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Hula kahiko started with a chant. ショーは夜の8:45〜9:45、フラカヒコで始まった。8月5日の第三の夜は雷雨のため中止となった。これらの写真は4日と6日に撮影。毎晩、ちょっと違うショーだった1318 views
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Hula Halau'O Kamuela from Oahu won the overall title at the 2008 Merrie Monarch Festival held in Hilo, Hawai'i. The overall winner is also invited to perform at Ikaho Spa's annual Hawaiian Festival held in August.830 views
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The following photos (watermarked "2008") of Robert Walker Irwin's summer residence were taken before it was moved to its present location.539 views
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Aloha Dalire teaching hula in Ikaho. The Hawaiian workshops were held at the Ikaho Kaikan Hall in central Ikaho. アロハ・ダリレが教えるフラセミナー509 views
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For the 12th Ikaho Hawaiian Festival held during Aug. 3-6, 2008, Hula Halau'O Kamuela performed every night for an hour as the festival's main event (free admission). 伊香保ハワイアンフェスティバルのメリーモナークショー440 views
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Entrance to Ikaho Onsen. Ikaho Spa has two Hawaii connections. One is with Hawaiian Minister to Japan Robert W. Irwin who had a summer house in Ikaho.436 views
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I would say this is one of Japan's top five best places to see carp streamers at Kanna-machi, Gunma.410 views
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Morinji is a Soto-Zen temple famous for the Bunbuku Chagama (分福茶釜) folk tale about a tanuki raccoon dog that transformed into a steel pot used by the temple priest. Near Morinji-mae Station on the Tobu Line. One stop before Tatebayashi Station.408 views
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Also see my photos of Shigaraki tanuki in Shiga Prefecture here.374 views
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A big mahalo to Hula Halau 'O Kamuela for traveling all the way to Ikaho and making us all happy with their hula. I have already given free copies of these photos (and more) to the performers through Kau'i and Kunewa.364 views
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The mountain top has a small rest house.346 views
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Eight strings x 100 carp streamers = 800 carp337 views
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Daruma dolls can never be knocked over since they always stand upright.332 views
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Disturbing news: On Dec. 19, 2022, two tanuki statues on a nearby bridge were destroyed by vandals. Then on Jan. 10, 2023, a roadside tanuki statue was knocked over and broken. All three were city property and not part of the temple. 317 views
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Kannon and bridge, Takasaki, Gunma316 views
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Main venue of the Ikaho Merrie Monarch Hawaiian Festival held every summer in Ikaho Spa, Gunma Prefecture since 1997. It is on a city-operated parking lot. 伊香保ハワイアンフェスティバル会場309 views
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Daruma closeup306 views
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Held during late April to early May, Kanna's Koinobori festival of carp streamers is this town's claim to fame. About 800 colorful carp streamers swim in the sky above a river. Strings of carp streamers viewable from the road.297 views
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The kumu hula is Kamana'o Anson Kauionalani or Kaui for short. He does a solo dance here. The music was performed by a wonderful Hawaiian trio called 'Ale'a.296 views
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Tatebayashi The Treasures Garden (renamed "Tobu Treasure Garden" in April 2015) was a fairly large garden with various flowers, especially roses and moss pink. It was open from April to Nov. from 8 am to 6 pm (till 5 pm in autumn).295 viewsSadly, Tobu Treasure Garden permanently closed on June 14, 2021 due to the pandemic. The garden was forced to close in April 2020, reopened temporarily, but closed again from June 8, 2020. The garden never reopened after that.
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For that one magical hour, it felt like we were in Hawai'i.292 views
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Robert Walker Irwin's summer residence in Ikaho, next to the Stone Steps. He was the Hawaiian Minister to Japan during the late 19th century. He coordinated the immigration of Japanese to Hawaii. ロバート W. アルウイン別邸288 views
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Carp streamer caught at Kanna-machi, Gunma283 views
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Backbend sequence by Māhealani Mika Hirao-Solem who later became Miss Aloha Hula at the 2010 Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, Hawai'i.275 views
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4. The large belly is for being calm as well as bold...275 views
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Shorinzan Daruma Temple 少林山達磨寺272 viewsDaruma offerings on both sides of the temple.
