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想定外 [souteigai] : Beyond the boundaries of one’s assumption This word was once used by an infamous entrepreneur-turned-convict. His business caused enormous damage to hundreds of people, but he was too greedy and confident to see it coming. A similar situation was seen at Fukushima on March 11. Tokyo Electric Power Company and the government had been too confident or ignorant of the potential danger of nuclear energy. They had been blindly dependent on the best-case scenario, thinking nothing could go wrong. It is difficult to predict a disaster let alone prevent one. All we can do is be prepared for disasters to minimize their damage. We can never assume 100% safety when dealing with a dangerous substance.

By Minako Sato

For so many of us, our interest is rooted in our love for the hometown. To know it in all its aspects and in all its seasons is a passion of ours, especially on this particular early summer’s day—the festival of Tanabata.

Local events are concerned with life and with living. A multitude of things affect people’s lives, things tied up with the community, the country, and the world we live in. Our first priority is to cherish and encourage people’s lives. Tanabata is important to the people of Shonan, as in our area, Hiratsuka is synonymous with this festival. For this reason, it has been decided that Hiratsuka’s Tanabata will be held this year, in spite of the mood from March’s earthquake.

Tanabata, also known as the Star Festival, is based upon a love story between Vega and Altair, two stars who are said to be separated by the breadth of the Milky Way. Although Vega, weaver of the Milky Way, still weaves by night and day, longing to see Altair once a year on July 7, the gray clouds and silk strings of rain frequently cut into her efforts. But after a tempestuous night in mid-July, those of us below enjoy a glorious dawn with trees and grasses sparkling in the glittering sun.

Look up far away when the night falls and the sky is thick with stars. Scorpio and Sagittarius are halfway up the southern sky, and between them lies Hercules, a gorgeous constellation that shines brightly. The more we save energy by dimming our lights, the more vividly these celestial beauties appear to us.

Michiko Kimura for The Shonan Post Crew

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AREA EVENTS Music & Stage

Hiratsuka Civic Center Hall 平塚市民センターホール Family Shadow Play Harapeko Punta and Yamanba to Otasuke no Ofuda Jul. 29 (Fri.) 14:00 Adm: 1,000y; 500y for children Inquiry: 0463-32-2237 http://www.hiratsukazaidana.jp/concert.shtml Fujisawa Civic Center 藤沢市民会館 0466-23-2415 http://www.city.fujisawa.kanagawa.jp/bunka/event/c_hall-201107.html Sound Palette Soramau Gakujin-tachi - Support Concert for East Japan Earthquake Jul. 31 (Sun.) 14:00 Small Hall Adm: 2,500y in advance; 3,000y regular price; 1,500y for students Details: http://palette.cokbee.com/ Kamakura Performing Arts Center鎌倉芸術館 Inquiry: 0467-48-4500 http://kamakura-arts.jp/index.html Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo Jul. 5 (Tue.) 18:30 Large Hall Adm: 8,000/6,000y; 3,500y for students Japan Philharmonic Orchestra Summer Concert 2011 Jul. 18 (Mon.) 14:00 Large Hall Adm: 5,000/4,000/3,000y; 3,200/2,500/1,800y for children La Quartina Summer Concert Jul. 23 (Sat.) 15:00 Large Hall Tchaikovsky June Barcarolle from The Seasons; R. Rodgers The Sound of Music Medley; Bach Chaconne, et al. Adm: 3,500/2,500y Das Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg Sep. 19 (Mon.) 15:00 Mozart Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major; Symphony No. 40 in G minor; Symphony No. 41 in C major, Jupiter Adm: 8,000/7,000/5,000y Yokosuka Arts Theatre

