All-Japan Zuguri Top Spinning Championship 2016

28th Annual All-Japan Zuguri Top Spinning Championship 2016
第28回全日本ずぐり回し選手権大会 (Zen Nihon Zuguri Mawashi Senshukentaikai)

"Zuguri" is a Tsugaru-area specially top designed to spin well even on top of snow, making it a traditional toy/game that is perfect for the heavy snowfalls of Tsugaru winters. The competition is free and open to all ages and genders--no experience necessary!

Date: Saturday February 13, 2016
Time: 10:00-13:30 (Registration from 9:00)
(Depending on number of registrants, at-door registration may be allowed)
Location:　Kuroishi City Yokomachi Hiroba (Plaza) 黒石市　横町広場 (map)
Fee: None (all participants will receive a free commemorative memento)
Schedule:

• 9:00-10:00 Registration
• 10:00～ Opening Ceremony
• 10:30～ Competition Begins
• 11:30～ Free "Yosare Nabe よされ鍋" *100 servings only*
  (chicken & vegetables simmered in your choice of 2 out of 4 different types of broth with rice udon to finish)
• 12:50～ Closing Ceremony
• 13:00～ Prize Drawing

Zuguri Top Size Specificiations:
Zuguri tops can be no more than 15cm in diameter. Rental zuguri are available.

Divisions:
★幼稚園･保育園児(年長組)の部

Nursery/Pre-School (Senior Class) Division

★一般女性の部 

Women's Division 

※It is not possible to register for both the Women's Division and the General Division

①小学１・２年生の部

Elementary School 1st & 2nd Grader Division
②小学３・４年生の部
Elementary School 3rd & 4th Grader Division

③小学５・６年生の部
Elementary School 5th & 6th Grader Division

④中学・高校生の部
Junior & Senior High School Student Division

※If there are fewer than 3 participants in one of the divisions, the division will be merged with the next (higher) level division

⑤一般の部 Ａ組・Ｂ組（上記①～④の部より年齢が上の方）

General Division Groups A & B (for participants older than the above 1-4 divisions)
※After registration for the General Division has closed, participants will be divided into Groups A & B by random lottery

※It is not possible to register for both the Women's Division and the General Division

⑥ペアの部「小学生以下と中学生以上」先着２０組まで。

Pair Division 

Pair = 1 Elementary Student (or younger) and 1 Junior High School Student (or Older)

Maximum 20 Pairs, First Come, First Served
※Since pairs compete simultaneously, it is not possible to register for multiple teams (e.g. 1 adult forming half a pair with two different elementary school students)

☆グランドチャンピオン戦の部「各部の優勝者①～⑤で競技します」

Grand Championship Division (1st Place Winner from Divisions 1-5)

※Nursery/Pre-School (Senior Class) Division, Women's Division, and Pair Division winners do not participate in the Grand Championship

Prizes:

• ★ Nursery/Pre-School (Senior Class) and ★ Women's Division 1st-3rd Place Winners Receive Prizes on the Spot
• ★ Nursery/Pres-School (Senior Class) Division 1st Place Winner Receive Special Extra-Large Zuguri Trophy (Tsugaru Kokeshi Craftsmen Association President's Award)
• ⑥ Pair Division 1st-3rd Place Winners will receive Certificates, Prizes, and Special Extra-Large Zuguri Trophies
• ①～③ Elementary, ④ Junior High, & Senior High School, and ⑤ General Division 1st Place Winners will be awarded Certificates, Prizes, and Special Extra-Large Zuguri Trophies during the ☆Grand Championship Division award ceremony; 2nd-3rd Place Winners will receive Certificates and Prizes
• The ④ Junior & Senior High School Division 1st Place Winner will also receive a maximum 100,000yen Study Abroad Grant

Registration:
Submit the registration form (see English version below for reference) to one of the following locations by Monday, February 8, 2016:

• Kuroishi Chamber of Commerce & Industry 黒石商工会議所
  TEL 0172-52-4316　FAX 0172-53-3875
• Kuroishi Tourist Association 黒石観光協会
  TEL 0172-52-3488　FAX 0172-53-5032
• Kuroishi City Hall Commerce, Industry & Sightseeing Division 黒石市役所商工観光課
  TEL 0172-52-2111
• Kuroishi Post Office 黒石郵便局
  TEL 0172-52-4213

More Information:
Kuroishi Tourist Association (Japanese): http://kuroishi.or.jp/event/winter/zuguri

Towada Art Center January Temporary Closure Notice

The Towada Art Center will be closed from Monday, January 18th through to Friday, January 22nd, 2016 for maintenance of the art works. It is scheduled to re-open on Saturday, January 23rd, 2016.

