Heart of Hiroshima

Nishikigoi is said to have originated in Niigata Prefecture about 200 years ago, but Nishikigoi cultivation also began in Hiroshima about 100 years ago. Nishikigoi farming flourished, taking advantage of the mild climate and high-quality river water.
Nishikigoi were named after the brilliant colors on their bodies that are found in kimono or silk fabrics ‒ “nishiki” in Japanese. They are called “swimming jewels” or “swimming artworks”, which many aficionados from abroad are fond of. As such, these special fish are called ”koi” or “Nishikigoi” instead of the usual “carp.” Breeders have long steadily developed a variety of beautiful Nishikigoi, and currently more than 100 kinds are being bred nationwide.
In Hiroshima, koi fish are seen as a symbol of peace. They rarely fight amongst themselves and are a calming presence.

 

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Hiroshima Bonsai
(Niwayoshikaen)

Nishi Ward, Hiroshima City is said to be the places of origin of Hiroshima bonsai. In this art form, a plant or tree is grown in poor soil called masa to retard its growth. By meticulously manipulating its growth process, the tree is made to grow in delicately balanced ways. This technique enables Hiroshima bonsai to be grown in beautifully elaborate detail.
There are many types of Hiroshima bonsai. The most renowned of these, called nishikimatsu, sport distinctive and beautiful trunk bark, so they are known to be ideal elements for expressing beautiful natural scenes. The name nishikimatsu (“brocade pine”) is known to have been bestowed on these bonsai by a Japanese emperor.
Bonsai that managed to survive the atomic blast, known as “Hiroshima survivor trees,” remain beautiful to this day. They have come to symbolize the spirit of Hiroshima. While Hiroshima bonsai are heirlooms of tradition and aesthetic sensibility, they are also constantly evolving as they incorporate new ideas. We hope you enjoy this beautiful and elevated art form.

 

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Lacquer-coated bonsai
(Lacquerware artist TAKAYAMANaoya,
 Bonsaimaster CHAKUNO Matsutaro)

Bonsai master CHAKUNO Matsutaro cut off the branches eaten by insects, treated the roots, then I coated the bonsai with lacquer. The colour scheme was designed to bring breathe new life into the dead tree, which was left only with its branches and bones, while the trunk was regiven the strength it was thought to have originally possessed.
Lacquer has been used in Japan since the Jōmon period (14,000–300 BCE) for binding and decorating earthenware and wooden products. In recent years, it has only been used for limited purposes such as lacquerware, Buddhist altars, temples and shrines, but this lacquered foil wood represents the original use of lacquer in preserving wood.

 

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Art of ORIGAMI Cranes
（Hiroshima Municipal Board of Education）

Thousands of Hiroshima children have made Origami cranes hoping for bright future and eternal world peace, and high school students have produced two fine masterpieces with these cranes. (This art is one of them.)
This shows people praying for peace, putting their palms together. Seven rainbow colors represents G7 countries working together for peace as world leaders. The light between the palms is the symbol of hope and warmth.
Through this Origami work, we wish people around the world receive our message from Hiroshima.

Smile for Peace Project Mosaic Art
（Organizer: Citizens Council for the Hiroshima Summit，Supporting organization: The Chugoku Shimbun）

This mosaic artwork was created by citizens wishing a warm welcome for the G7 Hiroshima Summit,
featuring 6237 photos of Hiroshima citizens.
Two artworks were published in the morning edition of the Chugoku Shimbun on February 8, 2023 and May 12, 2023. The art on the right depicts the beautiful islands of the Seto Inland Sea in the background, and an origami crane (a symbol of peace) taking off from the palm on an outstretched hand expresses Hiroshima's spirit and wish for peace.The art on the right depicts paper cranes representing the G7 nations spreading their wings with the message "from here to the world, from here to the future" spreading Hiroshima's message of peace.
We are honored to welcome you to Hiroshima.

 

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Fukuyama , a-world-class city of roses
（Fukuyama City）

Fukuyama: The City of Roses- A symbol of hope and peace, had its origins in the mid-1950s when residents planted 1,000 roses in a local park in order to give life to the destructed city and boost the spirits of its people among the post-war destruction.
Today, after an extended period, the Community Spirit through Roses (like a spirit of compassion, kindness, and mutual cooperation) that has been nurtured by the residents for nearly 70 years through caring for and cultivating roses, is now embraced by each and every citizen. The city has evolved into a world-class rose metropolis, with a million roses blossoming magnificently throughout the city. The World Rose Convention is set to be held here in May 2025.
The “Flower Wall” is a beautiful and expressive installation of approximately 3,000 preserved flowers. It symbolizes the collective hope for peace that the citizens of Fukuyama entrusted to the enduring beauty of the rose, representing their steadfast commitment to peaceful coexistence amidst the abundant floral magnificence of the city.

 

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Origami Cranes PEACE Box
（Hiroshima Television Corporation）

Believing that it is important to "remember" what happened in Hiroshima in the past in order to prevent the tragedy from happening again, Hiroshima TV launched the G7 Hiroshima Summit Campaign with the keyword "NEVER FORGET". In the "Origami Crane Project," we have invited citizens and celebrities to make "origami (folded paper) cranes", and introduced the process of making them and their thoughts and feelings put into ”origami cranes" in the programs and on the website.
The "PEACE Box" on display is filled with "origami cranes" sent by everyone. This is filled with people's wishes for peace.

 

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Shodo (Calligraphy) Performance Works

In an expression of hope for the success of G7 Hiroshima Summit 2023, students at six high schools in Hiroshima Prefecture sent a message of peace to the world through the “power of writing.” In time to music, the students wielded brushes big and small to create impressive works of shodo (Japanese calligraphy).

・Shodo Club, Gionkita (Hiroshima) Prefectural Senior High School

・Shodo Club, Kanon (Hiroshima) Prefectural Senior High School

・Shodo Club, Minami (Hiroshima) Prefectural High School

・Fine Arts Club, Tojo (Hiroshima) Prefectural Senior High School

・Shodo Club, Hiroshima Municipal Secondary School

・Shodo Club, Motomachi (Hiroshima) Municipal Senior High School

 

• Click here for deails（Shodo Club,Gionkita（Hiroshima）PrefectualSenior High School）（external website)

Earth of Roses
（Shudo Junior & Senior High School）

Approximately 4,000 origami roses were used in this artwork. Each of these roses was folded by Shudo Students.
Green roses mean "hope", blue ones mean "dreams will be fulfilled", white ones mean "purity" and yellow ones used where Ukraine is, means "peace". These color are the flower symbolism in Japanese.
Origami is an iconic symbol of Japan, and we put our heart into making it with the hope that it will be a chance to bridge Japan and the world at the G7 Summit which will be held in Hiroshima.

 

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