Image search results - "monument" - JAPAN PHOTOS by Philbert Ono

Image search results - "monument"

To mark the song's 100th anniversary, a new song monument was unveiled at Kyoto University (Yoshida-South Campus) on Nov. 25, 2017.

Front side of the monument has the Japanese lyrics and explanation of the song. Monument is made of stainless steel with a brushed-metal finish.

Other side of the monument is in English. See this video of the unveiling.

Monument's English side has a bilingual Lake Biwa map and Lake Biwa Rowing Song English lyrics.Directions: From JR Kyoto Station's Karasuma side (north side with Kyoto Tower), go to bus stop D2 and catch the No. 206 bus bound for "Gion Via Kiyomizu-dera Temple/Kitaoji Station" (三十三間堂・清水寺・祇園・百万遍). The bus leaves every 15 min. or so (bus schedule here), but it can be very crowded. The ride takes abut 30 min. Get off at "Kyodai Seimon-mae" (京大正門前). Cross the big road (Higashi-Oji-dori) and walk along Higashi-Ichijo street. The main Yoshida Campus will be on the left while the Yoshida-Minami Campus will be on the right. Enter the Yoshida-Minami Campus and walk to the central courtyard area.

(From Kyoto Station, there is also an express bus (京大快速) to Kyoto University Hospital from bus stop D3, but it runs only at certain times on weekdays, mainly in the morning and mid-afternoon (bus schedule here).

Verse 1 Song Monument, Otsu (Mihogasaki). In 1973, this was the first monument built for the song. The song's first and most famous line, "Ware wa Umi no Ko" is written. 一番の歌碑。大津市三保ケ崎。This monument is near the boat house in Mihogasaki, a stone's throw from Hama-Otsu.

われは湖の子　さすらいの
旅にしあれば　しみじみと
のぼる狭霧や　さざなみの
志賀の都よ　いざさらば

Ware wa Umi no Ko, sasurai no
tabi ni shiareba, shimijimi to
Noboru sagiri ya, sazanami no
Shiga no Miyako yo, iza saraba

Back of Verse 1 Song Monument, Otsu (Mihogasaki)Directions: From JR Otsu Station, take a bus to Mihogasaki. It's about 10 min. Or you can easily walk it from Hama-Otsu Station. Just walk on the main road toward the race boat arena. There will be a small marina on the right. Right after passing the marina, turn right into the small road. There will be a small park on the right. The monument is there. There are two stone monuments. It might be roped off and you're not supposed to enter the park. While you're there, walk around the marina and see the boathouse with the cherry blossom logo with three stripes. That's the logo of the school and the place where the boys left for the rowing trip in 1917. Otsu Station also has a tourist information office where you can obtain directions and a map.

Near the Verse 1 Song Monument is another stone monument engraved with the words of the entire song.

Small park where the Verse 1 monument is located.This monument is near the boat house in Mihogasaki, a stone's throw from Hama-Otsu. It was built in 1973 as the first monument for the song.

This little park is actually off-limits and you're not supposed to enter it, for some reason. On the left side of the picture is another stone monument hidden by brush. It is engraved with the entire song. In the background, you can see the roof of the boathouse.

Shinsengumi monument 新選組両雄の碑

Verse 2 Song Monument, Omi-Maiko (Omatsu). On the lake shore in Omi-Maiko (Omatsu) behind Hotel Biwa Lake Otsuka. Built in March 1989. 二番の歌碑。近江舞子（ホテル琵琶レイクオーツカの前）Pine trees are very green, on sands very white.
Omatsugasato is, a young maiden's home.
Bush of red camellia, hides her teary face.
She's weeping o'er a lost love, much too short to last.

Matsu wa midori ni, suna shiroki
Omatsugasato no, otomego wa
Akai tsubaki no, morikage ni
Hakanai koi ni, naku toka ya

松は緑に　砂白き
雄松が里の　乙女子は
赤い椿の　森蔭に

Old photo of Verse 2 Song Monument in Omi-Maiko. The tree was cut down and lyrics later painted white.

Verse 2 monument is on the lake shore, in front of Hotel Biwa Lake Otsuka, near what appears to be a boat pier. Short walk from Omi-Maiko Station.Directions: Near Omi-Maiko Station on the JR Kosei Line. After exiting the station, walk left toward Kitahama. Then get to the lake shore and walk along the lakeshore road until you see the monument under a large tree right on the shore. It is in front of Hotel Biwa Lake Otsuka.

