2022 "Meet Our Friendship Cities in Taoyuan" Exhibition: Kagawa, Japan

Over the past seven years, Taoyuan City has continued to strengthen its international exchanges, raise its international visibility, and gradually enhance the international perspective of the public and private sectors to create business opportunities. To date, it has forged alliances with 33 cities around the world, laying a solid foundation for city diplomacy. In addition to sharing governance expertise, it also maintains ties through various exchange activities.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, international cities have only been able to communicate with each other online through video conferencing. The "Meet Our Friendship Cities in Taoyuan" Exhibition had participation from 14 sister cities and friendly cities from five countries in Asia, the Americas and Europe. Commemorative gifts and wonderful products from various countries were on display, enabling visitors to the Taoyuan exhibition to enjoy a taste of cities overseas and feel the glow of warmth and friendship from afar.

Kagawa Prefecture lies on the Seto Inland Sea in the northeastern part of Japan's Shikoku island. The climate is warm. Since ancient times, the Seto Inland Sea where Kagawa Prefecture is located has been known as the "jewel of the world". Kagawa Prefecture has developed a unique cultural landscape. It has been named a must-see destination by world-class travel magazines and websites.

Taoyuan City and Japan's Kagawa Prefecture signed friendship cities agreement on July 18, 2016. Since then, the two sides have had extensive interaction and cooperation in areas of arts and culture, tourism, education, agriculture, gastronomy, economy, and sports. Many of the events held by one side have counterparts on the other: the Taoyuan Land Art Festival vs. the Setouchi Triennale, the Taoyuan Hakka Cooking Competition vs. the Kagawa New Year Udon Competition, the Taoyuan Half Marathon vs. the Kagawa Marugame International Half Marathon. Exchange activities have also included high school orchestras, women's softball, and English conversation practice for children.

Japanese artisan Tamakaji Zokoku invented a unique Kagawa lacquer technique at the end of the Edo period by combining Chinese, Japanese, and Southeast Asian techniques. Kinma is one of the five major Kagawa lacquer techniques.

Kagawa's unique bamboo itobori (one-knife carving), which traces its origin to the Sanuki-bori technique used in Kagawa lacquerware, expertly uses the robustness and elegance of bamboo to create art. On display here are a deity clad in red, a goddess, and a deity holding a spear.

Botaori (literally "long-lasting textiles") was reserved for the wealthy in Japan. A high-end textile, botaori is known for its fine texture and durability.

Paulownia geta sandals have been produced in Shido, Kagawa Prefecture, for over 100 years. With more than 60% of market share, Shido is the hub of this traditional footwear in Japan.

The olive is the prefectural tree of Kagawa and also a local specialty crop. This handkerchief is decorated with images of olives and scenery around Japan's Seto Inland Sea.

With over 400 years' history, the Marugame uchiwa fan is one of the three most renowned uchiwa fans in Japan. Made entirely by hand, the fan stands at the peak of craftsmanship.

The tiger symbolizes bravery and tiger artifacts are often used by families to pray that their children grow up healthy. In Kagawa Prefecture, tigers have always been displayed during the Tango no Sekku festival. The tigers displayed here were made by hand and have different facial features.

Carp streamers are ubiquitous in Japan during the Tango no Sekku festival. Hand-drawn carp streamers are made from Japanese paper, with the scales and eyes exquisitely drawn by hand, making each one unique.