1. Introduction to Mishima’s Culture By Mishima Junior High School’s Second Grade Students

2. Where? (Fukushima Prefecture)

3. Where? (Aizu area) Aizu ( 会津 )

4. Where? (Mishima Town) Mishima Town

5. Mishima Town Introduction Mishima Town, Onuma District, Aizu Area, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan Population: ~1800 people Area: 90 km 2 Three schools: Mishima Junior High School, Mishima Elementary School, Mishima Nursery School (no high school)

6. Mishima from above Mishima Town

7. Mishima Culture: Amikumizaiko (Hand-woven products) Hiroro Yamabudo (mountain grape vine)

8. Mishima Culture: Kiri (Pawlonia wood) Pawlonia wood is famous in Aizu You can make furniture, instruments, and many other things It’s very light and very expensive Kiridansu (pawlonia wood chest of drawers)

9. 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

10. Mishima Culture: Sainokami BeforeAfter

11. 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

12. Mishima Culture: Kashaneko There is an old story about the Kashaneko It is a demon cat who protects our town You can see Kashaneko wood statues in Mishima It is very scary, but helpful to farmers

13. 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

14. 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)

15. 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!!

16. Aizu Culture: Yae no Sakura A famous TV drama about Yae Niijima, set in Aizu Many Japanese people watch this TV show

17. 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!

18. Thank you very much! ありがとうございました！