横須賀芸術劇 Inquiry: 046-823-9999 http://www.yokosuka-arts.or.jp/en/e_index.html Yokosuka Jazz Dreams 2011 Jul. 30 (Sat.) 16:00 Large Hall Performers: Sadao Watanabe Group 2011, Raiji Kawaguchi The Big 4 & Yokosuka Jazz Dreams All Stars, Wind-Breakers Adm: 5,500/3,500y; 2,000y for standing room The JADE ~ Four Major Stars in Opera World Aug. 27 (Sat.) 15:00 Puccini: None Shall Sleep from Turandot; Verdi: Libiamo ne’ lieti calici from La traviata; Time to Say Goodbye; Inori ~ You Raise Me Up (Japanese version) Adm: 3,500/2,500y http://www.yokosuka-arts.or.jp/kouen/1308270/index.html Benny Goodman Orchestra Sep. 25 (Sun.) 14:00 Sing Sing Sing, Memories of You, Let’s Dance, Suzukake no Michi, et al. Adm: 6,000/5,500/5,000y Others Clover Bell Friends’ Hand-Bell Concert Summer ‘11 Jul. 9 (Sat.) 19:00 Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall Small Hall Waltz of the Flowers, Clair de Lune, Shall We Dance?, et al. Adm: 1,000y

Seasonal Events

Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival Hiratsuka Star Festival 平塚七夕祭り Near JR Hiratsuka Station Jul. 8 (Fri.) – 10 (Sun.) Beautifully ornamented bamboo trees, parades, food stalls, etc. Public transportation is highly recommended. Details (Japanese): http://www.city.hiratsuka.kanagawa.jp/tanabata/ Inquiry: Hiratsuka City Hall 0463-35-8107 Tanabata Festival Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu Shrine Jul. 7 (Thu.) 17:00 Shinto ritual followed by sacred dance Inquiry: 0467-22-0315 Koyurugi-jinja Shrine Tenno-sai

小動神社天王祭 Koyurugi-jinja Shrine, Kamakura Jul. 3 (Sun.) – 10 (Sun.) Jul. 3 in the evening, portable shrine; Jul. 9 in the evening, traditional dancing; Jul. 10 portable shrine departs early in the morning for Enoshima to meet the one from Yasaka Shrine at Ryuko-ji and proceeds towards the seashore (11:00) (see next) Enoshima Tenno-sai江ノ島天王祭 Enoshima-jinja Shrine Jul. 10 (Sun.) Kamakura Yakumo-jinja Shrine Omachi Festival 鎌倉八雲神社大町祭り Jul. 9 (Sat.) – 11 (Mon.) Jul. 7 13:00 & 19:00:Portable shrine Jul. 10 18:30: Performance show Jul. 11 19:00: Bon festival dance Inquiry: 0467-22-3347 Kurihama Perry Festival 久里浜ペリー祭り Around Kurihama Harbor Jul. 9 (Sat.) Parade (16:00), bazaar (10:00-16:00), fireworks (19:20), etc

Fireworks Due to the unprecedented situation in Japan, most fireworks displays (Kamakura, Zushi, Enoshima, Chigasaki, etc.) are canceled this year. Swimming pools at elementary schools open to public: Kamakura Jul. 21 (Thu.) – Aug. 29 (Mon.) For those living, working, or studying in the city Zushi Jul.21 (Sat.) – Aug. 28 (Sun.) Children only Hayama (Hayama and Kami-yamaguchi) Jul. 21 (Thu.) – Aug. 3 (Wed.) For those living, working, or studying in the city Fujisawa Dates and times differ at each school. Basically children only. Chigasaki Jul. 22 (Fri.)–Aug. 27 (Sat.) Children under 4th grade should be accompanied by an adult. The children who have not finished toilet training are not allowed. For details, check the city website or call the local school before going.

