Wednesday, February 5, 2025
On Friday, January 31st, from 2:30pm, four members of the Himawari Karaoke Club (Representative: Kumiko Asano), an association of karaoke clubs in Hokuryu Town, visited the Eirakuen Special Nursing Home for the Elderly, entertaining the residents with their beautiful singing voices.
- 1 "Himawari Karaoke Club" visit to Eirakuen
- 1.1 Moderator: Susumu Asano, a resident of Hekisui
- 1.2 Greetings from Director Takayuki Tokairin of Eirakuen
- 1.3 1. Hideko Murai's "Love on the Yamato Road (Kaori Mizumori)"
- 1.4 2. Kazuo Kimura's "Alley Lights (Takeshi Kitayama)"
- 1.5 3. Kumiko Asano's "Flowing Tsugaru (Shimazu Aya)"
- 1.6 4. Ryoji Kikura's "Tearful Moon (Kagamigoro)"
- 1.7 5. Hideko Murai's "Sake Inn (Kaori Kozai)"
- 1.8 6. Kazuo Kimura's "Song of Nostalgia (by Seiji Wada)"
- 1.9 7. Kumiko Asano's "Yuzuki Okesa (Tendo Yoshimi)"
- 1.10 8. Ryoji Kikura, "Chushingura: Horibe Yasubei (Kagamigoro)"
- 1.11 Closing remarks: Susumu Asano
- 2 YouTube videos
- 3 Other photos
- 4 Related articles
"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 the members of the Karaoke Club will be able to sing with 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 announce that five familiar faces will be joining us today, and we hope you will enjoy their wonderful songs to the fullest.
Now, I would like to ask our moderator, Mr. Susumu Asano, to please take the time to respond," said Director Takayuki Tokaibayashi 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. Eirakuen opened on April 1, 1986 (Showa 61), and this year marks its 40th anniversary.
Today in Hokuryu 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. Feel free to listen.
First up is Hideko Murai, who lives in the Kyoei district. She married into Seiichi Murai from Iwamura. With the motto of being 'the best in the village,' she grows melons, pumpkins, and other produce.
1. Hideko Murai's "Love on the Yamato Road (Kaori Mizumori)"
"Hello everyone, I'm Murai from the Hekisui Neighborhood Association. My parents and my husband's mother are also being looked after here. I look forward to working with you today," said Murai, greeting the audience.
Susumu Asano
"Next is Kimura Kazuo, who lives in Iwamura. In addition to farming, he currently serves as a member of the Hokuryu Town Council. Even though he is over 80 years old, he is still actively working for the town."
2. Kazuo Kimura's "Alley Lights (Takeshi Kitayama)"
"Hello everyone, some familiar faces are here, but I'll be singing."
3. Kumiko Asano's "Flowing Tsugaru (Shimazu Aya)"
"Hello everyone, I hope you are all doing well.
I am pleased to meet you all today and see that you are all in good health.
My husband's mother and my parents were also cared for at this facility. We are extremely grateful for the cooperation and care provided by the staff at the facility. Thank you very much.
So, although it will be a short time, I will sing, so please look forward to it."
Susumu Asano
"It was my wife. My mother was also cared for at this facility for a long time, being in and out of the hospital from the age of 80 to 97.
Next up 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 now 87 years old by the traditional Japanese age reckoning. There are many people who have helped me. Now, let me sing."
5. Hideko Murai's "Sake Inn (Kaori Kozai)"
Susumu Asano
"Club members practice at the Hekisui Community Support Center, which opened in 2017 across from Seico Mart in the Hekisui district and is now in its eighth year. They practice at the karaoke studio there from Monday afternoons."
6. Kazuo Kimura's "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's "Yuzuki Okesa (Tendo Yoshimi)"
Susumu Asano
"Twenty years ago, I accompanied my wife (Kumiko Asano) when she performed at the NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen, where we met the wife of Saburo Kitajima and sang at Koma Theater. We also went to Tokyo twice as Hokkaido's representative.
Although I have suffered a stroke and am currently in poor physical condition, 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 will also live each day with the hope that walking, exercising, and talking will make you feel better.
And now, the last speaker, Mr. Ryoji Kikura.
8. Ryoji Kikura, "Chushingura: Horibe Yasubei (Kagamigoro)"
Closing remarks: Susumu Asano
"Today, we had four people sing. I hope you are all in good health and having fun.
"This is all for today. Thank you very much," said Asano and everyone in a final expression of gratitude.
All the participants listened to the emotional singing with serene expressions on their faces, clapping along.
I am truly grateful to have been able to share such a heartwarming and enjoyable time with you all.
To the people of Hokuryu, who are like one big family, and to the members of the wonderful karaoke club who support and help each other and deepen their bonds, I offer my boundless love, gratitude, and prayers.
YouTube videos
Other photos
Related articles
◇ Interview and text: Ikuko Terauchi (Photography and editing assistance: Noboru Terauchi)
