Tree Planting Ceremonies in Six Districts of Takaho Region, Suzaka City, Nagano Prefecture
(Districts of Nobe, Muraishi-machi, Kami-Haccho, Shimo-Haccho, Bogakudai, Myotoku)
Mr. Seiji Arai, who read the article on the Kaki Tree Project in the Shinano Mainichi Shimbun, applied for the Project. The planting took place on 1 March 2001 at Takaho Elementary School in Suzaka City. Members of the Takaho regional development committee had been watching over the two kaki trees since its planting in 2001. Since the trees have started producing fruit, locals took initiatives in passing on the story of the seedlings of the bombed kaki tree to children through a kaki fruit peeling competition and other events. They also have been consistently providing peace education to children, and three pupil representatives from Takaho Elementary School took part in the Nagasaki Peace Memorial Ceremony in August 2011. When Dr. Ebinuma joined the peeling contest held in October 2011, they discussed plantings in these six districts.
The plantings in 4 districts took place on 3 March prior to the tree planting ceremony. The ceremony was held at 9 am on 4 March, in front of the Art Print Museum in the Nobe District. They decorated the venue with a red-and-white curtain, and Suzaka Mayor Masao Miki, Takaho Regional Community Center Director Shuji Isshiki, the Takaho regional development committee member Hiroaki Nakazawa, Takaho Elementary School Principal Akinori Horigome, and six district directors attended. 20 pupils, including the three who went to Nagasaki in August 2011, from Takaho Elementary School also attended the ceremony. After the organizer’s greeting, they planted the tree, and afterward the guests of honor made speeches. They applied hay around the seedling immediately after the planting to keep it warm. People in Takaho know how to take good care of plants as the region is well-known for fruit growing.
Then, they moved to Muraishi-machi District and held the tree planting ceremony at the community center at 10 am. Mr. Susumu Aoki, Director of Muraishi-machi District, first made a speech, then Dr. Ebinuma and Tatsuo Miyajima delivered messages. After the planting, local volunteers played ocarina and guitar, and a total of 50 people including 10 Takaho Primary School pupils sang “Furusato” together.
The Takaho regional development committee members’ caring attitude toward the community and its people moved us deeply.
