This year's Naoki Uemura Adventure Award, which is given to Japanese individuals and organizations who have undertaken creative adventures and explorations around the world, was awarded to an explorer and environmental activist who explored a unknown wetland in southern Iraq. Four people were selected, including Takashi Yamada.
The Naoki Uemura Adventure Award is an annual award given by his hometown of Toyooka, Hyogo Prefecture, in order to inherit the achievements and spirit of Naoki Uemura, who was known as an adventurer who was the first in the world to climb all of the highest peaks on five continents. The award is given to individuals and organizations in Japan who have undertaken creative adventures and explorations around the world.
A press conference was held in Tokyo on the 16th, and this year's four award winners were announced.
Mr. Hideyuki Takano (left) Mr. Takashi Yamada (right)
Among them, explorer and environmental activist Takashi Yamada and non-fiction writer Hideyuki Takano explored the vast wetland region of southern Iraq, ``Ahwar''.
The two visited this little-known wetland for six years starting in 2018, and compiled a book about their encounters with the people's lives and culture, including by using local traditional boats.
Mr. Ryoji Onishi (left) Mr. Akira Tanaka (right)
In addition, valley explorers Akira Tanaka and Ryoji Onishi explored the unexplored valley ``Setti Gorge'' in the Himalayan mountains of Nepal.
In the middle of winter, when the water level of the river is low, the two descend to the valley floor using a rope, and while overcoming falling rocks and torrents, they explore a 3.5 km stretch of valley over 400 meters deep, capturing detailed footage of the journey, which was featured on an NHK special. It was broadcast.
The Naoki Uemura Adventure Award ceremony will be held on June 1st in Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture.
Mr. Yamada and Mr. Takano's exploration of "Ahwar" in southern Iraq
Mr. Yamada is 65 years old from Kochi Prefecture. During his time at Tokyo University of Agriculture's exploration club, he canoeed down rivers around the world, including the Amazon River, and also participated in tree-planting activities in Africa and other countries.
Mr. Takano is 57 years old from Tokyo. He is a member of Waseda University's exploration club, and since debuting as a non-fiction writer with a work that summarizes his explorations while attending school, he has published works about the culture and lifestyles of various parts of the world, including Southeast Asia and Africa.
The two traveled to a vast, humid area in southern Iraq, where people who believe in Mandaeanism, a religion with a unique worldview, and people called the Ma'dan, who are said to continue to live the same lifestyle as they did 4,500 years ago, live. The zone ``Ahwar'' was explored four times over a period of six years.
During this time, Takano visited the local people using traditional boats and got into their lives, researching in detail the lives, culture, and traditions of the people that were previously unknown. So, Mr. Yamada compiled the records that were clearly described in illustrations into one book and published them.
At the press conference, Yamada said, ``I would have declined the award if it was for just one person, but I accepted it because I thought it would be good for Takano and I.I am a member of my university's exploration club, but three of the four award recipients this year I'm from the exploration club, so I'm happy about that."
Mr. Takano said, ``I am happy to receive the award because my main job of publishing books has been recognized.The sustainable lifestyle of the Ahwars, who raise water buffaloes and travel by boat, is something that we, who live in modern-day Japan, can learn from. I think it can also be used as a reference.''
Mr. Tanaka and Mr. Onishi's exploration of Seti Gorge in Nepal
Mr. Tanaka is 51 years old from Hyogo Prefecture. After studying at Kansai University's exploration club, he developed an interest in canyoning, an activity that goes down valleys, and is one of Japan's foremost experts on canyon exploration, having experience in expeditions to canyons around the world.
Mr. Onishi is 46 years old from Aichi Prefecture. After joining the Wundervogel Club at Tohoku University, he has continued to climb highly difficult mountain climbs in Japan and abroad, including the canyons of the Toyama Tateyama Mountain Range and the Shomyo Corridor.
The two set out to explore the unexplored Seti Gorge, a gigantic valley in the Himalayas of Nepal that is over 400 meters deep and locally called the Devil's Valley because of its depth and water volume. Ta.
Aiming for the mid-winter season when the water level of the stream is low, they use ropes to descend vertically to the valley floor by rappelling, overcome large amounts of falling rocks and rapids, and travel approximately 3.5 km of the valley floor, including tributaries and the main stream, to become the world's largest river. It was my first time exploring.
It is said that it was not well understood how such a special topography was formed, but the two expeditions recorded the strata of the valley in detail, which will lead to the elucidation of the formation of Seti Gorge. It was highly anticipated and praised for its great scientific results.
At the press conference, Tanaka said, ``When I received the award, I was so surprised that I made a strange noise.There are many unexplored valleys in the world, so this is an opportunity for people to pay attention to these places.'' , it was great," he said.
Mr. Onishi said, ``I love looking at the scenery of valleys and have continued to explore unknown valleys, but this time I was able to see a new world.I never expected to receive an award, so I am very happy.'' I think so,” he said.