Across the road from the Verse 2 song monument is this small music box. Press the button and you can hear the song play (sung by Kato Tokiko).

Verse 3 Song Monument, Imazu. A lantern, at the end of the pier at Imazu Port. 三番の歌碑。今津港の桟橋。夜に赤く点灯。This is at the end of Imazu Pier. At night, this lamp lights up in red. You can see Chikubushima island and Mt. Ibuki in the background.

Verse 3 Song Monument

Verse 3 Song Monument is written with Verse 3.We drift from wave to wave, straying aimlessly.
On shore we see red fire, brings back memories.
With our sights set nowhere, rolling with the waves.
Today is Imazu or, Nagahama huh.

Nami no mani mani, tadayoeba
Akai tomaribi, natsukashimi
Yukue sadamenu, nami makura
Kyo wa Imazu ka, Nagahama ka

浪のまにまに　漂えば
赤い泊火　懐かしみ
行方定めぬ　浪枕
今日は今津か　長浜か

Imazu Port. Verse 3 Song Monument is at the end of the dock. The same dock used by boats going to Chikubushima. The dock is usually closed.Chikubushima island and Mt. Ibuki can be seen.

Biwako Shuko no Uta Birthplace Monument, Imazu. This is Imazu's second monument for the song. 全歌詞碑の「琵琶湖周航の歌」誕生の地今津。今津港。背景には竹生島行きの船。Imazu has two monuments for the song. The first one is a lamp at the end of the pier (visible in this picture on the right of the boat). That was for Verse 3 which is written on the lamp post.

Later in 1994, Imazu town built this red clay monument to commemorate the song's birth in Imazu. The entire lyrics is also engraved. It is next to the Imazu boat pier where boats depart for Chikubushima. Looks like a red flame, but it's shaped after the geographical shape of Imazu town.

The monument is engraved with the entire song and a picture of rowers.

Imazu Port. The song monument is on the right. Looks like a "red fire" as mentioned in the song.From Imazu Port, you can easily go to Chikubushima island by boat, from where you can take another boat to Hikone or Nagahama. Going vice versa is possible too. It's a great way to traverse the lake.

See more photos of Imazu here.

Song Monument, Imazu. Looks like red fire, but it's also the shape of Imazu town. (The background shows the old Imazu Port building.)Directions: From Omi-Imazu Station on the JR Kosei Line, get out the east exit and walk on the main road toward the lake. You will soon see the Biwako Shuko no Uta Shiryokan song museum on the left. Be sure to visit this museum too. Walk further toward the lake and you will see Imazu Port. Near the water, you can see the "red fire" song monument. On the very end of the pier, and you can see the lamp monument. (The pier might be closed off if there is no boat, so you may have to ask permission to walk on the pier.) Omi-Imazu Station also has a tourist information office where you can obtain directions and a map.

Song monument at Imazu Port.

Song Monument plaque, Imazu. It explains about how the song was created in Imazu.

Site of Okamura Castle 岡村城跡

Imazu Port and song monument in winter snow.

Chikubushima island and snowly Mt. Ibuki in the background.

Verse 4 Song Monument, Chikubushima. Built in 1987 by Biwako Kisen, tour boat operator. 四番の歌碑。竹生島の桟橋のすぐそば。琵琶湖汽船が寄贈。The monument is right near the island's boat pier.

See more photos of Chikubushima here.

Verse 4 Song Monument, ChikubushimaAzure blue flower garden, revered coral shrine.
Full of old-time stories, Chikubushima.
In the hands of Buddha, one young maiden lies.
She's sleeping in compassion, resting peacefully.

Ruri no hanazono, sango no miya
Furui tsutae no, Chikubujima
Hotoke no mite ni, idakarete
Nemure otomego, yasurakeku

瑠璃の花園　珊瑚の宮
古い伝えの　竹生島
仏の御手に　いだかれて
ねむれ乙女子やすらけく

Rear of Verse 4 Song Monument, Chikubushima.It explains about the origin of the song. The monument was donated by the Biwako Kisen tour boat company which operates the boats going to the island as well as other tour boats in Lake Biwa, including the Michigan paddlewheel boat based in Otsu.

