[Living Histories] Ms. Rio Miura
Interviewers/Authors: Chiharu Miyamoto, Ruka Sasaki
Rio Miura is a high school student at Kyoto Gaidai Nishi High School (KGN), which is affiliated with Kyoto University of Foreign Studies. She is a first-year student in high school and belongs to the girls baseball team as the youngest on the team. The girls baseball team at KGN was established in April 2013 and in 2021, there were a total of 31 members: 14 first graders, 6 second graders, and 11 third graders on the team. In 2020, the team placed third in the 22nd National High School Girls Baseball Tournament. The number of Japanese high schools with a girls baseball team is few, so Kyoto Gaidai Nishi High School can recruit female athletes from around Japan to join the team. However, Rio is from Ukyo Ward.
― Were you born in Ukyo Ward? Also, how long have you lived in Ukyo Ward?
Rio: I have lived in Ukyo Ward for about 10 years, since I was 4 or 5 years old.
― Why did you decide to enter Kyoto Gaidai Nishi High School?
Rio: I entered Kyoto Gaidai Nishi High School because I wanted to join the girls baseball team. Since elementary school, I have liked baseball, and when I was in my first year of junior high school, I decided to join the team at KGN. From this year I have devoted myself to baseball as a member of the team.
― What is the most enjoyable thing in high school life?
Rio: I enjoy playing baseball. I started baseball this year when I became a high school student, and now I am practicing the basics of the sport. It is hot and hard to practice, but I never thought it would be so hard. I am really trying to become as strong a player as my seniors.
― What do you like about baseball?
Rio: My favorite thing about baseball is that we all work together to achieve our goals one goal. We also really enjoy playing as a team.
― If you were to describe the Kyoto Gaidai Nishi High School girls baseball team with a Kanji, which would you choose?
Rio: I think the kanji for “結” (musubu), which means to tie or link together, describes the team because we have a strong “team connection”. We are all happy when a player succeeds in something, and even if we make mistakes, we encourage each other.
― Which place in Ukyo Ward do you like?
Rio: I like Kasuga Park. I often went there with my mother when I was young and played with my friends. For me, it is a park full of memories.
― Are there any historical or famous places in Ukyo Ward that you think are special and interesting?
Rio: I think Kasuga Shrine, which is a special place in Ukyo Ward. In particular, the Kasuga Festival, which is dedicated to health and a good harvest, is an important event for local people, because they cooperate with each other from preparations to cleanup to the success of the festival. There are many food and game stalls, so it is one of the annual events I look forward to.
― If you were to describe Ukyo Ward in one word, what would come to mind?
Rio: Ukyo Ward is a friendly place, and it also has many tourist spots, so people in the area are kind. Also, when you are playing in the park, the local people will talk to you. From this, I think Ukyo Ward is a “friendly place” where you can feel the warmth and kindness of the local people.
― Do you have a dream for the future?
Rio: I have longed to be a police officer since I was young. So, I want to become a police officer and ride a motorcycle in the future. If I can become a police officer, I would like to work in Ukyo Ward where I grew up.
