Civic Exchanges
My Japanese Experience
Miss Kelowna Lady of the Lake 2012 Kasugai Sister City Visit
By: Navjot Takhar
It was a privilege travelling to our sister city Kasugai, Japan in October to fulfill my role as Miss Kelowna Lady of the Lake. The Japanese people and culture are absolutely amazing; so humble and respectful. During my stay in Japan, I attended several meetings with their city officials, but also had the opportunity to get to know the Japanese traditions and culture.
I loved everything about Japan, from the gardens to the calligraphy, from the language to the people. Kasugai is such a lovely city. In Kasugai, I appreciated the opportunity to visit Kelowna Boulevard, where I was reminded of home as I stood in front of our Spirit of the Sails Sculpture. I found it fascinating how Kasugai is so passionate about our sister city relationship. While talking to a city official accompanying us, I learned that new City of Kasugai workers are all brought to Kelowna Boulevard when they are first hired.
It was interesting learning about the Tofu Memorial Museum in Kasugai, particularly because Kasugai city is renowned for calligraphy. It’s incredible how well the ancient scrolls of poetry have been preserved. It was an honour trying calligraphy at this museum. Although calligraphy appears to be simple, I found it quite challenging to do. However, the result was very elegant looking.
The Kasugai festival was a phenomenal experience. I learned much about the Japanese culture in the festival. I especially enjoyed the children participating in traditional Japanese drumming; which was impressive and unique. It was a pleasant experience walking around the festival, and interacting with the Kasugai citizens about Kelowna, while handing out Kelowna brochures written in Japanese to them. Many of them were highly interested in traveling to Kelowna in the future. During the festivities, I saw a Japanese Band signing autographs. As I greeted them, it was to my surprise that one of them yelled out “Ogopogo” in recognition of Kelowna.
During the Kasugai festival, I also participated in the Kasugai parade. It was such a privilege to walk the parade route alongside the Mayor, Council Chairperson, Chamber of Commerce president, and Kasugai’s Sports and Culture ambassador. All the parade entrees were amazing; immersed with much Japanese tradition and culture.
Throughout my stay in Japan, I visited Inuyama city as well. I had the pleasure of visiting the Meiji-Mura open-air museum. I learned much about the Meiji-period History. I found it fascinating encountering the strong western influences in architecture as well as the traditional Japanese structures made of wood. Together, they produce a beautiful combination. It was an honour going inside the emperor train vessels during the museum tour. The vessels were exquisitely decorated and furnished; even the door hinges were adorned with gold!
The views of Inuyama Castle were absolutely breath-taking. Although it was challenging climbing up the steep stairs of the Castle, it was well worth the effort for the panoramic sights at the top. The landscape, complete with water and dense vegetation, was remarkable.
Similar to Inuyama Castle, I also got to experience the Nagoya Castle, located in Nagoya city, which was equally as stunning. I was captivated with how deep the “moats” had been dug to prevent trespassers.
The Utsutsu Shrine in Japan was also an enlightening experience, I was grateful to learn how religious people come there to pray. I learned that many shrines have different origins; for example some are for praying of healthy well-being, whereas others are for finding a loved-one.
Most of all, I fell in love with the Japanese people and lifestyle. The values and strong morals, of respect and humbleness, instilled within every Japanese individual are so commendable. In my opinion, our westernized culture could learn much from the Japanese regarding respect and modesty.
Above all, the memories created with my host family will be cherished. My chaperone, Ladawn Yager, and I stayed with the Sasaki family. The Sasaki’s were very generous with their time and hospitality, and our trip wouldn’t have been complete without them. I am so thankful that we were able to meet them and learn about the Japanese culture from them.
I hope one day I will receive the opportunity to visit Japan again. The experience is unforgettable and I will always relish the memories created on my trip to our sister city Kasugai.
Miss Kelowna Lady of the Lake 2011 Kasugai Sister City Visit
“Arriving to Japan was one of the most exciting things I have ever experienced. All of a sudden everything was in a different language that I could not decipher and everyone bowed to one another, almost constantly”. This was Kelowna’s Lady of the Lake, Alexandra Burnham’s first impression of Japan and Princess Erin Van Zyderveld seconded it.
While Kelowna’s 2011-2012 young ambassadors officially visited Kasugai Sister City October 12th -18th 2011, they had an opportunity to experience Japan’s age old history, tradition and culture. The first day of the visit was spent in Nagoya, exploring Atsuta Shrine and Nagoya Castle. At the Shrine the young ladies learned the proper way to worship and also had a chance to visit the Shrine Museum. Later they were informed about the castle’s history, how it had been burned three times during the Edo period, rebuilt again and again, and even now was under restoration.
The next two days were official City Hall meetings where the Lady of the Lake delivered speeches from the Kelowna counter parts. To meet Kasugai’s mayor Ito and also to be a guest at the Rotary luncheon were very exciting events among many others. Of course cutting the ribbon just before the parade and actually being part of the 35th annual festivals was also one of the many highlights of the visit!
Little surprises here and there made this trip very special for the girls. They were able to try their hand in playing the Japanese musical instrument called koto. Soft sounds of Sakura were heard in no time. The calligraphy was much harder to master than it looked, but the results were rewarding. And to top it all off was the traditional Tea Ceremony at City Hall, which Alex and Erin eagerly had looked forward.
The host families were wonderful; they had arranged evening activities beyond all expectations. The most entertaining was the kimono party, where the ambassadors and their chaperones, Shannon Bews Croft and Marya Raty, were dressed in the beautiful traditional kimonos. Cameras were flashing all evening and wonderful memories were made.
Both Alex and Erin have expressed that their visit to Japan had a huge effect on them. During their short stay in Kasugai, they had had a chance to learn and experience so much of the rich culture hand in hand with the newest technology. “They will always have a deep love for Japan and definitely this was not the last time they visit this country”.
Kasugai Civic Delegation 2001
In August 2001, Mayor Ukai from Kasugai led a delegation consisting of members from various facets of the Kasugai community. These people represented areas like the Chamber of Commerce, the Kasugai school board, the cultural district of Kasugai, and the City of Kasugai.
The purpose of their visit was two fold. Months before the visit, the Kelowna-Kasugai Sister City Association reaffirmed their mandate and direction of the association, adding environment to the list of objectives for sister city exchanges and efforts. The group from Kasugai came to reaffirm their relationship with Kelowna and also to sign an agreement between the two cities to commit to initiatives to minimize the environmental impacts and implement environmental safeguards to improve, conserve, protect and restore the nature of the Earth.
The group also took a tour of the Glenmore landfill, an electric car manufacturer, wineries, and other destinations of interest that Kelowna has to offer. They also visited Kasugai Gardens, which led to a future visit by the “Ninja 7” Japanese garden experts from Kasugai/Nagoya area to help authenticate Kasugai Gardens and teach the gardeners more helpful hints on how to care for a Japanese garden.
All in all, it was a very productive visit and showed the people of Kelowna that Kasugai truly values her relationship with Kelowna.
Objective
