LINE 156 3rd Afuhi Summit

Hollyhock is used for the Aoi Festival, which is one of the three major festivals in Kyoto. On November 7, Afuhi Project, an NPO that promotes education on the conservation of culture and environment through activities such as growing of hollyhocks, held the third "Afuhi Summit" at Kamigamo Shrine (Kita-ku, Kyoto) in cooperation with NTT West.

NTT West has been working together with Afuhi Project to carry out activities on the reproduction of hollyhocks at Kamigamo Shrine. The Afuhi Summit provides a good opportunity for the younger generation to learn about the importance of nature and culture and get a hands-on feel of the tradition. This year, the 3rd Afuhi Summit was held as part of the project to support the 42nd grand relocation of Kamigamo Shrine. Presentations of what has been learned, feedback, lectures and other activities were held with children from Kyoto, Shizuoka and Fukui who are host parents of the hollyhocks connected via the "Flet's Hikari" videoconferencing system provided by NTT West.

The summit kicked off with a speech by the Technology Innovation Department Manager, Mr. Uema. He delivered a presentation on the hollyhock host family activities which NTT West employees are also taking part in together with other elementary school children, and also activities of the "Midori Ippai Project." This was followed by a speech by the Mayor of Kyoto City, Mr. Kadokawa, who talked about the importance of learning the history of Kamigamo Shrine through activities to grow hollyhocks.

After the speeches, children from three different locations in Japan were connected via a videoconferencing system. Presentations by the respective groups were made on what they have learned through the experience of growing hollyhocks.
The main topics of presentation are as follows.

繝ｻSabae City Tachimachi Elementary School:The hollyhock emblem of the Matsudaira family adopted by the Yoshie-han, a domain that was related to Sabae City, and the growing of hollyhocks

繝ｻKyoto City Shichiku Elementary School:
Activities to grow 15 hollyhock plants and future plans and aspirations

繝ｻShizuoka City Aoi Elementary School:
The hollyhock emblem of the Tokugawa family and the history of Tokugawa Ieyasu

繝ｻKyoto City Kamigamo Elementary School:
Activities to explore the ecosystem of a stream named ""Nara-no-ogawa"" where the hollyhocks of Kamigamo Shrine grow

繝ｻKyoto City Ichiharano Elementary School:
Findings of survey on the Kurama-gawa River where hollyhocks grow

Children from the elementary schools listened earnestly to the presentations of other elementary school students as well as the comments by Mr. Morimoto, Chairman of the Kyoto City Greenery Association.

In the closing speech at the summit, Mr. Tanaka, Chief Priest of Kamigamo Shrine, expressed that it is important not only to learn about the nature through the growing of hollyhocks, but also to understand the history of the region. He also hoped that the elementary school participants will continue to take part in such activities in future.

Through the Afuhi Summit, NTT West was able to convey the importance of biodiversity by establishing a joyful connection among children from three different cities. The event came to a successful ending and was a great achievement indeed with many smiling faces among the participating children.

The summit was also featured on a TV news program by KBS Kyoto as well as on newspapers including Mainichi Shimbun, Yomiuri Shimbun, Shizuoka Shimbun, Fukui Shimbun and Nikkan Kenmin Fukui.

Participating companies

NTT West Technology Innovation Department, Environment Management Promotion Office
NTT Business Associe West Kansai Branch, Kyoto Office
NTT Business Associe West Tokai Branch, Shizuoka Office
NTT Business Associe West Hokuriku Branch, Fukui Office

Venue

Kyoto
Kyoto: Chonoya Hall, Kamigamo Shrine
Shizuoka: Shizuoka City Aoi Elementary School
Fukui: Yoshie Yoneoka Fureai Hall (commonly known as: Chikamatsu Hall)

No. of participants

66