Chikubushima boat dock. The Verse 4 Song Monument on can be seen on the left.

Verse 3 Song Monument, Nagahama. Built and unveiled on June 25, 2017 by a non-profit citizens group in Nagahama formed to build this new song monument for the song's 100th anniversary. 三番の歌碑。長浜城のそば�The new Verse 3 Song Monument is near Nagahama Castle near the lake shore. It was unveiled with great fanfare by singer Kato Tokiko and others.

The song monument is made of glass and functions as a park bench for four people. Glassware is one of Nagahama's signature products. Verse 3 is engraved in the middle. It reportedly cost several million yen.After the unveiling, local singers sang the song with Kato Tokiko before everyone released balloons.

The first people to sit on the song monument. L-R: Nagahama-native Kitagawa Akihiro of the duo ~Lefa~, singer and special guest Kato Tokiko, Kada Yukiko former Shiga governor, and the mayor of Nagahama.

On June 26, 2017, alumni of the Kyoto University Rowing Club rowed around Lake Biwa and took a break at Nagahama where they sang in front of the new song monument.

Verse 3 Song Monument at Nagahama's Hokoen Park. It is shaped like a boat and the top has a wavy surface like the water. It is called the "nami-makura" (rolling waves) design.The glass bench is positioned for sunset views over the lake.
Update: Unfortunately, this glass bench monument cracked and was replaced with another bench monument in Sept. 2021.

Verse 3 Song Monument in Nagahama's Hokoen Park near Nagahama Castle is engraved with Verse 3.浪のまにまに　漂えば
赤い泊火　懐かしみ
行方定めぬ　浪枕
今日は今津か　長浜か
Nami no mani mani, tadayoeba
Akai tomaribi, natsukashimi
Yukue sadamenu, nami makura
Kyo wa Imazu ka, Nagahama ka

The glass bench actually consists of several glass pieces. A few are largely transparent.

It's a beautiful design, but quite expensive. The non-profit group was unable to garner enough donations for the monument. They fell far short of the ¥10 million goal.

Verse 3 Song Monument at Nagahama's Hokoen Park. It is shaped like a boat and the top has a wavy surface like the water. It is called the "nami-makura" (rolling waves) design. Since the original glass bench song monument broke, it was replaced by this one made of stone having a similar shape and design concept.

Verse 3 Song Monument in Nagahama's Hokoen Park near Nagahama Castle is engraved with Verse 3.Nami no mani mani, tadayoeba
Akai tomaribi, natsukashimi
Yukue sadamenu, nami makura
Kyo wa Imazu ka, Nagahama ka

浪のまにまに　漂えば
赤い泊火　懐かしみ
行方定めぬ　浪枕
今日は今津か　長浜か

We drift from wave to wave, straying aimlessly.
On shore we see red fire, brings back memories.
With our sights set nowhere, rolling with the waves.
Today is Imazu or, Nagahama huh.

This side of the monument faces the lake. It's a popular bench to sit on during weekends and holidays.

Wavy bench surface.

Verse 5 Song Monument, Hikone Port 五番の歌碑。彦根港The left stone is inscribed with the entire song, and bigger stone on the right has the lyrics for verse 5. There is also another stone which shows a map of the lake and rowing route. The monument is now encroached by tall grass and weeds.

This song monument was built in Oct. 2005 at a cost of 8 million yen (gathered through donations). With this, now all six verses each have a song monument. This one is next to Hikone Port where you board the boat to visit Chikubushima or Takeshima.

Close-up of main stone monument where Verse 5 is written. 2005年10月に除幕されて一番新しい歌碑。800万円の寄付金で建てた。Sharp arrows buried deeply, way into the ground.
Abundant summer grasses, a moat still remains.
Standing in an old castle, all alone oneself.
Hira and Ibuki too, only but a dream.

Ya no ne wa, fukaku uzumorete
Natsukusa shigeki, hori no ato
Kojo ni hitori, tatazumeba
Hira mo Ibuki mo, yume no goto

矢の根は　深く埋もれて
夏草しげき　堀のあと
古城にひとり　佇めば
比良も伊吹も　夢のごと

Verse 5 Song Monument, the third monument showing the rowing route, Hikone PortThe monument's third stone shows a map of the lake and rowing route. It also states the dates when all the song monuments were built in Shiga.

