Image search results - "ise"
010-IMG_5312.jpg
On June 16, 2007, Imazu marked the 90th anniversary of the song by organizing a boat cruise on Lake Biwa and other events. Omi-Imazu Station had a sign directing guests to Imazu Port. 90周年の記念「琵琶湖周航クルーズ」の近江今津駅内
011-IMG_5318.jpg
Imazu Port. A large crowd of people waiting to board the chartered boat for a 3-hour cruise on Lake Biwa to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the song, Biwako Shuko no Uta.
012-IMG_5315.jpg
The "Rio Grande" cruise boat awaits at Imazu Port on a miraculously sunny day during the rainy season. 梅雨でありながら、奇跡的にこんないい天気になった。今津港
013-IMG_5313.jpg
Reception desk for passengers. A little over 100 people joined the cruise. クルーズの受付
014-IMG_5327.jpg
Boarding time at Imazu Port. In the forefront is a song monument for Biwako Shuko no Uta.
015-IMG_5336.jpg
Megan and Jamie Thompson about to board the boat. トンプソン姉妹
016-IMG_5333.jpg
Boat name "Rio Grande" operated by Biwako Kisen. Named after Shiga's sister state in Brazil. There is also the "Michigan" paddlewheel boat named after Shiga's sister state in the USA.
017-IMG_5341.jpg
Inside the front of the Rio Grande boat. 琵琶湖周航クルージング
018-IMG_5338.jpg
Open deck at the rear. The boat departed at about 11:30 am.
019-IMG_5357.jpg
We passed by various scenic spots such as Shirahige Shrine, noted for the torii gate in the lake.
020-9016-17.jpg
Meoto-Iwa Wedded Rocks off the coast of Futami-cho, Ise city, Mie Prefecture. 夫婦岩
020-IMG_5354.jpg
Shirahige Shrine 白髭神社
021-9016-29.jpg
The Wedded Rocks are part of Futami Okitama Shrine known for frog sculptures. 二見興玉神社
021-IMG_2634.jpg
Misty Horikiri Port in Omi-Hachiman. Boats leave here for Okishima island, Lake Biwa's largest island.
021-IMG_5356.jpg
Shirahige Shrine torii as seen from the cruise boat.
022-9016-18.jpg
The shrine is dedicated to Sarutahiko and Ukano-mitama. Sarutahiko is a god which serves as a pathfinder guide. Deities for land/sea transportation safety. 二見
022-IMG_5368.jpg
Omi-Maiko with green pines on white sands. 近江舞子の「松は緑に 砂白き」
023-9016-19.jpg
The frog is Sarutahiko's messenger. Frog is called "kaeru" in Japanese, which is a homonym for the another word meaning "return home." If you travel a lot, pray here for a safe return. 夫婦岩
023-IMG_2646.jpg
Boat for Okinoshima at Horikiri Port
023-IMG_5369.jpg
Omi-Maiko appears in the song.
024-9016-21.jpg
Futami Okitama Shrine does not have a main hall (Honden) like most other shrines. It worships the Okitama Sacred Stone in the ocean beyond the Wedded Rocks. 二見興玉神社
024-IMG_5378.jpg
Rolling with the waves
025-9016-34.jpg
Lantern and sunset at Futami Okitama Shrine
025-IMG_5388.jpg
Okino-shiraishi Rocks, a favorite resting place for birds which turned the rocks white from bird droppings. Four rocks stand 80 meters deep in the lake. Out of the water, the tallest stands 14 meters high. 沖の白石
026-9016-36.jpg
Sunset at Futami Okitama Shrine. In the old days when traveling was a hazardous undertaking in Japan, pilgrims who traveled to worship at the Ise Grand Shrines prayed here for a safe return home.
026-IMG_5412.jpg
So what does "Coral shrine" mean in the song? (There's no coral in the lake.) "I think it just refers to a beautiful place..." 「珊瑚の宮」はどういう意味?
027-9018-12.jpg
The shimenawa rope bonding the Wedded Rocks is replaced three times a year. May 5, when these photos were taken, is one of the days when they replace the rope. First, they gathered at the shrine at 10 am for a 30-min. prayer ceremony.
027-IMG_5418.jpg
We landed on Chikubushima for about an hour. Jamie and Megan also sang in English in front of the Verse 4 song monument.
028-9018-13.jpg
Men carry spanking-new shimenawa ropes to the rocks.
