July 2014 （vol.203）

The following articles are taken mainly from “Koho Ashiya” - the bulletin of Ashiya City

(July 1st issue). It is, of course, a Japanese edition, and translated into English by a voluntary

group from the Ashiya Cosmopolitan Association (ACA).

Please understand that some phone numbers listed under the various events are staffed by

people who may not speak English.

- Welcome to Garden City Ashiya –

Summer in Ashiya ～ The 36th Ashiya Summer Carnival～

The “Ashiya Summer Carnival”, which is one of the Three Big Festivals of Ashiya will be held this year in and around Shio-Ashiya Green Space from 13:00 to 21:00 on July 26 (Sat). You can enjoy various stage events and fair stalls under the glaring sun, and after sunset, the beautiful fireworks displayed over the Shio-Ashiya Beach will color the summer night sky brilliantly.

(A scene at fair stalls, 2013) (* The fireworks will be set off around 19:50-20:30.)

The 20th Anniversary of the Hanshin-Awaji Great Earthquake

Message from Mr. Yamanaka, the Mayor of Ashiya

On January 17, 1995, Ashiya suffered serious damage caused by an

earthquake directly below a populated area. It was a severe earthquake such

as we’ve never experienced before; the death toll reached 444, more than

half the buildings and houses collapsed and most transportation networks and lifelines were

cut off. Civic function was completely paralyzed. Citizens helped each other to rescue

neighbors from destroyed houses and from under rubble.

It took quite a long time to bring the city back to its normal condition. In August, 1998, the

last victims left the temporary houses. Twenty years has already passed and the

appearance of the city has undergone a major change.

From another point of view, it seems that the feelings of gratitude for assistance and

support from all over Japan and abroad have grown dim in our memory. The feeling of

anxiety towards natural disasters is decreasing.

A series of large-scale natural disasters have occurred one after another within and

without the country. The Nankai trough massive earthquake is forecasted to occur in the

near future.

As a 20th anniversary project, Ashiya is working to convey the memory, experience and

lessons of the quake to the next generation. Our valuable experiences

have been put into practical use in the field of prevention and reduction of disasters.

I hope the younger generation will apply the lessons of our experiences and contribute much

more in disaster prevention in the future.

(Adopted from July 1 Extra Issue)

North side of Hondori Shopping Street just after the quake

Report at the 20th Anniversary -

Damage in Ashiya City Caused by the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake

(Population: 85,668 / The Number of Households: 33,802 as of January 1, 1995)

Classification Damage (Number) Remarks

Human

Damage

Dead 444 persons As of

December 26, 2002 Missing 0

Injured 3,175 persons

Refugee 20,960 persons At Peak Time

Building

Damage

Fully Destroyed 4,722 buildings

As of

May 31, 1996

Ｈａｌｆ

Destroyed

4,062 buildings

Partially

Damaged

4,786 buildings

Fire caused by

the Quake 13 cases

During 3 days after the Quake

attack

Public

Civil

Engineering

Facility

Damage

Road (City Road) 47,410 m Eligible for Government

Subsidy Bridge 12 spots

River 2 spots Completely restored in fiscal

1996

Beach Facilities 8 spots Completely restored in fiscal

1996

Park 33 spots Eligible for Government

Subsidy

Life-Line

Damage

Water Service Entirely Stopped

immediately

96% restored on February 28

Sewerage Pipe 277 spots Temporarily restored

as of March 31, 1995

Sewage Plant Stopped

immediately

Resumed working from

January 31

Telephone 9,200 circuits Restored by January 31

Electricity Power failure in the

whole area

Temporarily restored on

Jan.22

Gas Entirely stopped

immediately

99.8% restored on April 10

Railroad Service Interrupted in large

areas

Entire resumption

JR: April 1

Hankyu: June 12

Hanshin: June 26

Inquiries: The Planning Section (Phone: 0797-38-2127)

1512929024156662531853Total

Contents

Details of Consultations

Administration Household management Consultations by lawyers Consultations by judicial scriveners On notarial deed On tax matters Registration by land and house investigators On real estate

Annual Report from “Okomari-desuka” (Any Trouble?) Section

It is 10 years since the city started a consultation and request desk in 2003. Trying to be “Kind,

polite and quick”, the desk has played an important role as a mediator between citizens and

administration. The number of the complaints, requests, and inquiries in the 2013 fiscal year

amounted 6,186 cases, 26 cases per day. Each case is to be immediately transferred to the

section in charge; legal advice is available depending on the contents.