See more photos of Hikone here.

Verse 5 Song Monument facing Hikone Port. See more photos of Hikone here.The three-stone monument is in a good location facing Hikone Port. This photo was taken soon after the monument was built. Over the years, wild grass or weeds have invaded the monument plot.

Verse 6 Song Monument, Chomeiji Port. Built in 1998. 六番の歌碑。長命寺（バス停のすぐそば）Near the Chomeiji bus stop. It faces the pier. This monument has the most number of stones. But only two of them are used.

See more photos of Chomeiji Temple here.

Kyoto University Rowing Club visit the Verse 6 monument during their during their annual Lake Biwa rowing trip. 写真／尾城徹雄Chomeiji is one of their overnight stops during their 3-day rowing trip.

Main stone of Verse 6 Monument 問題の「西国十番」が刻んでいない。Saigoku pilgrimage, Chomeiji.
Dispel this world's impureness, very faraway.
Golden waves on which we weave, rowing all we can.
Tell us my friends your stories, with your fervent hearts.

Saigoku Juban, Chomeiji
Kegare no utsushiyo, tooku sarite
Kogane no nami ni, iza kogan
Katare wagatomo, atsuki kokoro

西国十番　長命寺
汚れの現世　遠く去りて
黄金の波にいざ漕がん
語れ我が友　熱き心

The first verse is wriiten, but the first line about Chomeiji being the 10th temple in the Saigoku Pilgrimage is omitted.Chomeiji is the 31st temple in the Saigoku Pilgrimage, not the 10th temple as sung in the song.

Rear of Verse 6 monument. Next to the main stone is a plaque for the entire lyrics.

Plaque for entire lyrics, Verse 6 Song Monument, ChomeijiJapanese lyrics of the entire song consisting of 6 verses.

Message plaque, Verse 6 Song Monument, Chomeiji

Verse 6 Song Monument facing Chomeiji pier

Verse 6 Song Monument, Chomeiji Temple. Built in Nov. 2011.Directions: From Omi-Hachiman Station on the JR Biwako Line, take a bus to Chomeiji. Takes about 20 min. Omi-Hachiman Station has a tourist information office where you can obtain directions and a map. You can also rent a bicycle at the station and follow the map to Chomeiji Port. The monument is in a small park in front of the port near the Chomeiji bus stop. The other Verse 6 monument is within the Chomeiji temple grounds. Climb the 800 steps (quite strenuous) to the temple or call a taxi to drive up near the top.

Donated by Omi-Hachiman resident Fukao Katsuyoshi and unveiled on Nov. 5, 2011.

Unlike the song monument at Chomeiji Port, this monument includes the first line of Verse 6 with the mistaken "Saigoku Pilgrimage 10th temple."

The monument is in a very good location within the Chomeiji temple grounds. All temple visitors have to pass by the monument. It also overlooks the lake.

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This 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.

Taro Oguchi Statue and Song Monument in winter.

About Taro Oguchi.The 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.

Statue of Oguchi Taro

Statue of Oguchi Taro 小口太郎銅像Short walk from JR Okaya Station. Walk toward the shore of Lake Suwa. The monument is near the mouth of Tenryu River.

Closeup of Taro Oguchi statueHe 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.

Rear view, looking toward Lake Suwa.

Side view of Taro Oguchi Statue and Song Monument in spring with azaleas.

Side view of Taro Oguchi Statue and Song Monument in winter. 小口太郎顕彰碑

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.The 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).

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

Listen to one of the song versions here

Biography of Oguchi Taro. 小口太郎顕彰碑

Biography of Oguchi Taro

Area of the Oguchi Taro monument (seen on left), in winter.

Road sign pointing to the Oguchi Taro statue

Smaller statue of Oguchi Taro inside Okaya City Hall, next to the entrance.

Neighborhood of Minato where Oguchi Taro lived.

Oguchi Taro's house (red roof). He lived on the 2nd floor. On the left is a storehouse.

Path to shrine

Behind this small shrine is a large graveyard full of Oguchi family gravestones.

Oguchi Taro's grave on right.

Oguchi Taro's gravestone. He is buried together with his younger brother Sadao.

Oguchi Taro's gravestone in foreground.

Oguchi cemetary. This neighborhood is full of Oguchi families, not necessarily related to each other.

Oguchi graves.

