Lake Biwa Rowing Song - Revision history

Philbert at 09:24, 22 June 2023

2023-06-22T09:24:32Z

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 [https://photoguide.jp/pix/thumbnails.php?album=516 More photos of song monuments.]
 = Further Reading =
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 * [https://photoguide.jp/pix/thumbnails.php?album=589 Rowing Across Lake Biwa by Imazu Jr. High Rowing Club]
 * [https://photoguide.jp/pix/thumbnails.php?album=827 FISA World Rowing Tour at Lake Biwa, 2011]
 ==Past Events==

Philbert: /* Trivia */

2023-06-22T09:20:33Z

Trivia

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:20, 22 June 2023
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	== Trivia ==		== Trivia ==
	[[~~Image~~:~~shigaboatuminoko~~.~~jpg~~\|thumb~~\|280px~~\|right\|~~Bow of the [https://photoguide.jp/pix/thumbnails.php?album=806 "Umi no Ko" floating school] on Lake Biwa. The~~ boat ~~was named after the song.]]~~		[[File:20070808_1144s.JPG\|300px\|thumb\|right\|Fixed-seat boat.]]
	~~[[Image:shigabiwakoutaimazuwave.jpg\|thumb\|280px\|right\|"We drift from wave to wave..~~."]]
	*On April 1, 1893, the rowing club of the Dai-san Koto Gakko (No. 3 High School 第三高等学校) in Kyoto held a boat-launching ceremony at Mihogasaki pier in Otsu and floated three new, fixed-seat racing row boats developed by Tokyo Imperial University. Seating six crew each, it was the first time these new boats went into the water in the Kansai region. Later after a bon voyage ceremony at 1 pm, 21 crewmates yelled "banzai" three times and started the school's annual tradition of rowing around Lake Biwa.		*On April 1, 1893, the rowing club of the Dai-san Koto Gakko (No. 3 High School 第三高等学校) in Kyoto held a boat-launching ceremony at Mihogasaki pier in Otsu and floated three new, fixed-seat racing row boats developed by Tokyo Imperial University. Seating six crew each, it was the first time these new boats went into the water in the Kansai region. Later after a bon voyage ceremony at 1 pm, 21 crewmates yelled "banzai" three times and started the school's annual tradition of rowing around Lake Biwa.
	*That first rowing trip in 1893 lasted five days during which they did a bit of sightseeing. In those days, the west side (Kosei 湖西) and northern end of the lake had no railway and traveling by boat (or steamer) was the most efficient way (until 1931 when a railway was built on the west side of the lake). So sightseeing by boat was best. They also often encountered heavy rain, high waves, and strong winds. When they finally returned to Mihogasaki pier, they were greeted by 30-40 classmates. They all sang the national anthem "Kimigayo," yelled "banzai," and walked 12 km back to Kyoto at night.		*That first rowing trip in 1893 lasted five days during which they did a bit of sightseeing. In those days, the west side (Kosei 湖西) and northern end of the lake had no railway and traveling by boat (or steamer) was the most efficient way (until 1931 when a railway was built on the west side of the lake). So sightseeing by boat was best. They also often encountered heavy rain, high waves, and strong winds. When they finally returned to Mihogasaki pier, they were greeted by 30-40 classmates. They all sang the national anthem "Kimigayo," yelled "banzai," and walked 12 km back to Kyoto at night.

