しめ縄集め

令和4年1月７日（金）しめ縄集めに参加しました。長万部町では毎年年明けの７日の日に子ども達が地域の家庭を一軒一軒回って、しめ縄を集める風習があります。しかし昨今の少子高齢化の影響で子ども会が活動できない地域もあり、長万部町の伝統的な風習を絶やさないためにも、「まちおこしプロジェクト」代表の高野暢子さんの呼びかけで、地域の方々の協力をいただきながら、本校の生徒４名が旭浜の地域のお手伝いを行いました。それぞれのお家の玄関先で地域のみなさんは本当に素敵でな笑顔で子ども達を迎えてくれました。どんと焼きに連れていってもらった後は温かい食べ物と飲み物で談笑しながら過ごしました。この度お世話になった皆さん、本当にありがとうございました。

[Traditional Event -Collection of Shimenawa-]
On 7th of January (Fri), four students participated in an event. In the event, the participants visit a house to another to collect what is called shimenawa. Shimenawa are lengths of laid rice straw or hemp rope used forritual purification in the Shinto religion (shimemeaning “laid” and nawa meaningrope). 
　In Oshamambe Town, children have been doing this on every January 7. However, with severely fewer children across the town, the event has not been able to be held in some particular areas these days. Yoko Takano, the representative of a project which was established for the purpose to make the town backlively, called out to local people around for their help in order avoid letting such traditional customs die out. Hearing that, the four students stepped up and helped in Asahihama Area. Visiting each house, they were warmly welcomed. Afterwards, Ms. Takano gave the students (as well as all the other participants there) a warm drink and food, and we all had fun talking together.

We all appreciate this precious opportunity taking place. Thank you very much. (Partly written by Kaede Hasegawa, 2021 1st year)