

Gairaigo Galore:
かっぱ

# 400

1

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

In this month’s Awa Life, we have plenty of event information available for everyone! It’s that time ofyear again where the sakura (cherry blossom) trees are going to start blooming. There are plenty oflocations in Tokushima to view these beautiful flowers, so take a look at our Hanami Map for somesuggestions. Also check out information about this year’s Tokushima AJET Musical and the revived
Tebajima Art Exhibition!
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,
Sydney and Rasmus

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:
Tony Lu, Naoko Yoshida, and Junko Kimura

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Contents

Pg. 2:

Pink Season in Kaiyo

Pg. 3-4: Japan’s Goshuin Stamps
Pg. 5:

Japanese Lesson

Pg. 6:

Tokushima Culture and Reading Corner: 出羽島

Pg. 6:

Gairaigo Galore: かっぱ

Pg. 7-9: Events and Memoranda
Pink Season in Kaiyo
By: Tony LuIt’ll soon be hanami season in Japan, and thisyear it seems cherry blossoms are expectedto bloom a little earlier than usual (a delightful
occurrence that seems to repeat annually…) .
Perhaps not as well known to those outside of
Kaiyo, Mt Myoken is the local hotspot for cherry
blossom viewing. Overlooking the Kaifu River andocean, Akiragen Shrine is perched at the top of
the mountain, and adds a spiritual touch to thespot.
There are two paths up this mountain, one whichstarts near the PIA supermarket complex andwinds its way up the mountain. During hanami
season, cherry blossom petals blanket thispathway and, if you’re lucky, you might evenspot the DMV running along the tracks as you’re
climbing up! The other route is a long staircasethat begins from the southern side of the mountainin the Okuura neighborhood.

Bonbori lanterns line both pathways up themountain, and, as the sun sets, these lanterns
come to life, casting a warm, atmospheric glow on
the mountain.
So, if yourcalendar finds
you in Kaiyo at
the end of March,
be sure to swing
by Kaiyo’s very
own hanami
haven!

3
H

ave you ever heard of “goshuin” stamps?
When you break down the kanji “ 御 朱印 ”in Japanese, you get 御 : Honorific Prefix,
朱 : Red, and 印 : Stamp/Seal. Goshuin can beobtained at temples and shrines all across Japan,
although not every temple/shrine will offer them.
In the past, these goshuin were proof of devotion,
and were only given after dedicating a sutra toa temple. Some also believed that you would
be able to take your goshuin to the afterlife andpresent them as proof of devotion.
Nowadays, goshuin serve as proof of visiting ashrine/temple, and can be purchased for a fee.
(Prices can range depending on the size/intricacyof the goshuin.) One great thing to note is thatyou don’t need to be Buddhist/Shinto to enjoy
collecting these stamps!
The traditional
goshuin contains
information such as
the temple/shrine’s
name and the dateyou visited written
in calligraphy, andis stamped with
red ink as theirname suggests.
They are typicallyhandwritten bymonks at temples,kannushi (Shinto
Goshuin from Tsuda
priests)
at shrines,
Hachiman Shrineor other staff(Tokushima City)
members such as
miko (shrine maidens). While this describes the
traditional goshuin, nowadays there are manydifferent varieties, such as goshuin featuring cutedrawings or ones with elaborately drawn art.
Some locations even offer collaboration goshuinthat feature anime characters or local mascots.
As the years have passed, goshuin have grownincreasingly popular across Japan, with many
temples and shrines offering seasonal limited

Japan’s Goshuin Stamps
By: Sydney Bartig

goshuin, monthly
c h a n g i n ggoshuin, goshuin
for special
holidays, goshuin
for charities, andall other sorts ofgoshuin gimmicks
to keep people
coming back tocollect the latest
one. Collecting
goshuin is
especiallyp o p u l a r a m o n g Goshuin from Ouji Shrine(Tokushima City)
young women, giving
birth to the term “ 御朱印ガール ” (lit. goshuin girl).
However, a wide variety of people enjoy collecting
them, regardless of age or gender.
Before you start collecting goshuin, it’s firstimportant topurchase a“ 御 朱 印 帳 ”(goshuincho),which is a special
type of book used
exclusively forcollecting goshuin.
It is considered
rude to ask forgoshuin using
a notebook or
non-goshuincho
option. Dependingon the location,
Unique Goshuincho fromyou may also be
Ouji Shrine
refused. Also, although it is rare that you will berefused, it seems to be the general consensus
to separate goshuin from shrines and those from
temples in different goshuincho. However, thedecision is ultimately up to you.
The goshuincho are typically in an accordion
style so you can spread out the pages and see
your collection all at once. Similar to the goshuin