Philbert: /* Verse 3 Monuments */

2023-06-22T09:12:56Z

Verse 3 Monuments

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:12, 22 June 2023
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	Google Map（Verse 3 monument in Imazu）: https://goo.gl/maps/WnH5nQAwNmNihkpH6		Google Map（Verse 3 monument in Imazu）: https://goo.gl/maps/WnH5nQAwNmNihkpH6

	'''Verse 3 Monument (Nagahama) Directions:''' Near Nagahama Castle in Hokoen Park facing the lake shore. Short walk from [[Nagahama Station]]. The newest song monument unveiled on June 25, 2017 as a park bench made of ~~glass~~.		'''Verse 3 Monument (Nagahama) Directions:''' Near Nagahama Castle in Hokoen Park (Ho Park) facing the lake shore. Short walk from [[Nagahama Station]]. The newest song monument unveiled on June 25, 2017 for the 100th anniversary of the song. It was a park bench made of solid glass in Nagahama. It was shaped like a boat with a wavy surface. You could sit on it as a park bench and watch the sunset. However, the glass bench later cracked and the monument was replaced in the same location with one made of white stone sculpted in a similar wavy shape as a park bench.

	Google Map（Verse 3 monument in Nagahama）: https://goo.gl/maps/hWGugEcBVpKsSmpP7		Google Map（Verse 3 monument in Nagahama）: https://goo.gl/maps/hWGugEcBVpKsSmpP7

Philbert at 09:06, 22 June 2023

2023-06-22T09:06:02Z

Show changes

Philbert at 10:20, 21 June 2023

2023-06-21T10:20:43Z

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 [[Biwako Shuko no Uta|日本語ページ]]
-by [[Philbert Ono]], ''Updated: June 3, 2023''
+by [[Philbert Ono]], ''Updated: June 10, 2023''
 <HTML>
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 File:BiwakoRowingVerse1_rowers.jpg|Rising mist & ripples...
 </gallery>
 *''[https://photoguide.jp/pix/thumbnails.php?album=155 More song pictures here].''
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 File:BiwakoRowingVerse2_camellia.jpg|Red camellia hides her teary face...
 </gallery>
 ''[https://photoguide.jp/pix/thumbnails.php?album=28 More pictures of Omi-Maiko here].''
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 File:BiwakoRowingVerse3 redlamp.jpg|Red fire on shore...
 </gallery>
 ''[https://photoguide.jp/pix/thumbnails.php?album=127 More pictures of Imazu here].''
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 File:BiwakoRowingVerse4 buddhahands.jpg|In Buddha's hands...
 </gallery>
 ''[https://photoguide.jp/pix/thumbnails.php?album=18 More pictures of Chikubushima here].''
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 File:BiwakoRowingVerse5 oldcastle.jpg|Standing in an old castle...
 </gallery>
 ''[https://photoguide.jp/pix/thumbnails.php?album=25 More pictures of Hikone Castle here].''
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 File:BiwakoRowingVerse6 friends.jpg|Tell us my friends your stories...
 </gallery>
 ''[https://photoguide.jp/pix/thumbnails.php?album=147 More pictures of Chomeiji here].''

Philbert: /* The Making of Lake Biwa Rowing Song in English */

2023-06-18T06:35:03Z

The Making of Lake Biwa Rowing Song in English

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:35, 18 June 2023
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	*'''About the singers:''' Twin sisters Jamie and Megan Thompson are from Normal, Illinois, USA. They worked as Assistant Language Teachers in the JET Program and were in Japan from July 2004 to July 2009. Older sister Jamie was based in Konan, Shiga Prefecture until July 2008 when she transferred to Hino, Shiga where she taught English at a junior high school. She was also a member of the local choir which is how she first heard and fell in love with the song. Megan was in Marugame, Kagawa Prefecture, also in a local choir, and she learned the song from her sister in Shiga whom she often visited. Both have been singing in choirs since childhood. I could not have met a better and more suitable pair of singers to sing and record the song.		*'''About the singers:''' Twin sisters Jamie and Megan Thompson are from Normal, Illinois, USA. They worked as Assistant Language Teachers in the JET Program and were in Japan from July 2004 to July 2009. Older sister Jamie was based in Konan, Shiga Prefecture until July 2008 when she transferred to Hino, Shiga where she taught English at a junior high school. She was also a member of the local choir which is how she first heard and fell in love with the song. Megan was in Marugame, Kagawa Prefecture, also in a local choir, and she learned the song from her sister in Shiga whom she often visited. Both have been singing in choirs since childhood. I could not have met a better and more suitable pair of singers to sing and record the song.

