Taishōmachi Ichiba

   There is a market called Taishōmachi Ichiba exclusively dealing with fish in Kure, Nakatosa Town, in western Kochi. The market is crowded with seasonal fresh fish that are caught and landed at the Kure fishing port every morning and afternoon throughout the year.

Folk Tales of Kochi ① - Demons in Futanajima

   Once upon a time, a group of demons got together on Demon Island in the Setonaikai Inland Sea. Their leader, Captain Red Demon decided to stage a strength contest, where each demon would lift up two massive rocks to see who was the strongest. Each demon failed and gave up, but one blue demon was successful.

Returning Bonito

   From the middle of September to November, the bonito that returns from the north is called "modorigatsuo", returning bonito. There is much more fat on the fish in summer, and it is said it is more delicious than bonito in spring (first bonito).

Otsukimi － Moon Viewing

   Otsukimi, literally “moon viewing”, has for many centuries been held sometime in the middle of September all over Japan. During the harvest season, the air is clean and you can see beautiful full moons, and so the season is held then.

The 3rd Exhibition of Folk Photographs taken by Toshio Tanabe

Kochi Prefectural Museum of History

   Toshio Tanabe (1921 – 2010) researched villagers in Kochi and captured them on his camera over many years. We have held an exhibition of his photos here in 1999 and 2006. 50,000 of his photographs were donated to the museum and we are currently cataloging them. This exhibition highlights black-and-white photos showing vividly the life of people in Kochi.

Yosakoi Naruko Odori

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   In summer 2010, a film set in Kochi,`Kimi ga odoru, natsu: The summer you are dancing in’ was released.  The story is about a girl struggling with an intractable disease. Her condition was so serious that she might die that summer. She had one thing she had longed to do while she was alive. It was to dance Yosakoi Naruko Odori. The movie was attracted considerable attention because it’s based on a true story.

Employment Advertisement for Foreign Lecturer

Ehime University

   (Ehime-ken) Ehime University in Matsuyama is seeking one contract English instructor for the English Education Center beginning April 2012. Each contract lasts one year and three contract periods may be allowed based on program needs and evaluation of work performance.

Kure Hachimangu Shrine Grand Festival

   The Kure Hachimangu Shrine Grand Festival is taking place from the 14th to the 15th of the 8th month in the lunar calendar and is one of the three major festivals of Kochi. The festival has been held since the Period of Warring States in Japan (16th century). The highlight of the festival is a magnificent procession called “Omikoku-san” where local men march through the night towards the shrine while carrying a large, 6-meter-high torch weighing about 1 ton.

Furusato Festival in Gohoku

Beating Japanese-style drums strongly

   Have any of you ever gone to summer festivals held in countryside of Kochi Prefecture?

   The festivals are just as fun as the festivals in Kochi city, but in the summer, it will be more of an unforgettable experience. The event I would like to focus on the most is the ‘’Furusato Festival in Gohoku’’.

International Music & Food Festival

   A Volunteer guide group Kochi SGG Club presents an annual event for foreigners living in Kochi. This year it features Asian food and music from China, Korea and Japan. There will also be a karaoke competition. 

Lifestyle Consultations Case ① - Secret Recording

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   A few days ago a woman from Southeast Asia living in Kochi City visited KIA to inform us that her domestic problem with his husband had solved after about an hour talk in their house on the previous day.

   I was very surprised that she had recorded all the conversations they made on her mobile phone. Most of the sounds in it were his voice in a broad tosa dialect accent and a disgruntled tone. She was still poor at arguing in Japanese and was scared of his angry voice. 

Shimanto Taisho ‘Ayu’ Festival

fishing with flaming torches

   This festival is locally run by townspeople, featuring the fish ‘ayu’ – one of the natural blessing provided by the Shimanto River. So come along and experience delectable Ayu-based cuisine. Plus, you can’t miss the nearby demonstration of traditional fishing methods – including fishing with flaming torches!

Nagashi Sōmen

   Nagashi Sōmen, “flowing noodles,” is a summer favorite in Japan. Sōmen are very thin, white noodles made from wheat flour. They are usually served cold during the summer months.

Daimonji-no-Okuribi (Great Bonfire Event), Shimanto City

   An annual Obon event representative of the summer in the Masaki area of Shimanto City. This is an event unusual in the whole of Japan, where giant, burning 大 kanji can be seen and enjoyed by everyone.

Yosakoi Festival － A secret of a happy married life

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   The season of the Yosakoi Festival this year is just around the corner, which is held from 9 to 12 in every August in Kochi City. This year 191 teams are participating in the festival.