Top 3 Requests

No.1 Roads (197 cases)

The No.1 request is for the installation of road signs, streetlights and mirrors. These

requests are promptly transferred to the police in charge. The repairing and maintenance of

roads is handled by the national or prefectural sections in charge. The second

complaint is about discarded or illegally parked bicycles in the south area

of JR Ashiya Station. These bikes often block traffic and are dangerous

for elderly people or disabled. Good manners are highly requested.

No.2 Parks (107 cases)

Most of the requests are concerned with pruning, weeding and cleaning public lavatories.

Trees in parks are regularly pruned to give trees good natural shape. As for the street trees,

pruning has been done to ensure the function of roads and to keep a good townscape.

No.3 Urban environment (81 cases)

As stated in the Citizen’s Manner Ordinance, followings are prohibited; smoking while

walking, or riding a bike, the littering of empty cans or cigarette butts, letting dogs run loose,

and fireworks from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Citizen’s continued cooperation is requested.

Inquiries: Okomari-desuka Section

Phone: 38-5401 E-mail info@city.ashiya.lg.jp

Household matters 34 Inheritance 74 Will 2 Land and house 47 Border line with neighborhood 22 Lending and borrowing 15 Insolvency 9 Labour 4 Traffic accident 7 Consumer matters 9 Medical treatment 4 Criminal matters 6 Others 57

Total 290

Details of Consultations by lawyers

Participants Wanted for Ashiya Summer Carnival Yukata Contest ! The winner will receive an accommodation coupon for two, and all the participants will be

given beach-stand tickets for two !

Date and Time: July 26 (Sat) 16:30-17:20

Place: Citizen’s stage at the festival site

Application: Send E-mail no later than July 20

*Please refer to the official homepage for details http://www.ashiya-hanabi.com/

Application and Inquiries: Ashiya Shimin-Matsuri Kyogikai

(Ashiya Citizen’s Festival Executive Committee)

(Phone: 0797-35-0871; Fax: 35-0874; E-mail: info@ashiya-hanabi.com)

Public Sale of Seized Movables

Movables seized for tax arrears will be auctioned off through the internet. Anyone can offer a

bid.

<Items for auction >

1 Ring with a diamond / 1 Tiepin with a diamond /

5 luxury watches / 7 high-priced bags, etc. (A total of 34 items)

<Auction schedule>

Application Period: 13:00 on July 7 (Mon) - 23:00 on July 22 (Tue)

Bidding Period: 13:00 on July 29 (Tue) - 23:00 on July 31 (Thu)

(N.B. There may be a cancellation due to any tax payment on the way)

Please refer to the City webpage for detailed auction information.

<Preliminary Inspection>

Date and Time: 10:00-16:00 on July 7-12

Place: Conference room, 2F Economic Section/Consumer Affairs Center

Inquiries: Credit Managing Section (Phone: 0797-38-2130)

Free Examination Coupons for Breast Cancer, Uterine-neck Cancer, Colon Cancer and Hepatitis

Virus Free coupons for examining Breast cancer, Uterine-neck cancer, Colon cancer and

Hepatitis Virus have been sent to the people of following ages (as of April 1).

Please use this opportunity to have an examination.

◆ Uterine-neck cancer examination: Women of 20 years old

◆ Breast cancer examination: Women of 40 years old

◆ Colon cancer examination: Those who are 40, 45, 50, 55 and 60 years old

◆ Hepatitis Virus examination: Those who are 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65 and 70 years old

and have not taken Hepatitis Virus Examination.

Inquiries: The Health Center (Phone: 0797-31-1586)

Information of Summer Pool Opening Attention

* The 3rd graders and younger should be accompanied by a guardian in a bathing suit.

* Alcohol, bottles and anything to be inconvenient for others is prohibited.

* Please follow instructions of the staff in charge. * The parking lot at the Asahigaoka Park Swimming Pool is available for only several

cars; please use public transportation. <Kaihin Park Outdoor Swimming Pool > The outdoor swimming pool of Ashiya Kaihin Park is opened only for the summer time.

Period Hours Admission

July 1-August 31 (Everyday)

10:00-18:00 (Weekday) 9:00-18:00 (Sun, Sat, and

Holiday)

Junior high students and over: 400 yen Children of 4 years and over: 200 yen

* Kaihin Park Swimming Pool (indoor) is open as an indoor heated pool throughout the year. Please be aware that the usage fee and system is different from that of the outdoor pool.

