Akabane Nature Park in the Kita district of Tokyo is the site of a former military factory. Utilizing a piece of land with that sort of history, the Kita district took a unique approach by having local residents participate in creating the park.
In 1996, when second-generation persimmon trees from World War II atomic bombings were first exhibited (“Water Ripples ‘95” Watari Museum of Contemporary Art, Sept 2– Oct 1), and the Kita district learned that they were up for adoption, the trees were gladly afforded space in the park. The park was completed in 1999. So three years after the offer was made, the planting of the trees finally took place on March 13th, 1999.
As there had been no staff presence established nearby to oversee tree-planting at the sight during those three years, some difficulties did arise when the official tree-planting event was actually held. But, through the efforts of Mr. Tsuguo Kawai, who designed the landscaping for the park layout, the opportunity arose to create a tree-planting event that brought together local residents and children. Working together mainly with volunteers from the Persimmon Tree action committee, the planting ceremony came off without a hitch.
At a workshop held that day entitled, “The Persimmon Tree Story“, participants enjoyed a lecture on the tress and wilderness by tree surgeon Dr. Nobuo Koike. Next, children used crayons and paints to make pictures to send to the Canaria Islands in Spain, where another tree-planting event was taking place that same day. The paper used for the pictures was recycled from things like milk cartons, and provided by the members of Amicus, a local citizens group that, among other activities, manufactures paper. After sending the pictures to the people of Finca de Osorio in the Canaria Islands, the Japan side received a letter of thanks and candles made in the Canaria Islands as a symbol of friendship.
After the tree planting, Ms. Shigeko Taguchi of the Try Network community group organized gatherings to tell “the story of the persimmon trees from the World War II atomic bombings”, and Mr. Toyota, also of the Try Network community group, gave enthusiastic presentations about the trees at periodic wilderness outings, thus ensuring that these persimmon trees had really taken root in the hearts of the local people, despite the lack of constant staff presence nearby.
