Unveiling Ceremony of the Monument in the Memory of Yoshitsune of Minamoto, Shizuka Gozen, and Shizuyoshi of Minamoto (July 29, 2022 in Hiraizumi, Iwate Prefecture)
On Friday, July 29 at 1:30 p.m., we held the unveiling ceremony of the stone monument in Hiraizumi that commemorates Yoshitsune of Minamoto, Shizuka Gozen, and their son, Shizuyoshi of Minamoto.
The monument was created in the hope that it would offer an opportunity for people to think about Yoshitsune, Shizuka Gozen, who suffered a tragic fate, and Shizuyoshi, the son born to them. The monument also represents a wish for reconciliation between the Minamoto clan and the Oshu-Fujiwara clan. On the back of the monument, the words "Love & Peace" are engraved, and we hope that this place will become a place of "Love & Peace" for all visitors. This monument was produced by Ishioto Sekizai, a stonemason shop based in Takaishi City, Osaka Prefecture, and the day before the ceremony, they drove all the way from Osaka to Hiraizumi, taking 15 hours to deliver it. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to them.
After the ceremony, a tea party was hosted by Ms. Kiyoko Chida from Senmaya Town, who is a member of the Urasenke school of the tea ceremony. We sincerely appreciate her continuous support. The tea party was followed by a performance of a piece of music by koto (Japanese harp) player Ms. Miho Yamaji. She played "Midare" composed by Kengyo Yatsuhashi in the 17th century. While listening to the powerful and beautiful sound of the koto, the audience relived the moment of Japan 400 years ago.
From the afternoon on July 8 to July 9, we went to Iwaizumi town, Iwate prefecture and visited Senkin Shuzo Co., Ltd., Iwaizumi Elementary School, Iwaizumi Milk Products Co., Ltd. and Tanohata Yamachi Rakunou Gyunyu Co., Ltd.
【Visit to Senkin Shuzou Co., Ltd.】
On July 8, we visited Mr. Giichiro Yaegashi, the owner of Senkin Shuzo, a sake brewery and an old friend of Mr. Ichirou Murakami,
our member. Established in the first year of Ansei (1854),
the historic brewery have brewed Japanese sake using the water from the underground lakes of Ryusendo Cave,
which is selected as one of the best 100 waters in Japan. Though we became late and visited the evening,
he warmly welcomed us and showed us the brewery.
Then at the fantastic place in there, Mr. and Mrs. Yaegashi prepared dinner to us with the help of their mother.
Luckily, that day hit on the opening date of "ayu" (sweetfish) fishery,
they also served us salt-grilled ayu. We really appreciate the pleasant dinner.
It was our first visit to Iwaizumi and the northern part of Iwate and they taught us a lot of new things.
【Visit to Iwaizumi Elementary School】
On July 9, due to our relationship with Ms. Kazue Takahashi,
the principal of Iwaizumi Elementary school―our base camp Senmaya International Club was
originally the estate of Ms. Takahashi's family―, we visited the school and saw a class.
Ms. Takahashi told us that they have 149 students now but the number of students has been decreasing year by year.
Her story saddened us.
They showed us a third year class by an American teacher and the students singing English songs cheerfully made us feel their eagerness to their future.
【Visit to Iwaizumi Milk Products Co., Ltd.】
On July 9 (Mon), we visited Iwaizumi Milk Co., Ltd., which locates just near Ryusendo Cave.
The company is famous for its product called "Iwaizumi Yoghurt". Ms. Osawa, the senior executive, showed us their factory.
Iwaizumi Milk was forced to stop operating because of the inundation caused by the heavy rain from Typhoon No. 10 in 2016.
However, they spent 3 billion yen and reconstructed the facilities rapidly.
Their effort astonished us and we couldn't help but wish they prosper more in the future.
【Visit to Tanohata Yamachi Rakuno Gyunyu Co. Ltd.】
On July 9, we visited Tanohata Yamachi Rakuno Gyunyu Co., Ltd., where cows are put to pasture and raised in the spacious field.
Mr Kimio Yoshizuka, the owner, runs the farm with his five children and all their family members.
Two days before visiting the farm, we stopped at Yoshinoya, which is a confectionery shop in Hiraizumi town and has long been kind to us.
Mr. Takashi Yoshino, the owner, told us that his sister married into the farmer.
We felt some kind of connection and we took the opportunity and visited the farm.
Kids Event （7/8 2018 at Rikuzentakata City, Iwate)
On July 8 (Sun), we held an event in Otomo town, Rikuzentakata city, Iwate prefecture,
for mingling with children in a foster home. Mr. Yuichi Murakami, a fisherman living in Otomo town,
cooperated with us as before and Mr. Endo of Team Watahoi came all the way to help us.
21 children enjoyed fishing and barbecue with us and deepen the relationship.
Though it was cloudy that day, we did not have difficulties from the rain as we had two years ago and began auspiciously.
Because of some trouble of the fishing boat, fishing and barbecue become the main event for the day.
Fishing was popular among children last time and we had prepared more fishing tools for more children to experience it.
Many children were very happy because they were able to catch fish and we felt glad that our effort might lead to their happiness.
While the children were enjoying, our staff members prepared for the barbecue.
It went very smoothly because we already experienced twice.
This time, Mr. Butt, a friend of our member Tahir and from Pakistan, joined us and
prepared tandoori chicken soaked with yogurt and spices from the previous day. Mr. Murakami, a fisherman,
generously offered us plenty of "keganis" (hairy clubs), octopuses, "tsubugais" (whelks) and so on,
free of charge, which made our barbecue lunch a rich one.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Mr. Murakami for always cooperating with us.
At the end, with Japanese "sanbon-jime" (three sets of three claps and one final clap) and Burgundian "Ban Bourguigon", the event was closed.