028-IMG_5428.jpg
Jamie and Megan Thompson sing in English in front of the Verse 4 song monument, Chikubushima. Next time we need to have an amplifier.
029-9018-14.jpg
The Wedded Rocks are actually a type of torii gate for worshipping the Okitama Sacred Stone in the ocean.
029-IMG_5425.jpg
Jamie and Megan Thompson sing in English in front of the Verse 4 song monument, Chikubushima. They sang up to Verse 4. ジェイミーとメゲン・トンプソン姉妹が歌う
030-9018-15.jpg
The torii on the larger rock is quite small. The sacred rope is replaced three times a year on May 5, September 5, and at the end of December.
030-IMG_5433.jpg
The man holds the 90th Anniversary tour sign as a guide for the tour guests.
031-9018-16.jpg
5月5日、9月5日と12月下旬には夫婦岩の大注連縄の張り替え神事が行われる。これらの写真は5月5日に撮影された。
031-IMG_5441.jpg
Getting back on the boat. Little over a hundred people came on this cruise. If people knew it was gonna be such a beautiful day during this rainy season, more would have certainly come.
032-9018-17.jpg
The men begin to cut off the old rope. Those sharp sickles soon made short work of the old sacred ropes which were brought ashore in small pieces.
032-IMG_2685.jpg
Entering Okinoshima Port. Okishima is the largest island in Lake Biwa. MAP
032-IMG_5445.jpg
Sachiko Tsuji, the MC, interviews the sisters before they sang on the boat. 自動販売機前でインタービュー。船内の客は姉妹の顔や姿がほとんど見えへん。
033-9018-18.jpg
The ceremony attracts a large crowd.
033-IMG_5471.jpg
Jamie and Megan Thompson sing in English while cruising on Lake Biwa. 船の真ん中で歌って自動販売機がバックになって最悪。客に背中を向くばかりで申し訳ない。船の一番前に歌いたいと頼んだけど...
034-9018-19.jpg
The shimenawa rope actually consists of five smaller ropes. They cut the ropes one by one.
034-IMG_2713.jpg
Side of boat
034-IMG_5476.jpg
After they sang, there was a mad rush to buy the CD priced at 800 yen. 英語版CDの購入者が殺到。
035-9018-20.jpg
The ropes are now completely cut, breaking the bond between the two rocks.
035-IMG_5482.jpg
Then they signed autographs on the CD. CDのサインを求める。
036-9018-21.jpg
The old rope is taken away.
036-IMG_5485.jpg
More autographs. 姉妹はやはり人気者。
037-9018-22.jpg
The new ropes are strung across the two rocks. A small rope tied to the end of the large rope is used to pull the large rope up the rock.
037-IMG_2692.jpg
Okishima Port
037-IMG_5489.jpg
Newspaper reporters ask questions. A nice article about the cruise and the sisters appeared in the Kyoto Shimbun the next morning.
038-9018-23.jpg
038-IMG_5323.jpg
Water lilies. The melody of the song originally came from a song called "Hitsuji-gusa" which means water lilies.
039-9018-24.jpg
The first rope is wound around both rocks.
039-IMG_5324.jpg
Water lily (Hitsuji-gusa). ひつじぐさ
040-9018-25.jpg
The second rope is installed.
040-IMG_5496.jpg
After the boat cruise, there was a walking tour of Imazu. A special exhibition was held at the local community center in Imazu. 「周航の物語展」今津東コミセン
041-9018-26.jpg
041-IMG_5497.jpg
「周航の物語展」今津東コミセン
042-9018-27.jpg
One by one, the men carefully positioned the new sacred ropes on the two Rocks. All the while, young children and young men are chanting on the shore.
042-IMG_5500.jpg
This showcase showed things from the old Daisan Koto Gakko college.
043-9018-28.jpg
043-IMG_5493.jpg
Student uniform for Daisan Koto Gakko school.
044-9018-30.jpg
Replacing the rope for the Wedded Rocks, Mie Pref.
044-IMG_5494.jpg
Daisan Koto Gakko Rowing club towel
045-9018-32.jpg
Five ropes are being positioned and made taut.
045-IMG_5495.jpg
Daisan Koto Gakko book of songs
046-9018-33.jpg
046-IMG_5502.jpg
Chojiya ryokan along the lake shore. Likely this is where Oguchi Taro and crew stayed. 丁子屋という旅館
047-9018-35.jpg
All the while, the cheering section chants and wave streamers.