	<gallery widths=400px heights=~~400px~~>		<gallery widths=400px heights=250px>
	File:Shiganodojiman.jpg\|Jamie and Megan sing the song in English on NHK TV's "Nodo Jiman" amateur singing contest on Nov. 26, 2006 in Mitoyo, Kagawa Pref. They were one of the five finalists (gogaku) out of the 20 entrants.		File:Shiganodojiman.jpg\|Jamie and Megan sing the song in English on NHK TV's "Nodo Jiman" amateur singing contest on Nov. 26, 2006 in Mitoyo, Kagawa Pref. They were one of the five finalists (gogaku) out of the 20 entrants.
	File:Shigasongcruise2.jpg\|June 16, 2007 was when our CD went on sale. It also coincided with a Lake Biwa charter cruise held to mark the 90th anniversary of the song. Jamie and Megan Thompson sing Lake Biwa Rowing Song in the boat.		File:Shigasongcruise2.jpg\|June 16, 2007 was when our CD went on sale. It also coincided with a Lake Biwa charter cruise held to mark the 90th anniversary of the song. Jamie and Megan Thompson sing Lake Biwa Rowing Song in the boat.
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	File:20071020 2739s.jpg\|On Oct. 20, 2007 at the Umizukuri Boat Festa in Ogoto, Otsu, a mini concert was held with reed flute (yoshibue) players and Jamie singing the song in English. Shiga Governor Kada Yukiko threw a surprise and went on stage to sing in English with Jamie. A great honor.		File:20071020 2739s.jpg\|On Oct. 20, 2007 at the Umizukuri Boat Festa in Ogoto, Otsu, a mini concert was held with reed flute (yoshibue) players and Jamie singing the song in English. Shiga Governor Kada Yukiko threw a surprise and went on stage to sing in English with Jamie. A great honor.
	</gallery>		</gallery>



	= Song Monuments & Museums =		= Song Monuments & Museums =

Philbert: /* Biwako Shuko no Uta Origin and History */

2023-06-10T17:52:10Z

Biwako Shuko no Uta Origin and History

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:52, 10 June 2023
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	=''Biwako Shuko no Uta'' Origin and History=		=''Biwako Shuko no Uta'' Origin and History=
	<youtube>EtF3aKnXEX4‎</youtube>		<youtube>EtF3aKnXEX4‎</youtube>

			''*Video shows a dramatic Japanese reading of the birth of the song.''

	''Biwako Shuko no Uta'' (琵琶湖周航の歌) is by far [[Shiga Prefecture]]'s most famous and popular song even though it is not the official prefectural song. I call it Shiga's "Hometown Anthem." "Biwako" means "Lake Biwa," "Shuko" means "cruise around," "no" is "of," and "Uta" is "song." The song is about a four-day, rowing trip around Lake Biwa undertaken on June 27, 1917 by seven college students. They belonged to the rowing club of an elite university in Kyoto called Dai-san Koto Gakko (No. 3 High School, shortened to "Dai-sanko" 第三高等学校) which later merged with Kyoto University. ("High school" in those days referred to universities before modern education reforms.)		''Biwako Shuko no Uta'' (琵琶湖周航の歌) is by far [[Shiga Prefecture]]'s most famous and popular song even though it is not the official prefectural song. I call it Shiga's "Hometown Anthem." "Biwako" means "Lake Biwa," "Shuko" means "cruise around," "no" is "of," and "Uta" is "song." The song is about a four-day, rowing trip around Lake Biwa undertaken on June 27, 1917 by seven college students. They belonged to the rowing club of an elite university in Kyoto called Dai-san Koto Gakko (No. 3 High School, shortened to "Dai-sanko" 第三高等学校) which later merged with Kyoto University. ("High school" in those days referred to universities before modern education reforms.)