Inquiries: Ashiya Kaihin Park Swimming Pool (Phone: 0797-22-8861) (http://e-ashiya.net/)

<Asahigaoka Park Swimming Pool> (11-11 Asahigaoka-cho ) Period of opening: July 1-August 31 Hours: Noon-18:00 (Weekdays of July 1-August 21)

10:00-18:00 (Weekdays of August 22-29) 9:00-18:00 (Saturday, Sunday and Holiday)

Admission: 400 yen for junior high school students and over 200 yen for children of 4 years old - elementary school students

Inquiries: Asahigaoka Park Swimming Pool (Phone: 0797-32-3920)

Ashiya Suiren Gakkou (Swimming School) Available for Students Period: July 23-August 21(23 days) * Closed on Sat, Sun and Rainy days Time: 8:30-11:00

Place: Asahigaoka Park Swimming Pool (11-11 Asahigaoka-cho) Eligibility and Capacity: The first 450 elementary-high school students Fee: 16,500 yen (Living or studying in Ashiya) / 17,500 yen (Non-residents) Application: 11:00-17:00 on July 6 (Sat) at the Large Conference Room of the Gymnasium

and Youth Center Inquiries: Ashiya Suiren Gakkou

(Phone: 080-6175-3091) (http://www.eonet.ne.jp/^ashiya-suiren/)

Pressed Flowers Exhibition Period and Exhibitor: July 02-31 9:00-17:00 “Fushigi-na Hana-Kurabu”

Place and Inquiries: Elle Home Ashiya / Shibahara (Phone: 0797-35-8341)

Ring the “Bell of Peace” ! This movement started as an activity for world peace and the improvement of

human welfare by the United Nations. Make “A Wish and A Prayer for Peace” in your mind with the ringing of the Peace Bell ! Let the sound of the Peace Bell echo throughout the city. You are cordially invited to take part. Date and time: August 15 (Fri) 11:45-14:00 Place: In front of “Yu-ai no Kane” (Bell of Fraternity) beside the

entrance of the Citizen’s Center (Shimin Center) and Room 401 Content: Part I: Ringing “Yu-ai no Kane”

Part II: Meeting for peace at the Room 401. (1) A small lecture, entitled “100 years after World War I - The influence on

the culture of Ashiya” by Mr. Atsuro Kawauchi, a professor at Kobe

Shukugawa Gakuin University

(2) Listening to wartime narratives while eating a wartime meal

Application for the Part II: Phone (0797-35-0770) or Fax (31-4998) to the Public Hall Inquiries: Office of Ashiya UNESCO Association (Phone: 0797-38-2091)

(Within the Life-long Learning Section)

The Petition Drive Calling for a Commencement of Negotiation for

“A Treaty Banning the Use of Nuclear Weapons” “Mayors for Peace” is gathering signatures to call for the commencement of negotiation

for “A Treaty Banning the Use of Nuclear Weapons”, aiming at the total abolition of nuclear

weapon by 2020.

The date, time and site for signature drives are as follows:

(1) July 19, 23, 24, 25, 28, 30 and 31 12:45-14:00 Exhibition Hall at the Citizen’s Center

(2) July 26 (Sat) 1230-15:30 In front of the Music room at the Citizen’s Center

(3) August 9 9:30-16:00 3F Kami-Miyagawa Culture Center

We hope for your cooperation.

Inquiries: Human Rights Promoting Section (Phone: 0797-38-2055)

Ashiya Park Tennis Court Free Entry Day for the Citizens Date / Time/ Place: July 7 (Mon) 9:00-17:00 Tennis court at Ashiya Park

(Will be canceled in case of rain)

Eligibility: Anybody living, working and studying in Ashiya (Elementary school students

need to be accompanied by a guardian; up to four including the applicant)

Things to bring: Tennis wear, shoes and balls

Application: Fill the designated form (available at our window or by downloading from

homepage) and bring or fax to our office (http://www.ashiya-koentennis.com/)

(4-4 Matsuhama-cho , Phone: 0797-34-8886/Fax:34-8884)

Human Rights and Peace

It is 69 years since millions of people lost their lives in that World War. The world is still

constantly in the throes of racial and regional conflicts and terrorism. Following activities for

prayer-for-peace will be held to think about the value of peace and the importance of life.

Animation: The Diary of Anne Frank

Date and Time: Aug.7 (Thurs.) ①10:00 – 11:42 a.m. ② 2:00 – 3:42 p.m.

Place: Kami-Miyagawa Culture Center

Capacity: 150 people for each

Application: Please come to the venue on the day

Inquiries: Kami-Miyagawa Culture Center (Phone: 0797-22-9229)

♪ Meikyoku Concert ♪

Date and Time: July 26 (Sat.) 1:30 -3:15 p.m. The door opens at 1:00.p.m.

