Takaho area of Suzaka City has been famous for persimmon tree production since early times and the school emblem design of Takaho Elementary School is based on a persimmon flower. Though the local people still have a special feeling toward persimmon, the most of the persimmon trees were destroyed by the powerful typhoon came to Ise Bay in 1971 and there is not many remnants of “the home of persimmon trees” any more. Mr. Seiji Arai, chairman of the regional development committee, read a newspaper article on the Kaki Tree Project and applied for the tree planting because he wanted to make it as “a starting point of peace movement” by planting “the second generation persimmon trees from the atomic bombed tree”.
Prior to the tree planting, children made three dimensional message cards wishing for peace. When cards were opened, two persimmons pop up and on the persimmons there were messages written by them about peace and how they want to take a good care of the trees.
The tree planting ceremony was attended by the pupils of all grades and the local people.
At the ceremony, the persimmon trees were presented and Mr. Seiji Arai, chairman of the regional development committee and Mr. Masayuki Ebinuma gave speeches. A drum and fife band performed some music and the trees were covered with the soil.
In the following year, persimmon tree nickname contest was held there and the ones by a first grader were adopted. The trees were named “Takky” and “Nacky.” The trees have grown and even borne fruit. Takaho Elementary School organizes an “Experience persimmon peeling” event in which all the pupils participate in every November after the tree planting.
At the event, participants including children and people from elderly association, women’s group, PTA, the regional development committee as well as other locals enjoy making Hoshigaki, skewered dried persimmons, which are later delivered to pupils, kindergartens and other nearby institutions.
