Sakura saplings stand in the grove by the Management Building at UTSC.
The trees of the Sakura Project have taken root on two campuses of the University of Toronto (U of T). On October 12, a dedication ceremony was held at the U of T's Scarborough Campus (UTSC) to commemorate its reception of 50 Sakura trees from the Project, as well as the 70 trees donated to the University's St. George Campus.
At a reception hosted by U of T Vice-President and UTSC Principal Kwong-loi Shun, U of T President David Naylor expressed his appreciation for the donation. "On behalf of the University of Toronto, I wish to thank Consul-General Yamaguchi, who chairs the Sakura Committee, along with members of the Committee and the community for this remarkable gift," he said.
"The University of Toronto has enjoyed many academic partnerships, student and faculty exchanges and research enquiries with Japan, including those with the University of Tokyo; Kyoto University; the University of Tsukuba; Tokyo Medical and Dental University; Kyushu University; Nagoya University; Nihon University and Waseda University," Prof. Naylor added. "As a symbol of the friendship and goodwill between Japan and Canada, the Sakura provide us with the opportunity to remark upon these connections."
Left Photo: Prof. Naylor (far left), Mr. Yamaguchi (second from left) and Prof. Shun (far right) along with Campus Students Union President Lendyl D'Souza unveil the plaque commemorating the donation. Right Photo: Traditional Japanese music by the group Ten Ten provides entertainment.
"The Secretariat of the Sakura Project has been working for some time to plant the Sakura at the University of Toronto, a highly prestigious institution that is a source of Canadian pride," responded Consul General of Japan and Chair of the Sakura Committee Hisao Yamaguchi. "We often turn to the University of Toronto for assistance in recruiting suitable candidates for the Japan Exchange and Teaching, or JET, Programme," he explained, adding, "The Cultural Department of this Scarborough campus has also worked closely with our Consulate General in the past, holding events featuring Japanese musicians, artists and writers. We therefore feel this donation of Sakura trees to the University of Toronto most appropriate and befitting our project."
"I myself enjoy meeting frequently with professors from the U of T, as they provide invaluable, intellectual insights often helpful in my work," said Mr. Yamaguchi.
Prof. Shun, Mr. Yamaguchi, Prof. Naylor, along with the wife of the Consul General, Chieko Yamaguchi (centre front) and Paule Ouimet-Scott, Executive Director of Advancement (centre rear) pose at the grove with the trees and representatives of the Japanese Canadian Students Association.
The Sakura donation to the U of T's St. George Campus downtown can be seen around the Robarts Library, 130 St. George Street.