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Feature Story

Hiratsuka 平塚 By Maho Kojima

Movies Warner Mycal Cinemas Chigasaki 0467-57-1000www.warnermycal.com/chigasaki Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (3D), Paradise Kiss (JP), Moshi Dora (JP), Hoshi Mamoru Inu (JP), X-Men: First Class, Super 8, Andalucia: Megami no Houfuku (JP), Princess Toyotomi (JP), The King’s Speech (7/2-7/15), Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (7/15on), Kokurikozaka kara (JP,7/16on), Pocket Monsters (JP,7/16on), Rokku-Wanko no Shima (JP,7/23on), Transformers: Dark of the Moon (7/29on), Cars 2 (7/30on) Yokosuka Humax Cinemas 8 046-820-0200 www.humax-cinema.co.jp Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (3D), Black Swan ,Tezuka Osamu no Buddha (JP) ,Gaku (JP),Princess Toyotomi (JP), Paradise Kiss (JP), Moshi Dora (JP), X-Men: First Class, Red Riding Hood, Super 8, Andalucia: Megami no Houfuku (JP), Hoshi Mamoru Inu (JP), Saya Zamurai (JP),The Hangover 2 (7/1on), Thor (7/2on), Ogawa no Hotori (JP,7/2on), I Am Number Four (7/8on), Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (7/15on), Kokurikozaka kara (JP,7/16on), Pocket Monsters (JP,7/16on), Nintama Rantaro (JP,7/23on), Rokku-Wanko no Shima (JP,7/23on), Transformers: Dark of the Moon (7/29on), Cars 2 (7/30on), Naruto (JP,7/30on) Cineplex Hiratsuka 0463-25-2500 www.kadokawa-cineplex.co.jp/hiratsuka Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (3D), Super 8, X-Men: First Class, Black Swan, Gaku (JP), Anata no Hatstukoi Sagashimasu (JP), Saya Zamurai (JP), Hoshi Mamoru Inu (JP), Paradise Kiss (JP), Moshi Dora (JP), Andalucia:Megami no Houfuku (JP), Anpanman (JP,7/2on), Thor (7/2on), Ogawa no Hotori (JP,7/2on), I Am Number Four (7/8on), Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (7/15on),Pocket Monsters (JP,7/16on), Kokurikozaka kara, (JP,7/16on), Rokku-Wanko no Shima (JP,7/23on), Transformers: Dark of the Moon (7/29on), Cars 2 (7/30on), Naruto (JP,7/30on) Kamakura Performing Arts Center 鎌倉芸術館 0467-48-4500 Potiche (French) Jul. 15 (Fri.) 11:00, 14:00. Special price of 1,000y to readers who mention “The Shonan Post” at the box office. (refer to Ms. Tanabe)

Hiratsuka no tsuka

Shonan’s Hiratsuka Tanabata

Matsuri (Star Festival in Hiratsuka) is also known throughout Japan. This festival began with the willpower of Hiratsuka’s citizens, who endured through a trying experience. Hiratsuka City was largely destroyed by the huge amount of air bombing raids on July 16, 1945, during World War II; the city was a target because of the Japanese Navy Ammunitions Arsenal and the military aircraft factories located there. Five years later, the original festival was held to help rebuild the city from the damage of the war. The next year, in 1951, the annual Hiratsuka Tanabata festival started. Modeled on the style of Tohoku’s Sendai Tanabata festival, the merchants enthusiastically prayed for the continual recovery and prosperity of their broken town. The festival has gradually developed in scale, and more than 2 million visitors gather nowadays at Hiratsuka’s Tanabata.

After the Tohoku earthquake this year, Hiratsuka City decided to cancel the festival in concern for security and also the use of electricity. But, the eagerness of the citizens has led the festival to be held, nonetheless. It, too, is needed as a prayer for the reconstruction from the disaster in Tohoku. However, the scale and time of the festival will be reduced. The special feature of Hiratsuka Tanabata festival—the gorgeous lit-up decorations at night—will not be displayed this year in an effort to save electricity. The festival will be held from July 8 – 10, ending each day at 7pm.

We all wish upon a star that the voices encouraging Tohoku will reach the success of Sendai’s Tanabata Festival, which will be held August 6 – 8.

