The giant panda cub born at Adventure World on August 14, 2018 has now turned 28 days old.
She is the smallest panda cub to be born at the wildlife park. Staff are monitoring her and her mother Rauhin 24 hours a day. The cub cannot walk yet but she’s now able to crawl around in her incubator.
The staff have noted they often see the mother is helping her baby to excrete and also lick her body clean while hugging her. Thanks to her mother’s love, the cub’s fur has turned a faint pink. She grows bigger and cuter by the day.
Adventure World has announced that it will open the panda to the public and take applications for possible names on September 13. The website for name applications is available in English and Chinese so more people can submit their ideas.
Will you be the one to name her?
■Information
Adventure World
Address: 2399 Katata, Shirahama-cho, Nishimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture
Adventure World Official Website: http://www.aws-s.com/
Giant Panda Cub Public Viewing
Location: Breeding Centre (The cub will be with her mother during the viewing so you can see them interacting)
Opening Date: September 13, 2018
Viewing Times: 10:15am-10:35am / 2:40pm-3:00pm
*Viewing times are subject to change depending on the baby’s growth. Viewings may also be changed or cancelled depending on her condition.
Giant Panda Cub Naming Applications
Application Window: September 13, 2018 – November 16, 2018
Ways to Apply
①Application paper given at Adventure World
②Application webpage: https://contact-aws.com (Available in English, Japanese and Chinese)
*Names will be selected by Adventure World’s Baby Panda Christening Committee.
*The chosen name will be announced at Adventure World and on the park’s official homepage.
“Giant Panda Family Site” (Updated Everyday)
You can see the growth record, photos and video footage of the baby panda on the Giant Panda Family Site. Be sure to check it out below.
RECOMMENDED ENTRIES
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Panda no Unko (‘Panda Poop’) is a matcha flavoured wheat gluten snack created b veteran fu (wheat gluten) makers Matsuo, and it’s now available at Ueno Station.
Located opposite the ticket barriers of Ecute Ueno is the souvenir shop Ueno Land who have been selling the Panda no Unko matcha snack since March. The popular confectionery is associated with Xiang Xiang, the giant panda that was born inside Ueno Zoo in June last year. Oozu received a request to create a fun product to be sold at Ueno Land that can’t be found anywhere else, and so teamed up with Matsuo, a producer of what gluten products based in the city of Hirosaki in Aomori Prefecture.
Just as the name suggests, Panda no Unko looks just like baby panda poop. It’s bite-sized at 5-6cm and sprinkled with Kyoto matcha. Bags (80g) were sold for ¥594 each in March, and the 300 or so bags in stock sold out in 300 days. They are now sold as an official product and when it comes to the weekend will sell 200 a day.
They are all handmade so not a lot can be prepared. Because of that, there’s a chance they may sell out. If you manage to get some, then consider yourself lucky!
Get your hands on some lucky panda poop.
■Information
Panda no Unko
Price: ¥594
Weight: 80g
Made in Japan.Ueno Land PRODUCED by Kenelephant
Address: 7-1-1 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo (JR East Ueno Station 3F)
Opening Hours: 08:00-22:00 (Sundays & Holidays until 21:30)TEL: 03-6231-7780
Website: https://www.pandanounko.com/ -
A female giant panda was born at Adventure World, a wildlife park with a panda exhibition in Shirahama, Wakayama, on August 14, 2018. She turned 8 days old on August 22.
She is the smallest giant panda cub ever to have been born at Adventure World and the first to be born in two years. She is well fed by her mother Rauhin, drinking from her six to seven times a day. Her weight has increased from 75.0g when she was born to 96.0g, and her height from 15.5cm to 18cm. Details as to when she can be viewed by the public will be released at a later date. For now, the mother and child are being observed by the park.
The new cub marks the 16th panda looked after by Adventure World. Rauhin was first born at the park on September 6, 2000. Eleven of the pandas born and raised there have traveled to China. Four of them are used for breeding and have raised twelve children as of November 2017.
There are said to be just 1,800 giant pandas in the wild. To ensure their protection and increase their survival, important research is being carried out to breed them. Adventure World opened in 1994 as the Japanese subdivision of the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Both country’s worked together and started the world’s first breeding lawn for the natural breeding of giant pandas.
