Hokuryu Town Karaoke Club "Himawari Karaoke Club" visits Eirakuen Special Nursing Home; supporting and helping each other to deepen emotional bonds

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

On Friday, January 31st, from 2:30 pm, four members of the Himawari Karaoke Club (Representative: Kumiko Asano), an association of karaoke clubs in Hokuryu Town, visited the Eirakuen Special Nursing Home and entertained the residents with their beautiful singing.

"Himawari Karaoke Club" visit to Eirakuen

Moderator: Susumu Asano, a resident of Hekisui

Greetings from Director Takayuki Tokairin of Eirakuen

"I am very pleased that members of the Karaoke Club will be able to sing for everyone today. This was originally scheduled for the end of last year, but due to various circumstances it was held today.

We are pleased to have five familiar faces joining us today, and we hope you will enjoy their wonderful songs to the fullest.

"Now, I would like to thank our moderator, Asano Susumu," said Director Tokairin Takayuki in his opening remarks.

Susumu Asano:
"Thank you for the introduction. My name is Asano Susumu.

In fact, 16 years ago, I was the facility director here for five years. This year marks the 40th anniversary of Eirakuen's opening on April 1, 1986 (Showa 61).

Today in Kitaryū Town, members of the karaoke club will each sing two songs.

If you're sleepy, you can sleep. If you want to go to the bathroom, you can go. Please feel free to listen.

First up is Hideko Murai, who lives in the Kyoei district. She married into Masakazu Murai from Iwamura. They aim to be the "best in the village" and grow melons, pumpkins, and other produce.

1. Hideko Murai's "Love in Yamatoji (Kaori Mizumori)"

"Hello everyone, I'm Murai from the Heisei Neighborhood Association. My parents and my husband's mother are also being looked after here. Thank you for coming today," Murai said, greeting the audience.

Susumu Asano
"Next is Kimura Kazuo, a resident of Iwamura. Alongside his work as a farmer, he currently serves as a member of the Kitaryū town council. Even though he is over 80 years old, he is still actively working for the town."

2. Kazuo Kimura, "Alley Lights (Takeshi Kitayama)"

"Hello everyone, there are some familiar faces here, I'd like to sing."

3. Kumiko Asano's "Flowing Tsugaru (Shimazu Aya)"

"Hello everyone, how are you all doing?

I am pleased to meet you all today and see that you are all looking well.

My husband's mother and my parents were also cared for at this facility. We are very grateful for the cooperation and care given by the staff at the facility. Thank you very much.

Well, although it will only be a short time, I will sing, so please enjoy."

Susumu Asano
"It was my wife. My mother was also cared for at this facility for a long time, being in and out of hospital from the age of 80 to 97.

Next is Ryoji Kikura, an honorary member of Hokuryu Town. He served as the president of the Hokuryu Town Agricultural Cooperative for many years, and also served as the president of the Kita Sorachi Agricultural Cooperative."

4. Ryoji Kikura's "Tearful Moon (Kagamigoro)"

"Hello everyone, I am 87 years old by the traditional Japanese age reckoning. There are so many people who have helped me. Now let me sing."

5. Hideko Murai's "Sake Inn (Kaori Kozai)"

Susumu Asano
"Club members visit the Hekisui Community Support Center, which opened in 2017 across from the Seico Mart in the Hekisui district and is now in its eighth year. They practice at a karaoke studio there from Monday afternoons."

6. Kazuo Kimura, "Song of Nostalgia (by Seiji Wada)"

Susumu Asano
"Mr. Kimura is the vice president of the Karaoke Club and is very active, participating in singing competitions all over the prefecture."

7. Kumiko Asano "Yuzuki Okesa (Yoshimi Tendo)"

Susumu Asano
"Twenty years ago, I accompanied my wife (Kumiko Asano) when she appeared at the NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen, where we met the wife of Saburo Kitajima and sang at the Koma Theater. We went to Tokyo twice to represent Hokkaido.

Although I am currently suffering from a cerebral infarction and am not feeling well physically, I am still practicing singing as hard as I can. I hope that if I work hard at anything, I will be able to get back to normal. I hope that you too will spend each day with the hope that walking, exercising, and talking will make you feel better.

And now, the last person to speak is Ryoji Kikura.

8. Ryoji Kikura, "Chushingura: Yasubei Horibe (Kagamigoro)"

Closing remarks: Susumu Asano

"Today, we have four people singing for us. I hope that you are all in good health and having fun.

This is all for today. Thank you very much," said Asano and the others as they expressed their final gratitude.

All the participants listened to the emotional singing with serene expressions on their faces, clapping along along the way.

I am truly grateful to have had the opportunity to share such a heartwarming and enjoyable time with you all.

With boundless love, gratitude and prayers to the people of Hokuryu town, who are like one big family, and to the members of the wonderful karaoke club who support and help each other and deepen their emotional bonds...

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◇ Reporting and writing by Ikuko Terauchi (Photography and editorial assistance by Noboru Terauchi)