The name “Hiratsuka” was first seen in Azumakagami, a book about the Kamakura Shogunate. In this, it was said that the prayer given to Hojo Masako (Minamotono Yoritomo’s wife) for an easy delivery of her child was held at Hanryuji Temple and Kurobenomiya Shrine in Hiratsuka, in 1192.

Traditions about the origin of Hiratsuka’s name include the monument of the most famous legend, which is located at the west side of Yohoji Temple, in Hiratsuka 4-Chome. In 857, while Emperor Kanmu’s great-granddaughter, Tairano Masako 平政子, was traveling from Kyoto to the eastern part of the country, she died due to exhaustion. She was buried in a mound 塚 (pronounced tsuka), the shape of which became flat 平 (pronounced taira or hira). This is one story of how the people came to call this area Hiratsuka 平塚.

The other story claims that Tairano Masako was the ancestor of the Kanmu Heishi 桓武平氏 clan. The Chinese characters of 平 (pronounced hei or hira) for Heishi and 塚 (tsuka), representing the mound upon which she was laid, connect to create the name Hiratsuka.

However, there is no proof that Tairano Masako ever existed. The most realistic theory is based on the topography of the area, to which these legends also point. The shape of the land is a sloped hill, and people used to say hira for slope and tsuka for hill.

Hiratsuka has a couple of claims to fame. The Japanese professional soccer club, Shonan Bellmare, has their home stadium in Hiratsuka. (The team was called Bellmare Hiratsuka from 1993 to 1999.) The origin of the club name, Bellmare, came from the combined Latin words, Bellum, meaning “beautiful,” and Mare, meaning “sea.” The blue, white, and light green team colors are inspired by the Shonan sea.

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Markets Antique Markets Hoshu-no-ichi 宝珠の市 Hoshu-ji Temple, Fujisawa Jul. 2 (Sat.) Inquiry: 0466-34-0819 Yugyo-ji Temple遊行寺, Fujisawa Jul. 3 (Sun.) and 23 (Sat.) Inquiry: 0466-25-3976 Ryuko-ji Temple 龍口寺, Fujisawa Jul. 17 (Sun.) from sunrise to evening Inquiry: 0466-25-7222 Fish Markets Katase Harbor, Enoshima Jul. 3 (Sun.) 9:00 until sold out Koshigoe Harbor, Kamakura Jul. 7 and 14 (Thu. ) 10:00 until sold out General Markets & Bazaars Zushi Market at Zushi Beach Oasis Road Jul. 9 and 23 (Sat.) 9:00 – 13:00 Inquiry: 046-871-1145 Chigasaki Baseball Stadium Market East parking lot Every Sat. 8:00 – 9:00 Inquiry: 0467-82-1111 (ext. 2611)

Hayama Harbor Market Next to Hayama Marina 葉山漁港 Every Sun. 9:00 – 11:00 Shonan Kotsubo Eco Flea Market Zushi Marina Jul. 23 (Sat.) – 24 (Sun.) 10:00 – 17:00 Inquiry: 0466-23-0028 Fureai Shop ふれあいショップ Rapport bazaar by people with disabilities living in Kamakura Jul. 7 (Thu.), 12 (Tue.), 14, 21 (Thu.), 26 (Tue.), and 28 (Thu.) Kamakura City Hall 1F Jul. 7 and 21 (Thu.) Shogai-gakushu Center

Helping Hands Spreading the word about ways to help the quake-affected and how we can be safer in a similar disaster. Orange Tsunami Warning Flags, Kamakura Surfers and small boaters who were in the water on March 11 had no warning of the approaching tsunami because the wail of the sirens was drowned out by the sound of the wind and the waves. As a result of this experience, the Kamakura Marine Sports Federation created a new signaling system using very large orange flags. Now along with the sounding of sirens, bright orange flags will be waved and displayed along the beaches. There is now a movement to make this a new nationwide rule of the sea. A photo of the flags as they would be used can be seen at http://www.townnews.co.jp/0602 /2011/06/03/106750.html Fruit Tree Project When Minami Ishikawa and Paul Yoo of Akita-ken went to Kesennuma, Miyagi-ken, to volunteer in April, they learned that the meals at the evacuation centers they visited lacked fresh fruit and vegetables; the evacuees craved such food. They also knew that fresh produce was available not so far away. If they could raise money to buy the fruit and find volunteers to deliver it, then they would do it. Initially, Ishikawa and Yoo launched the Fruit Tree Project as a ten-day fund raising period to finance Golden Week deliveries, but Second Harvest Japan stepped in with support and an easy means of donating on line, so the project continues. http://volunteerakita.org/