Tsugaru Art Born from Winter Photo Contest

"Tsugaru Art Born from Winter" Photo Contest
「冬が生む津軽のアート」フォトコンテスト (Fuyu ga Umu Tsugaru no Art Photo Contest)

The "Tsugaru Art Born from Winter" Photo Contest is looking for photograph submissions to commemorate the first ever Winter Ricefield Art.

Contest Details:
Full Contest Information PDF File: Japanese
Contest Facebook Page (Japanese): https://www.facebook.com/fuyu.tsugaru/

• Theme: Tsugaru Art Born From Winter
  (冬が生む津軽のアート Fuyu ga Umu Tsugaru no Art)
• Contest Judges:
  Emiko Fukuda, photographer
  Katsumi Miyakawa (3 P's LLC Representative)
  Shinji Narita (Tsugaru Photo Meeting Representative)
• Contest Awards & Prizes
  
  • Grand Prize (1): 50,000yen + Certificate
  • First Prize (2): 20,000yen + Certificate
  • Second Prize (2): 10,000yen + Certificate
  • Honourable Mention (5): Prize (Tsugaru local specialty) + Certificate
• Announcement of Contest Results: March 2016 (tentative)
  Winning contestants will be asked to provide a print copy of the photograph (A4 or 四ツ切サイズ (254x305mm)) to be displayed at the summer "rice field art" venues, etc.
• Copyright:
  • Rights to non-winning submitted works will revert to the photographer.
  • Contest sponsors reserve the right to use the winning works royalty-free for winter tourism pamphlets, exhibits, posters, publicity purposes etc. for two years following the contest. If permission to use the works for these purposes cannot be granted, the works cannot be accepted as contest entries.
  • The contest sponsor agrees to display the photographer's name when publishing winning works on the internet.
  • The contest sponsor will only loan submitted works to third parties after explaining the purpose and conditions for use to the photographer and gaining permission in advance.

Entry Requirements/Restrictions:

• Photos must have been taken within Hirosaki City, Kuroishi City, Hirakawa City, Nishimeya Village, Fujisaki Town, Owani Town, or Inakadate Village in Aomori Prefecture
• Photos must have been taken during the winter (December to February) in any year. However, photographs of buildings, places, festivals, etc. that cannot be visited (no longer exist) will not be accepted. 
• Permission of identifiable people (subjects in photos) should be obtained before submission
• Only unpublished works should be submitted
• Photo Size/Specifications: 
• JPEG file digital data
• 3500px (or more) in length OR 
• File size of 2MB or more OR
• Photograph taken at 8 megapixel or higher setting
• Max. Submissions: 3 photos per person (professional or amateur)

Entry Submission/Deadline:

• Entry Submission Email Address: fuyu.tsugaru[at]gmail[dot]com
• Entry Submission Email Subject Title: Photograph's Title
• Entry Submission Email Body:
  
  
  1. 撮影者氏名（ふりがな） Photographer's Full Name (and Phonetic Reading)
  
  
  2. 年齢 Age
  
  
  3. 電話番号 Phone Number
  
  
  4. 郵便番号・住所 Postal Code & Address
  
  
  5. 撮影年月日 Year/Month/Date photograph was taken
  
  
  6. 撮影場所 Location photograph was taken
  
  
  7. 美しいと感じたポイント（コメント) What you felt was beautiful/interesting about the photo (personal comment)
  
  
• Submission Period: Tuesday December 15, 2015 - Friday February 19, 2016
  (Submitted works/photo prints cannot be returned.) 

More Information:
Contest Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/fuyu.tsugaru/
Aomori Prefectural Goverment Website: http://www.pref.aomori.lg.jp/soshiki/kenmin/ch-renkei/photocontest.html

Oirase Gorge Winter Photography Session

Oirase Gorge Winter Photography Session
奥入瀬渓流冬景色撮影会 (Oirase Keiryuu Fuyu Keshiki Satsuei-kai)

Want to capture the beauty of Oirase Gorge in the winter? The Oirase Gorge Winter Photography session is a great chance to get advice from fellow camera enthusiasts as well as Towada-born professional photographer Mitsuhiro Wada. Beginners welcome!

