The Kaki Tree Project participated in Echigo- tsumari Art Triennial in 2000 and in cooperation with people of Tahei district of Matsudai-cho, an unoccupied private house was remodeled and exhibited as “Kaki-an”, Inspired by this exhibit, Taihei Tomo-no-kai and Tahei Kodomo-kai applied for the tree planting and it was realized in the district. Since this region is deeply covered with snow during the winter, the tree presentation ceremony was held on the 10th of March and the official tree planting ceremony was held on the 28th of October.
On the 10th of March, the tree presentation ceremony was held on the stage at an local event called “Fuyu-no-Jin.” During the ceremony, there was an explanation of the Kaki Tree Project and presentation of the tree by Mrs. Junko Ebinuma as well as a speech made by Takeda on behalf of Kodomo-kai.
A lot of people gathered to the event despite the deep snow and freezing temperature.
The tree planting ceremony was held on the 28th of October and Yoshida Yu conducted a workshop. The workshop was attended by several local children ranging from Kindergarten to high school, who participated in the tree planting ceremony. During the workshop, the participants were divided into two groups and drew persimmon trees with fruit on a big drawing paper using their imagination how the tree, which was planted on the occasion of Tahei’s harvest festival, would look like with fruit 10 years later. Two pictures were accomplished: one is depicting a persimmon tree growing with the sun, whose color is the same as persimmon, shining in the background; the other is depicting different expressions of persimmon. These pictures were to be displayed at Sato-no-ie in Matsudai.
The people in Tahei district of Matsudai-cho have been taking a good care of the tree and it continues to grow. As the staff participated in the event lived in Kaki-an for a while after the exhibition, the local people and the Kaki Tree Project executive committee member still actively communicate with each other to this day.
There is a plan to invite people together again on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the tree planting.
