 Most viewed - 2007 Shiga Kenjinkai International Convention 第11回滋賀県人会世界大会
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Otsu Prince Hotel, the main venue of the 11th Shiga Kenjinkai International Convention held Nov. 12-14, 2007.101 views
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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.59 views
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Members of the Toronto Shiga Kenjinkai dance goshu ondo.59 views
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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).50 views
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Opening ceremony started at 10:30 am on Nov. 13, 2007.48 views
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Otaka Tokio, Chairman of the National Federation of Shiga Kenjinkai, delivers a welcome message. 大高時男48 views
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Saitama, Kanagawa, France, Matsumae47 views
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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.47 views
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Goshu ondo47 views
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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.46 views
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National high school soccer tournament award from Yasu. (Yasu High School won the national title in Jan. 2006.)45 views
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Hikone's exhibit in the Social Salon, featuring red samurai armor from the Ii clan.44 views
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At the end, we sang Biwako Shuko no Uta (Lake Biwa Rowing Song). The party ended at 9:30 pm.44 views
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Biwa masu trout above, and nigorobuna crucian carp (funazushi) on bottom.43 views
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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。42 views
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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.42 views
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Japanese-English interpreting was provided41 views
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Dehara Itsuzo, Shiga Prefectural Assembly Chairman40 views
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A representative for Mekata Makoto, Chairman of the Shiga Prefecture City Mayors' Association and also the mayor of Otsu.40 views
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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.40 views
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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.40 views
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Dinner banquet hosted by Shiga Prefecture on Nov. 13, 2007.40 views
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Kanpai!40 views
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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.40 views
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Shiga Prefecture exhibited some plastic fish.39 views
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Buffet39 views
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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.39 views
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Shiga Kenjinkai from Canada and Mexico.38 views
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On Nov. 13, there was a symposium called "Shiga and Cultural Exchanges."38 views
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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37 views
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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.)37 views
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Kita-Kyushu, Southern California (Nanka), and Hiroshima36 views
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Koto entertainment by Maiko, a well-known singer-songwriter from Shiga. 真衣子36 views
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Mini presentation by the Biwako-no-Kai from Mexico.36 views
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Food, finally! All from Shiga. Lots of fish, and funa-zushi too.36 views
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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.35 views
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Popular Hiko-nyan from Hikone also made an appearance in the Social Salon.35 views
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One panelist was a priest from Enryakuji temple on Mt. Hiei.35 views
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Kanpai!35 views
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Entertainment started with taiko drumming.35 views
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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.34 views
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Hiko-nyan is a helmeted cat, related to the Ii clan.34 views
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Caffy, official mascot for the Sports Recreation event in 2008.34 views
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A comedian from Mt. Ibuki in Maibara.34 views
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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.34 views
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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.34 views
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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.33 views
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Exhibit by Takashima city.33 views
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Final dinner on Nov. 14, 2007. Some wore happi coats or a kimono.33 views
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Social Salon also served green tea and sweets.33 views
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Kunimatsu Yoshitsugu, Chairman of the Shiga Intercultural Association for Globalization. He is also the former Shiga governor.33 views
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Overseas Shiga Kenjinkai exhibits.32 views
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Interesting slide show by the Southern California Shiga Kenjinkai showing their activities.32 views
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Speech by Kunimatsu Yoshitsugu, Chairman of the Shiga Intercultural Association for Globalization.32 views
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Natsuhara Satoru, Chairman of the Shiga Prefecture Town Mayors' Association and also the mayor of Taga town.31 views
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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.31 views
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Western Canada, Yamaguchi, and Miyagi30 views
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Exhibits by other Shiga cities.30 views
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Niigata Shiga Kenjinkai exhibit included stuff from Hokuriku region. Web site here.29 views
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Questions from the audience were also taken.29 views
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