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！