Kuwana Favorites

Favorite thing: This tree stump was donated to Kaizoji temple to show gratitude for Satsuma Domain samurai soldiers who sacrificed their lives and wealth for taming runaway riverflows of Kiso, Nagara and Ibi rivers. The pine tree used to be one of the largest in pine grove that divides the river flows of Nagaragawa and Ibi. Planting of pine trees is one of Satsuma Domain's achievements of their river improvement works.

Favorite thing: In Japanese anthem, Kimigayo, "Sazareishi" or calcareous bracci, made up of pebbles stuck together by calcium carbonate solution serving as a natural glue, is mentioned to describe extremely long time. When you visit shrines, temples or gardens in western part of Japan, you may find this pebble rocks which are recognized as auspicious items. Many of Sazareishi come from Gifu or Shiga area with karst landforms. Sazareishi of Kaizoji temple was donated to show respect for Satsuma Domain samurai soldiers who sacrificed their wealth and life to tame runaway river flows of Kiso, Nagara and Ibi rivers.

**Where do you find Sazareishi in Japan?
Shimogamo Shrine, Kyoto
Yoshida Shrine, Kyoto one of the candidates for the "Sazareishi" mentioned in the poem upon which the anthem is based. Brought from Gifu.

Favorite thing: It's Nagara River Estuary Barrage. Until it was first run in 1995, Nagaragawa river had been uninterrupted by any artificial objects such as dams and floodgates. Those remind me of the robots in "The Empire Strikes Back" or giant robots that might have been in Hayao Miyazaki's animation films.

Favorite thing: Kuwana is home to lots of foreign residents many of whom commute to Nagoya. This handbook on Kuwana written in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Portuguese is also useful for tourists to get the basic information about Kuwana.

http://www.city.kuwana.lg.jp/img/files/kyouiku/h2007_handbook.pdf

Favorite thing: The best time to visit Kuwana is during the Ishidori Festival in early August. Floats are paraded through the streets and the taiko drum is played, accompanied by these cymbals/bell things. Lot's of people also have large night picnics.

Fondest memory: I had been in Kuwana less than a week, and I still had the impression that Japanese were pretty reserved and quiet. Then I went to the Ishidori festival and saw both men and women drinking and dancing in the streets and using every English word they could think of (even some you shouldn't say in polite company)! Then we went to the drinking party and that was a real awakening!!