To assist the independence of children who are going to play important roles in the future,
we would like to continue a variety of activities. We are grateful to everyone for cooperating with us.
Dinner with teachers from local junior high schools（7/7 2018 at Ichinoseki City, Iwate）
On July 7, we invited three teachers from local junior high schools to dinner.
Three teachers are from different junior high schools in Ichinoseki city and
we listened to them about the present issues of the local children.
We also told them about the difference in education between in Islam and in Japan and
the required educations in response to changes in society.
It was a great opportunity for exchanging information and opinions.
We are grateful to the three teachers for joining the dinner.
Violin Solo Concert Tour "Hope to meet again"-until the day of meeting (5/18-22, 2018)
[Introduction]
We invited an Italian Violinist, Mr. Gian Paolo Peloso, to Japan for playing violin in various parts of the southern part of Iwate Prefecture.
He is holding concerts in various parts of the world, while teaching violin at the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts.
(http://www.gianpaolopeloso.com/)
It was a five-day exhausting tour with the distance we travelled reached at approximately 2,000 kilometers ,
but with the significant support of friends and acquaintances from Japan and abroad,
it was very fortunate that we were able to carry out the tour on schedule without any trouble.
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all of them for their cooperation.
[At the former Okawa Elementary School site]
From 2 p.m. on Friday, May 18, 2018, we held a solo concert of requiem on the site of former Okawa Elementary School in Ishinomaki City.
Although we worried about the weather the most, the rain subsided during the opening time,
and people of the Okawa district led by Mr. Takeyama gathered to listen to violin solo concert
under the tent that they had kindly prepared for this event.
We had emotional feeling as though seventy-four deceased children and victims gathered beside us to listen to the music.
We appreciate the cooperation of Mr. Takeyama and his friends.
[At the main hall of Chuson-ji Temple]
On Saturday, May 19, 2018, we held a solo concert of requiem in the main hall of Chuson-ji Temple from 9:30 a.m.
This event was held with the valuable effort of the priest, Mr. Shinshou Haseki.
We had the pleasure of Mr. Yamada and Mr. Sugawara's (the chief priest) company on the concert.
The Chaconne of the Bach filled the main hall, and it was a moment of emotion.
[At the former town office building of Otsuchi Town]
On Saturday, May 19, 2018, at 2:30 p.m., we held a solo concert for requiem in front of the former town office building in Otsuchi Town.
We strongly support the activities of Eigo Takahashi, Buddhism priest,
representative of the "Society for the Future and Life of Otsuchi," a civil group urging the save of the former town office building.
We believe that the preservation of the old town office buildings is also important in the meaning of expressing gratitude to the world for the Otsuchi Town,
which is emerging with a great deal of support from both Japan and overseas.
At 2:46 p.m., the time of the earthquake struck, all the members prayed silently,
with the anchor of the Otsuchi Town Mayor, Mr. Yutaka Ikarigawa, serving as the facilitator.
In the same harsh cold as on the day of the earthquake, around 60 people gathered together.
The activities of the day were reported in Mainichi Shimbun and the Iwate Daily next day, which we would like to introduce as follows.
<In front of the former town office building for the performance of memorial services for the victims of Otsuchi, an Italian musician>
Source: Mainichi Shimbun, May 20, 2018, morning edition
<Violin Concert in Otsuchi old town hall, the tone of requiem echoed through,>
Source: "Iwate Daily, May 20, 2018, morning edition"
[At Senmaya International House]
From noon on Sunday, May 20, 2018, at the Senmaya International House, we hold a luncheon party named "Green & White Day" on the theme of "Ecology".
Wishing to hold a large-scale event, such as soirees held in Italian towns, at some time in Senmaya as a part of the town's revitalization,
we held a small banquet as a starting trial on the sites of the Senmaya International Club.
In Italy for such occasions, based on the theme of ecology, local people bring their own glasses and plates that can be used repeatedly.
They gather and deepen their exchanges until late at night enjoying conversations and the dishes which are served on their plates
in exchange with the tickets they purchased in advance.
Since the reserve period for this event was short, we thought it would be better even if only our intended image can be understood by local people,
so we held the event during the bright daytime, thinking about the children.
We would like to see this project should be developed into a gathering hosted by the Senmaya area in the future.
To begin with, we believe that deepening the friendship between the elderly and young men and women in the local community
leads to town revitalization and regional development.
Since there were many participants from foreign countries, we wanted them to enjoy the Japanese tea ceremony after lunch.
So we asked Mr. Murakami, who looks after Senmaya, whether there would be anyone willing to serve tea on Sunday.
He introduced us Ms. Kiyoko Senda (Urasenke) , and thanks to her, six ladies set up a tea ceremony site.
It was very popular among not only foreign visitors, but also other Japanese participants. We thank to these ladies very much.
The event was also participated by children and teachers from Ofunato.
We were really happy to see that they were talking and falling down laughing happily
in spite of those from Ofunato and other places were strangers for them.
We felt the future is brighter. We wished to continue our long-table lunch,
with the children as a core, who are the bearers of future.
[At Higashiyama Junior High School and Senmaya High School]
On Monday, May 21, from 10:45, a concert was held at the Ichinoseki Municipal Higashiyama Junior High School (from close bond to Dr. Akimi Kosaka),
and from 14:40 on Tuesday, May 22, at the Iwate Prefectural Senmaya High School (from close bond to Dr. Waka Yamamoto).
We have given the young students who will be the leaders in the future a concert of Peloso who are active globally.
Approximately 150 students from 1st to 3rd grade of Higashiyama Junior High School and
approximately 250 students from 2nd to 3rd grade of Senmaya High School listened enthusiastically to the performances with bright eyes.
I would be happy if those students could feel some kind of important message
