Commemorative Ceremony Held Marking the 60th Anniversary of the Sakura Donation to High Park and the Enthronement of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan
2019/5/3
From left: Consul-General of Japan Takako Ito, Ontario MPP Bhutila Karpoche, His Worship Mayor John Tory
of Toronto and Canadian Federal MP Arif Virani take part in a ceremonial planting of a Sakura tree.
On April 28, in Toronto’s High Park, the Consulate-General of Japan held the Commemorative Ceremony for the 60th Anniversary of the Sakura Donation to High Park and the Enthronement of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan. This ceremony included the planting of new Sakura (Japanese Flowering cherry) trees to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the 1959 donation of Sakura trees by the citizens of Tokyo to the citizens of Toronto, and to wish for further development of the already fruitful friendship between Japan and Toronto. Consul-General of Japan Takako Ito took part in the ceremonial planting along with His Worship John Tory, the Mayor of Toronto, as well as local Canadian Federal MP Arif Virani and local Ontario MPP Bhutila Karpoche. There also were performances by the traditional Japanese music ensemble Ten Ten and the Sakuramai dance group. The Toronto Chapter of the Urasenke Tankokai held a demonstration of an outdoor tea ceremony.
A total of 17 new Sakura trees will be planted among High Park, Trinity Bellwoods Park and Cedarvale Park.
Consul-General Ito speaks on Japan-Canada friendship as well as on the start of Japan’s new Reiwa era.
Mayor Tory stresses the friendship between the citizens of Toronto and Japan in his speech.
Mr. Virani gives congratualtory remarks.
Ms. Karpoche also extends congratulations.
Performance by the traditional Japanese music ensemble Ten Ten.
A performance by the Yosakoi dance group Sakuramai.
Mayor Tory and others experience the hospitality of an outdoor tea ceremony.
The event was covered by local media.