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Established as
the first tourist attraction in the world
Mt. Takasaki Wild Monkey Park was established
in 1953. Within this national park situated between
Oita and Beppu cities, monkeys live in Takasakiyama
Mountain (628 meters above sea level). The Oita
Aquarium Marine Palace was established in 1964
at the foot of Takasakiyama Mountain and re-opened
in April 2004 after refurbishment. It has been
renamed as the Oita Aquarium Marine Palace “Umitamago”.
Director of the Oita City Tourism Association,
Mr.Ninomiya, who kindly guided us around the attractions,
commented enthusiastically, “The establishment
of these two institutions was initiated and realized
by the first publicly elected Mayor of Oita City,
Mr. UEDA Tamotsu. The plan to establish the Mt.
Takasaki Wild Monkey Park originated from his
idea to create a tourist attraction that would
capture the attention of the country. Mr. UEDA
believed that if people enjoyed feeding carps
in a pond, they would also appreciate the sight
of the feeding of clever monkeys. However, at
that time, nobody had attempted feeding monkeys
before, and nobody believed that it could work.
Yet, this and many of Mr. UEDA’s other ideas
were realized – a large-scale circular water
tank in the new aquarium marine palace, where
fish is fed by “marine girls”, performances
by sea otters and schools of sea bream swimming
in circles are some of the ideas that were carried
out for the first time in the world.”
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Director of
the Oita City Tourism Association
Mr. Yoshio Ninomiya
(Oita City) |
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He works on
the revitalization and development of tourism
in Oita City. |
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Enjoy nature and animals with the five senses
Both attractions have been enjoying much attention
since their establishment. They aim to develop
as institutions leading global trends while stimulating
improvements in the surrounding environment.
Mr. Ninomiya said, “A view of the entire
Beppu Bay is the most attractive thing about these
attractions. The changes in scenery in all four
seasons of the year are what we would like to
proudly present to the world. In addition, the
road and the sidewalk connecting both institutions
have been widened and are now more comfortable.
Recently, a monorail to Takasakiyama and an elevator
to the Aquarium Marine Palace have also been built
to enable barrier-free access so that anyone can
enjoy the attractions.”
Both institutions provide an experience of getting
close to nature and animals. Therefore, they can
be enjoyed for many times, and never become boring.
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Takasakiyama
Monkey Museum
This museum was established in April 2004 in the grounds
of the Aquarium Marine Palace “Umitamago”. It holds
images and objects concerning the ecology of monkeys for visitors
interested in doing detailed study, as well as a shop and
a restaurant. |
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Echelle
du Ange Restaurant
This restaurant was established in July 2004 in Tanoura
Park. Here, one can enjoy first-class European meals while
viewing the entire Beppu Bay through the restaurant walls
that are all made from glass. |
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| We were blessed with
good weather, and toured both attractions with Mr. Ninomiya
as our guide. |
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| It seems nice
to be in the water! They have such kind eyes. |
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| The view from
the “monkey rail” is fantastic! |
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| It’s a baby
boom! They are so adorable! |
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Ms. Rhea
Young
(U.S.A)
“I teach English at elementary and junior high
schools. This is my third time at Takasakiyama and my
first time in the Aquarium Marine Palace ‘Umitamago’.”
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Infinite potential
Copper, like gold, is the oldest material used
by mankind. It has been put to good use on buildings,
kitchen utensils, electrical appliances and so
on. Sheet  copper
is pliable and thus easily worked by bending,
cutting or piercing holes in it. Copperplate engravings
are made by employing these techniques.
“The interesting thing about copperplate
work is how copper looks, as well as the beautiful
colors that can be seen while sheet copper transforms
from being flat to being three-dimensional. Also,
when I succeed in creating an idea I’ve had
after years of repeated trial and error, I feel
a great sense of achievement. Sometimes I get
ideas in my dreams at night, and I can hardly
wait for morning to come,” said Mr. Umeno.
He is the leading artisan in the industry and
the creator of the “mother-of-pearl technique”
*1
and the “American flower coloring
technique” *2.
*1: This is a technique
in which small pieces of cut shell are sealed
into patterns such as flowers and trees using
cemedyne.
*2: This technique
involves spraying “tomei (transparent) clear”
(an anti-discoloring spray) on the mother-of-pearl
work and sprinkling “American flower”
(powdered glass) on it before the spray dries.
Desire to pass on not just the skills, but
also the tools
Mr. Umeno teaches at Hita Technical College where
he is involved in training the younger generation
in the difficult copperplate engraving techniques
of “striking out”, “pushing out”
and gilding – techniques that he is well-versed
in. Mr. Umeno remarks, “Striking sheet copper
with a hammer requires physical strength and fine
moderation. Traditional tools such as hammers
are mostly used only by artisans these days, and
they bring out a flavor of tradition in the completed
work. The art of copper engraving not only pays
tribute to the value of tools, but also nurtures
the spiritual strength that is important to people.”
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A copperplate engraving
artisan
(Representative Director of Umeno *Bankin
Kosakusho Ltd.)
* Bankin Kosakusho…sheet metal factory.
Mr. Tatsumi Umeno
(Hita City) |
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Mr. Umeno has worked on
sheet metal since he was 15, and has since
continued the work for fifty years. He has
been fascinated with copperplate art and
has contrived original new techniques. Mr.
Umeno has many awards under his belt, among
them the special prize, second prize and
grand prize (1996) in the National Doken-ten
competition, the Minister of Labor Prize
for contemporary master craftsman in 1999
and the Order of “Ojuhosho” a
Yellow Ribbon Medal in 2002.
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| Trying to create the
Japanese character “michi” took about two hours. |
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| This is the first
time I’m using a hammer, so the line became crooked. |
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| My hand is becoming
numb, this work requires strength. |
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| Does the chemical change
of copper and potassium sulfate create rainbow colors? I hope
nice colors will appear… |
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Ms. Sarah Elizabeth
O’ Keeffe
(U. S. A)
“I came to Japan in 2003 and teach English in a
senior high school in Hita City. Before this, the only
traditional craft I knew about was Onta Pottery.”
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