047-IMG_5511.jpg
Inside Chojiya. Very impressive Japanese-style inn with lake views.
048-9018-36.jpg
048-IMG_5512.jpg
Room in Chojiya ryokan.
049-9019-1.jpg
049-IMG_5513.jpg
Inside Chojiya. The inn is famous for serving duck.
050-9019-3.jpg
050-IMG_5519.jpg
Another local landmark was this former bank building designed by William Merrell Vories who designed many buildings in Shiga, especially in Omi-Hachiman.
051-9019-4.jpg
Pieces of the old rope. Anyone could take home the pieces of old sacred rope if they wanted.
051-IMG_2729.jpg
Leaving Okinoshima (we'll be back).
051-IMG_5520.jpg
Inside former bank building.
052-9019-5.jpg
Making sure that the rope is aligned and positioned correctly.
052-IMG_5530.jpg
In the evening during 5 pm-6:30pm, a slide show lecture about Oguchi Taro and Yoshida Chiaki was given by Iida Tadayoshi, a song researcher. Held at a hotel in Imazu. 歌と映像でつづる「小口太郎と吉田千秋の物語」講演会
053-9019-6.jpg
The job is finished.
053-IMG_5539.jpg
German-made accordian used by Yoshida Chiaki was also on display.
054-9019-8.jpg
The rope installers return to shore.
054-IMG_5548.jpg
View of Imazu shore from hotel
055-9019-10.jpg
Wedded Rocks with a new rope. Japan has numerous other Wedded Rocks and stones, but this is by far the most famous.
055-IMG_5550.jpg
A reception was held afterward in the hotel. The mayor of Takashima, Hidekazu Kaito, speaks. I gave him a copy of our CD. 高島市長 海東英和
056-IMG_5553.jpg
Interestingly, the mayor's first name "Hidekazu" means "English-Japanese." The next day, at the choir contest, he told us that he listened to and liked our song.
057-IMG_5556.jpg
Kanpai!
058-IMG_5558.jpg
Meeting Iida Tadayoshi, song researcher and former NHK announcer.
059-IMG_5561.jpg
In the end, we all sang the song, including the mayor of Takashima.
060-IMG_5570.jpg
最後に皆で周航歌を歌う。
061-IMG_5566.jpg
Ware wa Umi no ko~. Jamie and Megan also sang the next day at the choir contest. More info about Lake Biwa Rowing Song here.
152-IMG_2528.jpg
Setagawa River boat cruise modeled after the Ichiban-Maru paddlewheel steamboat which cruised on Lake Biwa in the 19th century. In operation during warmer months from Ishiyama-dera port and stopping at Nango Aqua Biwa and Seta-no-karahashi ports.
ap010-20081228_1747.jpg
Ariake Coliseum (Colosseum) in Koto Ward, Tokyo, near Odaiba. One of Tokyo Apache's home courts in Tokyo. Easily accessible via Yurikamome Line (Ariake Station) and Rinkai Line (Kokusai Tenjijo Station). 有明コロシアム
ap011-20081228_1753.jpg
Entrance to Ariake Colosseum for the game between Tokyo Apache and Toyama Grouses on Dec. 27, 2008.
ap012-20081227_1127.jpg
Sign for Tokyo Apache vs. Toyama Grouses on Dec. 27, 2008.
ap013-20081227_1132.jpg
Division standings as of Dec. 21, 2008. Tokyo Apache in 1st place, and Grouses in last place among the six teams in the Eastern conference of the bj-league.
ap014-20081227_1159.jpg
Uniform replica for sale.
ap015-20081227_1138.jpg
T-shirts for sale.
ap016-20081227_1140.jpg
Towels
ap017-20081228_1793.jpg
Join the Tokyo Apache booster club.
ap018-20081227_1213.jpg
Pregame entertainment by the Tokyo Apache Dance Team (equivalent to cheerleaders). Unfortunately, pro basketball is still a minor sport in Japan. Few people klnow about the bj-league and the teams. Many people in Tokyo have never heard of Tokyo Apache.
ap019-20081227_1229.jpg
It's a shame because it's quite entertaining to watch bj-league basketball games. They are geared for entertainment before and during the game.
