Panel Display Gifu and Brazil
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A Suitcase of Dreams
On 30 March 1913, with suitcases packed full of dreams, 1,588 people boarded the immigrant ship Wakasa Maru. Of those people 11 families, a total of 44 people, were from Gifu Prefecture.
After a lengthy journey of 45 days the Wakasa Maru arrived at the Port of Santos in Brazil on May 15. This event marked the start of immigration of people from Gifu to Brazil.
At the time, Japan was experiencing a deep recession, and many people were unemployed. Brazil was experiencing a labour shortage, and represented a new frontier full of hope.
The history of people from Gifu immigrating to Brazil began with dreams of working on coffee plantations and instant affluence.
(Port of Santos, photo courtesy of JICA Yokohama Japanese Overseas Migration Museum)
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Association of People from Gifu Prefecture commemorative photograph, 1937.
(Photo courtesy of the Brazilian Association of People from Gifu Prefecture)
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São Paulo Association of People from Gifu Prefecture commemorative photograph, 1940.
(Photo courtesy of the Brazilian Association of People from Gifu Prefecture)
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Bastos Association of People from Gifu Prefecture commemorative photograph, 1953.
(Photo courtesy of the Brazilian Association of People from Gifu Prefecture)
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Sakura Plantation, 1963.
(Photo courtesy of the Brazilian Association of People from Gifu Prefecture)
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Sakura Takamori Plantation in Guararema City, Brazil (old 'Village of Gifu Prefecture').
(Photo courtesy of Katsushi Tsuchida, first generation settler)
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Inauguration of the Association of People from Gifu Prefecture Hall in Brazil, 1978.
(Photo courtesy of Gifu Shimbun)
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Gifu-Brazil friendship fireworks display at Nagara River, 1993.
(Photo courtesy of Gifu Shimbun)
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Governor's address at commemorative ceremony for the 70 year anniversary of the foundation of the Brazilian Association of People from Gifu Prefecture, the 95 year anniversary of immigration to Brazil by people from Gifu Prefecture, and the 100 year anniversary of Japanese people immigrating to Brazil (given at the Brazilian Association of People from Aichi Prefecture Hall in São Paulo City).
(Photo courtesy of Gifu Prefecture)
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Governor of Gifu Prefecture being awarded honorary citizenship by
Mogi das Cruzes City Council President Jose Antonio Cuco Pereria
(at a reception hosted by Mogi das Cruzes City at an inner city shopping center).
(Photo courtesy of Gifu Prefecture)
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An opinion exchange with the Brazilian Association of People from Gifu Prefecture
(at the Brazilian Association of People from Gifu Prefecture Hall in São Paulo City).
(Photo courtesy of Gifu Prefecture)
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Signing ceremony for the sister city relationship agreement between Gifu City and Campinas City
(22 February 1982).
(Photo courtesy of Gifu City)
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A youth group from the Campinas Japan-Brazil Culture Association visits Gifu Prefecture
(15 – 22 July 2008), Youth exchange programme.
(Photo courtesy of Gifu City)
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Gifu City Junior High School Sports Association Select Team and Ponte Preta Soccer Team (Campinas)
(21 – 31 March 2013).
(Photo courtesy of Gifu City)
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Ceremony commemorating 30 years of sister city relations, Campinas City, signing an exchange memorandum (23 August 2013).
(Photo courtesy of Gifu City)
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Ceremony commemorating 30 years of sister city relations, presentation of a Gifu Paper Lantern
(23 August 2013).
(Photo courtesy of Gifu City)
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Signing ceremony for the sister city relationship agreement between Seki City and
Mogi das Cruzes City (5 September 1969).
Former Mayor of Seki City Mr Fukuoka presenting three Seki blades
while visiting Brazil with two assistants.
(Photo courtesy of Seki City)
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Mayor of Mogi de Cruzes with spouse and four assistants visiting Seki City (10 October 1986),
Seki Cutlery Festival Welcome Parade.
(Photo courtesy of Seki City)