The same facility also runs the ‘Shiawase Keikaku’ (Happiness Plan) which ensures the happiness of the giant pandas and all of the people involved with them.
Let’s look forward to the public unveling of the new addition of the Adventure World panda family.
■Information
Adventure World
Address: 2399 Katata, Shirahama-cho, Nishimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture
Adventure World Official Website: http://www.aws-s.com/
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In accordance with Ueno Museum Week which is running from May 5 to May 20, the new Panda Bus is being introduced at Ueno no Renkai, Ueno Marui and Matsuzakaya Ueno and can be ridden for free.
Since the birth of Xiang Xiang, the giant panda living at Ueno Zoo, there has been panda fever in Ueno. Keeping with the excitement, the new panda bus will now ride around the town.
Sitting inside the bus will be plushies of Daimaru and Matsuzakaya’s original character Sakura Panda along with black and white panda plushies.
The seat covers also have panda ears on them. If you’re a panda lover then be sure to look out for the Panda Bus and climb aboard!
■Information
Panda Bus – Departure Times
9:00-12:00 / 13:00-18:00*Not running at 12:00-13:00
Departure Points & Timetable
Matsuzakaya Ueno: Every 30 minutes on the hour (xx:00) and half past (xx:30)
Tokyo National Museum: Every 30 minutes at quarter-past (xx:15) and quarter-to (xx:45)
Ueno Marui: Every 30 minutes at twenty-five-past (xx:25) and five-to (xx:55)*Depending on unpredictable circumstances the bus may arrive late.
*The bus seats 23 passengers, so there may be a chance you cannot board.
Website: http://www.pandabus.net
RELATED ENTRIES
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Interview: Shakuhachi Player Yoshimi Tsujimoto Discusses Her Craft and the Upcoming Concert at Kumano-Nachi Taisha
Each year, an incredible event is held at Kumano-Nachi Taisha, a Shinto shrine and World Heritage Site located in the Kii Mountain Range of Wakayama Prefecture.
To kick off the ‘diamond celebration,’ a special concert will mark the 1,250th anniversary of the birth of Kobo Daishi, the Japanese Buddhist monk who founded the Shingon school of Buddhism. Yoshimi Tsujimoto, a shakuhachi player from Hashimoto, will perform in the concert scheduled to begin on October 22 at 13:30.
Moshi Moshi Nippon sat down with Yoshimi Tsujimoto to discuss her music and, most importantly, her interest in sharing the sound of the shakuhachi with the world.
−How did you become interested in the shakuhachi?
My father loved the shakuhachi, and because of that, I grew up surrounded by the sound of it. That’s how it all began!
−What attracts you to playing the shakuhachi?
I love the timbre of the shakuhachi.
Those who play the shakuhachi often say that a single note has the power to bring someone to enlightenment.
Curiously, individual differences in tone are more easily discernible with the shakuhachi than with other instruments. That means that a person can express themselves in more unique ways.
−You’ve performed in many different countries. Do you get different reactions to the shakuhachi in other countries when compared to Japanese audiences?
I have a vivid memory of a time I performed a classical shakuhachi piece solo. This particular type of classical music is called ‘wabi-sabi,’ and it isn’t very loud or lively.
In Japan, when I finish a performance, people usually clap. But when I performed in South America, as soon as the piece concluded, there was a standing ovation with people shouting “Bravo!” That would never happen in Japan, and it left such a lasting impression on me.
−Are there any countries that have left a lasting impression on you, or that you would like to visit in the future?
I have good memories of every country I’ve visited, but I think that Cuba left the biggest impression. I just made me think about how incredible music can be.
I’d love to visit Bulgaria, Morocco, Armenia, Uganda…it’s tough, because I want to visit every country I haven’t been to yet. (laughs)
−You’re from Hashimoto City, near Mount Koya. How did you feel when you heard that this concert would be held so close to your hometown?
What I felt was pure joy.
Personally, I’ve always loved Mount Koya, and I went there many times as a child. It’s such a pleasure to be able to perform there.
−Tell us some of your favorite memories involving Mount Koya.