Date: Sunday, January 31, 2016
Time: 8:30-14:30 (Registration from 8:00)
Seminar Instructor: Mitsuhiro Wada (Towada-born Nihon University College of Art Instructor)
Meeting Location: Ishigedo Rest Area (Oirase Gorge) 石ケ戸休憩所（奥入瀬渓流内） (map)
Cost: 3000yen (included insurance)
Registration: Maximum 20 participants
Registration Deadline: Sunday, January 24, 2016
Registration/Payment Method:

1. Register and Pay In Person
   Location: Towada Tourism & Local Products Center (十和田市観光産物センター)
   15-3 Inaoichi, Art Station Towada (map)
   Hours: 9:00-19:00 


2. Register By Phone/Fax/Email, Pay by Furikomi  (money transfer through ATM, etc.)
   Phone: 0176-24-3006
   Fax: 0176-24-3006
   Email: info[at]towada-kankou.jp

Schedule:

• 8:00-8:30 Registration (Opening Ceremony, Schedule Explanation)
• 8:30-11:00 Taking Pictures While Walking Through Oirase Gorge
• 11:00-12:30 Lunch, Head Over to Oirase Keiryuu-Kan 奥入瀬渓流館
• 12:30-14:30 Seminar at Oirase Keiryuu-Kan

Notes/Cautions:

• You will be walking (～5-7km) and taking photographs outside, so please dress appropriately for the weather.
• Please prepare and bring your own lunch. If you wish to order a bento lunch (～1000yen), please inquire when registering.
• In the case of inclement weather, the event may be cancelled.

Ishigedo Rest Area (Oirase Gorge) 石ケ戸休憩所（奥入瀬渓流内）


More Information:
The Official Portal of the City of Towada (Japanese): http://www.city.towada.lg.jp/docs/2016011400010/

Koarashiyama & Kuroshi Onsen Village Snow Festival Yuki no Furusato 2016

Koarashiyama & Kuroshi Onsen Village Snow Festival "Yuki no Furusato" 2016 
小嵐山・黒石温泉郷雪まつり　「雪の降さと」

(The name is a play on the words for (snow) falling ("furu"降る) and hometown ("furusato"　ふるさと). Literally translated, the event title is something like "Snow Falling Hometown".)

Date: February 6-14, 2016
Time: 10:00-19:00
Location: Tsugaru Denshoukougeikan 津軽伝承工芸館 (map)
Events/Attractions:

• 10:00-15:00 Snow Slide (free)
  Free Sled & Tube Rentals Available
• 10:00-15:00 Snowman World (free)
• 10:00-15:00 Snow Tractor Ride (～5min)
  Adults 800yen; Elementary School Aged Children & Younger: 500yen
  Reservations (1 Day in Advance) Required
• Feb. 6 Snow Festival Opening Night Event
  17:00～ Opening Ceremony
  17:20～ Live Tsugaru Shamisen Performance
  18:00～ Winter Fireworks
• Feb. 6 & 13 17:00-19:00 "Fantastic Snowscape 1000 Candles" (free)
• Feb. 7 10:00～ Human "Horsepower Sled" Tournament (free)
  Please sign up in teams of 3-4 people
• Feb. 6-7, 13-14 11:00-14:00 Restaurant Momiji San Sai Vegetable Buffet
  (Feb. 6 ONLY 11:00-19:00)
  Adults 1000yen; Elementary Aged Children & Younger: 600yen
• Etc.