Scenic view of Lake Suwa from graveyard.

Printable map and directions to all song monuments. Google map 歌碑の案内地図Also see this Google map: Google map

Oguchi Taro song monument

Toward the lake shore next to Nagahama castle is this glass bench. It's a monument for Biwako Shuko no Uta (Lake Biwa Rowing Song) verse 3 where Nagahama is mentioned.

Built and unveiled on June 25, 2017 by a non-profit citizens group in Nagahama for the song's 100th anniversary. You can sit on Japan's most expensive public park bench.

The verse 3 lyrics are engraved on the middle of the glass bench.

The glass bench is shaped like a boat with a few ripples. Made in Nagahama. Unfortunately, this bench cracked and was replaced by a monument made of whitish stone below.

Verse 3 Song Monument at Nagahama's Hokoen Park. It is shaped like a boat and the top has a wavy surface like the water. It is called the "nami-makura" (rolling waves) design.Since the original glass bench song monument broke, it was replaced by this one made of stone having a similar shape and design concept.

This side of the monument faces the lake. It's a popular bench to sit on during weekends and holidays.

Wavy bench surface. Looks like marble, but not sure what type of stone it is.

Cornerstone of Peace (平和の礎) in Mabuni, a large oceanfront memorial park full of these stone slabs inscribed with over 240,000 names of people who died in the battle.

Map of Cornerstone of Peace witin the Okinawa Peace Prayer Park.

About the Cornerstone of Peace. http://www.peace-museum.pref.okinawa.jp/

Walking to the Cornerstone of Peace.

Peace Prayer Memorial Hall in the Okinawa Prefectural Peace Park.

Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum (沖縄県平和祈念資料館)

Stone slabs inscribed with over 240,000 names of people who died in the battle. Civilians and military, Japanese and foreign.

Japanese victims are inscribed by prefecture. Foreign nationals are inscribed by country.

Stone slabs are like folding screens in a slight zig-zag pattern.

Map of where people's names are inscribed. Okinawans are inscribed according to their hometowns. Nearby are also war memorials for each prefecture.

Flame of Peace at the center of the Peace Plaza on the oceanfront. 平和の火

Flame of Peace in the world map. 平和の火

Flame of Peace in the world map. Japan can be seen in the map. 平和の火

Mabuni Cliff

About the Cornerstone of Peace.

Names of 14,000+ Americans who died in Okinawa.

Slabs for 14,000+ Americans who died in Okinawa.

"Life is a Treasure..."

Entrance to Himeyuri Monument and Cenotaph (ひめゆり慰霊碑) in southern Okinawa in the city of Itoman. Building on the left is a flower vendor (closed).

Himeyuri Monument and Cenotaph is one of Okinawa's most famous war sites and memorials.

Map of Himeyuri Monument site.

Himeyuri Chronology, inscribed with what happened here.

About the Himeyuri-no-Tou monuments.

The war's progression.

Monument for Harry Shinichi Gima (儀間真一), an Okinawan-American nisei from Hawaii who donated money to buy the land here to build the Himeyuri memorials and museum. His parents immigrated to Hawaii from Yomitan.

Harry Shinichi Gima worked as an engineer on a US military base in Okinawa and visited Himeyuri Monument in 1951. He wanted the story and place to be presented more properly, so he quietly donated the money to the Himeyuri Alumini Association to buy the land.

This area was originally just a grassy area. None of the asphalt or cement we see here today. The land was privately owned.

Monument for the land donation.

Monument for the medical staff who died in the Battle of Okinawa.

Monument for medical staff who died in the Battle of Okinawa.

Monument for the Army Field Hospital's Third Surgical Staff.

Origami display

Himeyuri Cenotaph (white) built in 1957 and older monuments. The small stone monument on the right is the original Himeyuri Monument that was placed here in 1946. ひめゆりの塔This monument stands over the entrance of the cave where 80 people died on June 19, 1945 when US troops searching for Japanese soldiers threw in white phosphorus grenades. It's like a smoke bomb that suffocates people. Those who died included 38 Himeyuri high school student nurses and four of their teachers. US troops didn't know who were in the caves.

