boys, be ambitious!

Dr. William Smith Clark (July 31, 1825 - March 9, 1886) was one of the founders of Sapporo Agricultural College, the prdeccessor of Hokkaido University. Although his stay was short, he led many of his students to Christ. Just before he left Japan, Clark is supposed to have said to ten or so students who came to send him off, "Boys, be ambitious!"

One of the students was apparently so moved that he remembered the phrase and later recited it in a lecture, making it the famous phrase it is in Japan today.


A bronze statue of Dr. Clark stands at the Hitsujigaoka Observation
Hill. A bust of Dr. Clark is situated on the campus of Hokkaido University.

yosakoi soran festival

Yosakoi Soran (よさこい ｿｰﾗﾝ) festival is a festival that combines the Yosakoi-Festival of Kochi prefecture of Shikoku Island and Soran Music of Hokkaido Island. Yosakoi is a unique style of dance that is highly energetic, while the music incorporates the traditional Hokkaido fishing folksong, Soran.


The choreographed dances are often performed by large teams wearing very colourful costumes. Yosakoi participants include men and women of almost all ages – sometimes within a single team.

sapporo tv tower

Sapporo TV Tower (さっぽろテレビ塔), built in 1957, is a 147.2 meter high TV Tower located in the centre of Sapporo-shi, at the entrance of the Odori Park.



The TV Tower has an observation deck which rises 90.38 metres from the ground. Below, one can see various local events as well as international events throughout the year. The whole sweep of Sapporo City spreads out against the backdrop of flowers for every season in Odori Park with the vast Ishikari Plain and the Sea of Japan in the distance.

yukata

Yukata is a Japanese summer garment. People wearing yukata are a common sight at fireworks displays, bon-odori festivals, and other summer events. The yukata is a casual form of kimono that is also frequently worn after bathing at traditional Japanese inns. Though their use is not limited to after-bath wear, yukata literally means bath(ing) clothes.

takoyaki

Takoyaki is a popular Japanese dumpling made of batter, diced octopus, tempura scraps (tenkasu), pickled ginger, konnyaku, and green onion, topped with okonomiyaki sauce, green laver (aonori), mayonnaise, and katsuobushi (fish shavings), originated in Osaka.

It is commonly eaten without rice as a snack food.



photo credit: hippoMum