I go to Mount Koya at least three or four times a year. It’s not a particular memory per se, but every time I go, I love to eat vegetarian food, explore, and buy wheat buns and sesame tofu as gifts to take home.
−Are there any local foods or places that you’d recommend?
The fruit is delicious in Wakayama, and my hometown is famous for persimmons.They are so yummy, and I just want everyone to try them!
Mount Koya and Kumano Kodo are both World Heritage sites, and they are both absolutely breathtaking. Other than those, I’d recommend Adventure World! It has adorable pandas roaming around freely and the most wonderful dolphin shows. Everyone from around the country should visit!
−Finally, do you have a message for Moshi Moshi Nippon readers?
Japan is filled with incredible places and culture. The shakuhachi, a beloved traditional Japanese instrument, is one piece of that culture.
I want audiences around the world to hear the sound of the shakuhachi and to make it more familiar. If you have a chance to hear it, I hope you will.
Be sure to follow Yoshimi Tsujimoto’s activities going forward as she shares the beauty and culture of shakuhachi with the world.
Information
Concert at World Heritage Site Kumano-Nachi Taisha (Wakayama)
Date: October 22, 2022 at 13:30
Venue: Danjo-garan Buddhist Temple
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Each year, an incredible event is held at Kumano-Nachi Taisha, a Shinto shrine and World Heritage Site located in the Kii Mountain Range of Wakayama Prefecture.
To kick off the ‘diamond celebration,’ a special concert will mark the 1,250th anniversary of the birth of Kobo Daishi, the Japanese Buddhist monk who founded the Shingon school of Buddhism. Yoshimi Tsujimoto, a shakuhachi player from Hashimoto, will perform, while the event also hopes to bring tourism to the area by sharing more information about Wakayama with the masses.
Date: October 22, 2022, 13:30
Venue: Danjo-garan Buddhist TempleProgram:
[Part 1] Chorus of local elementary school students, etc.
[Part 2] Talk Session
Participants:
Hougen Yabu (Director of Head Temple Kongobu-ji on Mount Koya)
Yoshimi Tsujimoto (Shakuhachi player)
[Part 3] Concert
Performer: Yoshimi Tsujimoto (Shakuhachi player)
*Will include a percussion, guitar, and keyboard session
<About the Call for Visitors>
350 Guests are Invited!
*If there are too many applicants, a drawing will be held.
*Livestreaming of the event will also be available online.
Application Period: August 23 – September 26, 2022
*Postcards must be postmarked by September 26. Those applying n the website must do so by 23:59 on September 26.
How to Apply:
- By postcard
Address: Yamabutai Concert Section
Wakayama Broadcasting Co.
3-3 Minatohonmachi
Wakayama, 〒640-8577What to Include: Zip Code, Address, Name, Age, Phone Number, Admission
*Can include up to 2 guests.2. On the special website
Please apply using the application form on the special website.
Keep in Mind:
1. Incomplete entries will be considered invalid.
2. Only one application per person is allowed.
3. If there are too many applicants, a drawing will be held. Winners will be announced when numbered tickets are sent out.
4. Personal information provided in each application will not be used for any purpose.
(For Reference) Past Performers
2015 – Hitomi Shimatani (Danjo-garan Buddhist Temple)
2016 – Chitose Hajime (Kumano-Nachi Taisha)
2017 – *Canceled due to typhoon.
2018 – Kumiko (Oyunohara)
2019 – May J. (Kumano-Nachi Taisha)
2020 – *Canceled due to the ongoing pandemic.
2021 – Yuki Koyanagi (Kumano-Nachi Taisha)
■Cast Profiles
◆ Hougen Yabu / Director of Head Temple Kongobu-ji on Mount Koya
・1993 – Graduates from Koyasan University
・In 2011, he became the chief priest of Kirihata Temple, where he remains to this day.
*Kirihata Temple [Fukuoka Prefecture] / Sasaguri 88 Sacred Sites, #10
・In 2021, he became the Director of Head Temple Kongobu-ji on Mount Koya and was also appointed as the director of the 1,250th birthday celebration for Kobo Daishi, the founder of the Buddhist sect.