Tsugaru Denshoukougeikan 津軽伝承工芸館
Tomiyama-65-1 Fukuro (黒石市袋富山65-1)
Kuroishi, Aomori Prefecture 036-0412


More Information:
Kuroishi Tourist Association (Japanese): http://kuroishi.or.jp/archives/24942
Koarashiyama & Kuroishi Onsen Village Invigoration Convention Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/koarashiyama/

Towada Traditional Performing Arts Festival 2016

Towada Traditional Performing Arts Festival 2016
第26回十和田伝統芸能まつり (Towada Dentou Geinou Matsuri)

Date: Sunday February 14, 2016
Time: 12:00-16:00 (Doors open at 11:30)
Location: Towada Bunka Center 十和田市民文化センター(map)
Admission: Free
Performances:

• Special Guest Performance: 
• Komatsu Higan Shishi "lion dance" (Aizu-Wakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture)
• Nanbu Kagura (Fukamochi, Horanai)
• Nanbu Koma Odori "horse dance"　（Kamidate (Kirida), Takisawa, Horanai)
• Sawada Keimai "bird dance"
• Hareyama Shishi Mai "lion dance" (Fukamochi)

Towada Bunka Center 十和田市民文化センター
2-1 Nishi Sanbancho (十和田市西三番町2-1)

Towada, Aomori Prefecture 034-0083

More Information:
The Official Portal of the City of Towada (Japanese): http://www.city.towada.lg.jp/docs/2015012800034/

Towada Art Center Special Exhibit Genius loci - The Higashikawa Awards

Towada Art Center Special Exhibit: January 30, 2016 (Sat.) – May 15, 2016 (Sun.)

Genius loci - The Higashikawa Awards -
(地霊 − 呼び覚まされしもの 〜写真の町東川賞コレクションより〜)

Description*

In 1985, Higashikawa Town (Kamikawa District, Hokkaido) declared itself "The Photography Town" and started an annual summer international photography festival, the "Higashikawa International Photo Festival."Along with the festival, the Higashikawa Awards were established. For over 30 years, the Higashikawa Awards have served to recognize, collect, and exhibit the works of both domestic and international photographers. Along with the International Artist Award, Domestic Artist Award, New Artist Award, and Special Artist Award (works from Hokkaido-born artists or artists residing in Hokkaido, or Hokkaido-themed works), in 2010 the Hidano Kazuemon Award, a new award honouring the memory of Kazuemon Hidano, a Higashikawa Town photographer, was established. The works selected for this new award are uniformly excellent and will certainly form a valuable collection.

This exhibit will introduce works from the Higashikawa Awards collection selected based on the theme "Chirei - Things Awakened."  "Chirei (genius loci)" are protective spirits residing in the land. When photographers take photos of scenery or people's daily lives, they reveal the existence of the chirei--perhaps at the moment they click the camera shutter they are actually trying to call them forth. We hope you will enjoy the profound realm revealed through these works.

*Rough translation from the Japanese description on the Towada Art Center website.

Exhibited Artists

Group I: Connections Between the Living and Dead
第一部「生と死をつなぐもの」

• Ichiro Kojima (2010 Hidano Kazuemon Award, posthumous)
  小島一郎（2010年、飛騨野数右衛門賞）


• Issei Suda (1985 Domestic Artist Award)
  須田一政（1985年、国内作家賞）
  http://sudaissei.web.fc2.com/


• Graciela Iturbide (1990, International Artist Award)
  グラシエラ・イトゥルビーデ（1990年、海外作家賞）
  http://www.gracielaiturbide.org/


• Nobuyoshi Araki (1991 Domestic Artist Award)
  荒木経惟（1991年、国内作家賞）
  http://www.arakinobuyoshi.com/


• Masahika Fukase (1992 Special Artist Award)
  深瀬昌久（1992年、特別作家賞）
  http://masahisafukase.com/


• Yutaka Takanashi (1993 Domestic Artist Award)
  高梨豊（1993年、国内作家賞）


• Akio Nagasawa (1993 New Artist Award)
  猪瀬光（1993年、新人作家賞）
  www.akionagasawa.com


• Antoine d'Agata (2004 International Artist Award)
  アントワーヌ・ダガタ（2004年、海外作家賞）
  http://www.facebook.com/AntoineDAgata


• Hotaro Koyama (2005 Domestic Artist Award)
  小山穂太郎（2005年、国内作家賞）


• Risaku Suzuki (2006 Domestic Artist Award)
  鈴木理策（2006年、国内作家賞）
  http://www.risakusuzuki.com/


• Osamu James Nakagawa (2010 New Artist Award)
  オサム・ジェームス・中川（2010年、新人作家賞）
  http://www.osamujamesnakagawa.com/


• Lieko Shiga (2012 New Artist Award)
  志賀理江子（2012年、新人作家賞）
  http://www.liekoshiga.com/


