The "Handai Boat" participates in the Tenjin Festival again this year

Osaka University marked its 6th participation in the annual Tenjin Festival in Osaka City on Sunday, July 25 with the launching of the "Handai Boat"* onto the waters of the Yodogawa River. In 2011, the university will celebrate its 80th anniversary, and, thus, the boat set sail sporting the anniversary slogan "Reflecting on the origin... Looking to the future...".

A total of 146 people were on board--former president of Osaka University KUMAGAI Nobuaki, alumni, current faculty and staff, members of the Parent Supporters' Union, and a number of international students. In addition, members of the alumni association of the former Naniwa Senior High School were also on board.

Before setting sail, representatives of 4 universities--Osaka University, Kansai University, Kyoto Sangyo University, and Otemon Gakuin University--exchanged cheers. Now an annual custom, this year the exchange was carried out on the boat of Kansai University. Trustees and deans of the universities enjoyed a pleasant time, greeted one another, and exchanged happi coats and cheers.

*"Handai" is the Japanese nickname for Osaka University.

Making the voyage both pleasant and informative were special guests, the comic story-teller KATSURA Shuncho and SHIMIZU Fumiko (alumna of Osaka University of Foreign Studies) who posed as the conversation partner of the story-teller. Chairing this informative and humorous overview of the Tenjin Festival was HIRAYAMA Ai.

Passengers showed their appreciation of the cheers of the university's cheerleading group and the easy-listening music of the group JAZZ with warm applause.

In this way, the 3-hour voyage reinforced the bonds of solidarity among the Osaka University family while providing memories for the summer ahead.

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