The two monuments were also placed here in 1946 inscribed with the names of the deceased student nurses.Himeyuri student nurses were Okinawan high school conscripts trained by the Japanese Army to serve at the Army Field Hospital which was a muddy and filthy underground bunker in a place called Haebaru from late March 1945. The hospital was slightly north of this area. As US forces advanced south, the hospital and nurses evacuated south to this area. Patients who couldn't walk overnight to evacuate were left behind.

Original Himeyuri Cenotaph monument built here in 1946.

Himeyuri Cenotaph (white) and older monuments. Seen on the left is the Himeyuri Peace Museum. 第三外科壕

Himeyuri Cenotaph (white). The white monument is more recent, also inscribed with an updated list of names of the deceased student nurses and stores their remains in the back.

The white Himeyuri Cenotaph was renovated in 2009.

Below the Himeyuri monument, this cave is one of numerous natural caves in this area where the student nurses and local people took shelter.

The cave goes down deep by 14 meters. They used a ladder for access.

About the Himeyuri Cenotaph in English.

Iwa-makura Monument has a tanka poem by Nakasone Seizen who was one of the teachers of the Himeyuri students. いわまくら碑

Sekishin Cenotaph 赤心之塔

Near the Himeyuri Cenotaph is the Himeyuri Peace Museum. The building was modeled after one of the Himeyuri schools. ひめゆり平和祈念資料館http://www.himeyuri.or.jp/EN/info.html

About the Himeyuri Peace Museum. It opened in June 1989.

Himeyuri Peace Museum layout. Photography not allowed inside the museum.

Himeyuri Peace Museum courtyard.

Origami at Himeyuri Cenotaph site.

Himeyuri Cenotaph site is very rocky.

Statue of a Himeyuri high school student nurse.

Poetry by Ii Fumiko (1917–2004 井伊文子) who was a great granddaughter of the last Ryukyu King, Sho Tai. She was married to the mayor of Hikone, Shiga Prefecture who was a descendant of the Ii Clan.井伊文子の歌碑

June 16, 2007 Singing in front of Verse 4 song monument on Chikubushima.

Jamie and Megan Thompson singing in front of Verse 4 song monument on Chikubushima. This was during a Lake Biwa cruise.

Imazu Port also has this song monument for Biwako Shuko no Uta (Lake Biwa Rowing Song). 琵琶湖周航の歌　歌碑The song is about college boys from Kyoto rowing around Lake Biwa while mentioning famous places like Otsu (the starting point), Omi-Maiko (Omatsu), Imazu, Chikubushima, Nagahama, and Chomeiji.

Biwako Shuko no Uta song monument at Imazu Port. In June 1917, a song called Biwako Shuko no Uta (Lake Biwa Rowing Song) was composed by college student Taro Oguchi during a boat rowing trip around Lake Biwa.

Oguchi Taro was a member of the rowing club at Dai-san High School (now Kyoto University). He composed it in Imazu, Shiga Prefecture during the second night of the trip.

The monument has an engraving of rowers and song lyrics.

How the song was born in Imazu. Details about the song here: https://photoguide.jp/txt/Lake_Biwa_Rowing_Song.

Song monument buried in snow at Imazu Port in winter.

Song monument and snow

Imazu Port in spring.

At the end of Imazu Port's dock, the lantern is a song monument for Verse 3 of Biwako Shuko no Uta (Lake Biwa Rowing Song).

The lantern is not accessible when the dock is not used.The song became a national hit in 1971 when singer Tokiko Kato recorded it. Numerous famous Japanese singers and groups have since released cover versions of the song.

The lantern/monument has the Verse 3 lyrics mentioning a red fire on shore in Imazu. This is thought to be a lamp on the dock.

Old Imazu Port. Notice the "red flame" song monument on the right.

Biwako Shuko no Uta Shiryokan (Lake Biwa Rowing Song Museum), Imazu 琵琶湖周航の歌資料館The museum has various panel exhibits, videos, etc. Currently, no explanations in English. Tokiko Kato scored a national hit with the song in 1971.

Biwako Aika (Lake Biwa Elegy) Monument and memorial for songwriter Okuno Yashio who was from Katata. Details about the song here. 琵琶湖哀歌の歌碑　堅田

Biwako Aika 琵琶湖哀歌 (Lake Biwa Elegy) is a mournful song dedicated to the eight college rowers from Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture and three rowers from Kyoto who died while practicing in waters off Takashima-cho, Haginohama beach when struck by st

The accident occurred on April 6, 1941. The boys from Kanazawa were students at the No. 4 High School 第四高等学校 which today is Kanazawa University. The sad incident spurred Okuno to create this song.