Place: Citizen’s Center, music room

Performers: Toshiro Nishigaki, tenor, Chikako Nishigaki, soprano, Megumi Sata, piano

Program: Songs from “Les Miserables”, etc.

Fee: 500 yen

Application: Apply by post card or Fax with the title of the concert, participant’s name (up

to 2 people), address, and phone number no later than July 11(Fri.)

Inquiries and Mailing Address: Citizen’s Center (Phone: 35-0700 Fax: 31-4998)

〒659-0068 Narihira-cho 8-24

The 54th Fureai Cinema Salon “ Tobe! Dakota”

Which did the island chose – hatred or national pride?

On January 14, only 5 months after the end of World War Ⅱ, a British air force

plane “Dakota” which was carrying high ranking officials, including the Consul, made an

emergency landing at a small village on Sadogashima Island. This is based on a true story of

friendship between villagers and the British crews.

Date and Time: August 8 (Sat.) ① 10:00 – 11:49 a.m. ②1:30 – 3:19 p.m.

Place: Kami-Miyagawa Culture Center

Director: Seiji Aburatani

Capacity: 150 people for each First-come basis. Application is unnecessary.

Inquiries: Human Rights Promotion Section (Phone: 0797-38-2055)

Peace Posters by Elementary School Children

Term: July 19 – August 15

Place: Citizen’s Center

Inquiries: Human Rights Promotion Section (Phone: 38-2055)

Animation for Parents and Children

- Animation set in Hiroshima right after the atomic bombing-

Date and Time: July 24 (Thurs.) 9:40 – 11:30a.m.

Place: Citizen’s Center Annex, lecture room

Program: “The first train in the morning ran in Hiroshima” “On the Crane”

Capacity: 60 people First-come basis

Inquiries: Citizen’s Center (Phone: 0797-35-0700)

♪ Matinee Concert at Ashiya Hospital ♪

Date and Time: July 20(Sun.) 2:30 p.m.

Place: Outpatient Ward 4F in front of Yellow piano

Contents: Congratulations to the 15th anniversary of Yellow piano

Performers: Tomoko Kashihara, Miyabi Kashihara, Moe Kashihara, vocal

Yukiko Naitou, piano

Inquiries: General-affairs Section (Phone: 31-2156)

♪ Shio-Ashiya Twilight Concert ♪

Date and Time: August 3 (Sun.) 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Place: Shio-Ashiya Exchange Center

Contents: Hawaiian music

Performer: Ray of Stars

Fee: 700 yen (Advanced – 500 yen) Under elementary school pupil – Free

Advanced tickets will available from July 1.

Inquiries: Shio-Ashiya Exchange Center (Phone: 25-0511)

Shiro-Bara-Dayori (White Rose Communication) The Mascot-like Character for Clean Election Promotion Campaign The popularity of so-called “Yuru-Kyara” (a “Heart-warming mascot-like character”) is

booming, isn’t it? Do you know that the Clean Election Promotion Campaign also has its

image-character ?

It is “Mei-Sui-Kun”, who was born in the year of 2000. It has a four-sided body like a ballot

box, with two vertical lines on top of the head representing the ballot paper insertion openings,

wings on the back so that it can fly for clean elections and a key instead of a tail on its behind.

There are various local Mei-Sui-Kun, like “Namahage Mei-Sui-Kun” of Akita Prefecture.

“Mei” and “Sui” are Chinese readings of the two kanjis (Chinese characters) from the

Japanese word for “Clean Election Promoting Campaign”. “Mei-Sui-Kun” is also helping the

Clean Election Promotion Association with the various activities.

The Clean Election Promotion Association aims (1) to hold clean elections without

violations, (2) to have all the electorate vote, and (3) to encourage the electorate to always

take an interest in politics and elections in order to become a good judge of a candidate’s

personality or political views, and the policies of a political party.

You may often find “Mei-Sui-Kun” on the election posters or pamphlets.

We hope that “Mei-Sui-Kun” will be loved by voters and their families,

and will fly towards the goal with the wings on the back.

Inquiries: Board of elections (Phone: 0797-38-2100)

Fiscal 2014 Ashiya Citizen’s Golf Competition Date, Time and Place: Aug. 27 (Wed) 7:45-9:44 (Starting time) Ashiya Country Club

Eligibility: Those who are 20 years or older, living or working or belonging to any sports club

in Ashiya Those who have participated in Ashiya Citizen’s Golf Day

Capacity: 144 (108 males and 36 females)

Cost and Content: 15,000 yen 18 holes stroke play match

Application: Send a postcard or designated form with your name and address,

birthday, age, sex and, telephone (fax) number to the address written below

by July 22 (Tue). Application form and guidelines are also available there.