Japan’s Goshuin Stamps
themselves, there
are a variety ofgoshuincho with cuteor pretty designs.
S ome temple s a n dshrines offer their own
unique goshuincho,
making the books
themselves also fun tocollect. You can also
usually find them soldin stationary stores,
Goshuin from Kamojima
book stores, or online.
Hachiman Shrine(Yoshinogawa City)
There are plentyof shrines and temples within Tokushima thatoffer interesting goshuin for you to collect.
Although I of course haven’t hadn’t the chance
to visit all of them yet, some locations that offer
goshuin include Ouji Shrine (Tokushima City),
Kokoroyoshi Shrine (Tokushima City), Kamojima
Hachiman Shrine (Yoshinogawa City), Hiwasa
Hachiman Shrine(Kaifu District),
Ts u d a S h r i n e( To k u s h i m a C i t y ) ,Omatsudaigongen(Anan City),
Oasahiko Shrine(Naruto City),
Bizan Tenjin Shrine( To k u s h i m a C i t y ) ,To m i d a O m a h i k o
Shrine (TokushimaCity), and Omiwa
Shrine (Tokushima
Goshuin written on Awa City). Make sure to
Washi paper from Oasahiko check each location’s
opening hours when
Shrine (Naruto City)
visiting as someone
may not always be available to write the goshuin.
Of course, for Tokushima and Shikoku we also
have the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage. The
stamps collected at these temples are known as“nokyo” instead of “goshuin” and are collected
in a “ 納 経 帳 ” (nokyocho). Although minor, the4Goshuin from Bizan Tenjin Shrine(Tokushima City)
difference between goshuincho and nokyocho
are that the pages of a goshuincho are blank,
whereas the pages of the nokyocho will have thetemple’s names written and are used for a set ofsacred locations (like pilgrimages).
Collecting goshuin can be a great chance for you
to explore to Tokushima/Japan. When I started
collecting goshuin, it gave me an opportunity
to visit shrines in Tokushima that I had neverbeen to before, some which I didn’t even know
existed! There are also plenty of people thatenjoy collecting goshuin, and it is fun to compare
collections.
Since this year is the year of the dragon, there aremany time-limited goshuin featuring both adorable
dragons and intricately drawn realistic ones. If you
have the time, I suggest collecting a few goshuin.
They can make for a great and unique memory!

Goshuin from Kamojima Hachiman Shrine(Yoshinogawa City)

5

Japanese Lesson
By: Naoko Yoshida「～たら、～」〈Conversation〉
まんえん

なに

A：もし、１００万円あったら、何をしたいですか。
りょこう

B：そうですね。旅行をしたいですね。A さんは？
くるまか

A：わたしは、 車 を買いたいです。
まんえん

B：あぁ、１００万円ほしいですね。
かいしゃ

お

たから

か

い

A：そうだ、会社が終わったら 宝 くじを買いに行きます。
あB：当たるといいですね。

けい

The「～たら」form is made by adding「ら」to the た形 form of verbs, adjectives, etc. It is
used to express something that you are unsure if it will actually occur or not. It is often usedwith the word 「もし」.
動詞（Ⅴ）

い形容詞（い A）

ど うし

な形容詞（な A）
・名詞（N）＋だ

けいよう しい

行ったら
い

行かなかったらけいよう しめ いしがくせい

いそがしかったら

ひま/学生だったらいそがしくなかったら

ひま/学生じゃなかったらがくせい〈Ⅴたら、～〉has 1 other meaning. It is used to express that after the action of the V isfinalized, the speaker will then continue to do something.
がっこう

で

かいしゃ

つく

Example: 学校を出たら、コンピューターの会社を作ります。
Practice Problems: Think about how the form is used in A/B, and decide which form matches
the usage of each question. Write the answer in the parentheses (
じ かん

ちゃ

).

の

A：時間があったら、お茶を飲みましょう。
えき

つ

で んわ

B：駅に着いたら電話します。
あめ

か

もの

い

1.

（
もし、雨がふったら、買い物に行きません。

2.

ひる

はん

た

で

昼ご飯を食べたら、出かけましょう。（
かね

せ か い いっしゅうりょこう

）

）

い

3.

（
お金があったら、世界 一 周 旅行に行きたいです。

4.

