THE TOMBO
Oita’s English Newsletter
January, February, March 2018

Issue 89

Religion in Oita
There’s a popular saying that goes, “There are three things
you shouldn’t talk about in polite company: sex, politics, andCalling Usa Jingu a shrine-temple in and of itself is a bit
misleading though. Usa Jingu was not a shrine-temple when it

religion.” But today, we’re going to talk about that last one:religion. Or, more specifically, religion in Oita.

was built in the early eighth century. It was not until Miroku-ji
Temple came to be situated next to it that the resulting mixture

I only know two things about religion in Oita:

became known as “Usa Hachimangu.” Usa Hachimangu
Miroku-ji, not Usa Jingu, was Japan’s first shrine-temple.

1. Usa Jingu was the first shrine-temple in all of Japan, and
2. Sorin Otomo, former feudal lord (daimyo) of what is now
Oita, was Christian.

Although the grounds of Usa Jingu are quite large and include
a main hall designated as a national treasure, you may notthink the grounds are that different from any other shrine.

Let’s start with Usa Jingu. But first, allow me to set the scene.

It has brilliantly red gates, sells omamori, and occasionallyhosts festivals. But, unlike most shrines, Usa Jingu has 40,000
children. (Try and top that!)

You are a Japanese person living in Japan in the year 779 CE.
You have never had miso soup before. Miso is a food for richpeople and isn’t used as a seasoning yet. (Miso soup won’t
exist for at least another four hundred years.) Samurai exist,
but they aren’t warrior protectors of feudal lords. (They won’t
be until the 10th century.) The best poetry of the time has
been compiled into the Manyoshu, but there are no haikus.
(You’ll be dead long before they’re invented in the 1600s.)
Worst of all, you have to chat with your friends in person. LINEis still over a thousand years away.
You also practice Shintoism and Buddhism simultaneously.
According to Nihon-shoki, Buddhism came to Japan by way ofwhat is now South Korea in the year 552 CE.
On the other hand, Shintoism, Japan’s homegrown religion, hasbeen around for longer than recorded Japanese history.
But it isn’t until 779 that Japan’s first shrine-temple is built.
Shrine-temples are exactly what they sound like: a shrine and atemple both sharing the same complex.

Usa Jingu is the head shrine for Hachiman (shrines thatenshrine hachiman, the Japanese god of war), the mostpopular type of shrine in Japan. The more than 40,000
Hachiman shrines in the country, including Kyoto’s Iwashimizu
Hachimangu, are all Usa Jingu’s “children.”
But Usa Hachiman wouldn’t be the last interesting religious
fixture in Oita.
Allow me to set the scene (again).

THE TOMBO

2January, February, March 2018

The year is 1551.

Now, let’s return to the year 2018.

You can enjoy a bowl of ramen if you’d like (it’s not called“ramen,” and it’s not particularly popular yet, but it’s beenaround since the fifteenth century). You can participate in tea
ceremony (it’s a little different from the modern day version
but bears a strong resemblance to it). You can even watch a
Noh play (although kabuki won’t exist until 1603).

The time of the samurai has long since drawn to a close, kabuki
plays are significantly less popular than movie screenings, andLINE finally exists.

Of course, it’s still not the Japan of today. After all, LINE is stillover four hundred years away.

Unfortunately, in the year 2018, much of Sorin Otomo’s legacy
has long since perished. “Long since” means since 1587, after
he lost a battle against the Satsuma Clan (who ruled over what
is now southern Kyushu, including Kagoshima, Kumamoto, andMiyazaki).

But in the year 1551, an interesting thing happens: Sorin

However, you can visit his reconstructed grave in Tsukumi andOtomo meets Francis Xavier.

see a statue of his likeness near Oita Station.
But let’s leave 2018. Let’s go to 2019, to 2099 and beyond.
What does the future of religion in Oita look like?
I believe that the future looks diverse.
T h e r e a r e m a ny r e l i g i o u s e s t a b l i s h m e n t s o f m a ny
denominations scattered throughout the prefecture. Oita evenhas a mosque now, located in Beppu. Although there is only
one mosque in the prefecture at the moment, the numberof facilities that have begun to offer halal food has gradually
increased. I think, in the years to come, other religious
considerations will increase as well.