Inquiries and Mailing Address:

Ashiya Citizen’s Golf Competition Desk (inside Gymnasium and Youth Center)

15-3 Kawanishi-cho 659-0072 (Phone and Fax: 0797-38-3989; Tue-Fri, 7:00-19:00)

Sho-gi Tournament for Ashiya Citizens Date, Time and Place: July 20 (Sun) 13:00- O-hara Meeting Hall

Eligibility: Those with titles (dans), living or working or studying in Ashiya city and

elementary school students who are in the first class or lower

Cost: 1,000 yen for junior high students or over / 500 yen for elementary school students

Inquiries: Yamamoto from Ashiya Sho-gi Association (Phone: 0797-34-0473

The 30th Kami-MIyagawa One-coin Theater

Movie: “Sous Les Toits de Paris” (Under the Roofs of Paris)

Love, quarrel and human comedy the young people develop in downtown Paris

(1930, France; Runtime: 92 minutes)

☆ Director: René Clair

☆ Starring: Albert Préjean, Pola Illéry, Guston Modot

Date and Time: July 19 (Sat) (1) 10:00- (2) 14:00-

Place: Hall at Kami-Miyagawa Culture Center (3F)

The Hall opens 30 minutes before each screening.

Cost: 500 yen (A junior high school student and over)

There may be restriction of admission in case

the hall gets filled up.

Inquiries: Kami-Miyagawa Culture Center (Phone: 0797-22-9229)

Happy Cinema Salon

Movie: 「小さいおうち」 (“Chiisai Ouchi”, “A Little House”)

I sealed up my secret in that little house…

A heartrending, yet mysterious story is revealed after 60 years has passed―

Director Yoji Yamada made the best-selling novel which had won the Naoki Prize into a film.

☆ Director: Yoji Yamada (2014; Running time: 136 minutes)

☆ Starring: Takako Matsu/Hana Kuroki/Hidetaka Yoshioka, etc.

Date and Time: July 26(Sat) (1)10:00- (2) 13:00- (3) 15:40-

Place: Luna Hall

Cost: 1,000 yen for junior high school students and over

500 yen for elementary school students (tickets at the door only)

* 200 yen discount for junior high school students or over who show

“Ko-ho Ashiya” No.1135 issued on July 1, 2014.

Happy Cinema Salon

Animation Film: かいけつゾロリ （Kaiketsu Zorori）

Mamoruze ! Kyoryu-no-Tamago / Protect a Dinosaur Egg !

Date and Time: July 27 (Sun) (1) 10:30- (2) 13:30- (Runtime: 77 minutes.)

Place: Luna Hall

Cost: 1,000 yen for Senior High students or over

500 yen for children

Inquiries for Happy Cinema Salon:

Luna Hall Project Desk (Phone: 0797-35-0700)

“Tanabata” Event at the Welfare Center

A bamboo decoration is displayed in the entrance hall of the Welfare Center.

Let’s write wishes upon Tanzaku (strips of fancy paper) and decorate the bamboo with it.

Calligraphy master Joetsu Ishikawa, who lives in ise-cho, is available to write your wish for

you (except on Sat. and Sun.) Feel free to come with your wish in mind.

Date and Time: July 1-7

* On July 7 (Mon), 50 Uchiwa (round paper fans) will be prepared for the

participants between 10:00-16:00 (First-come-first-serve basis) (Free)

Place: Entrance Hall of the Welfare Center.

* Completed Tanzaku and Uchiwa will be displayed at the Hall until July 13 (Sun)

Inquiries: The Welfare Center (Phone: 0797-31-0612)

-Let’s have a lot of fun in the Tamba area-

Accepting Applications for Kids Club Summer Outing to Satoyama Date: August 4 (Mon) 8:30 – 18:30

Place (Site): “Kadono-no-Sato” in Tamba City

Content: Zazen experience, picking watermelon, sunflower maze, etc.

Eligibility and Capacity: 60 students in the 4th grade or over

*A lottery will be held if there are too many applications.

Participating Fee: 3,000 yen

Application: Send a double postcard with your name and address,

sex, grade and phone number no later than July 18 (Fri)

Mailing address: The Youth Encouraging Section, 15-3 Kawanishi-cho 659-0072

Inquiries: Ashiya City Kids Club Liaison Council (Phone: 0797-22-0358)

(Ashiya-shi Kodomo-kai Renraku Kyogi-kai)

Monthly Reading Time for Adults with Temporary Child-care How about spending two hours in reading leisurely for yourself ? We’ll take care of your

child at our nursing room. Please enjoy reading any books you bring in, or any books and

materials in our information corner.

