Tokyo Photo News August 2011

The intense heat of summer signals high season for Shinohara Furin located in Minami Shinozaki, Edogawa Ward. August 12 recorded a scorching 30°C, but it easily exceeds 50°C where Yoshiharu Shinohara, an Honorary Citizen of Tokyo, and his son, Hiroshi, stand in front of a furnace that holds a crucible embedded in burning coke. From the crucible, they wind molten glass that looks like orange candy around a blow pipe and blow air inside. It appears more an ascetic practice than a craftsman's work. Father and son make some 500 wind chimes a day.

The Tokyo Memorial Service for the War Dead was held at the Bunkyo Civic Hall on August 15, the anniversary of the end of the war. Some 1,000 participants, including surviving families from the Tokyo area, assembled for the memorial service, and as the clock struck noon offered a silent prayer to the Tokyo residents who lost their lives.

Photo: Governor Ishihara delivering his address (August 15)

The Tokyo Medal of Honor and Tokyo Residents Sports Award" ceremony was held at the Tomin Hiroba (Citizens' Plaza) on August 17. Homare Sawa, Azusa Iwashimizu, Karina Maruyama, and Mana Iwabuchi from Nadeshiko Japan, Japan women's national football team, were conferred awards. Under the watch of 2,300 people, Governor Ishihara presented them with certificates and Homare Sawa expressed their resolve to win the gold medal at the London Olympics.

Photo: Celebrated with a shower of golden confetti (August 17)

On August 25, athletes from the Third Senior High School of Nihon University, the West Tokyo representative who secured their second win in 10 years at the 93rd National High School Baseball Championship, visited the metropolitan government to report on their victory. They expressed their appreciation saying, "the cheers of the residents of Tokyo were of enormous support." In commemoration, Vice Governor Sato presented Vice Captain Suzuki with a bat signed by Governor Ishihara.

Photo: "No. 1!" Athletes from the Third High School of Nihon University relish their victory (August 25)