Francis Xavier

Sorin Otomo

Even now, we are watching history unfold.

Francis Xavier (St. Francis Xavier after 1622) was a Jesuit
missionary from Navarre (now part of Spain) who came to
Bungo Province (now Oita Prefecture) to spread Christianity. In
1551, 21 year old Sorin Otomo summoned him for a meeting.
Some 27 years later, in the year 1578, Sorin Otomo wasbaptized into the Christian faith. He sent two vassals (Harunobu
Arima and Sumitada Omura) along with a handwritten letterfrom himself to the Portuguese king and took on the name of“Don Francisco.”
But the impact of Otomo becoming Christian didn’t stopat sending letters or vassals. He embraced many aspectsof xenophilia. Otomo protected the spread of Christianity
throughout his domain and embraced “Nanban” trade (trade
between Oita and European countries like Portugal, Spain, andthe Netherlands).

Visiting Usa Jingu
The gates of Usa Jingu are open from 6 AM to 9 PM from
October to March. From April to September, they are openfrom 5:30 AM to 9 PM.
Several nearby parking lots are available for a 400 yen rate.
For those using public transportation, take the train to Usa
Station. Get on the bus bound for "Yokkaichi" ( 四 日 市 )and get off at the "Usa Hachiman" ( 宇佐八幡 ) bus stop.
There is no entry fee for Usa Jingu, but the onsite Treasure
Hall (open from 9 AM to 4 PM) is 300 yen for adults, 200
yen for high school/junior high school students, and 100
yen for elementary school students.
Multilingual audio guides (Japanese, English, Chinese,
Korean) can be rented for 500 yen from the nearby Usa
City Tourism Association.

THE TOMBO

3January, February, March 2018

EXHIBITIONS & SCREENINGS
Date

Descrip

Nov. 17th –Jan. 21st

Cost

Contact #talentst of 20th century
Oita Prefectural Art
Isamu Noguchi ―from sculpture to body and garden― Museum (OPAM)¥1,000☎ 097-533-4500

Oita Prefectural Art
Museum (OPAM)¥300☎ 097-533-4500

Oita City Art Museum¥1,000☎ 097-554-5800

Oita City Art Museum¥300☎ 097-554-5800

Dec. 8th –Feb. 6th

Placegomi” (Pleasure of our cJan. 5th –Feb. 12th

Art Takeshi Exhibit

Jan. 10th –Apr. 8th
Jan. 31st –Apr. 23rd

Gems from the Oita University Library

Oita Prefectural
Museum of History¥310☎ 097-837-2100

Feb. 9th –Apr. 10th“Wa no Kokoro” (Spirit of Japanese culture)

Oita Prefectural Art
Museum (OPAM)¥300☎ 097-533-4500

Feb. 23rd –The 53rd Oita City Art Exhibit
Mar. 25th

Oita City Art Museum

FREE☎ 097-554-5800

Feb. 29th –Jan. 28th“Waka to Egokoro no Majiwari” (Harmony between
heart of poem and pain

Oita Prefectural Art
Museum (OPAM)¥500☎ 097-533-4500

Mar. 21st –Mar. 25th

The 37th Oit

Oita Prefectural Art
Museum (OPAM)

FREE☎ 097-521-1005***Most Museums and Centers are closed on Monday, or Tuesday if Monday is a public holiday. Student admissions vary, highest cost shown.***STAGE & MUSIC EVENTS
Date

Time

Jan. 24th
Feb. 3rd

Ar st/Event

Venue
iichiko Oto-no19:00 Oita Opera New Year Concert
Izumi Hall
iichiko Presents Wales String Quartet, Beethoven iichiko Oto-no14:00
Izumi Hall
tet Concert

Cost

Contact #¥1,000☎ 097-533-4004¥3,000☎ 097-533-4004**Ticket prices range from student to most expensive general admission. Prices shown otherwise indicate price for purchase on the day of the event, they may be cheaper if purchasedin advance. “w/ drink” prices include a drink, “+drink” prices require the addi
rchase of a drink. Times shown indicate start mes, doors usually open 30 minutes beforehand.