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Ceremony commemorating 30 years of sister city relations (21 October 1999).
Group of ten official visitors plant commemorative Brazilian national flower
Ipê-amarelo (Tecoma chrysostricha) in front of Seki City hall.
(Photo courtesy of Seki City)
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Ceremony commemorating 25 years of sister city relations, Mogi das Cruzes City (27 June 1994).
(Photo courtesy of Seki City)
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Ceremony commemorating 35 years of sister city relations (30 October 2004).
Further deepening friendship through exchange events with local primary school students and company visits, etc.
(Photo courtesy of Seki City)
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Nakatsugawa Park in Registro City, São Paulo State.
(Photo courtesy of Nakatsugawa City)
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The floating of the lanterns for Brazilian Bon festival, celebrated annually in November.
(Photo courtesy of Nakatsugawa City)
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Visit to AME school (for children affected by poverty) in Registro City.
(Photo courtesy of Nakatsugawa City)
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Registro Friendship Group blacksmith experience.
(Photo courtesy of Nakatsugawa City)
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Tea Ceremony to welcome Registro Friendship Group.
(Photo courtesy of Nakatsugawa City)
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Ceremony commemorating 100 years of immigration from Gifu Prefecture to Brazil at the Association for People from Hiroshima Prefecture Hall in São Paulo, Brazil, 25 August 2013.
Greetings by Chairperson of the Association for People from Gifu Prefecture Hikoji Yamada.
(Photo courtesy of Gifu Shimbun)
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Participants from Gifu Prefecture at the ceremony commemorating 100 years of immigration from Gifu Prefecture to Brazil.
(Photo courtesy of Gifu Shimbun)
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Mr and Ms Ose at the Association for People from Hiroshima Prefecture Hall, who emigrated from Takayama City to Brazil 60 years ago.
(Photo courtesy of Gifu Shimbun)
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The Ono family, a fourth generation family whose ancestors emigrated from Seki City, took part in the ceremony commemorating 100 years of immigration from Gifu Prefecture to Brazil, at the Association for People from Hiroshima Prefecture Hall.
(Photo courtesy of Gifu Shimbun)
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Young Japanese-Brazilian people with roots in Gifu Prefecture, at the Association for People from Hiroshima Prefecture Hall.
(Photo courtesy of Gifu Shimbun)
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The Japanese Pavillion in Ibirapuera Park, São Paulo. Donated by Japanese people of Brazilian descent to commemorate 400 years since São Paulo became a city. Nakashima Construction in Nakatsugawa City is continuing with work on restorations in a volunteer capacity.
(Photo courtesy of Gifu Shimbun)
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A delegation to South America from Gifu Prefecture visiting a monument in Ibirapuera Park,
São Paulo City, dedicated to pioneer immigrants from Japan who lost their lives during the war.
(Photo courtesy of Gifu Shimbun)
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Every year the number of students from Hiro Gakuen Brazilian school going to top level universities, including the University of São Paulo, known as the Tokyo University of Brazil, are increasing.
(Photo courtesy of Gifu Shimbun)
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About 250 Japanese-Brazilian students study at Hiro Gakuen Brazilian school in Ogaki City.
The curriculum, which teaches four foreign languages, is stricter than the national curriculum.
Lunch break is a time to relax.
(Photo courtesy of Gifu Shimbun)
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Lucas Miyahira (front) is studying hard to get into the Brazilian Air Force Academy.
(Photo courtesy of Gifu Shimbun)
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Japanese-Brazilian children studying at Hiro Gakuen Brazilian school learning scales in a fifth grade music class.
(Photo courtesy of Gifu Shimbun)
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100 Years of Immigration

History of Exchange
- Association of People from Gifu Prefecture -

History of Exchange
- Gifu City and Campinas City -

History of Exchange
- Seki City and Mogi das Cruzes City -

History of Exchange
- Nakatsugawa City and Registro City -

Ceremony Commemorating 100 years of immigration from Gifu Prefecture

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