• Rinko Kawauchi (2013 Domestic Artist Award)
  川内倫子（2013年、国内作家賞）
  http://www.rinkokawauchi.com/main/rinkokawauchi_jp.html

Group II: Land and Life
第二部「土地と暮らし」

• Kazuemon Hidano (2001 Special Artist Award)
  飛騨野数右衛門（2001年、特別作家賞

Group III: Exchanges with Spirits
第三部「精霊との交歓」

• Genichiro Kakegawa (1991 Special Artist Award)
  掛川源一郎（1991年、特別作家賞）


• Kim Young-Nam (1995 International Artist Award)
  金秀男（1995年、海外作家賞）


• Claudio Edinger (1999 International Artist Award)
  クラウディオ・エディンガー（1999年、海外作家賞）
  http://www.claudioedinger.com/


• Manit Sriwanichipoom (2007 International Artist Award)
  マニット・スリワニチプーン（2007年、海外作家賞）
  http://www.rama9art.org/manit_s/index.html


• Makiko UI (2012 Special Artist Award)
  宇井眞紀子（2012年、特別作家賞）
  http://www.makikoui.com/


• Jorma Puranen (2014 International Artist Award)
  ヨルマ・プラーネン（2014年、海外作家賞）

Guest Curator: Kotaro Iizawa

Related Events:

• Opening Reception オープニングレセプション
  Date: Saturday January 30, 2016
  Time: 17:00-18:30
  Admission: Special Exhibit Admission Ticket Required
  Reservations: Not Required


• Artist Talk アーティストトーク
  Guest: Lieko Shiga
  Moderator: Kotaro Iizawa
  Date: Sunday January 31, 2016
  Time: 14:00-15:30
  Admission: Special Exhibit Admission Ticket Required (FREE for high school aged students and younger)
  Reservations:Accepted/Prioritized, Max. 50 participants


• Portfolio Review ポートフォリオ・レビュー
  Lecturer: Kotaro Iizawa
  Date: Saturday March 12, 2016
  Time: 13:00-15:00
  Admission: 1500yen (includes 1 drink)
  Reservations: Required, Max. 12 participants
  Notes: Portfolio not required; seeing the works of others is also important! No restrictions on the number or size of portfolio pieces, but please keep the number of works limited in order to allow enough time for all participants' portfolios to be reviewed.


• Talk Series: Talking About Ichiro Kojima
  トークシリーズ：小島一郎について語る
  Guest: 高橋しげみ Shigemi Takahashi, Aomori Prefectural Art Museum Curator
  Moderator: Kotaro Iizawa
  Date: Saturday April 9, 2016
  Time: 14:00-15:30
  Admission: Special Exhibit Admission Ticket Required (FREE for high school aged students and younger)
  Reservations: Accepted/Prioritized, Max. 50 participants


• Talk Series: Initiatives of Higashikawa, Hokkaido The Photography Town
  トークシリーズ：写真のまち北海道東川町の取り組み
  Guest: 吉里演子 Hiroko Yoshizato, Higashikawa Town Staff Member
  Date: Saturday April 23, 2016
  Time: 10:30-12:00
  Admission: Special Exhibit Admission Ticket Required (FREE for high school aged students and younger)
  Reservations: Accepted/Prioritized, Max. 50 participants

Hours:
9:00-17:00* Tuesday-Sunday (last admission 16:30)
*Extended hours May 3-4, 2016: 9:00-18:00 (last admission 17:30)*
Closed Mondays, or the following day if Monday is a National Holiday**
**Open Monday, April 25, and Monday, May 2, 2016**

Admission: 
Permanent Exhibit + Special Exhibit “Set” Ticket (企画展+常設展セット券) 1000yen
Special Exhibit Only (企画展の個別料金): 600yen
(Permanent Exhibit Only: 500yen)

100yen discount for groups of 20 or more

*Free admission for youth/children in high school or younger*

Towada Art Center 十和田市現代美術館  10−9 Nishinibancho
Towada, Aomori Prefecture 034-0082, Japan
+81 176-20-1127



More Information:
Towada Art Center (Japanese/English): http://towadaartcenter.com
Genius loci Exhibit Page (Japanese): http://towadaartcenter.com/web/exhibition_genius-loci.html
Higashikawa International Photo Festival (Japanese/English): http://photo-town.jp/