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By Takashi Hayashi / Staff Writer Yomiuri Shimbun SASEBO, Nagasaki – "Everyone, it's Fukuro [owl] rock." This is a work of art created by nature, "said Yoshiteru Mizuguchi, a 79-year-old pleasure boat guide, pointing to a rocky area emerging in a blue sea. The passengers aboard the boat, the "queen of pearls", cried out: "It's spitting image!"
Mizuguchi is a guide to the seaside resort of Kujukushima, a managed marine complex by the city including an aquarium, restaurants and souvenir shops in Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture. He became popular with tourists for the unique names that he gives Kujukushima islands and their strange rock formations resembling animals and other creatures – so popular, in fact, that this month he gave the 7,000th tour of his 15-year career. 19659003] It has so far named about 30 rocks, including "Merlion" (the Singapore mascot), "Nemuru Komainu" (sleep guard dog) and the fanciful "Ago no Hazureta Monster" (monster with jaws) dislocated).
A native of Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture, Mizuguchi worked as a salesman in a department store in Yokohama for about 40 years before moving to Sasebo, where his wife's parents had a home. Attracted by the beautiful scenery of the Kujukushima Islands – a chain of more than 200 islets, large and small – he became a volunteer guide in August 2003. He is currently visiting 50 times a month.
He had the idea of offering tours One day, about two years after starting as a volunteer guide, he noticed that rocky areas resembling human faces would pass from the "lighthouse" to the next. "peaceful expression of a Buddha" to "a furious expression of demon" according to the variations of light and shadow. When he told his discovery to the passengers of the pleasure boat, he was struck by the greater than expected reaction of his observation on the part of the passengers, young and old
"Although [passengers] is easily tired of difficult historical theories, everyone can enjoy the shapes of rock formations just before them and have fun looking for new ones, "said Mizuguchi.
"Rather than one-way, boring, explanations with interesting names leave an impression because everyone can enjoy it."
Mizuguchi was commended by the Ministry of Environment, the Government of Sasebo City and other entities. its unique towers. He even has fans who join his tours several times, bringing memories to show their appreciation.
Yoshimi Nishimura, a member of the Kujukushima Visitor Center, which serves as a headquarters for volunteer guides, said, "I take my hat off his enthusiasm, such as how he hand-manufactures the visual aids that He uses it to help tourists understand his explanations more easily. "
In April, Kujukushima was added to the World's Most Beautiful Bays Club, a non-governmental organization working to promote famous bays as tourist spots and to protect landscapes.
In addition, with the Recent rapid rise of foreign cruise ships calling at the port of Sasebo, Mizuguchi has taken a direct approach to promoting photos in order to show tourists the beauty of the islands that he loves.
Mizuguchi will have 80 years old next year, but he has not lost his enthusiasm. "It's the job of my life. As long as my health permits, I would like to continue to promote the beauty of Kujukushima and Sasebo. "
Legends
Photos of Yomiuri Shimbun
Yoshiteru Mizuguchi, left, uses photos that he took one of his tours of the Kujukushima Islands in Nagasaki Prefecture
A Mizuguchi Rock named "Merlion"
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