 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589 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 bushes514 views
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Sculpture282 views
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Scenic view of Lake Suwa from graveyard.268 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248 views
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Lake Suwa236 views
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Mother and child sculpture229 views
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Lake Suwa and mountains228 views
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About Taro Oguchi.226 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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Smaller statue of Oguchi Taro inside Okaya City Hall, next to the entrance.222 views
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Lake Suwa and mountains219 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.218 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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Area of the Oguchi Taro monument (seen on left), in winter.218 views
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Ducks216 views
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Onbashira manhole in Okaya, Nagano.216 views
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Statue of Oguchi Taro 小口太郎銅像207 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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Closeup of Taro Oguchi statue204 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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JR Okaya Station. There is no tourist info office here.200 viewsSmall station, but close to Lake Suwa.
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Biography of Oguchi Taro. 小口太郎顕彰碑199 views
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Rear view, looking toward Lake Suwa.192 views
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Side view of Taro Oguchi Statue and Song Monument in spring with azaleas.189 views
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Side view of Taro Oguchi Statue and Song Monument in winter. 小口太郎顕彰碑188 views
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Oguchi graves.186 views
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Ducks fly away on Lake Suwa.184 views
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Oguchi Taro song monument177 views
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Map of lake shore area176 views
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Lake Suwa157 views
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Oguchi cemetary. This neighborhood is full of Oguchi families, not necessarily related to each other.155 views
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Tenryu River at sunset152 views
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Oguchi Taro's gravestone. He is buried together with his younger brother Sadao.144 views
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Oguchi Taro's gravestone in foreground.142 views
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Lakeside park141 views
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Oguchi Taro's grave on right.141 views
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Taro Oguchi Statue and Song Monument in winter.138 views
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Okaya map137 views
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Statue of Oguchi Taro135 views
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Lakeside park133 views
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Behind this small shrine is a large graveyard full of Oguchi family gravestones.132 views
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Road sign pointing to the Oguchi Taro statue131 views
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Lake Suwa and mountains130 views
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Carp caught from Lake Suwa130 views
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Neighborhood of Minato where Oguchi Taro lived.130 views
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Oguchi Taro's house (red roof). He lived on the 2nd floor. On the left is a storehouse.130 views
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Water fountain and azaleas in spring128 views
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Path to shrine127 views
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Lakeside park125 views
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Water fountain122 views
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Kamaguchi Floodgate121 views
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120 views
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119 views
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Lake Suwa and bridge117 views
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Ducks fly to safety.117 views
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Canora Hall, venue for the Okaya International Exchange Association's 15th anniversary festival.117 views
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Lake Suwa114 views
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Okaya City Hall 岡谷市役所112 views
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Lake Suwa111 views
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Lake Suwa during a warm winter.110 views
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Locomotive from Ohio, USA used in the 1930s.109 views
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Lakeside park109 views
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Water fountain and azaleas in spring108 views
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JR Okaya Station platform. JR岡谷駅108 views
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JR Okaya Station platform106 views
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Sculpture in lakeside park105 views
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Grand finale dance called Itomachi Ko-uta105 views
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Lakeside park104 views
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Bridge with a mountain design, over Tenryu River.104 views
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Bridge across Kamaguchi Floodgate103 views
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Playground103 views
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Bridge across Kamaguchi Floodgate102 views
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Oguchi Taro monument102 views
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Lakeside park102 views
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Statue of KATAKURA Kanetaro99 viewsHe and his company planted the azaleas in 1935.
片倉兼太郎
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Path to more azaleas as far as the eye can see.98 views
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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。94 views
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Reception counter with programs and newsletters in different languages.93 views
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Canora Boys and Girls Chorus92 views
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Along Tenryu River in winter.89 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。89 views
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Ramu-ramu Coffee Shop in Ilf Doga Museum 喫茶ラムラム87 views
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Brazilian Dance by Ashinaga Gakuen Brazilian School86 views
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African dance, a real crowd pleaser.85 views
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Ilf Douga Museum, works by Takei Takeo 武井武雄余技作品展示室84 views
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New Zealand panel82 views
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African drumming and dance82 views
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Ilf Doga Museum81 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.81 views
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View from train station overpass80 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.80 views
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Entrance to the smaller hall80 views
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Brazilian school80 views
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Taiko drummers from Okaya Roman Taiko80 views
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Ilf Doga Museum イルフ童画館79 views
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Lake Biwa Rowing Song (Biwako Shuko no Uta) exhibition panel by Philbert Ono at Okaya, Nagano.78 views
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Exhibition panels 展示コーナー78 views
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Full-house audience. Many international groups provided free entertainment.78 views
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Ilf Plaza, with shops and a culture center. イルフプラザ77 views
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Indonesian dance by Miyazaki Ani77 views
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Lobby of Canora Hall75 views
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75 views
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Exhibition area featuring native costumes, photos, etc.75 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75 views
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Doga-kan-dori street leading to Ilf Plaza.74 views
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Ilf Doga Museum, works by Takei Takeo 武井武雄作品展示室72 views
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Listen to one of the song versions here62 views
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