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Plaques mark the donation of Sakura trees to Toronto Island (left) and Scarboro Missions. The location on Toronto Island was renamed Cherry Street Lane to commemorate the donation. |
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Sakura Trees Embody Hope for Japan's Recovery
On a cloudy afternoon on June 11 (Sat.), the donation of 30 trees from the Sakura Project to Toronto Island was marked with a successful planting ceremony despite weather forecasts calling for rain. The following day, the donation of 15 trees to Scarboro Missions on Kingston Road was celebrated with another ceremony, this one involving a local Japanese dance group.
The Sakura Project began in the year 2000, with the objective to plant 3,000 Japanese flowering cherry trees at public locations in Ontario as a symbol of friendship between Japan and Canada. In addition to Toronto, donations have been made to numerous locations and municipalities, including Niagara Falls, Hamilton, Burlington and more. Trees donated from Tokyo to Toronto’s High Park in 1959 have now fully matured, and Sakura Project trees donated in 2001 are growing well alongside them. The beautiful Sakura blossoms once again delighted countless visitors to High Park this past spring.
Left photo: City of Toronto Parks Director RIchard Ubbens (left) expresses his appreciation for the trees while Friends of Toronto Island President Steve Fry (centre) and Acting Consul-General Nobuaki Yamamoto look on. Later, they gather at one of the trees to perform a ceremonial planting.
The planting on Toronto Island was made possible by the City of Toronto, the park management office on Toronto Island and the Friends of Toronto Island society. In attendance to give remarks were Acting Consul-General of Japan Nobuaki Yamamoto, City of Toronto Parks Director Richard Ubbens and Friends of Toronto Island President Steve Fry. Toronto Mayor Rob Ford also conveyed congratulatory greetings through a letter.
Director of the Japan Information Centre Masaya Otsuka addresses attendants at Scarboro Missions (left photo).
Later, the Urara Minbu-kai celebrate the donation in their own special way.
The planting in Scarborough was made possible by Scarboro Missions as well as the Toronto Japanese Catholic Community. Consul Masaya Otsuka, the Director of the Japan Information Centre, represented the Consulate-General of Japan, while the newly formed Urara Minbu-kai troupe performed three dances, infusing their enthusiasm and energy into the proceedings. Among the many attendants were Father John Carten, General Council of Scarboro Missions, and Toronto Japanese Catholic Community Chair Roy Sakaguchi.
Sakura blossoms bloomed in Japan this year, even in regions devastated by the Great East Japan Earthquake, giving hope to the victims of the March disaster. The recently planted trees on Toronto Island and at Scarboro Missions reflect the appreciation for the goodwill and generosity shown by the people of Toronto and Scarborough who devoted much time and funds toward the relief effort. They also embody hope for Japan’s recovery. Those involved in the Sakura Project sincerely hope they will grow to flower and symbolize the strong friendship that exists between Japan and Toronto.