ゆうがた

夕方までに荷物が届かなかったらこまりますね。（

5.

なつやす

）

とど

）

夏休みになったら、アルバイトをするつもりです。（
かえ

あ（うちへ帰ったら、すぐシャワーを浴びます。

））

Answers: 1.（A） 2.（B） 3.（A） 4. (A)

5.（B） 6.（B）

6.

に もつ

6

Tokushima Culture and Reading Corner: 出羽島
By: Junko Kimuraとくしまけん

ひと

す

りとう

いつ

ひと

しま

て ば じ ましょうかい

徳島県には 人が 住んでいる 離島が ５つあります。そのうちの 一つの島「出羽島」を 紹介しまて ば じ ましゅういやくちいしまとくしまけんみなみ

む ぎ こ うれんらくせんふんいす。出羽島は 周囲約４ｋｍの 小さな島です。徳島県の 南に ある牟岐港から 連絡船で 15 分で 行
げんざいて ば じ ま

じんこう

にん

おお

にん

ひと

く

くことができます。現在の 出羽島の 人口は 60 人ですが、多いときは 1,000 人もの 人たちが 暮ら
むかしかつおりょうちゅうしん

さか

ぎょそんしゅうらく

しゅうらく

づく

していました。昔は 鰹 漁 を 中心として 栄えた 漁村集落です。集落には「ミセ造り」といわれる
とくちょうてき

いえ

しま

きこう

おんだん

たの

特徴的な 家があります。島の 気候は 温暖で、ハイビスカスなどを 楽しむことができます。また、
くに

てんねんきねんぶつ

かいそう

は国の 天然記念物「シラタマモ」という 海藻がて ば じ ま

ある

き

生えていま

おも

て ば じ ます。出羽島を歩けば すぐに 気がつくと思いますが、出羽島
じどうしゃ

か

ぐるま

には 自動車がありません。その代わりに、「ねこ車」という
て

お

ぐるま

にもつ

はこ

とうない

りょう

じゅんび

手押し車で 荷物を 運びます。島内には、漁の 準備を して
ひと

たの

しゃべ

ひと

で

あ

おだ

いる人や、楽しく お喋りをしている 人たちに 出会い、穏や
じかん

なが

かん

しま

まも

かな 時間の 流れを 感じます。島での ルールを 守りながら、
まちな

しぜん

さんさく

町並みや 自然を 散策してみましょう。
Vocabulary List
りとう

離島
しゅうい

周囲
れんらくせん

連絡船
げんざい

現在
かつおりょう鰹 漁

Isolated Island
Circumference
Ferry
Presently
Skipjack Tuna Fishing

かっぱ (Raincoat)
By: Sydney Bartig

ぎょそんしゅうらく

漁村集落
とくちょうてき

特徴的
きこう

気候
おんだん

温暖
ハイビスカス

てんねんきねんぶつ

Fishing Village 天然記念物
Characteristic
ClimateTemperate
Hibiscus

かいそう

Seaweed

海藻ておNatural Monument​

ぐるま

手押し車
おだ

穏やか
さんさく

散策

Wheelbarrow
Peaceful
StrollGairaigo Galore

While we still have a few more months until the rainy season is upon us, I’m sure many of you who
have already experienced the rainy season and are used to riding a bike in Japan own a raincoat.
(If you don’t, I recommend buying a nice one before the rainy season starts!) While you can simply
use the word レインコート , another word is the gairaigo “ かっぱ ”. (Not to be confused with thegreen Japanese yokai kappa.)
This word stems from the Portuguese word “capa”, however the original
Portuguese doesn’t translate into raincoat. Its meaning is a cover that
protects the inner contents of something, such as a book cover. か っ ぱ
originally referred to the long capes that the Portuguese missionaries wore
in Japan. Interestingly enough, the English word “cape” also stems fromthis Portuguese word.
While often written in hiragana, it also has a kanji version “ 合 羽 ”. Whenworn by a person, it’s apparently said that it looks similar to a bird with bothof its wings together.
(Kanji Note: 合 : Together 羽 Wing)

7

Events & Memoranda
2024 Term 1 TOPIA Japanese Classes Schedule

Time: 10:30-12:00

Location: Meeting rooms at TOPIA

Fee: Free

Textbook: We will be using the “Minna no Nihongo I” or the “Minna no Nihongo II” (2 nd edition) textbooks (2,750 yen for the bookand audio CD). Please prepare the textbooks on your own. Additionally, there will be themed lessons on various topics suchas seasons and life in Tokushima.
DAY

TEACHERLEVELCLASS DESCRIPTION

TUE

Ms.Tamaki

Beginners

We will take the first step towards learning basic expressions.
Text: Minna no Nihongo I from Chapter 1~13

START
DATE
April 9(20 times)

This is a flexible group study class split up into 3 different groups.
*For parents of young children, a childcare worker will be on hand to look
WED

Volunteers

Group Lesson

after your child during the lesson.

