The Shioyasaki Lighthouse, which is fondly called the "Lighthouse of Toyoma" and has long been loved by the local people in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, has marked the 120th anniversary of its first lighting.
　Unveiled during a commemorative ceremony held at the base of the lighthouse on Dec. 15 was an illustration featuring the Shioyasaki Lighthouse, drawn by manga artist Leiji Matsumoto, who has been appointed as a "Rhododendron Ambassador" -- a kind of adviser -- by the prefectural government.

　「とよまの灯台」と呼ばれ、地元に親しまれてきたいわき市の塩屋埼灯台は１５日、点灯開始から１２０周年を迎えた。灯台の麓で同日、セレモニーが行われ、本県の「しゃくなげ大使」に登録されている漫画家の松本零士さんが描いた、塩屋埼灯台をモチーフにしたイラスト画が披露された。

　The illustration depicts a flying train gliding by the lighthouse with Maetel -- a character in Matsumoto's major creation "Galaxy Express 999" -- watching from a distance. Matsumoto also delivered a video message, saying: "The lighthouse is indispensable for people's lives. We are grateful for its 120th anniversary, which is a celebratory occasion."
　The illustration is displayed inside the lighthouse.

　イラスト画は、松本さんの代表作「銀河鉄道９９９（スリーナイン）」の登場人物「メーテル」が見つめる先に、灯台とスリーナインが描かれている。松本さんは、ビデオメッセージも寄せ「灯台は人々の生活になくてはならないもの。１２０周年はありがたく、めでたいこと」などと語った。イラスト画は、同灯台の敷地内で展示されている。

　During the ceremony, officials including Iwaki Mayor Toshio Shimizu made speeches. Local students of Toyoma Elementary School and Toyoma Junior High School expressed their gratitude for the lighthouse, saying that it cheers them up like their families do by lighting them up brightly. They also said it is a source of emotional support and indispensable to the people of Toyoma.

　セレモニーでは、清水敏男市長らがあいさつ。地元豊間小、豊間中の子どもたちが「灯台は豊間に住む人たちの心のよりどころ、なくてはならない存在。家族のように明るく照らし、元気づけてくれる」などと日ごろの感謝を伝えた。

　The Shioyasaki Lighthouse, built with the use of Western technology, was first lit on Dec. 15, 1899. It was destroyed by an earthquake in 1938 and in 1940 rebuilt. The lighthouse also suffered damage during the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, but was fully restored and admission of visitors resumed in 2014. The light source of the 27-meter-high lighthouse stands 73 meters above the average sea level.
　The lighthouse is also featured in the hit song "Midaregami," which was sung by legendary Japanese vocalist Hibari Misora.

（　Translated by The Japan News　）

　塩屋埼灯台は１８９９（明治３２）年１２月１５日に西洋技術を取り入れて建造され、点灯を開始した。その後１９３８年に地震により大破。４０年に再建され、現在の灯台は２代目。２０１１年の東日本大震災でも被害が出たが、１４年に復旧し、参観も再開した。灯台の高さは２７メートルで、平均海水面から光源までの高さは７３メートル。歌手の美空ひばりさんのヒット曲「みだれ髪」の舞台にもなっている。

　【　２０１９年１２月１６日付・福島民友新聞掲載　】