Music box where you press a button to hear the song through a speaker. Hear the song at YouTube.

William Board, a sailor from Commodore Perry's crew, is also buried here after he was caught assaulting a local female and was stoned by villagers in 1854. He was drunk and fell into the water and drowned.This occurred while Perry went to Uraga. He had left a few crew in Naha, to be picked up on his return trip. A trial was held for the men who stoned Board. They were punished by being exiled to remote islands including Yaeyama. There's a small gravestone for Board in the cemetery.

Commodore Perry Landing Monument is in the distance. The cemetery has locked gates so we can't enter it. Not really a tourist attraction, but it can be clearly viewed from outside the low fence.

Perry Monument marking the place where he landed on June 6, 1853. The monument is within the Foreigners' Cemetery in Naha, Okinawa.

On Naha's waterfront, Commodore Perry Landing Monument. Perry first landed in Naha in May 1853 and was finally able to visit Shuri Castle on June 6, 1853 after insisting on it. Meanwhile, his crew explored the island and saw interesting things.

About a month later, he and his Black Ships shocked mainland Japan off Uraga in Kanagawa Prefecture. In the following year, after the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Peace and Amity was signed in Yokohama, Perry visited Naha again and signed the Ryukyu-U.S. Treaty of Amity on July 11, 1854. ペリー提督上陸記念碑

Back of Perry Monument: This monument has been erected in honor of COMMODORE PERRY who on June 6, 1853 landed near this place.The lower plaque is inscribed with Perry's quote when he visited Shuri Castle:

PROSPERITY TO THE LEW CHEWANS, AND
MAY THEY AND THE AMERICANS ALWAYS BE
FRIENDS.

COMMODORE PERRY AT A RECEPTION IN
HIS HONOR (THE ROYAL GUEST
HOUSE) SHURI, OKINAWA, JUNE 6, 1853

Older photo of the monument when it looked more new. The lower plaque wasn't faded yet."Lew Chew" (Ru-chu ルーチュー), as spelled by Perry, is what the Ryukyu Kingdom called itself. There's also "Uchina" (ウチナー) which referred to the main island, but today, "uchina" usually refers to the entire prefecture of Okinawa.

Older photo of the monument when it looked more new.

Yokozuna Rikishi Monument (Yokozuna Rikishi-hi) at Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine, Koto Ward, Tokyo 横綱力士碑

Main stone of Yokozuna Rikishi Monument is inscribed with "Yokozuna Rikishi-hi" (横綱力士碑) which means Yokozuna Monument.

The left stone has a drawing of Yokozuna Shiranui.

The right stone shows Yokozuna Jimmaku Kyugoro.

Shiranui verses...

Jimmaku

On the right of the centerpiece stone is this newer stone (added in 1983) inscribed with the names of the most recent yokozuna.

The stone has three rows with seven names each.

In the top row, we can see from right to left: Asashio, Kashiwado, Taiho, Tochinoumi, Sadanoyama, Tamanoumi, and Kitanofuji. Inscribed are the ring name, hometown, and yokozuna promotion date.

In the middle row, from right to left: Kotozakura, Wajima, Kitanoumi, Wakanohana (II), Mienoumi, Chiyonofuji, and Takanosato.

On the bottom row, right to left: Futahaguro, Hokutoumi, Onokuni, Asahifuji, Akebono, Takanohana, and Wakanohana (III).

Since the front side of this stone is full, it continues on the back as you can see here.

From right to left: Musashimaru, Asashoryu, and Hakuho. Whenever a new yokozuna is promoted, a name inscription ceremony is held here.

The centerpiece stone is a 3.5-meter tall, 20-ton monument made in 1900 by the 12th yokozuna Jinmaku Kyugoro after collecting donations from business and political circles.

Behind the centerpiece stone are 45 yokozuna names (from the first yokozuna up to Wakanohana I) inscribed.

Names of the first to fifth yokozuna on the centerpiece stone. The first yokozuna was Akashi Shiganosuke. The Edo Period's golden age of sumo was during the time of the 4th yokozuna Tanikaze and 5th yokozuna Onogawa around 1789.

Names of yokozuna inscribed on the back of the centerpiece stone.

