 Most viewed - Okaya 岡谷市 |
Oguchi Taro Statue and Biwako Shuko no Uta Song Monument. On the shore of Lake Suwa, Okaya, Nagano. 歌碑と小口太郎銅像594 viewsThis was where I first heard the song, "Biwako Shuko no Uta." In May 2004, I was in Suwa, Nagano Pref. to see and photograph the Onbashira Festival (held every 6 years). My hotel was in the neighboring city of Okaya on the shores of Lake Suwa.
I walked around the lake and came across this statue of Taro Oguchi and song monument. I was very surprised when I saw the word "Biwako" (Lake Biwa). This was Nagano, not Shiga, so it was most unexpected to see "Biwako" here. I read the song lyrics on the monument and was surprised and delighted to see the names of well-known places in Shiga.
The monument even had music box (seen on left) where you could hear three versions of the song. I immediately found it intriguing.
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Numerous azalea bushes518 views
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Sculpture288 views
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Scenic view of Lake Suwa from graveyard.272 views
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Song monument with the entire lyrics of Biwako Shuko no Uta. On the shore of Lake Suwa in Okaya, Nagano. 琵琶湖周航の歌 全歌詞碑253 views
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Lake Suwa239 views
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Mother and child sculpture232 views
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Lake Suwa and mountains231 views
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About Taro Oguchi.231 viewsThe song was written as a collaboration among boatmates, but Taro Oguchi (小口太郎) (1897-1924) is credited as being the main song writer. He was born in 1897 (Meiji 30) in Minato-mura village, now part of Okaya city on the shores of Lake Suwa in Nagano Prefecture.
He grew up in a loving and respected family and demonstrated an early talent for writing, music (violin and shakuhachi), and sports (judo, skiing, skating). Since he was the eldest son expected to take over the family home, there was opposition for him to go away for college. However, his father was persuaded to allow Taro to apply for college at the elite No. 3 High School (later to become Kyoto University). It was one of nine college-level schools in Japan, the No. 3 school being one of the most elite.
Contrary to family expectations, Taro passed the entrance exam, went school in Kyoto in 1914 and joined the rowing and speech clubs. In 1917, he wrote the famous song about Lake Biwa which first went public in 1918.
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Lake Suwa and mountains225 views
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Smaller statue of Oguchi Taro inside Okaya City Hall, next to the entrance.224 views
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Area of the Oguchi Taro monument (seen on left), in winter.224 views
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Onbashira manhole in Okaya, Nagano.221 views
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Ducks219 views
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Music box. Three versions of the song can be heard through a speaker by pressing a button. Also see the video at YouTube to hear the song.219 viewsThe monument included a music box where you could listen to three versions of the song through a speaker. I was immediately fascinated by the song when I heard it (together with the wind and waves of Lake Suwa).
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Closeup of Taro Oguchi statue210 viewsHe graduated in 1919 and furthered his studies at Tokyo Imperial University (now University of Tokyo) in the science department. In 1921, he invented the wired and wireless multiplex telegraph and telephone system which was patented in eight countries. He was an extremely bright young man with a promising future.
In 1922, he entered the university's aeronautical research institute as a researcher. However, his life soon took a downturn from 1923 when he received a military conscription notice. A love interest for marriage also did not work out as desired. His physical health deteriorated and he terminated his own life the following year in 1924 at age 26.
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Statue of Oguchi Taro 小口太郎銅像209 viewsShort walk from JR Okaya Station. Walk toward the shore of Lake Suwa. The monument is near the mouth of Tenryu River.
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Biography of Oguchi Taro. 小口太郎顕彰碑207 views
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JR Okaya Station. There is no tourist info office here.204 viewsSmall station, but close to Lake Suwa.
