Kagami-Biraki Ceremony
TOKYO 2004 TOKYO REPORT No. 5 February 25th 2004 Closing Ceremony
Akasaka Prince Old Building, Banquet Room It's Wednesday night. The closing formal banquet is about to begin. It was held at the special banquet building annex at the Akasaka Prince hotel. We were shown to the Sapphire Room on the 2nd floor of a very interesting English Tudor-style building.
Registration
Registration
Special Exhibition Tad Sato brought with him a "little" displays of Nikons for our enjoyment. You will see photos here but that little table held a black S3 with motor, a black S2 and S3 real rarities: black S2E with motor (1 of 32 made), black Nikon S body; and an S250 shot motor for the Nikon SP! What a show!
Connoisseur's Eyes Start of Ceremony
Rotoloni's Speech A special night began with a greeting from NHS President Robert Rotoloni. He is wearing a specially made blue "Happi coat". In Japan, happi coats are formal wear for festivals. When the Beatles came to Japan in 1966, they all wore happi coats and got off the boarding ramp of Japan Airlines.
Gentleman's Nikon
Akasaka Night
The chandelier suits Nikon The room was elegant and spacious and included a small stage where you see the cask of Sake. The entire length of one side was for the food. Special VIP Guest
A Special VIP Guest The lady on the left is Mrs. Mayumi Moriyama, the director of the JCII Camera Museum. She is our special guest.
Mayumi Moriyama, Member of the House of Representatives, Japan Mrs. Mayumi Moriyama is the former Minister of Justice for the Japanese government and currently a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet. She gave us a fine opening speech.
Mayumi Moriyama, Japan's First Female Chief Cabinet Secretary Mrs. Moriyama is a pioneer of female bureaucrats. She has served as a member of the House of Councilors (3rd term), a member of the House of Representatives (4th term), the Secretary of the Environment Agency, the Minister of Education, the Minister of Justice, and the first female Chief Cabinet Secretary. She gave us a fine speech about history of Japanese camera industries. Robert Rotoloni thanked her for fitting us into her very busy schedule.
A Special VIP Guest Speech
Note for 2021. Kagami-Biraki Ceremony
Kagami-Biraki Ceremony There is a special Sake welcome ceremony called "Kagami-biraki". A large barrel of Sake is to be ceremoniously broken open to start of the party.
Daikoku-Masamune Beautiful ladies served the sake for us. The sake, "Daikoku-Masamune" is very precious and delicious sake in Japan. Establishment is 1751!!
Kampai!! Kampai is "Cheers" in Japanese. "Kampai !!" said all members, and then soon started opening. Welcome Speech
Japanese Super Collector Tad Sato Tad Sato of the Nikon Kenkyukai Tokyo gave a welcome speech to us. He passionately talked about Daikoku-Masamune, and rangefinder Nikon cameras, and of course the NHS 9th convention Tokyo
Tad Sato's Speech
Serious Nikon Story
A Nikon Gentleman with a Mustache Tom Kostyk from Newyork. He is a display camera collector. He collects the cut away/cut thru model, transparent/see-thru model, dummy model, demonstration displays and prototypes. Enjoy the Party
Special NHS Masu (Small Wooden Box for Sake) Cool sake in a wooden "Masu" box. Masu is a traditional wooden tableware of Japan to drink sake. Masu is a type of measuring cup from the old days of Japan. The mark of "NHS 9TH. CONVENTION" is burnt in the Masu box.
New Nikon on the Table There is a new Nikon camera on the table. From the left, Bill Jackson and Lynn Bentsen (US).
Kimono Lady and Setsuko-san
Nice Dinner Not only a very nice banquet room, but along one entire wall a buffet consisting of Japanese, Chinese, French and western cuisine as well as deserts and a separate Sushi bar. In addition, an open bar with all types of drinks was available the entire evening.
Soba Noodle A man who came from cold country Ireland, Oisin Hurst, likes cold soba noodle. "It's delicious"
Yuki Kawai
Uli Koch and Michio Akiyama
Gentlemen's Dinner From the left, Stan Tamarkin (US) and Paul Comon (US) and a gentleman. Closing a Party
Closing a Party, Director's Thanks Speech From the left, Yuki Kawai, Bob Rotoloni and Akihiko Suzuki. A talking person is Bill Kraus.
Rotoloni's Thanks Speech
Omiyage We got a wonderful Omiyage (small gift) from the NHS host. The Nikon Sake, Masu (wooden box), Nikon F5 neck strap and Coolpix strap. The sake of the label of NHS is the most superior sake in Japan. It is very valuable and delicious sake. Nikon Journal
The Nikon Journal, NHS-83 March 31, 2004 The NHS Journal is a bulletin for NHS members. In the March 31, 2004 issue (NHS-83), a detailed report of the Tokyo Convention was published over a total of 15 pages. Next Page Articles → Return to Report 0 Top Page Shortcuts
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Copyright Michio Akiyama, Tokyo Japan 2004, 2021
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