Philbert at 17:48, 10 June 2023

2023-06-10T17:48:57Z

Show changes

Philbert: /* About Lake Biwa Rowing Song */

2023-06-09T14:32:55Z

About Lake Biwa Rowing Song

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:32, 9 June 2023
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	*'''About the singers:''' Twin sisters Jamie and Megan Thompson are from Normal, Illinois, USA. They worked as Assistant Language Teachers in the JET Program and were in Japan from July 2004 to July 2009. Older sister Jamie was based in Konan, Shiga Prefecture until July 2008 when she transferred to Hino, Shiga where she taught English at a junior high school. She was also a member of the local choir which is how she first heard and fell in love with the song. Megan was in Marugame, Kagawa Prefecture, also in a local choir, and she learned the song from her sister in Shiga whom she often visited. Both have been singing in choirs since childhood. I could not have met a better and more suitable pair of singers to sing and record the song.		*'''About the singers:''' Twin sisters Jamie and Megan Thompson are from Normal, Illinois, USA. They worked as Assistant Language Teachers in the JET Program and were in Japan from July 2004 to July 2009. Older sister Jamie was based in Konan, Shiga Prefecture until July 2008 when she transferred to Hino, Shiga where she taught English at a junior high school. She was also a member of the local choir which is how she first heard and fell in love with the song. Megan was in Marugame, Kagawa Prefecture, also in a local choir, and she learned the song from her sister in Shiga whom she often visited. Both have been singing in choirs since childhood. I could not have met a better and more suitable pair of singers to sing and record the song.

	<gallery widths=~~500px~~ heights=400px>		<gallery widths=400px heights=400px>
	File:Shiganodojiman.jpg\|Jamie and Megan sing the song in English on NHK TV's "Nodo Jiman" amateur singing contest on Nov. 26, 2006 in Mitoyo, Kagawa Pref. They were one of the five finalists (gogaku) out of the 20 entrants.		File:Shiganodojiman.jpg\|Jamie and Megan sing the song in English on NHK TV's "Nodo Jiman" amateur singing contest on Nov. 26, 2006 in Mitoyo, Kagawa Pref. They were one of the five finalists (gogaku) out of the 20 entrants.
	File:Shigasongcruise2.jpg\|June 16, 2007 was when our CD went on sale. It also coincided with a Lake Biwa charter cruise held to mark the 90th anniversary of the song. Jamie and Megan Thompson sing Lake Biwa Rowing Song in the boat.		File:Shigasongcruise2.jpg\|June 16, 2007 was when our CD went on sale. It also coincided with a Lake Biwa charter cruise held to mark the 90th anniversary of the song. Jamie and Megan Thompson sing Lake Biwa Rowing Song in the boat.

Philbert: /* About Lake Biwa Rowing Song */

2023-06-09T14:30:32Z

About Lake Biwa Rowing Song

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:30, 9 June 2023
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	<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gOUwlb6P_9s?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>		<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gOUwlb6P_9s?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
	</HTML>		</HTML>

	[[Image:Shiganodojiman.jpg\|thumb\|300px\|right\|Jamie and Megan sing the song in English on NHK TV's "Nodo Jiman" amateur singing contest on Nov. 26, 2006 in Mitoyo, Kagawa Pref. They were one of the five finalists (gogaku) out of the 20 entrants.]]
	[[Image:Shigasongcruise2.jpg\|right\|thumb\|300px\|June 16, 2007 was when our CD went on sale. It also coincided with a Lake Biwa charter cruise held to mark the 90th anniversary of the song. Jamie and Megan Thompson sing Lake Biwa Rowing Song in the boat. [https://photoguide.jp/pix/thumbnails.php?album=581 More photos...]]]
	[[Image:Shigachoircontest1.jpg\|right\|thumb\|300px\|At the 11th Biwako Shuko no Uta choir contest on June 17, 2007 in Imazu, Shiga, Jamie and Megan Thompson sing ''Lake Biwa Rowing Song.'' [https://photoguide.jp/pix/thumbnails.php?album=582 More photos...]]]

