 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619 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 bushes533 views
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476 views
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438 views
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Sculpture303 views
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Scenic view of Lake Suwa from graveyard.283 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266 views
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Lake Suwa250 views
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Mother and child sculpture250 views
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Lake Suwa and mountains245 views
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About Taro Oguchi.244 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.241 views
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Area of the Oguchi Taro monument (seen on left), in winter.238 views
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Lake Suwa and mountains237 views
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Onbashira manhole in Okaya, Nagano.235 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.235 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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Ducks232 views
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Closeup of Taro Oguchi statue228 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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Statue of Oguchi Taro 小口太郎銅像224 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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Biography of Oguchi Taro. 小口太郎顕彰碑220 views
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JR Okaya Station. There is no tourist info office here.217 viewsSmall station, but close to Lake Suwa.
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Rear view, looking toward Lake Suwa.213 views
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Side view of Taro Oguchi Statue and Song Monument in spring with azaleas.208 views
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Side view of Taro Oguchi Statue and Song Monument in winter. 小口太郎顕彰碑205 views
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Oguchi graves.202 views
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Ducks fly away on Lake Suwa.201 views
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Oguchi Taro song monument194 views
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Map of lake shore area190 views
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Lake Suwa176 views
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Oguchi cemetary. This neighborhood is full of Oguchi families, not necessarily related to each other.171 views
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Tenryu River at sunset170 views
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Oguchi Taro's gravestone. He is buried together with his younger brother Sadao.165 views
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Oguchi Taro's gravestone in foreground.159 views
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Oguchi Taro's grave on right.158 views
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Lakeside park156 views
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Taro Oguchi Statue and Song Monument in winter.155 views
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Neighborhood of Minato where Oguchi Taro lived.154 views
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Okaya map153 views
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Lakeside park153 views
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Road sign pointing to the Oguchi Taro statue152 views
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Statue of Oguchi Taro151 views
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Behind this small shrine is a large graveyard full of Oguchi family gravestones.151 views
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Oguchi Taro's house (red roof). He lived on the 2nd floor. On the left is a storehouse.150 views
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149 views
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Carp caught from Lake Suwa147 views
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Lake Suwa and mountains145 views
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Lakeside park144 views
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Water fountain and azaleas in spring144 views
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143 views
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Path to shrine143 views
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Kamaguchi Floodgate138 views
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136 views
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Water fountain136 views
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Ducks fly to safety.135 views
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134 views
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133 views
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Lake Suwa and bridge133 views
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Canora Hall, venue for the Okaya International Exchange Association's 15th anniversary festival.132 views
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Lake Suwa128 views
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Lake Suwa127 views
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Water fountain and azaleas in spring127 views
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Lakeside park125 views
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Lake Suwa during a warm winter.124 views
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Locomotive from Ohio, USA used in the 1930s.124 views
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JR Okaya Station platform124 views
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Okaya City Hall 岡谷市役所124 views
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123 views
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Grand finale dance called Itomachi Ko-uta122 views
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Lakeside park121 views
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JR Okaya Station platform. JR岡谷駅121 views
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Sculpture in lakeside park120 views
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Lakeside park120 views
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Bridge with a mountain design, over Tenryu River.118 views
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Bridge across Kamaguchi Floodgate117 views
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Playground116 views
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Bridge across Kamaguchi Floodgate115 views
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Oguchi Taro monument115 views
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Path to more azaleas as far as the eye can see.113 views
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Statue of KATAKURA Kanetaro111 viewsHe and his company planted the azaleas in 1935.
片倉兼太郎
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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。110 views
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Canora Boys and Girls Chorus110 views
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Reception counter with programs and newsletters in different languages.106 views
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Along Tenryu River in winter.104 views
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Ramu-ramu Coffee Shop in Ilf Doga Museum 喫茶ラムラム103 views
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102 views
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Brazilian Dance by Ashinaga Gakuen Brazilian School102 views
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African dance, a real crowd pleaser.101 views
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100 views
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Ilf Douga Museum, works by Takei Takeo 武井武雄余技作品展示室100 views
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Entrance to the smaller hall100 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。100 views
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African drumming and dance99 views
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New Zealand panel98 views
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Brazilian school98 views
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Ilf Doga Museum97 views
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Exhibition panels 展示コーナー97 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.97 views
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Lake Biwa Rowing Song (Biwako Shuko no Uta) exhibition panel by Philbert Ono at Okaya, Nagano.96 views
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Taiko drummers from Okaya Roman Taiko96 views
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View from train station overpass95 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.95 views
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Ilf Doga Museum イルフ童画館94 views
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Lobby of Canora Hall94 views
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Indonesian dance by Miyazaki Ani93 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92 views
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Full-house audience. Many international groups provided free entertainment.92 views
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Ilf Plaza, with shops and a culture center. イルフプラザ91 views
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Exhibition area featuring native costumes, photos, etc.91 views
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Ilf Doga Museum, works by Takei Takeo 武井武雄作品展示室87 views
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Doga-kan-dori street leading to Ilf Plaza.85 views
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Listen to one of the song versions here77 views
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