ap020-20081227_1260.jpg
Ticket prices are also inexpensive. Perhaps they should offer 500 yen tickets on special campaign days so more people will come out to watch.
ap021-20081227_1267.jpg
The basketball players also service the fans with autographs and handshakes before and after the game.
ap022-20081227_1270.jpg
Tokyo Apache team members are introduced as they go through a gauntlet of cheerleaders.
ap023-20081227_1274.jpg
Ariake can get quiote cold in winter though. They might turn on the heater or they might not.
ap024-20081227_1275.jpg
ap025-20081227_1277.jpg
ap026-20081227_1285.jpg
ap027-20081227_1289.jpg
The Tokyo Apache Dance Team girls swirl around as the player passes through.
ap028-20081227_1308.jpg
Some practice shots.
ap029-20081227_1312.jpg
ap030-20081227_1333.jpg
Tip off
ap031-20081227_1348.jpg
John "Helicopter" Humphrey
ap032-20081227_1356.jpg
ap033-20081227_1358.jpg
ap034-20081227_1372.jpg
Masashi Joho
ap035-20081227_1379.jpg
ap036-20081227_1392.jpg
ap037-20081227_1420.jpg
Tokyo Apache Dance Team do their stuff during time outs. They are the cheerleaders who appear on Saturday games.
ap038-20081227_1437.jpg
ap039-20081227_1441.jpg
ap040-20081227_1446.jpg
ap041-20081227_1465.jpg
ap042-20081227_1474.jpg
Half-time show by Tokyo Apache Dance Team.
ap043-20081227_1500.jpg
Darin Maki
ap044-20081227_1505.jpg
ap045-20081227_1518.jpg
ap046-20081227_1548.jpg
A foul by Babacar Camara led to a brief scuffle between him and John Humphrey. After some deliberation by the referees, both were expelled from the game.
ap047-20081227_1564.jpg
Jun Iwasa
ap048-20081227_1586.jpg
ap049-20081227_1588.jpg
ap050-20081227_1593.jpg
ap051-20081227_1619.jpg
ap052-20081227_1627.jpg
Cohey Aoki
ap053-20081227_1628.jpg
Cohey
ap054-20081227_1630.jpg
ap055-20081227_1637.jpg
ap056-20081227_1657.jpg
ap057-20081227_1670.jpg
Sponsors
ap058-20081227_1701.jpg
Tokyo Apache Dance Team use a large towel as a prop.
ap059-20081227_1704.jpg
ap060-20081227_1706.jpg
ap061-20081227_1673.jpg
ap062-20081227_1708.jpg
Progression of a dunk shot.
ap063-20081227_1713.jpg
ap064-20081227_1722.jpg
Head coach Joe Bryant speaks to the crowd at the end of the game.
ap066-20081228_1752.jpg
Sign for Tokyo Apache vs. Toyama Grouses on Dec. 28, 2008 at Ariake Colosseum.
ap067-20081228_1806.jpg
Fans entering Ariake Colosseum for the game between Tokyo Apache and Toyama Grouses on Dec. 28, 2008.
ap068-20081228_1802.jpg
Fans entering Ariake Colosseum for the game between Tokyo Apache and Toyama Grouses on Dec. 28, 2008.
ap069-20081228_1797.jpg
Autographed basketball.
ap070-20081228_1816.jpg
Signing autographs before the game.
ap071-20081228_1848.jpg
ap072-20081228_1819.jpg
Masashi Joho signs autographs.
ap073-20081228_1828.jpg
ap074-20081228_1852.jpg
Cheering section
ap075-20081228_1891.jpg
Kids basketball game
ap076-20081228_1906.jpg
A free throw game is one pregame activity.
ap077-20081228_1916.jpg
ap078-20081228_1929.jpg
Pregame entertainment by Gum Q, a terrific dance troupe of kids who act as the team cheerleaders.
ap079-20081228_1944.jpg
ap080-20081228_1947.jpg
ap081-20081228_1954.jpg
ap082-20081228_1970.jpg
Practice shots
ap083-20081228_1971.jpg
ap084-20081228_1972.jpg
ap085-20081228_1986.jpg
Tip off
ap086-20081228_2001.jpg
ap087-20081228_2004.jpg
ap088-20081228_2006.jpg
ap089-20081228_2015.jpg
ap090-20081228_2027.jpg
ap091-20081228_2047.jpg
ap092-20081228_2049.jpg
ap093-20081228_2059.jpg
ap094-20081228_2063.jpg
Going up against Babacar Camara.