Date and Time: July 15 (Tue) (1) 10:00-noon (2) 13:00-15:00

Place: With-us Ashiya (Ashiya City Gender-Equality Center)

Eligibility and capacity: Parents (including grandparents) in the midst of child-rearing

and 4 pre-school children over 2 years old in the morning and in the

afternoon

Cost for day-care: 300 yen per child

Application: Choose the time (1) or (2) and call us on or after July 1 (Tue).

Inquiries: Gender-Equality Center (5-8 Kinmitsu-cho, 659-0065) (Phone: 0797-38-2023)

- Marine Technical College -

A Field Trip and Exciting Learning about Ships (1) A talk about the sea and simulator experience

Date, Time and Place: July 22 (Fri) 13:00-16:00 Marine Technical College

Capacity: 40 persons

(2) Experience cruising in the Port of Kobe Date and Time: July 27 (Sun) (1) 9:00- (2) 15:00- Place: The quay in the eastern pier Capacity: 40 persons (elementary school age or over) for each cruise

Elementary school students should be accompanied by a guardian.

Application: Call or send a postcard or fax or e-mail with the name and address, age and phone number of the representative, names and ages of all participants, the name of the event and the time (1) or (2) you want to join to the following address.

Mailing Address and Inquiries: Marine Technical College (Phone: 0797-38-6201/ Fax: 0797-32-7904)

12-24 Nishikura-cho 659-0026 E-mail: syomuka@mail.mtc.ac.jp

Monthly Gardening Seminar at Ashiya Grand Park (So-go-Ko-en) for July

Date, Time and Content:

(1) July 21 (Mon) 10:30- Noon Making a summer lusty container garden

(2) July 27 (Sun) 10:30- Noon Growing a foliage plant in hydroponic culture

Capacity: 20 people for each class

Instructor and Cost: (1) Takako Tsukuda 2,500 yen

(2) Noriko Maeda 3,000 yen

Things to bring: Writing material and a big bag to take the work home

Application: Call or fax or E-mail with your name and address, the name of the class you

want to join and your phone-number by 17:00 of July 14 (Mon) for (1) and

July 20 (Sun) for (2).

For Further Inquiries: Ashiya City Grand Park (Phone: 0797-38-2103 / Fax: 25-2026)

(E-mail: mkawaguc@mizuno.co.jp)

Yachting Class for the Young

Date, Time and Place: August 3 (Sun) 10:00-16:00 Ashiya Marine Center Content: A trial class of Dinghy (A small yacht for 2 persons) Eligibility: Elementary-High school students; elementary school students need to be

accompanied by a guardian. Cost: 100 yen (for insurance) Things to bring: Lunch, water bottle, gloves (work gloves), suntan cream, etc. Come in light clothes, which may get wet.

History of the Ashiyagawa River ②

Inquiries: Lifelong Education Section (Phone: 38-2115)

The name of the “Ashiyagawa” was already known in ancient times. Topographically,

The left and right banks were quite different. This had a great influence on the

history of land use thereafter. Communities were formed on the right bank because the area

did not suffer from repeated flood damage, while there

were less settlements on the left bank.

The surface of the Osaka Bay in the last glacial

period, some 20,000 years ago, was 100 ～140 meters

lower than now and the Kitan Strait, on the southern

edge of the present Wakayama Prefecture and Awaji

Island, was accessible by land. The Ashiyagawa River

met the ancient Yodo River at the far south point.

About 10,000 years ago, when the glacial stage came

to an end because of climate change, the original

Osaka Bay and the alluvial fan were formed as they are

today. However, the course of the Ashiyagawa River

was not the one as we see today but consisted of a few

main streams and several distributaries.

During the Jomon period (～ the 3rd century B.C.), many settlements were already

formed along the basin of the Ashiyagawa. Towards the end of the Yayoi period in the 3rd

century, large scale communities increased on the right bank. This situation lasted into

the Kofun period from the early 6th to late 7th century as we can understand from the

Shiroyama ①and Sonja Ruins③. The traces of rice fields in the early Yayoi period (5th

century BC.), have been excavated from the Maeda Ruins⑮, also of the late Yayoi period

from Tsuji Ruins⑯. Both are on the right bank south of the JR Tokaido Line.