VENUES
iichiko Oto-no-Izumi= Oasis Tower 1F Oita City

Cherry Blossom Viewing~ Prime Viewing Spots ~In Oita Prefecture, cherry blossoms (sakura) begin blooming from late March, and theblossoms generally last un early to mid-April. Below is a short list of some well-known
cherry blossom viewing spots in Oita Prefecture. These spots are ideal for enjoying yourown lihanami (cherry blossom viewing) party with friends, food, and drinks.
This list is con
Tombo.
City

Loca

n

Blossom period

Beppu City

Beppu Park
別府公園

Late March ~Early April

Beppu City

Mt. Ogi Sakura
GardenNumber of trees

Contact #15 minutes by car from Oita IC
5 minutes by bus from JR Beppu sta

100☎ 0977-21-1111

Early April

5 minutes by car from Beppu IC
20 minutes by bus from JR Beppu sta

6,000☎ 0977-21-1111

Early ~Mid April

30 minutes by car from JR Kitsuki sta
20 minutes by car from Oita Kukodouro Aki IC

3,000☎ 0978-72-5168

150☎ 0979-22-1111

650☎ 097-537-5638

扇山さくらの園

KunisakiCity

Aki Dam Park
安岐ダム公園

Nakatsu-kita Park

Address/dir

NakatsuCity

中津北（二の丸）
公園

Late March ~Early April

15 minutes on foot from JR Nakatsu sta

Oita City

Heiwa-shimin
Park

Late March~
Mid April

15 minutes by bus from JR Oita sta‘Hanazuru’ bus stop)
20 minutes by car from Oita IC

平和市民公園(toTHE TOMBO

4January, February, March 2018

Festivals and Events
Date~Mar. 31st

~Jan. 3rd

Jan. 1st

Jan. 1st
Jan. 2nd
Jan. 7th
Jan. 13th
Feb. 17th
Mar. 17th
Jan. 20th
Feb. 17th
Mar. 17th
Jan. 27th~
Feb. 4th
Feb. 4th
Feb. 11th~
Mar. 4th
Feb. 18th~
Mar. 18th
Mar. 1st

Event Description
Location‘Bura-hito-tsumami’ – Enjoy eating and drinking Taketa’s food and drink! You
can buy 3 tickets for 300 yen (1 ticket = 100 yen). This will be a big chance to Taketa City
Various Locations
find something special among Taketa’s local snacks and drinks.
Free hot springs entrance – 7 municipal hot springs (Takegawara Onsen,
excluding the sand bath, Tanoyu Onsen, Furosen, Kaimonji Onsen, Nageshi Beppu City
Various Locations
Onsen, Hamada Onsen, and Hamawaki Onsen) will have free entry!
First sunrise of the new year – The Beppu Ropeway to Mt. Tsurumi will open
at 4:00 AM and give visitors the chance to make their first sunrise of the year a Beppu City
Mt. Tsurumi
memorable one. Come along and enjoy the beautiful view.
Usa Shrine New Year visit – Every year around half a million people visit Usa
Shrine on this day to pray for good fortune and for things such as the health of Usa City
Usa Shrine
their family, business prosperity, road safety, and success in their studies.
New Year Shonai Kagura – This will be the first Shonai Kagura performance of Yufu City
Shonai-Machi
the new year.
Houran-Enya Boat Festival – Vibrantly decorated boats float down the Katsura Bungotakada City
River accompanied by traditional flute and drum music, dancing, and more! Ebisu Bridge ~Katsura Bridge
This is a very colorful, lively event.
Yufuin Onsen Kagura – Live kagura dance performance by local groups.
(8:30 PM – 9:30 PM, ¥500 fee)

