introduction to mishima’s culture by mishima junior high school’s second grade students

Introduction to Mishima’s Culture

By Mishima Junior High School’s Second Grade Students

Where? (Fukushima Prefecture)

Where? (Aizu area)

Aizu ( 会津 )

Where? (Mishima Town)

Mishima Town

Mishima Town Introduction

• Mishima Town, Onuma District, Aizu Area, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan

• Population: ~1800 people• Area: 90 km2

• Three schools: Mishima Junior High School, Mishima Elementary School, Mishima Nursery School (no high school)

Mishima from above

Mishima Town

Mishima Culture: Amikumizaiko(Hand-woven products)

Hiroro

Yamabudo (mountain grape vine)

Mishima Culture: Kiri (Pawlonia wood)

• Pawlonia wood is famousin Aizu

• You can make furniture, instruments, and many other things

• It’s very light and very expensive

• Kiridansu (pawlonia wood chest of drawers)

Mishima Culture: Sainokami

• A bonfire during the winter festival• People write their prayers on paper, then

burn them • You can cook

squid, dango rice balls, and other snacks on the sainokami

Mishima Culture: Sainokami

Before After

Mishima Culture: Mushiokuri

• Mushiokuri is a ceremony to drive away harmful insects

• There is a lantern parade• Children catch insects and

bring them to the temple

Mishima Culture: Kashaneko

• There is an old story about the Kashaneko

• It is a demon cat who protects our town

• You can see Kashanekowood statues in Mishima

• It is very scary, but helpful to farmers

Mishima Culture: Hot Springs

• Mishima has many hot springs (onsen)• The water is very hot and relaxing• You can enjoy

the beautiful scenery during your bath

Aizu Culture: Tsuruga Castle

• A beautiful castle originally built in 1384

• Destroyed after the Boshin War in 1874

• New castle rebuilt in 1960

• Beautiful!!• (Aizu Wakamatsu City)

Aizu Culture:Yae Niijima• A woman from Aizu

who helped in the Boshin War

• She learned how to shoot a rifle when she was a child

• Very cool!!

Aizu Culture: Yae no Sakura• A famous TV

drama about YaeNiijima, set in Aizu

• Many Japanese people watch thisTV show

Aizu Culture: Akabeko

• A red cow toy • aka=red, beko=cow (in Aizu dialect)• The akabeko can protect you from illness• It is very cute!

Thank you very much!ありがとうございました！