February 2004

by Mutsumi Torii

Because some of us have gained weight during the holiday season, it is time to start working out and getting out.

The 9th Kishu-Kuchikumano Marathon in Kamitonda
February 1 Info: 0739 - 47 - 5930
Runners can sign up for the race at the Kamitonda Cultural Hall, which is the starting point of all races, the morning of the event. Full marathon (42.195 km) starts at 10:00 a.m, and other races (1/2 marathon, 5km, 3km, 2km, and 1km) will start a bit later. Each runner?s time(s) will be available at the following web site after noon.
http://www.town.kamitonda.wakayama.jp/kami40/kami42/kami42.html
For more information, please contact the Kishu Kuchikumano Marathon Office.
The Kamitonda Cultural Hall is a 40-minute drive from the Minabe I.C. of the Hanwa expressway. Kamitonda town is located just east of Shirahama and can accessed by a combination of train; The Cultural Hall is a few minutes walk from the Kumano Koko (high School) mae bus stop on the bus route from the JR Tanabe Station on the JR Kinokuni line.

Setsubun
Setsubun refers to the day that marks the change of the seasons throughout the year. Since there are four seasons in Japan, Japanese used to celebrate Setsubun four times a year, but now they only celebrate Setsubun the day before the first day of spring. In 2004, Setsubun is on February 3.

Mamemaki (Bean scattering ritual)
The Bean scattering ritual (Mamemaki) is held annually in many temples and shrines. Roasted soybeans are scattered by people born in the year of the Monkey. Also, small packets of beans, rice cakes, and packets of snack food can be scattered. Here are only a few of the many places that have Mamemaki events. If you want to take part in the event, please contact the temples or shrines nearest you.

Kimiidera Temple in Wakayama City
Info: 073 - 444 - 1002
The temple is east of Kokutai doro (Kokutai Street) in Kimiidera. Turn towards the mountain at the Moss Burger. Starts at 4:00 p.m.

Nachisan Seigantoji temple in Nachikatsuura
7:00 a.m. ~ 5:00 p.m. Info: 0735 - 55 - 0404

Kumano Nachitaisha Shrine in Nachikatsuura
9:00 a.m. ~ 2:00 p.m. Info: 0735 - 55 - 0321
Nachisan Seigantoji Temple is next to Kumano Nachitaisho Shrine. Both are a 15-minute walk away from the Jinja Oteramae bus stop on the bus route from the JR Kiikatsuura station on the JR Kinokuni line.

Oto Fire Festival at Kamikura Shrine in Shingu
February 6 5:00 p.m. ~ 9:00 p.m. Info: 0735 - 23 - 3333
Nearly 2000 men in white costume and straw belts run down the 358 steep stone steps toward the shrine at the bottom of the hill with fire torches in their hands. It is said that the first runner to arrive at the shrine not only wins the prize but can also live happy for the year. Women are forbidden to participate in this event, but they can watch from the foot of the hill. Kamikura Shrine is a 20-minute walk from the JR Shingu station on the JR Kinokuni line.

Harikuyo (Memorial service for used needles) at
Awashima Shrine
February 8 11:00 a.m. Info: 073 - 459 - 0043
Sukunahikonanomikoto, one of the deities of Awashima Shrine, is the deity of needlework. It is said that he is the first deity to teach people the way of needlework. This event is held to show one?s appreciation to broken needles and for people to pray for their progress in needlework. After the broken needles are purified at the main shrine, needles are put into a Harizuka (mound for needles) with salt and they are returned slowly to the ground with the passing of time. The shrine is a 15-minute walk from the Kada Station on the Nankai Kada line just north of Wakayama City.

Viola and Piano Recital
February 8 2:00 p.m. Info: 073 - 422 - 3562
This rare concert of lesser-known works by Milhaud, Britten, Hindemith, Schumann and Higashi will be performed at the Media Art Hall, located on the second floor of the Wakayama Prefectural Library in Nishi (West)Takamatsu, Wakayama City.
Naoko Miyashita (Piano) and Akira Hirokari (Viola) are both graduates of the Tokyo Art University. Naoko Miyashita, a native of Wakayama City, has also studied in London and performed extensively in Europe and Japan.

Photo Courtesy of the Wakayama Prefecture Tourism Division
Suginohara no Ondamai
February 11 from noon ~ 3:00 p.m. Info: 0737 - 25 - 1111
There are 2 different performance in this festival. First, hadaka-Naeoshi is a five-minute dance and song where men wearing Fundosh (loincloth) circle a big Hibachi. Next is the Ondamai, which is a ceremonial and artistic display showing how rice is grown. Each song and dance symbolizes the many steps in the growing of rice, from seeds to harvesting. It will be held at Ujiyaku Temple, which is a 20-minute drive from the Shimizu Town Hall.

Oshima Minato Festival and Boat Race
February 11 1:30 p.m. ~ Info: 0735 - 62 - 3171
In this festival, 2 Edo-period Tenma (paddle boats) are raced from Oshima to Kushimoto and back. This race started in the Meiji era and requires 16 paddlers per boat. (see picture on page 8)

WIXAS High School Volunteer Program Quiz
?Let`s Look Into the World?
February 11 10:00 a.m. ~ 3:00 p.m.
This free event is a chance for high school students and college students to join forces with members of the foreign community in an international understanding quiz. It will be held in the warm up gym (keiundojo) at the Wakayama Big Whale in Wakayama City.
How to apply: Please fax, e-mail or send by postcard your name, address and phone number with Let`s Look Into the World at the top of the address below before February 4. A maximum of 60 participants will be accepted based on the order of application received. Send applications to:
Wakayama International Exchange Association (WIXAS)
Wakayama Big Ai Building, 8th floor
2 - 1 - 2 Tebira, Wakayama City, 640 - 8319
Phone: 073 - 435 - 5240 Fax: 073 - 435 - 5243
E-mail: naka@wixas.or.jp

Yuasa International Cultural Exchange Symposium
February 20 Info: 0737 - 64 - 1112
Starts at 7:00 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
This event, which will be held at the Yuasa Civic Centre, is free and open to the general public. The guest of honour will be Woo Fang, a professional Koto player who has been instrumental in bringing traditional Chinese Koto music to Japan as well as experimenting with other genres. She will play and give a lecture on the topics of Koto and Chinese music.

The 10th Maguro (Tuna) Festival in Nachikatsuura
February 28 8:00 a.m. ~ 12:00 (noon) Info: 0735 - 52 - 5311
The Nachikatsuura fishermen?s Union Market is well known in Japan for dealing the largest amount of fresh tuna for the Japanese market. This event is held annually at the local fishermen?s union market. There will be a tuna cutting demonstration. You can also taste and buy reasonably priced fresh tuna.
The market is a 5-minute walk from the JR Kiikatsuura station on the JR Kinokuni line.

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