We held the latest Kan-Kan Lecture Series "Glass Engraving & Fossils" on November 23^rd.

Participants used a router to engrave designs on a glass. The intent was to have the participants look at reference books and rock specimens while engraving their glasses.

The Samani Folk Museum introduced fossils found in Samani. The participants found the sand-dollar sea urchin fossil so interesting, that they couldn't believe it was an actual sea urchin!

Participants were invited to look at the books and handle the fossils (ammonite, inoceramus, sea lily, etc).

The participants engraved many different designs into their glasses, such as Mt. Apoi, food, animals, and even musical instruments. Everyone enjoyed talking about what they would use the glasses for, like drinking barley tea or making it into a lantern.

PS: I carved a dinosaur on my glass and wanted to use it to make pudding. I was looking forward to excavating the dinosaur while I ate, but unfortunately, the white carving did not show up well against the yellow pudding.

I joined the Urawaka Elementary School 6^th Graders for a geological field trip. We visited two geological formations shaped by water's power and one formed by volcanic activity. Urakawa Town has well-defined alternating beds of sandstone and mudstone and outcroppings perfect for educational observation.

We even found a fossil. The students were impressed when they learned that Urakawa is famous for ammonite fossils. After that, we went to see the volcanic rock outcrops.

The students were excited and had many questions and observed the area until the very last minute! "What's that rock? Is that a fossil? How is this strata that was formed in the ocean right here?"

They also left with a sense of autumn ending and winter beginning.

The red Japanese bush cranberries (gamazumi) really stand out.

Oubayuri seeds (also known as Monkey Money)

Kiboushi (?) seeds

By the way, when I visited the site the day before, the stones were stuck to the ground, there was enough wind for me to put on my woolly hat, and it was very cold, but I was surprised to find needle ice forming in the middle of the river! Needle ice forms when the moisture in the soil freezes.

Needle Ice

Inoceramus fossil and needle ice

Apoi College held the following lecture: "Daikei Hokodate: the Horoman Horseman. New findings from old documents."

That afternoon, Dr. Kawashima, the Board of Education, and the Geopark staff went on a site visit to discuss a revised policy for the renovation of the Horoman sign "Wasuke-san and the Father of Japanese Equestrian Art, Daikei Hakodate."

That evening, the Apoi College Lecture was held at Samani Public Library. Dr. Kawashima, explained about Daikei Hakodate, a native of the Horoman area of Samani Town, a memorable episode of showing horsemanship before Emperor Meiji , and his contribution to horse breeding in Japan when he worked for the Hokkaido Administration at the Nanae Government Park and other Hokkaido government offices.

From November 11-13, we conducted some conservation efforts near Mt. Apoi's Uma-no-se area.


Heading out on Nov 11


It was lightly raining that morning so we stopped at the 5^th Station for a bit before continuing up the mountain.


It was sunny by the time we reached Uma-no-se.


I found a single Ibukijakoso in bloom.


Our conservation work consisted of picking up litter. This prevents ants, which are a natural enemy of the himechamadaraseseri butterfly, from creating ant hills and prevents acidification of the soil.

We also pruned kinrobai plants. The difficult part was carrying all of the litter and debris down the mountain.

The top of Mt. Pinneshiri was sparkling white on November 8^th.

I also went to the Shintomi area to take a look. The white limestone surrounded by white frosty grass was beautiful.