	I first heard ''Biwako Shuko no Uta'' in May 2004 in [https://photoguide.jp/pix/index.php?cat=111 Okaya, Nagano Prefecture] when I was there to photograph the [https://photoguide.jp/pix/index.php?cat=112 Onbashira Festival.] Okaya is a lakeside city fronting Lake Suwa. I was walking along the lakeshore where I soon came across a song monument and a large statue of [[Oguchi Taro]] who was a native of Okaya. The song monument was engraved with the lyrics and I was intrigued by all the Shiga places it mentioned. Two months later, I went to Shiga and visited the [https://shiga-ken.com/blog/2022/01/lake-biwa-rowing-song-museum/ Lake Biwa Rowing Song Museum] in Imazu, a small lakeside town in the northwestern corner of Lake Biwa. The more I learned about the song, the more fascinating it became.		I first heard ''Biwako Shuko no Uta'' in May 2004 in [https://photoguide.jp/pix/index.php?cat=111 Okaya, Nagano Prefecture] when I was there to photograph the [https://photoguide.jp/pix/index.php?cat=112 Onbashira Festival.] Okaya is a lakeside city fronting Lake Suwa. I was walking along the lakeshore where I soon came across a song monument and a large statue of [[Oguchi Taro]] who was a native of Okaya. The song monument was engraved with the lyrics and I was intrigued by all the Shiga places it mentioned. Two months later, I went to Shiga and visited the [https://shiga-ken.com/blog/2022/01/lake-biwa-rowing-song-museum/ Lake Biwa Rowing Song Museum] in Imazu, a small lakeside town in the northwestern corner of Lake Biwa. The more I learned about the song, the more fascinating it became.
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	*'''About the singers:''' Twin sisters Jamie and Megan Thompson are from Normal, Illinois, USA. They worked as Assistant Language Teachers in the JET Program and were in Japan from July 2004 to July 2009. Older sister Jamie was based in Konan, Shiga Prefecture until July 2008 when she transferred to Hino, Shiga where she taught English at a junior high school. She was also a member of the local choir which is how she first heard and fell in love with the song. Megan was in Marugame, Kagawa Prefecture, also in a local choir, and she learned the song from her sister in Shiga whom she often visited. Both have been singing in choirs since childhood. I could not have met a better and more suitable pair of singers to sing and record the song.		*'''About the singers:''' Twin sisters Jamie and Megan Thompson are from Normal, Illinois, USA. They worked as Assistant Language Teachers in the JET Program and were in Japan from July 2004 to July 2009. Older sister Jamie was based in Konan, Shiga Prefecture until July 2008 when she transferred to Hino, Shiga where she taught English at a junior high school. She was also a member of the local choir which is how she first heard and fell in love with the song. Megan was in Marugame, Kagawa Prefecture, also in a local choir, and she learned the song from her sister in Shiga whom she often visited. Both have been singing in choirs since childhood. I could not have met a better and more suitable pair of singers to sing and record the song.

			<gallery widths=500px heights=400px>
			File:Shiganodojiman.jpg\|Jamie and Megan sing the song in English on NHK TV's "Nodo Jiman" amateur singing contest on Nov. 26, 2006 in Mitoyo, Kagawa Pref. They were one of the five finalists (gogaku) out of the 20 entrants.
			File:Shigasongcruise2.jpg\|June 16, 2007 was when our CD went on sale. It also coincided with a Lake Biwa charter cruise held to mark the 90th anniversary of the song. Jamie and Megan Thompson sing Lake Biwa Rowing Song in the boat.
			File:Shigachoircontest1.jpg\|At the 11th Biwako Shuko no Uta choir contest on June 17, 2007 in Imazu, Shiga, Jamie and Megan Thompson sing ''Lake Biwa Rowing Song.''
			</gallery>

	= About the English Lyrics =		= About the English Lyrics =