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View from mountain top, Kanna-machi town seen below.270 views
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Their first number was hula kahiko (ancient hula). The performance was held from 8:45 pm to 9:45 pm. On the third night (Aug. 5), the show was unfortunately cancelled due to heavy nighttime rains.267 views
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One of my favorite shots.264 views
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Two of the girls were students at the high school I graduated from in Honolulu.259 views
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A few statues shows a tanuki morphed into a steel tea pot at Morinji temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture. Based on the Bunbuku Chagama folktale.259 views
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More eye candy with colorful, shimmering grass skirts.257 views
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Māhealani Mika Hirao-Solem who later became Miss Aloha Hula at the 2010 Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, Hawai'i.257 views
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For many women, hula is good exercise, recreational fun, or a chance to look and feel like a different person. The colorful costumes, flowers, attractive movements, and glamorous setting are all very appealing.256 views
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Kumu hula Kau'i Kamanao in a cheerful duet.256 views
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Many of the girls were still high school students.255 views
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Inside the Daruma temple, Takasaki.251 views
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Group shot of the Hawaii gang and Ikaho Hawaiian Festival Committee.250 views
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They used one 'uli'uli, a feathered gourd rattle.250 views
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Backbend was a real crowd pleaser.249 views
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On the way back out, passing by the 21 tanuki raccoon dog statues again.249 views
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After the backbend.240 views
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For the three shows they did perform, each show was slightly different. For people who saw all three shows, they got something different from each show.238 views
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Māhealani Mika Hirao-Solem performs at Ikaho, Japan. She later became Miss Aloha Hula 2010. Shadows on her velvety gown look good.237 views
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Right balcony of Daruma temple, Takasaki235 views
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The audience sit on the Stone Steps to watch the "Street corner hula." So what did they do when it rained?235 views
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The photos on this page were taken on two different nights.234 views
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Entrance and stairs going up to Shorinzan, a small hill. 少林山229 views
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Māhealani Mika Hirao-Solem who later became Miss Aloha Hula at the 2010 Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, Hawai'i.229 views
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What would a hula show be without the 'uli'uli gourd rattles?229 views
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More photos here.226 views
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Love226 views
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Māhealani Mika Hirao-Solem222 views
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Main room of the Irwin summer house. When these photos were taken, the house served as a museum. However, in April 2014, a new Guidance Museum next to the relocated house opened to display these artifacts. The house has no exhibits now.220 views
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Bus we rode to and from Kanna-machi.217 views
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Hawaiian celebrities Aloha Dalire and Luana Kawelu pose with yet another group of Japanese hula dancers in a hotel lobby in Ikaho.217 views
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Hula girl217 views
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Tatebayashi Station on the Tobu Isesaki Line (connects to Hanzomon subway line in Tokyo), east side. Takes almost 90 min. from central Tokyo by regular train. Costs only about 1100 yen.216 views
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Music was provided by Puka on bass, Aaron Sala on keyboard and Kunewa Mook on ukulele.215 views
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Strings of carp streamers latched to the ground from the mountaintop.214 views
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A giant Tanuki raccoon dog statue at Morinji temple at Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture. Donated by Tobu Railway in 1960.213 views
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Iki and Robert Walker Irwin at the Imperial Palace for the promulgation of the Meiji Constitution in Feb. 1889. ロバート W. アルウインと妻のイキ211 views
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A touch of elegance with this solo number.210 views
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They use 'ili'ili stone castanets.210 views
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These pictures were taken in May 2003, when Kanna-machi town was newly formed upon the merging of Manba town and Nakazato village.205 views
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In the background is the flag of the city of Shibukawa, the sister city of the County of Hawai'i (island of Hawai'i or the Big Island).205 views
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Different daruma from all over Japan. Very interesting.203 views
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Letter from Big Island Mayor Stephen Yamashiro proclaiming sister-city relations with Ikaho (before it merged with Shibukawa).203 views
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JR Shin-machi Station to go back to Takasaki.201 views
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Her lit arms pierce the dark...200 views
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On the final night, they gave an encore where Kau'i joined in.200 views
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This modest building is only part of a larger complex of Irwin's summer residence. This is the front entrance. Note that this residence has moved slightly up the Stone Steps in fall 2013.199 views
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Love red and white flowers at Tsutsujigaoka Park, Tatebayashi, Gunma.199 views
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The final number.198 views
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最後の夜だけアンコールがあった197 views
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Sister-city exhibit for the County of Hawaii (Big Island).197 views
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Kanna-machi banners celebrating the formation of the new town.196 views
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On the left side of the stage was the Hawaiian flag.196 views
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Kau'i in a duet, paddling in a canoe.195 views
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The crowd watching the show. The front row includes guests from Hawai'i.195 views
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Kanna-machi is quite out of the way, but worth the time it takes to get there (from Takasaki).191 views
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Aloha Dalire dancing the hula on stage. 飛び入り参加したアロハ・ダリレもフラを披露。191 views
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Manhole with tanuki design in Tatebayashi, Gunma.190 views
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Family of Robert Walker Irwin. Left to right: Robert Jr., Bella, 4th daughter Agnes, Iki, 2nd son Richard, Robert, 3rd daughter Marion, and 2nd daughter Mary.189 views
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Bamboo rattles called pu'ili.188 views
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JR Takasaki Station 高崎駅187 viewsAs seen from my hotel.
