Secretary Kempthorne, Regional Director Joe Lawler, Japanese Ambassador to the United States Ryoto Kato, and representatives from the National Conference of State Societies braved cooler than normal temperatures and a gusts of wind on Easter Sunday to help light the 356-year-old Japanese stone lantern as a part of the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival.
Set amongst some of the oldest cherry trees on the Tidal Basin, the lighting of the Japanese stone lantern recognizes the gift of both the cherry trees and the stone lantern, but also symbolizes the on-going friendship between the American and Japanese peoples.
An honored speaker included Mrs. Yukika Sohma, the 96-year-old daughter of Tokyo Mayor Yukiko Ozaki, whose idea and organization resulted in the original gift of 3,000 cherry trees to Washington, D.C. in 1912. Speaking in English, Sohma addressed the crowd of approximately 300 onlookers in a highly enthusiastic manner about the personal significance to both her late father and herself of the high-level of care the cherry trees receive from the National Park Service. She spoke emotionally about realizing a personal dream with this, her first trip to see the cherry trees and cherry blossoms her father envisioned when she was just one year old.
“You’ve taken good care of my father’s trees, and for that I’m forever grateful,” Sohma said. “How beautiful they are and I know my father would be proud of your work.”
Secretary Kempthorne gratefully acknowledged Sohma and noted that the gift of the trees her father sent has grown into the large attraction and event that heralds springtime in Washington. Lawler highlighted the partnership between the NPS and the National Cherry Blossom Festival and that of the Japanese embassy, and thanked the efforts of the National Mall & Memorial Parks’ cherry tree crew for its high level of expertise in the on-going maintenance of the 3,750 cherry trees that line the Tidal Basin, the Washington Monument grounds and Hains Point.
The ceremony featured traditional Japanese Sakura music by the Washington Toho Koto Society and highlighted the International Cherry Blossom Festival princesses, representing 50 states and the District of Columbia.
