Ainu Traditional Dance 2 !

 by Kazu

On the other hand, "Muckuri" made of a plate of wood and a string creates the sound by the snap of wrist that chugs the string. 

 But the sound created resonates in the mouth of the player as the instrument of Inuit.

Ainu females' traditional dance is like the lion dance of Japanese "Kabuki" play. The dancers move their head and upper body around rotate their hair.

Ainu Traditional Dance !

by Kazu

I've seen the indigenous people playing the musical instrument that creates the same kind of sounds as this Ainu lady played. 

This instrument called "Muckuri" is made of wood and a string but what I heard before was the sound created with a small piece of metal plate.

That instrument was of Inuit in the northern area of Canada. The metal plate with thin slits was tapped by fingers and the sound resonated in the mouth of the player.

Attractions !

by Kazu

High school students sing songs to welcome the delegations from Heilongjiang and Alberta.

 A group of the indigenous people of Japan Ainu followed and started to sing a song on the stage.

Have you ever heard the real Ainu people singing a song or playing "Mukkuri" ? It is a musical instrument made of wood and string. 

Hokkaido and Heilongjiang, China !

by Kazu

The Chairman of the Hokkaido Legislative Assembly at that time Mr. Ren ENDO delivered a speech at the beginning of the reception to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the friendship

affiliation between Hokkaido and Heilongjiang, China. He had a chat with the delegation head of Alberta, Canada, Mr. Scott Fraser.

The Superintendent of Hokkaido Board of Education Mr. Shibata and one of the most powerful member of Hokkaido Assembly Mr. Murata also joined the reception and talked with the delegation from Heilongjiang and Alberta.

Ranshima Beach !

by Kazu

Remembering the beginning of summer, very few people were there on Ranshima beach in Otaru. This area is filled up with cars and people as well as food stands.

A building colored with white and blue was like a ship on the land. Some people were taking a walk around the beach.

In summer, the parking fee is comparatively expensive but as you can see on these photos, we can park the car for free of charge other than summer.

To the head of the peninsular !

 by Kazu

I visited my home town Kitami City with my friend from Heilongjiang. During our stay in my house in Kitami City, we explored to the Okhotsk Ocean.

The coastline of Notori Peninsula was so calm on that day and it was cool with the wind from the ocean.

This is the way to Cape Notori. Bamboo grasses covered the surface of the peninsula. The lighthouse on the cape could be seen from the the parking lot.

Long History with Heilongjiang !

 by Kazu

At the beginning of the reception celebrating the 30th ceremony of our friendship affiliation, the Lieutenant Governor of Heilongjiang delivered the speech.

Next, my fiend from Alberta delivered a speech to praise the trilateral relationship among Heilongjiang, Alberta and Hokkaido.

On behalf of all the citizens of Alberta, my friend Mr. Scott Fraser  gave us so nice speech. So cool !