Bulletin Board IES International Exchange Shonan welcomes you to a party and Bon Dance on Sunday, July 3 from 10:00 – 12:30. Adults 300y; children 200y. Fujisawa Shimin no Ie, Fujisawa 535-1. 10-min. walk from Fujisawa Stn. Inquiry: 0466-83-5431

Tours Volunteer Guided Tours in Kamakura The tours below are in Japanese. For tours by an English-speaking guide, please phone the office. Registration 1 week in advance. Tour A Jul. 25 – 28 (Mon. – Thu.) 9:30 – 11:30Visit Yugyo-ji Temple Tour B Jul. 4 – 7 (Mon. – Thu.) 9:30 – 11:00 Visit Myoho-ji Temple Fee: 500y (excl. admission and transportation fees) Inquiry: NPO Kamakura Guide Association 0467-24-6548 http://www.kcn-net.org/guide/index.htm

Museums Kamakura Performing Arts Center Gallery 鎌倉芸術館 Jul. 1 (Fri.) – 7 (Thurs.) 10:00 – 18:00 (last day until 16:00) 6-1-2 Ofuna, Kamakura. The 47th Exhibition by the Kamakura Artist Association. Adm: Free. Inquiry: 0467-48-5500 Details: http://www.kamakura-arts.jp Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Natural History 神奈川県立 生命の星・地球博物館 Jul. 16 (Sat.) – Nov. 6 (Sun.) 9:00 – 16:30 (Closed on Mondays) 499 Iryuda, Odawara. Special Exhibition!Aquatic Insects and the Environment. Adm.: 710y; students 400y; high school students 200y; junior high and under, free. Inquiry: 0465-21-1515. Details: http://nh.kanagawa-museum.jp/

The Shonan Post is a community paper brought to you by a volunteer staff. We meet and print at the Kamakura NPO Center and Fujisawa Shimin Katsudo Suishin Center. Article submissions and Bulletin Board items are run on a space-available basis and are due by the 15th for inclusion in the following month’s issue. Subscriptions, accompanied by ￥1,200 in stamps (15 x ￥80), are welcome. Bulletin board items, news coverage requests, and general inquiries are accepted via e-mail: theshonanpost@hotmail.com or by post: KNT, PO Box 51, Fujisawa Post Office, Fujisawa 〒251-8799. Please allow at least two weeks for a response. The Shonan Post Crew members are A. Harrington, J. Hendricks, Y. Hirakawa, K. Ichimura, S. Kagaya, M. Kimura, N. Kobayashi, H. Kubota, M. Kojima, T. Nii, J. Saito, M. Sato, S. Suzuki, K. Takaku, Y. Terai, and F. Usami. Logo design by C. Ito. TSP ports of call include Cinema Amigo, Tina’s Grooming, Shimamori, Kamakura Tourist Information Desk, Parasol Village Kataseyama, Fujisawa City Tourist Center, Enoden Fujisawa, Enoshima, and Hase Stn., JR Kamakura, YMCA, Kamakura City Hall, Chaya, Piny’s, Union, Suzukiya, Fujisawa City Hall, Shonan Grand Hotel, La Chanson, Shonandai Library, Shonandai Culture Center, and area kominkan community centers. See The Shonan Post on the web: http://web.me.com/shonansands. The May 2011–April 2012 editorial theme is What’s in a Shonan Name?