Honorary Consul General of Japan in San Diego

February 17, 2007

President Bill Thompson, officers, members and friends of the Koi Club of San Diego, congratulations on your 20^th anniversary KCSD Koi Show. My most sincere welcome to Head Judge Senichi Mano, Chairman of the “All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association,” and Judges Shunichi Yoshida, Masaaki Matsuura, Pam Spindola, Ron Goforth, and Ray Abell.

There are two distinct words in Japanese that are pronounced “Koi.” The first word refers to the fish Koi or Nishikigoi, and the art of raising and enjoying the beauty of Koi, an incredibly graceful creation that nature has given us and we, human beings, continue to perfect. I am grateful to all of you for making Koi, Japan’s symbol of harmony, beauty and grace, now also a symbol of its friendship with San Diego, America’s Finest City.

The second word “Koi,” refers to a “passionate love.”

In addition to being the 20^th anniversary of KCSD’s Koi Show, 2007 also marks several important milestones in Japan’s Koi (love) for San Diego:

• The 50^th anniversary of San Diego-Yokohama Sister City relationship, arguably the oldest sister cities relationship in California.
• The 120^th anniversary of the opening of the first Japanese American store, “Koban,” on Broadway in downtown San Diego.
• The 120^th anniversary of the 1887 goodwill visit to San Diego by the Japanese navy training ship, Tsukuba.

Through this Koi exhibit, it is befitting that you are sharing not just your passion for Koi, but also your passion for beauty, peace and friendship that your Koi of Koi brings to visitors from all around the world.

For this, I am truly grateful.

Michael Shigeru Inoue, Ph.D.