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The surprise on the last night was kumu hula Kunewa Mook dancing on stage. 違う夜にクネヴァ・ムークも飛び入り参加186 views
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I was going to overdose on azalea. Had never seen so much azalea in my life. Tsutsujigaoka Park, Tatebayashi, Gunma.186 views
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Members of Hula Halau 'O Kamuela try Japanese-style dancing during the farewell party.185 views
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Kau'i performs a solo number.185 views
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The band go over their numbers before going on stage.185 views
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Standing 41.8 meters high, equivalent to a 9-story building.184 views
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Kunewa Mook, one of the kumu hulas for Hula Halau 'O Kamuela.184 views
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Ikaho's sister-city exhibit in Machi-no-Eki building (ropeway terminal).184 views
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Eight strings of carp streamers hover over the river.183 views
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Finale. Also see photos of the 2008 Ikaho Hawaiian Festival here.183 views
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He's a crowd pleaser as well and well-known in Japan. Also a graduate of the same high school as me.183 views
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Tanuki raccoon dog statue at Morinji temple at Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture.183 views
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His slow hula dance drove the ladies wild. You should've heard the screams...182 views
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Tanuki raccoon dog statue at Morinji temple at Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture.181 views
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Room exhibiting the legendary chagama tea pot in Morinj temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma.181 views
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Room exhibiting the legendary chagama tea pot in Morinj temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma.181 views
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Kunewa is a very distinguished-looking man, much more so in person than in pictures. He always has a great smile for the camera too.180 views
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Rose180 views
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On the last night of the festival, a farewell party was held for the Hawaii delegation. Shibukawa city council chairman Katsuaki Oshima (left) and Mayor Kogure pose with members of Hula Halau 'O Kamuela.179 views
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Bella Irwin established the Irwin Gakuen school and kindergarten アルウィン学園 in 1916 in Kojimachi. Today, the school is in Tokyo's Suginami Ward called Irwin Gakuen Gyokusei Hoiku Senmon Gakko.178 viewsshe
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Tanuki in Tatebayashi, Gunma.178 views
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This lady has produced five Miss Aloha Hulas, including all three of her daughters and this year's Miss Aloha Hula (Kuhi Suganuma).176 views
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Another tanuki morphed into a steel tea pot at Morinji temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture. Based on the Bunbuku Chagama folktale.174 views
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Aloha Dalire performing in the Ikaho Hawaiian Festival.173 views
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Parking lot downstream. Most people arrive by car or bus. (No nearby train station.)172 views
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Lying low172 views
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JR Takasaki Station, West Exit 高崎駅西口172 views
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View from JR Takasaki Station's East Exit. 高崎駅東口172 viewsTakasaki Tower Museum of Art is the tall building on the left.

高崎市タワー美術館
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Robert Walker Irwin and oldest daughter Bella. Portrait taken when they visited the US.170 views
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The bass player is also a graduate of my high school.168 views
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The band.167 views
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Morinji's tourist souvenir shops sell mainly tanuki statues made in Shigaraki, Shiga Prefecture.166 views
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View of Takasaki. The tall building is Takasaki City Hall.163 views
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JR Takasaki Station163 views
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Right balcony of temple.163 views
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Modern hula dances such as this one is mainly for tourist entertainment.163 views
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The surprise on the second night (Aug. 4) was a performance by kumu hula Aloha Dalire.161 views
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These tall rose bushes were most outstanding.161 views
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Daruma exhibits (the giant daruma on the left is for the late Fukuda Takeo, former prime minister from Gunma.160 views
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Swimming in the air159 views
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In Japan, the koi carp is regarded as a symbol of valiant manhood because it swims up the river against the rapids.159 views
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Koinobori and azaleas in Tatebayashi, Gunma.159 views
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This venue is called "Machikado Hula." (Street corner hula). It went on from 11 am to 5 pm during the four-day festival (except on the first day when it started from 1 pm).158 views
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Hachiman Shrine on Tatebayashi Castle's Honmaru, Gunma.158 views
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The Ikaho hula festival is officially sanctioned by The Merrie Monarch Festival, held in spring in Hilo, Hawaii. It is the most important and prestigious hula competition.157 views
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Tsutsujigaoka Park, Tatebayashi157 views
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Raft rides156 views
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A few azalea bushes had passed their peak.156 views
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There's a secret technique to fasten the carp to the cable so they don't slide around.155 views
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Daruma Museum (next to temple)155 views
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Many more photos of this show here.155 views
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Bridge with a view154 views
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One of 20 Buddha figures inside the Kannon.154 viewsDuring New Year's, many people visit the Kannon.
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The giant daruma on the left is for Nakasone Yasuhiro, and the right is for the late Obuchi Keizo, both former prime ministers from Gunma.154 views
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Tahitian dances were also performed.154 views
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Riverside152 views
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In the evenings, the overall winner of the annual Merrie Monarch Festival in Hawaii performed on stage. In 2003, it was Hula Halau 'O Kamuela from Oahu. They performed both the ancient hula kahiko dances (pictured here) and modern auana dances in Ikah152 views
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Hachiman Shrine on Tatebayashi Castle's Honmaru. The shrine has a protective housing. Hachiman was the patron god of Tatebayashi Castle, Gunma.152 views
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This was a song about paddling a canoe, I think.151 views
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Rose151 views
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They are professional hula dancers, some of the best in the world.150 views
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Tatebayashi Castle's Dobashi Gate. 土橋門150 views
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Hachiman Shrine on Tatebayashi Castle's Honmaru. Gunma.150 views
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Entrance to Daruma Museum (one room only)149 views
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