Yufu City
Yufuin Community
CenterKimono Appreciation Day – A monthly event where visitors can try on rental
kimonos, have their photos taken, and receive discounts at nearby facilities if Kitsuki City
Jouka-machi
they are wearing kimono.
Oita Fugu Festa – Selected famous fugu (blowfish) restaurants throughout Oita Oita City
City will be offering discounts on fugu cuisine so that everyone can taste the Participating
restaurants
deliciousness of fugu.
The 67th Beppu Oita Mainichi Marathon – Well known as a stepping stone for Oita City
marathon newcomers. Held alongside the Beppu coast, come along to cheer Umitamago Aquarium ~Oita Athletic Stadiumon the runners (if you’re not already competing!).
Yoshino Japanese Plum Blossom Festival – During this festival there will beevents such as kagura and taiko performances every Sunday amongst the 450 Oita City
Yoshino bai-en
plum blossom trees.
Hita Ōyama Japanese Plum Blossom Festival – The Ōkubo and Furuya plumblossom parks will hold events such as outdoor tea ceremonies (Mar. 4th), Hita CityŌyama-machi
poem-reading meetings, and blossom viewing walks.
Tsujibasha opening – This day marks the beginning of spring in Yufuin, when Yufu City
JR Yufuin Station
the horse drawn carriages resume operation. A ceremony will be held.

Contact #☎ 0974-63-0585☎ 0977-21-1129☎ 0977-22-2278☎ 0978-37-0001☎ 097-582-1111☎ 0978-22-3100☎ 0977-85-7667☎ 0978-63-0100☎ 097-537-5764☎ 093-511-1119☎ 097-595-1676☎ 0973-52-3101☎ 0977-84-2446

Hina Doll Exhibitions
The Hina doll festival is a yearly tradition beginning in mid-February and continuing until mid-March. Families
display Hina dolls to celebrate Girls’ Day on March 3rd. Displays feature a number of tiers, and each doll
represents a different figure, from the Emperor and Empress to court ladies and samurai.
DateFeb. 9th~
Mar. 11th

Event Description

LocationContact #Usuki Hina-meguri - Hina dolls will be displayed at various locations Usuki City
Various Locations
throughout the city.

☎ 0972-64-7130

Feb. 10th Kitsuki Hina-meguri - Hina dolls will be displayed at various locations Kitsuki City
throughout the city. Additionally, the Hina dolls that were owned by a feudal Various Locations~Mar. 11th lord will be displayed.

☎ 0978-63-0100

Feb. 15th~ Hita Hina Doll festival - Families in Mameda-machi and Kuma-machi will Hita City
Mar. 31st display their Hina dolls to the public.
Mameda, Kuma

☎ 0973-22-2036

Feb. 25th~ Castle town Nakatsu Hina Doll festival- Various events will be held to Nakatsu City
Various locations
Mar. 12th coincide with the local Hina doll displays.

☎ 0979-64-6565

THE TOMBO
What’s Going On?

5

From the Plaza
Free Legal Consultations for International Residents
The Oita International Plaza is holding free legal
consultations for foreign residents on the third
Wednesday of every month.
●When: January 17th, February 21st (closed on March
21st)●Time: 13:00-16:00●Consultant: Sei Ito (Administrative Solicitor)●Venue: Oita International Plaza (iichiko Culture Center,
B1F)
Free Tagalog Consultations
The Oita International Plaza is holding free consultationsin Tagalog.
●When: January 6th, 16th; February 3rd, 20th; March 3rd,
20th
●Time: 13:00-16:00●Consultant: Rhodora Yoshitake (President of the Oita
Philippines Friendship Association)●Venue: Oita International Plaza (iichiko Culture Center,
B1F)
Free Chinese Consultations
The Oita International Plaza is holding free consultationsin Mandarin.
●When: Every Thursday 10:00-13:00 (except Jan. 4th)
●Time: 10:00-13:00●Consultant: Cui Wenyu●Venue: Oita International Plaza (iichiko Culture Center,
B1F)(*Dates and times are subject to change. Please contact the Oita
International Plaza before coming.) TEL: 097-533-4021

Free Consultations Regarding Immigration,
Residency, and Citizenship
The Oita International Plaza is holding free consultations
regarding immigration, residency, and citizenship on thefirst Sunday of each month.
●When: January 7th, February 4th, March 4th●Time: 13:00-16:00●Languages available: Japanese and English●Interpretation into languages other than Japanese andEnglish may be available with a reservation (there areno guarantees). The reservation must be made 2 days
prior to the consultation day.
●Venue: Oita International Plaza (iichiko Culture Center,
B1F)

January, February, March 2018

International Event Notifications
The Oita International Plaza will be announcing
some international events that take place within Oita
Prefecture on our social media pages in order to support
organizations proactively fostering international relations.
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/oitaplaza
Twitter - http://twitter.com/oitaplaza
If you are interested in relaying information about an
even, please send e-mail at the Plaza.
Mail: kobayashi-ikuyo@emo.or.jp
Free Talk!
Beginning January 2018, come chat with native speakers
from America, China, England, and South Korea at
the Oita International Plaza. They all speak excellent
Japanese, so you can engage in cultural exchange andexpect to learn new words through fun conversation.
Dates and further details to be announced.
Please e-mail kobayashi-ikuyo@emo.or.jp for more
information.