According to “Wamyo Ruijusho”, a ten-volume

geographical dictionary completed in 934 in the Heian period,

the present Ashiya was included in Ubara County in Settsu

Province （Higashinada, Kobe) and consisted of two villages,

Ashiya-go and Kami-go. Ashiya Temple used to be on the

right bank, now known as Ashiya Haiji, literally meaning “ruined

temple”. This temple, whose roof-tiles were found before, Monument of Ashiya Haiji

is thought to have been built in the late 8th century.

Terada Ruins ⑫ is estimated location of public facilities and

a part of Tsuji Ruins⑯ is estimated to have been the location of a stable.

Events at Tanizaki Jun-ichiro Memorial Museum

<The 28th “Zangetsu-Sai” (The Morning Moon Festival/ Tanizaki’s Birthday Festival) >

Date and Time: July 24 (Thu) 14:00-15:30

Place: Luna Hall

Content: A talk by Mr. Keiichiro Hirano, winner of the Akutagawa Prize

Theme: “Being in love ” and “Loving”.

Capacity / Admission: The first 500 people to apply / 2,000 yen

Application: Send a fax or E-mail with your name and address, the number of

applicants and phone (fax) number to Tanizaki Jun-ichiro Memorial Museum.

After receiving it, we will inform you how to transfer the admission fee. Then as

a confirmation of the money received, an admission ticket will be sent to you.

<O-chou Tsugi-gami Exhibition by Ms. Tomie Kondo> ( Lobby Gallery)

Theme: “The Tale of Genji”, His Love and Sorrow

Exhibition Term and Time: June 5-Aug. 3 10:00-17:00 (Enter by 16:30)

Content: Tsugi-gami is a Japanese paper craft beautifully designed by pasting and

layering a variety of colorful Japanese papers. Elegant art which the noblemen

of the Heian Dynasty created for writing Tanka (Japanese poems) has been

reproduced by the O-chou Tsugi-gami Studying Group” led by Ms. Tomie

Kondo. Enjoy the colorful artworks expressing the world of “The Tale of Genji”.

One-day “O-chou Tsugi-gami” Experience Class

Date, Time and Place: July 15 (Tue) 14:00-16:00 at Lecture room

Content: Ms. Tomie Kondo, leader of “O-chou Tsug-igami Studying Group” will

instruct the Tsugi-gami art from the beginning. Why not appreciate the

essence of the Dynasty culture through creating a sensible postcard?

Capacity/Cost: 15 people/ 2,000 yen (1000 yen for fee, and 1,000 yen for materials)

Application: Call the Museum.

<Museum Seminar>: Let’s start “Tanka” from today !

Date and Time: The 1st Wednesday of every month from July 2 10::30-12:30

Place: Lecture room

Content: “Tanka” is a fixed form of Japanese poetry with 31 syllables, and records

everyday life in a form of a poem. Even an beginner can compose with usual

words.

Capacity: 20

Instructor: Ms. Yuki Edo, a member of the Contemporary Poets Association

Cost /Application: 7,713 yen for 3 months /Call the museum

Application and Further Inquiries:

Tanizaki Jun-ichiro Memorial Musem, 12-15 Ise-cho 659-0052

(Phone: 0797-23-5852 / Fax: 0797-38-3244)(Mail: ashiya-tanizakikan@rythm.ocn.ne.jp )

Open: 10:00-17:00 (Enter by 16:30) Closed on Monday

Closed days in July: July 1-4, 7, 14, 22, and 28 Inquiries: Tanaka from Ashiya Yacht Club (Phone: 0797-34-6058)

The exhibition “Gutai × International 具体（Gutai）goes abroad”

Ashiya City Museum of Art and History

0797-38-5432/Fax0797-38-5434

・Date: July 5 – September 7

・Place: The first and second exhibition rooms

This exhibition featurs Gutai which was formed by contemporary artists in Ashiya in the 1950s.

From the beginning, Gutai had an international concept in their activities. This exhibition explores a

new aspect of Gutai’s powerful internationalism.

Events related to the exhibition…

A Gallery Talk by the curator of Ashiya City Museum of Art and History

・Date and Time: Starts at 2 pm on July 12, Saturday (about an hour)

・Place: the first and second exhibition rooms

・Fee: Included in museum entrance fee

Exploration with a lecture; “back to the 野外展y a g a i t e n

(The outdoor exhibition)”

・Date and Time: Starts at 2 p.m. on July 27, Saturday. (about 2 hours)

・Contents: 1. Exploring Ashiya park where the outdoor exhibitions by Gutai artists were held in

1955 and 1956. 2. A lecture with slides about the art works in the exhibition at the museum.

