 Last additions - 2007 Shiga Kenjinkai International Convention 第11回滋賀県人会世界大会 |
At the end, we sang Biwako Shuko no Uta (Lake Biwa Rowing Song). The party ended at 9:30 pm.Nov 15, 2007
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Members of the Toronto Shiga Kenjinkai dance goshu ondo.Nov 15, 2007
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Governor Kada teaches us how to dance the Goshu Ondo, a native dance of Shiga. She spoke in both Japanese and English again. Also see the video at YouTube.Nov 15, 2007
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Food, finally! All from Shiga. Lots of fish, and funa-zushi too.Nov 15, 2007
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Goshu ondoNov 15, 2007
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Entertainment started with taiko drumming.Nov 15, 2007
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Almost everyone got up to dance the goshu ondo. It's like a bon dance peculiar to Shiga. Also see the video at YouTube.Nov 15, 2007
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For the first hour (6 pm - 7 pm), we suffered through endless speeches by politicians. (Speeches should not be longer than 20 min. total at any event.)Nov 15, 2007
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Kanpai!Nov 15, 2007
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Speech by Kunimatsu Yoshitsugu, Chairman of the Shiga Intercultural Association for Globalization.Nov 15, 2007
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Kunimatsu Yoshitsugu, Chairman of the Shiga Intercultural Association for Globalization. He is also the former Shiga governor.Nov 15, 2007
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Social Salon also served green tea and sweets.Nov 15, 2007
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Mini presentation by the Biwako-no-Kai from Mexico.Nov 15, 2007
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Final dinner on Nov. 14, 2007. Some wore happi coats or a kimono.Nov 15, 2007
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On the morning of Nov. 14, a boat cruise on the Michigan. Narration in both Japanese and English explaining about Lake Biwa's ecology. I was unable to join this cruise, so no photos.Nov 15, 2007
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Door prizes were given out in a drawing. There were so many prizes donated by various Kenjinkai that it took almost an hour to give them all out.Nov 15, 2007
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Koto entertainment by Maiko, a well-known singer-songwriter from Shiga. 真衣子Nov 15, 2007
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Questions from the audience were also taken.Nov 15, 2007
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Governor Kada Yukiko gives a welcome message in both Japanese and English. In Japan, extremely few politicians can do this. Nice that Shiga has a bilingual governor who once studied in the U.S.Nov 15, 2007
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In the afternoon of Nov. 14 was a "Youth Session," or panel discussion by representatives of various Kenjinkai overseas. They discussed about recruiting younger members and facilitating networking among members.Nov 15, 2007
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Kanpai!Nov 15, 2007
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Dinner banquet hosted by Shiga Prefecture on Nov. 13, 2007.Nov 15, 2007
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BuffetNov 15, 2007
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The Social Salon was a good place to hang out between meetings and symposiums. It also had mini presentations by several overseas Kenjinkai.Nov 15, 2007
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One panelist was a priest from Enryakuji temple on Mt. Hiei.Nov 15, 2007
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Popular Hiko-nyan from Hikone also made an appearance in the Social Salon.Nov 15, 2007
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Interesting slide show by the Southern California Shiga Kenjinkai showing their activities.Nov 15, 2007
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A comedian from Mt. Ibuki in Maibara.Nov 15, 2007
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Exhibits by other Shiga cities.Nov 15, 2007
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Caffy, official mascot for the Sports Recreation event in 2008.Nov 15, 2007
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Hiko-nyan is a helmeted cat, related to the Ii clan.Nov 15, 2007
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On Nov. 13, there was a symposium called "Shiga and Cultural Exchanges."Nov 15, 2007
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Biwa masu trout above, and nigorobuna crucian carp (funazushi) on bottom.Nov 15, 2007
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Niigata Shiga Kenjinkai exhibit included stuff from Hokuriku region. Web site here.Nov 15, 2007
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Shiga Prefecture exhibited some plastic fish.Nov 15, 2007
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Pamphlets and CDs (including Lake Biwa Rowing Song in English) from Takashima city. 琵琶湖周航の歌 英語版CDも展示Nov 15, 2007
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Shiga Kenjinkai from Canada and Mexico.Nov 15, 2007
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Overseas Shiga Kenjinkai exhibits.Nov 15, 2007
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Exhibit by Takashima city.Nov 15, 2007
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In an adjacent hall was the "Social Salon" with exhibits by most of Shiga's cities and towns and by various Shiga Kenjinkai. Many tourist pamphlets (mostly in Japanese) were provided.Nov 15, 2007
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National high school soccer tournament award from Yasu. (Yasu High School won the national title in Jan. 2006.)Nov 15, 2007
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The Lieutenant Governor of Shiga (substituting for Governor Kada who was hosting the Emperor and Empress visiting Shiga) bestows awards to people who have long contributed to promoting Shiga.Nov 15, 2007
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Hikone's exhibit in the Social Salon, featuring red samurai armor from the Ii clan.Nov 15, 2007
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A representative for Mekata Makoto, Chairman of the Shiga Prefecture City Mayors' Association and also the mayor of Otsu.Nov 15, 2007
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Chairman Otaka gives letters of appreciation to Shiga Kenjinkai members for meritorious service. In the afternoon, the keynote speech was given by Donald E. Devaney who talked about historical ties between Shiga and the U.S. (photography was not allowed).Nov 15, 2007
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Natsuhara Satoru, Chairman of the Shiga Prefecture Town Mayors' Association and also the mayor of Taga town.Nov 15, 2007
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Otaka Tokio, Chairman of the National Federation of Shiga Kenjinkai, delivers a welcome message. 大高時男Nov 15, 2007
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Dehara Itsuzo, Shiga Prefectural Assembly ChairmanNov 15, 2007
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Japanese-English interpreting was providedNov 15, 2007
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Opening ceremony started at 10:30 am on Nov. 13, 2007.Nov 15, 2007
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Saitama, Kanagawa, France, MatsumaeNov 15, 2007
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Western Canada, Yamaguchi, and MiyagiNov 15, 2007
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Nov 15, 2007
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Kita-Kyushu, Southern California (Nanka), and HiroshimaNov 15, 2007
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There is at least one Shiga Kenjinkai in all the prefectures in Japan, and around 15 Shiga Kenjinkai overseas. The hall was lined with banners of many Shiga Kenjinkai from Japan and overseas. Ehime, Brazil, Osaka, etc.Nov 15, 2007
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Main venue at the convention hall. A Shiga Kenjinkai is a group or association of people having ties to Shiga Prefecture who now live outside Shiga.Nov 15, 2007
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Toronto, Nagano, Hakodate, Argentina, and Kochi. Outside Japan, there is a Shiga Kenjinkai in Brazil, Peru, Mexico, Canada (Toronto, Vancouver, and Alberta), Argentina, USA (Seattle, California, and Hawaii), Hong Kong, Indonesia, UK, France, and Germany.Nov 15, 2007
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Reception counter. The 11th Shiga Kenjinkai International Convention was held in Shiga for the first time in 16 years. There are currently 71 Shiga Kenjinkai groups in Japan and overseas.Nov 15, 2007
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Entrance to convention hall at Otsu Prince Hotel. Every few years, all the Shiga Kenjinkai in Japan and overseas gather for a convention for a few days.Nov 15, 2007
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Convention Hall Omi at Otsu Prince Hotel. 第11回滋賀県人会世界大会のメイン会場。Nov 15, 2007
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Otsu Prince Hotel, the main venue of the 11th Shiga Kenjinkai International Convention held Nov. 12-14, 2007.Nov 15, 2007
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