Sumida River the oldest and most famous firework displays in Japan, are launched from barges across the river, between Ryōgoku and Asakusa during Summer, a festival is also held at the same time. The poet Matsuo Bashō lived by the Sumida River, alongside the famous banana tree (Japanese: bashō) from which he takes his nom de plume. The Sumida River appears in a haiku by Issa from 1820: "spring peace--a mouse licking upSumida River" The Sumida runs through Tokyo for 27 kilometers, under 26 bridges spaced at about one bridge per kilometer. Amongst these, the principal ones are: Sumida River The is
Shizuka Arakawa in Turin, Italy to congratulate her. Koizumi said, "I cheered for you with excitement while I watched television. All the Japanese people are rejoicing. I give a perfect score to every bit of your performance." Arakawa retired after her Olympic victory. She continues to skate in exhibition programs and is a regular skating commentator for Japanese TV. She competed in the 2006 Ice Wars on the World team. She also produces her own show, "Friends on Ice". Arakawa also does choreography. In 2006, Arakawa appeared in a Japanese TV drama, "Shichinin no onna bengoshi" (7 female lawyers), presented by Asahi