尾池 和夫
新入留学生歓迎会挨拶
Speech to Welcome Party for Newly Enrolled Foreign Students
みなさん、こんばんは。このパーティーは、この1年間に、京都大学へ新しく留学された、379名の方たちを歓迎して開きます。
Good evening everyone, and welcome to this party held in honor of this year's newly-arrived 379 international students.
今、京都大学には全部で、約1250名の留学生がいます。
Currently, at Kyoto University there are a total of 1250 international students.
5月13日には、新しく、中国科学技術大学、韓国科学技術院、香港科技大学、台湾大学と学術交流協定を結びました。京都大学は、世界中の63の大学、研究機関および大学グループと交流協定を結んでいます。
On May 13th of this year, Kyoto University concluded a consortium General Memoranda for academic exchange with the University of Science and Technology of China, the Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and National Taiwan University. Kyoto University is collaborating with research institutions and university groups from sixty-three universities around the world.
京都は、ユネスコの「古都京都の世界遺産」の町です。また、豊かな四季の変化がある町です。4月のサクラ、5月の若葉に続いて、6月は梅雨の季節で、いろいろな花がきれいです。
Kyoto has been designated by the United Nations UNESCO group as a world heritage, signifying the world's commitment to preserve its beauty. This beauty is evidenced by the four distinct and abundant seasons of Kyoto. The Sakura in April, the ensuing young leaves in May, and the rain season of June produce various beautiful flowers.
6月には、睡蓮が咲きます。京都大学の近くでは平安神宮で、見頃は6月上旬からです。花菖蒲も平安神宮にあります。紫陽花は雨の花で、町中で見ることができます。
In June, the water lilies will bloom. The beginning of June is the best time to see Heian Shrine, just around the corner from Kyoto University. Heian Shrine also features many Irises. Additionally, throughout the city you can find hydrangea, which are flowers that symbolize the rain season.
京都には伝統行事が、たくさんあります。6月のいくつかを紹介しましょう。
Throughout Kyoto there are many traditional activities, and I would like to take a moment to introduce to you a few of them that occur in June.
明日6月2日には、京都薪能が平安神宮で開催されます。
3日（金曜日）、平安神宮の庭の無料公開です。神苑の約2000株の花菖蒲が見頃です。
On June 2nd at Heian Shrine, the bonfire noh performance of Kyoto will take place. Noh is one of the most traditional arts in Japan. Following that on June 3rd, Heian Shrine's garden is free to view. Within the temple garden there are almost 2000 Irises.
20日（月曜日）、鞍馬寺の竹伐りです。長さ4m、太さ10cmもある青竹を大蛇になぞらえ、竹を伐る速さを競うものです。
6月30日（木曜日）、市内各地で夏越祓です。例えば、吉田神社で、茅の輪くぐりなどを経験してください。
On June 20th, you can see the cutting of bamboo at Kurama Temple. The strong green bamboos are four meters long and ten centimeters thick, like giant snakes. There is also a competition to see who can cut the bamboo the fastest. Later on June 30th, there are ceremonies called Nagoshi-harae, meaning to ward off evil spirits that arrive with the summer season. For example, at Yoshida temple, located next to the entrance of Kyoto University, I think you would enjoy the experience of passing through the Chinowa, or Cogon ring. Cogon comes from Spanish meaning thatched roof using bamboo or straw, and the ring is said to bring happiness to those who pass through it.
京都大学にいる間に、学問に励むだけでなく、世界中の友人をつくり、たくさんの古都の伝統に触れて下さるよう願っています。
While you are at Kyoto University, do not just excel in your studies, but please be sure to make friends from all around the world and experience a bit of the history and culture of this traditional city.
私のあだ名は、鯰（ナマズ）です。日本には鯰が地震を起こすという言い伝えがあります。これは、私がデザインした鯰の文鎮で、震災除けのお守りです。これを今夜のスピーチの4人に贈ります。
In Japan my nickname is namazu, which literally means catfish, but it is the term that Japanese people connect with expressing the awakening or starting of an earthquake. I have acquired this nickname because my research specialty has been earthquakes. What I am showing you are namazu paperweights that I have designed. They are my personal protectorate against earthquake damage. Tonight I present these specially-designed paperweights to the four individuals who are speaking with me this evening.
今夜は、どうぞ、楽しく、すごしてください。
ありがとうございました。
Let us all have a good time this evening. Thank you very much.