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Rear view, looking toward Lake Suwa.199 views
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Side view of Taro Oguchi Statue and Song Monument in spring with azaleas.193 views
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Side view of Taro Oguchi Statue and Song Monument in winter. 小口太郎顕彰碑193 views
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Oguchi graves.191 views
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Ducks fly away on Lake Suwa.189 views
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Oguchi Taro song monument182 views
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Map of lake shore area179 views
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Lake Suwa164 views
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Tenryu River at sunset157 views
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Oguchi cemetary. This neighborhood is full of Oguchi families, not necessarily related to each other.157 views
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Oguchi Taro's gravestone. He is buried together with his younger brother Sadao.151 views
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Lakeside park146 views
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Oguchi Taro's grave on right.146 views
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Oguchi Taro's gravestone in foreground.145 views
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Okaya map142 views
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Lakeside park140 views
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Taro Oguchi Statue and Song Monument in winter.140 views
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Statue of Oguchi Taro138 views
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Neighborhood of Minato where Oguchi Taro lived.138 views
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Behind this small shrine is a large graveyard full of Oguchi family gravestones.138 views
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Road sign pointing to the Oguchi Taro statue137 views
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137 views
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Oguchi Taro's house (red roof). He lived on the 2nd floor. On the left is a storehouse.135 views
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Carp caught from Lake Suwa134 views
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Water fountain and azaleas in spring133 views
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Lake Suwa and mountains132 views
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130 views
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Lakeside park130 views
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Path to shrine130 views
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Kamaguchi Floodgate126 views
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125 views
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Water fountain124 views
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123 views
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Ducks fly to safety.123 views
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122 views
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122 views
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Lake Suwa and bridge121 views
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119 views
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Canora Hall, venue for the Okaya International Exchange Association's 15th anniversary festival.119 views
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Lake Suwa118 views
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Lake Suwa115 views
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Water fountain and azaleas in spring115 views
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Okaya City Hall 岡谷市役所115 views
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Lakeside park114 views
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Locomotive from Ohio, USA used in the 1930s.113 views
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JR Okaya Station platform. JR岡谷駅112 views
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Lake Suwa during a warm winter.111 views
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111 views
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JR Okaya Station platform111 views
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Sculpture in lakeside park109 views
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Grand finale dance called Itomachi Ko-uta109 views
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108 views
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Lakeside park107 views
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Bridge with a mountain design, over Tenryu River.107 views
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106 views
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Bridge across Kamaguchi Floodgate106 views
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Oguchi Taro monument105 views
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104 views
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Lakeside park104 views
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Playground104 views
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104 views
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Bridge across Kamaguchi Floodgate103 views
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Path to more azaleas as far as the eye can see.102 views
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Statue of KATAKURA Kanetaro101 viewsHe and his company planted the azaleas in 1935.
片倉兼太郎
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Nakamura Naoko singing "Lake Biwa Rowing Song" up to verse 3. 中村直子さんが三番まで歌われた。98 views
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Reception counter with programs and newsletters in different languages.95 views
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Canora Boys and Girls Chorus94 views
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92 views
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91 views
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Along Tenryu River in winter.90 views
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Brazilian Dance by Ashinaga Gakuen Brazilian School90 views
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Nakamura Naoko singing "Lake Biwa Rowing Song." The first Japanese person to sing the song in public. 「琵琶湖周航の歌」の英語版も歌われた。90 views
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Ramu-ramu Coffee Shop in Ilf Doga Museum 喫茶ラムラム89 views
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Ilf Douga Museum, works by Takei Takeo 武井武雄余技作品展示室89 views
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African dance, a real crowd pleaser.87 views
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Lala store in front of Okaya Station. A small city hall office inside might be able to give tourist info.86 views
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Ilf Doga Museum86 views
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New Zealand panel86 views
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Entrance to the smaller hall85 views
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In Okaya, Nagano, Nakamura Naoko singing "Lake Biwa Rowing Song." This is the first time this English version was sung in public outside Shiga Prefecture.85 views
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Brazilian school84 views
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African drumming and dance84 views
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View from train station overpass83 views
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Ilf Doga Museum イルフ童画館83 views
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Full-house audience. Many international groups provided free entertainment.82 views
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Lake Biwa Rowing Song (Biwako Shuko no Uta) exhibition panel by Philbert Ono at Okaya, Nagano.81 views
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Taiko drummers from Okaya Roman Taiko81 views
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Indonesian dance by Miyazaki Ani81 views
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80 views
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Exhibition panels 展示コーナー80 views
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Ilf Plaza, with shops and a culture center. イルフプラザ79 views
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Lobby of Canora Hall79 views
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Lake Biwa Rowing Song Exhibition panels. 「琵琶湖周航の歌」英語版の展示コーナー78 views
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Exhibition area featuring native costumes, photos, etc.77 views
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Doga-kan-dori street leading to Ilf Plaza.76 views
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Ilf Doga Museum, works by Takei Takeo 武井武雄作品展示室73 views
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Listen to one of the song versions here64 views
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