My English version of the song, “Biwako Shuko no Uta” (Lake Biwa Rowing Song) was sung on national television for the first time on Nov. 26, 2006 on NHK TV’s “Nodo Jiman” amateur singing contest. This show is broadcast live on Sundays from a different location each time. This time it was beamed from Mitoyo, Kagawa Prefecture.
The singers were twin sisters Jamie and Megan Thompson whom I met earlier this year and agreed to sing my English song in public on June 3, 2006 when the song was first unveiled.
They applied to appear on the show and lo and behold they were one of the 20 entrants chosen to appear on this show. They sang only the first verse of the song as they had only 1 min. to sing. The next minute was spent chatting with the MC. So they were on stage for about 2 min., which was longer than most other entrants who stood in the spotlight for about 90 sec. or less.
After about 1 min. of singing, a chime is rung once, twice, or three times to rate the singer. Three chimes mean the singer has passed (gokaku) to become a finalist. Two chimes is what most entrants receive. (No one gets a single chime.) Out of the 20 entrants, 5 or 6 of them receive the “gokaku” rating. Out of these finalists, the show’s “Champion” is selected. The Champion of each show later appears in a special “Champion Contest” Nodo Jiman show held later. (Nodo Jiman literally means, “Boastful Throat.”
The show was broadcast for 45 min. from 12:15 to 1 pm. Two guest celebrity singers also appear on the show and this time it was Fuji Ayako and Toba Ichiro. Fuji-san gave the sisters very gracious comments, “Such a beautiful harmony. It was wonderful!” 「とても美しいハーモニーです。素晴らしかったですね！」
I guess I have to run out and buy her CD in appreciation. There was a live audience of 1,500 in Mitoyo gymnasium. At the end of the show, they chose a high school girl from Takamatsu (capital city of Kagawa) to receive the Champion Award.
“Biwako Shuko no Uta” is Shiga’s most famous song and famous nationally. It is about a rowing trip around Lake Biwa where they visit lake’s famous spots. More details about the song is here:
https://photoguide.jp/txt/Biwako_Shuko_no_Uta
https://photoguide.jp/txt/Lake_Biwa_Rowing_Song
Thanks to everyone who watched the show!
