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The Takatora Summit was held in Kora-cho's Zaiji area on May 9, 2010. It was Kora's second time to host the summit. The first time was in 2000. Zaiji Hachiman Shrine was one of the festival venues.
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Torii to Zaiji Hachiman Shrine, the birthplace of Todo Takatora (1556-1630). Since 1998, the Takatora Summit has been held once every two years in one of four places (Kora, Tsu and Iga in Mie, and Imabari, Ehime) having a close connection with Takatora.
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The beautiful wisteria was in full bloom. The name "Todo" includes the kanji character for "fuji" or wisteria. 藤
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A giant taiko drum was also on display at the shrine.
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Zaiji was the former Todo village (藤堂村). Lord Todo Takatora was a famous daimyo who was expert at building castles. He had a hand in building castles in Tsu, Kameyama, Imabari, Edo, and more.
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Zaiji Hachiman Shrine also offered a rest place where tea and sweets were served.
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The shrine's Haiden Hall was used as an entertainment stage during the Takatora Summit in Kora.
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The road from Hachiman Shrine to Takatora Park. Another giant taiko drum.
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The road near Takatora Park was lined with souvenir booths and food stalls.
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This booth was from Iga, Mie Prefecture.
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Iga's booth.
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Todo Takatora sake.
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This was good, from Kora.
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Sightseeing pamphlets from all the Takatora-related cities who came.
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More booths.
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Sculptures made of styrofoam.
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Day's schedule.
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Takatora Park was decorated with these banners.
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Banner reads "Birthtplace of Lord Todo Takatora."
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Statue of Takatora in a pond at Takatora Park.
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Takatora Park was the main venue for the Takatora Summit. The first program started at 11 am and they introduced official mascots from Takatora-related cities.
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The MC was Kayme, radio personality from from FM Shiga (e-radio). She introduced the names of all the mascots on stage. ケイミー
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About 10 mascot characters were introduced on stage.
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Mayor of Tsu, Mie Prefecture. Tsu Castle was built by Takatora.
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Mayor of Iga, Mie.
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Mayor's representative from Imabari, Ehime.
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Each mascot was introduced in detail by its handler.
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Non-chan is a horse from Imabari. Imabari Castle was built by Takatora. のんちゃん
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Ninta and Shinobu ninja mascots from Iga. Iga-Ueno Castle was renovated by Takatora who constructed high castle walls. にん太・しのぶ
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From Kameyama, Kyoto. Kameyama Castle was built by Akechi Mitsuhide and Takatora contributed to later construction. Only castle walls and moats remain. Now occupied by a religious group.
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By coincidence, I've been to all these castles related to Takatora.
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Hikone's Hiko-nyan also made it to the summit. Hikone is Kora's the neighboring city.
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Shrine maiden mascot from Taga, Shiga.
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Toramaru from Tsu, Mie. 藤堂とらまる
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Tora-nyan, Kora's official mascot.
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Mochi-tsuki.
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Hiko-nyan
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Shiromochi-kun from Tsu. シロモチくん
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Toramaru from Tsu, Mie.
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Samurai procession on stage.
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They wear home-made armor.
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Takatora Summit in Kora, Shiga
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Mayors and other dignitaries look forward to the next Takatora Summit at Iga-Ueno Castle. Each city take turns hosting the summit held every two years. The last time Kora hosted it was in 2000.
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Mayors vow to meet at the next Takatora Summit.
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Cute warrior
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They drummed on the giant taiko.
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At 2 pm, the "Summit" was held on stage.
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Jogakuji temple of the Jodo Shinshu Sect held a terakoya session. A short walk from Takatora Park. 浄覚寺
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Terakoya session at Jogakuji temple. There was a storyteller, kami-shibai, and traditional games for kids.
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Before schools were established in Japan, the temples served as educational institutions for the children. 浄覚寺 寺子屋の再現
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Afterward, they played traditional games.
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At 3 pm, the keynote speaker gave a talk about Takatora.
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The keynote speaker was Abe Ryutaro, a novelist who wrote a novel about Takatora. Some people hope that his novel will be turned into a TV drama series. 安部龍太郎
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A ninja show performed by an Iga-ryu ninja trouope called Kurondo from Iga, Mie. 黒党
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Ninja show
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Capping the day's events was the Takatora Taiko troupe from Tsu. 高虎太鼓
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The festivities and summit ended at 6:30 pm.
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Dig this van with a ninja on top.
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A short walk from Zaiji Hachiman Shrine is Takatora Park, dedicated to Zaiji's most famous son, Lord Todo Takatora who became lord of Tsu Castle in Mie. MAP
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Large stone Lord Takatora once transported to rebuild Osaka Castle. It was abandoned in Kiso River. Called the "Consolation Stone." 残念石
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Statue of Lord Todo Takatora (in Kora, Shiga Prefecture) who became the 11th lord of Tsu Castle (Mie Pref.) in 1608. Behind it is the Takatora Waterfall.
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Local sightseeing map in stone.
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Stone lanterns with the Todo family crest.
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