・Course: Hanshin Ashiya station → Ashiya park → Ashiya City Museum of Art and History

・Maximum number of participants: 20 people

・The lecturer: Professor Koichi Kawasaki (Media expression course at Konan Women’s University)

・Fee: 300 yen ＋ museum entrance fee

・Application: Send a double postcard with your name, address, and telephone number to the

museum(address below) by July 10 ( stamp date is acceptable). Please write that you would like to

join “the back to the Yagaiten tour”.

Museum entrance fee: Generals - 500 yen, college and high school students – 300 yen, under junior

high school students – free. * 50% off for people over 65 or with the disabled personal card.

Ashiya City Museum of Art and History

〒659-0052 12－25, Ise-cho, Ashiya-shi, Hyogo (芦屋市伊勢町１２－２５)

Ashiya Time Travel

390 Years Ago – In the 1620’s, Edo period

-Smithy near the Rokko Quarries –

Narihira ruins spread over a large area around JR Ashiya station. As illustrations

in the Edo and Meiji periods indicate, a calm and peaceful rural scene spread out there

until the area was developed as land for housing in the Taisho Era (1912 -1927). Actually,

the remains of rice fields and irrigation channels have been excavated already.

From the Narihira Ruins, at point number 26, seven whetstones from the Edo period were

unearthed. The surface of these whetstones show the linear marks which indicates that

they were used for processing metal. The three kinds of whetstones, for rough, medium,

and finishing grinding, show that there used to be an ironmongery or smithy where tempering

work was done.

Why was there such smithy in the beginning of the Edo period in the 1620’s?

One of the reasons can be attributed to the big construction project of Osaka Castle

from 1620 to 1629. In the Rokko Mountains behind Ashiya, the remains of the Rokko

quarries were identified. Many stone masons were involved in producing wall stones for

Osaka Castle.

To split and shape stones chisels and hammers are needed. So it is presumed

that there were smithy or forge and workmen’s shacks at the location of the Narihira Ruins

which is flat land but near the Rokko Quarries.

Inquiries: Lifelong Education Section (Phone: 38-2115)

Excavated at the Narihira Ruins

Monthly First-Aid Training Class

Date and Time: July 21 (Mon.) 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Place: Main Fire department All-purpose Room

Contents: AED cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other emergency aids

Capacity: 20 people first-come basis

Eligibility: those who live, work and study in Ashiya

※ Certificates will be given to participants.

Inquiries: Main Fire Department, Emergency sub-section (Phone: 32-2345)

Result of radioactive substances measurement No radioactive substances were detected at the Sewage Works (treated water),

the Okuyama Reservoir (city water) and the Garbage Incinerator Center (ashes). Radiation doses in the atmosphere were within 0.08～0.12 Micro Sievert/h.

This dose is within the limits of the natural radiation level of Japan, calculated by the Japan Geology Association and it is also lower than the limit of safe annual radiation dosage, set by the International Radiation Protection Committee, 1m.Sv.(0.23 μSv/h)

Result of radiation measurement in the atmosphere. (μ. Sv. /h.)

measured on April 30 2014 Okuike Assembly Hall 0.09 Yamate Elementary School 0.09 Asahigaoka Elementary School 0.11 Iwazono Elementary School 0.08 Shinnozuka Park 0.10 Maeda Park 0.09 Seido Elementary School 0.11 Miyagawa Elementary School 0.10 Uchidehama Elementary School 0.11 Hamakaze Elementary School 0.11 Shiomi Elementary School 0.12 Shinsuichuou Park 0.09 Garbage Incinerator Center 0.09 (the boundary site)

SEEKING VOLUNTEERS ENGLISH PROOFREADERS! A group of Ashiya Cosmopolitan Association(ACA) volunteers wil l translate

the August 1st issue of "Koho Ashiya" into English as follows. Following that, we are seeking proofreaders to make any necessary corrections.

Date and time : Tuesday, 29 July from 13:00 Place : Ashiya Cosmopolitan Association (ACA)

Ashiya Municipal Shio-Ashiiya Exchange Center 7-1 Kaiyo-cho Ashiya

Phone : 0797-34-6340 Fax : 0797-34-6341 E-mail : aca@npo-aca.jp URL: http://site.m3rd.jp/aca/

★ Volunteers to assist in mailing copies of "The Cosmonet" are also being sought. Interested persons please call the ACA as noted above.

★ For any matter related to the ACA, please feel free to e-mail, FAX, or write. Your input is cordially welcomed.