Consul-General Naito's visit to Broome (Shinju Matsuri, etc.)

Consul-General Naito visited Broome with Shamisen artist Noriko Tadano from September 2^nd to the 4^th, for the 53^rd Shinju Matsuri.
 

1. Prior to 1970, the Shinju Matsuri was held by the local Broome Japanese community as a festival to welcome their ancestors’ spirits. Over time, the festival came to represent the multicultural community of Broome, bringing many visitors to Broome to participate in it. This year the festival included various events over a two week period from August 26 to September 10. (Consul-General Naito’s remarks at the Floating Lantern Matsuri can be found here.)
2. Adelaide based Tsugaru Shamisen artist Noriko Tadano performed the shamisen, taiko drumming, and Japanese folk songs at this year’s Shinju Matsuri. Ms Tadano’s performances which included a song she composed when she participated in the Shinju Matsuri 16 years ago titled “Staircase to the Moon” were very well received by the local people of Broome.
3. Exchange between Broome Shire and its Sister City, Taiji Town in Wakayama Prefecture has resumed. A group of 11 high school students and 3 staff from Taiji Town visited Broome for approximately one week at the end of August. Deputy Shire President Mitchell told Consul-General Naito of how they had warmly welcomed the group with the long-awaited resumption of exchange with Taiji Town (You can see more about the exchange activities with St Mary’s College here).
4. While in Broome, Consul-General Naito also joined with the Japanese community to clean the Japanese Cemetery and to lay a wreath there.

(Note) There has been a Japanese community in Broome since 1890 when pearl divers began migrating to Broome to work in the pearling industry. In the years that followed, many difficulties were overcome and bridges built between the two countries, providing inspiration for the development of the Japanese community in Western Australia and other friendship groups that followed.