April 10

(Please make a reservation in advance. Childcare will be offered at(20 times)

TOPIA’s meeting rooms or at the child-care facility in the Amico Building(5 min. walk from TOPIA).)

THU

Ms.
YamadaWe will study a variety of verb conjugations such as te form, nai form,
Elementary 1

and dictionary form.
Text: Minna no Nihongo I from Chapter 14~25

April 11(20 times)

We will study various forms and expressions such as potential, volitional,
FRI

Ms. Aoki

Elementary
2・3

imperative, prohibitive, conditional, reasoning, passive, causative, andhonorific expressions.

April 5(25 times)

Text: Minna no Nihongo II from Chapter 26~50
We will study various forms and expressions such as potential, volitional,
SUN

JTM

Elementary 2

imperative, prohibitive and conditional expressions.
Text: Minna no Nihongo II from Chapter 26~38

Volunteers

Group Lesson

April 7(20 times)

This is a flexible group study class split up into 3 different groups.

* Please register for Group Lessons at least a day before the class. (If you do not sign up in advance and show up on the day of theclass, we may not be able to find a group for you to study with.) Additionally, as the number of groups are limited, we may not beable to find a group that suits your level.
* If you are unable to attend class, please call and let us know.
* The Volunteer Classes on Wednesday and Sunday will be cancelled if no students show up within the first 30 minutes.

TUE

Ms. Kimura
OthersSpecialA class for those who cannot read or write hiragana or katakana. We

You may

Beginners

will study the basics, such as the Japanese alphabet, greetings,

join at any

Classnumbers, and items. We will also be learning about Tokushima.

time.

*Classes may be cancelled if there is a typhoon, heavy rain, heavy snow, etc.
TOPIA will also post on their Facebook page by 8:30 AM if classes are cancelled, so please take a look.

TOPIA

TEL: 088-656-3303

Email: topia@topia.ne.jp

Japanese classes are also available at the Anan International Association, Aizumi Town International Exchange
Association, Yoshinogawa International Exchange Association, Mima no Sato, Minami Multicultural Coexistence Network"Harmony", the Club for Thinking about Multicultural Coexistence "Tomoni" in Tsurugi Town, Awa International Exchange
Association, and the NPO "Attakaiyou" in Kaiyo Town.

Website: https://www.topia.ne.jp/english/

Events & Memoranda

8

Tokushima Hanami Map 2024
徳島県花見案内図 2024

Tebajima Mini Art Exhibition & Concert
出羽島ミニアート展＆ミニコンサート
The island of Tebajima is designated as a
“Preservation District for Groups of Traditional
Buildings”. Due to COVID-19, the Tebajima Art
Exhibition couldn’t be held for 3 years, but now
it is being revived with new contents! During theevent period, in addition to the art exhibitions,
there will be mini concerts, volunteer guided
walks, workshops with a connection to nature,and many other events. Enjoy a nice bento lunch
while basking in the sunlight of the island wheretime passes slowly. ♪

出羽島は重要伝統的建造物群保存地区に指定されています。
コロナ禍の影響もあり 3 年間開催が出来なかった
出羽島アート展。内容もガラッと変わり復活します！
期間中、アート作品の展示はもちろん、ミニコン
サートや、ボランティアガイドと歩く出羽島散策、
自然とつながるワークショップなどイベント盛り
だくさん。
ゆっくりとした時間が流れる島で日向ぼっこをしながらお弁当を召し上がれ ♪

When: March 24th (Sun.) – 31st (Sun.)
Where: Tebajima Island, Mugi Town, Kaifu District
Inquiries: Mugi Town Board of Education
TEL: 0884-72-0107
URL: https://tebajima.jp/1132/

日時：3 月 24 日（日）～ 31 日（日）場所：海部郡牟岐町 出羽島
お問い合わせ：牟岐町教育委員会
TEL: 0884-72-0107
URL: https://tebajima.jp/1132/

9

Events & Memoranda

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)