ap095-20081228_2066.jpg
Gum Q
ap096-20081228_2077.jpg
ap097-20081228_2079.jpg
Wow, GumQ were great performers.
ap098-20081228_2103.jpg
Some footwork by Masashi Joho.
ap099-20081228_2110.jpg
ap100-20081228_2114.jpg
Nick Davis
ap101-20081228_2124.jpg
Sponsors
ap102-20081228_2130.jpg
ap103-20081228_2131.jpg
ap104-20081228_2134.jpg
ap105-20081228_2139.jpg
ap106-20081228_2143.jpg
ap107-20081228_2145.jpg
ap108-20081228_2171.jpg
Skills Challenge was held during halftime. Several contestants try to dribble through a course for shooting and passing a basketball.
ap109-20081228_2184.jpg
Tokyo Apache team bench.
ap110-20081228_2197.jpg
GumQ kids are very well trained.
ap111-20081228_2198.jpg
ap112-20081228_2338.jpg
ap113-20081228_2242.jpg
Full of pep and vitality. Great for basketball games.
ap114-20081228_2187.jpg
ap115-20081228_2222.jpg
ap116-20081228_2253.jpg
ap117-20081228_2261.jpg
ap118-20081228_2272.jpg
ap119-20081228_2285.jpg
ap120-20081228_2304.jpg
Dunk shot by John Humphrey.
ap121-20081228_2329.jpg
Dunk shot progression.
ap122-20081228_2353.jpg
ap123-20081228_2359.jpg
Babacar Camara again as John's nemesis.
ap124-20081228_2372.jpg
Coach Bryant advises John.
ap125-20081228_2374.jpg
ap126-20081228_2387.jpg
ap127-20081228_2391.jpg
Cohey for a free throw.
ap128-20081228_2393.jpg
Team huddle
ap129-20081228_2395.jpg
Joho for a free throw.
ap130-20081228_2419.jpg
A sweet victory by the Tokyo Apache following a defeat the day before.
ap131-20081228_2398.jpg
ap132-20081228_2401.jpg
ap133-20081228_2405.jpg
Joe Bryant
ap134-20081228_2446.jpg
ap135-20081228_2451.jpg
ap136-20081228_2455.jpg
ap137-20081228_2460.jpg
ap138-20081228_2466.jpg
Toyama Grouses head coach Takatoshi Ishibashi, a former player for the Grouses.
ap139-20081228_2471.jpg
Tokyo Apache head coach Joe Bryant (Kobe's dad) is upbeat after his win as he talks to the press through an interpreter.
as300-P1000976.jpg
Shobu-numa Koen Park has five patches of irises that bloom in early June. About 140 varieties of irises and over 8,000 irises bloom. Very impressive for a neighborhood park. Near Kita-Ayase Station on the Chiyoda Line subway.
as301-P1000977.jpg
Map of the park. The iris patches are colored purple.
as302-P1010161.jpg
They also hold an iris festival on the early weekend in June. I visited before the weekend festival.
as303-P1000984.jpg
The first patch of irises.
as304-P1000983.jpg
I went before the weekend so it's not so crowded.
as305-P1000992.jpg
The park and irises turned out to be very nice. There are also shaded benches to sit and enjoy the flowers. A nice break from my computer screen.
as306-P1010160.jpg
Waterwheels and irises.
as307-P1000989.jpg
as308-P1000995.jpg
as309-P1000999.jpg
Irises at Shobu-numa Park in Adachi, Tokyo.
as310-P1010151.jpg
as311-P1010006.jpg
as312-P1010155.jpg
Irises at Shobu-numa Park in Adachi, Tokyo.
as313-P1010153.jpg
as314-P1010025.jpg
as315-P1010028p.jpg
as316-P1010013.jpg
as317-P1010036.jpg
The irises are accented by some hydrangea at Shobu-numa Park, Adachi, Tokyo.
as318-P1010063.jpg
as319-P1010074.jpg
as320-P1010047.jpg
as321-P1010048.jpg
as322-P1010053.jpg
as323-P1010052.jpg
as324-P1010054.jpg
as325-P1010070.jpg
as326-P1010071.jpg
as327-P1010078.jpg
1209 files on 5 page(s) 1