Names of yokozuna inscribed on the back of the centerpiece stone. On the extreme left is Raiden's name, a special case who was never promoted to Yokozuna, but was certainly Yokozuna material during the Edo Period..

At the time, only two ten-day tournaments were held annually in front of several thousand people. The sumo ring was located at the site of the present primary school next to the shrine.

During the years when tournaments were held at the shrine, professional sumo saw many important developments such as the incorporation of the yokozuna dohyo-iri (ring-entering ceremony), the establishment of the banzuke (sumo wrestler ranking sheet),

and the opening of sumo stables. Fukagawa (the area where the shrine is located) in effect became the birthplace of modern sumo.

The third stone awaits (still blank).

In 1791, the fund-raising sumo tournaments were moved to Eko-in temple in Ryogoku. In 1833, official sumo tournaments started at Eko-in temple. In 1909, the first and original Kokugikan sumo arena was subsequently built next to the temple.

The Yokozuna Rikishi Memorial Monument is also flanked by this smaller monument on the left. This is for sumo rikishi who acheived more than 50 consecutive wins.

This Rikishi Monument for Over 50 Consecutive Wins has 10 sides, and only five sides are inscribed with names. Which means only five rikishi have achieved more than 50 consecutive wins. One of them is Chiyonofuji.

Yokozuna Jimmaku Kyugoro

Although the shrine no longer hosts sumo tournaments, it has maintained close ties to sumo ever since. As of 2008, Koto Ward has several sumo stables (Taiho, Kitanoumi, Musashigawa, Kasugayama, Oshiogawa, Ajigawa, and Tomozuna).

Ozeki Rikishi Monument 大関力士碑

The Ozeki Rikishi Monument includes two stones inscribed with the names of Ozeki (those who never reached Yokozuna).

The most recent name inscribed is Kirishima (as of Feb. 2008).

Stone for handprints and footprints.

The Ozeki Monument also has a Strong Sekiwake Monument inscribed with the names of outstanding Sekiwake.

The names of the Strong Sekiwake includes Rikidozan whose name is highlighted in white here. Rikidozan later became a pro wrestler and got famous for his "karate chop." He was Korean, and his hometown is not inscribed here.

Statue of Ino Chukei (Tadataka) (1745-1818), Japan's first geographical surveyor and cartographer. He helped to produce the first accurate map of Japan. Monument built in Oct. 2001. 伊能忠敬

Ino lived in Fukagawa and before he went off to survey Japan, he always first came to this shrine and prayed. He had studied astronomy, geography, and mathematics.

He drew a very accurate coastline map of Japan and first used his own money to finance the project. Later, the government recognized the importance and accuracy of Ino's work and increased its support. He did all this while well past age 50.

Chikara-mochi Strongman's Monument

Kiba Kakunori Monument for square log rolling 角乗り碑

Perry Park faces the beach. It has the Perry Monument marking Perry's landing in Kurihama. ぺりー公園

The Perry Monument was originally built in 1901 by a US friendship association to mark the landing of Perry. ぺりー上陸記念碑

The monument words were written by Ito Hirobumi (Japan' first Prime Minister). It says, "Monument Commemorating the Landing of Navy Commodore Perry from the United States."

"Monument in Commmemoration of the Landing of Commodore Perry, USN - Marquis Hirobumi Ito Grand Order of Chrysanthemum"

Ship anchors flank the Perry Monument

Plaque at the monument foot shows a map of Perry's voyage.

The back of Perry Monument.

The back of the Perry Monument in Kurihama.

Near the Perry Monument is the Perry Memorial Hall (Perry Ki'nenkan). Hours: 9:00 am - 4:30 pm, closed Mon. (open if a nationa holiday and closed Tue. instead). Phone 046-834-7531 ペリー記念館

Bust of Commodore Perry at the entrance of Perry Memorial Hall

Bust of Lord Toda at the entrance of Perry Memorial Hall

First floor of Perry Memorial Hall has a portrait of Perry and a diorama. This small museum opened on May 1, 1987.

Black Ship diorama

Second floor of Perry Memorial Hall has the main exhibits.

Portrait of Commodore Perry

Map showing where Perry's Back Ships went. One ship went as far as Haneda.

Painting depicting Perry's landing at Kurihama to meet the local magistrate.

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