Japanese Lessons
Himawari Japanese Volunteers
Support for people learning Japanese in order to help themenjoy their lives in Oita, now at three different locations.
Wasada Public Hall Wed. 10:00-11:30
Meiji Akeno Public Hall Wed. 14:00-15:30
Tsurusaki Public Hall Sat. 10:00-11:30
For more information contact Ms. Fukata TEL: 097-527-2614
E-MAIL: nihongo_himawari_oita@yahoo.co.jp
Nihongo Rakuraku-talk
Beppu City Hall offers free Japanese lessons every Monday
from 14:00-15:30. For more information contact Mr. Kii in
the Beppu International Affairs Division
TEL: 0977-21-6133 E-MAIL: int-ma@city.beppu.oita.jp
Sakura Japanese Class
Come study Japanese with friendly volunteers and teachers
in a pleasant atmosphere. Sakura Japanese Class is held
every Monday from 10:15-12:00 at the Oita University
International House in Nishiki-Machi, Oita City. Classes arefree of charge. For more information call Ms. Ohashi
CELL: 090-7866-2486
AIUEO Japanese Lessons
Volunteers offer free Japanese lessons on Tuesday andFriday from 10:20-11:50 at I-NESS near Oasis Tower as wellas Thursday nights at Compal Hall from 18:30-20:30. Lessons
are also offered in Beppu at the Beppu Foreign Tourist
Information Office on Tuesday mornings from 10:00-12:00.
For more information contact:
Ms. Miyase CELL: 090-8353-2485 (day lessons)
Ms. Kato TEL: 097-532-5940 (night lessons)THE TOMBO

6January, February, March 2018

Cherry Blossom Viewing~ Prime Viewing Spots ~City

Location

Blossom period

Address/directions

Number of trees

Contact #Taketa City

Oka Castle
Ruins

Early April

20 minutes on foot from JR Bungo Taketa station

1,500☎ 0974-63-0585

Early April

10 minutes by bus from JR Usa station

1,200☎ 0978-37-0001

Late March ~Early April

10 minutes on foot from JR Usuki station

1,000☎ 0972-64-7130

3,700☎ 0972-82-9521

岡城跡

Usa City
Usuki City
TsukumiCity

Usa Shrine
宇佐神宮

Usuki Castle
臼杵城跡

Youra
Peninsula

Mid-February 25 minutes by car from Tsukumi IC
Early March

四浦半島

おおいた国際交流プラザ

公益財団法人 大分県芸術文化スポーツ振興財団
大分市高砂町 2−33 OASIS ひろば 21（B1F）☎ 097-533-4021 FAX:097-533-4052

Oita International Plaza

Oita Prefecture Arts, Culture & Sports
Promotion Foundation

OASIS Hiroba21（B1F）2-33 Takasago-Machi, Oita-Shi 870-0029

THANK

YOU ! !

A special thanks to all those who co-operated with us for

The International Plaza is located on the basement floor of OASIS
Hiroba 21（iichiko Culture Center）.

this issue. Your help was very much appreciated.
THE TOMBO is produced by:

Oita International Plaza
Oita Prefecture Arts, Culture & Sports
Promotion Foundation
2-33 Takasago-Machi
Oita-Shi Oita-Ken 〒 870-0029☎

097(533)4021

Fax 097(533)4052
E-MAIL: in@emo.or.jp
http://www.oitaplaza.jp/english/
HOURS: Monday-Friday

9:30am-6:00pm(closed weekends and the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month. We
are open on the Saturdays before these Mondays)
Closed national holidays & Dec 29th - Jan 3rd

大分県立美術館 OPAM
Oita Prefectural Art Museum