AMID the ashes of Hiroshima in August 1945, it seemed all hope was lost.
But in the wake of the atomic bomb blast that claimed 140,000 lives, green shoots offered a lifeline to the devastated Japanese city.
Little gingko trees that had been seemingly scorched away to nothing suddenly began to sprout buds from their burnt trunks, going on to become a symbol of hope and courage for Hiroshima and the country at large.
Now 30 “peace seeds”, originating from the “A-bombed” gingko trees of Hiroshima are taking root in Scotland.
They were donated to South Ayrshire by Mayors for Peace, an international organisation - established in 1982 - which brings together cities and places dedicated to the promotion of peace.
It was created by the then Mayor of Hiroshima in response to the deaths from the bomb which fell three months before the end of the Second World War.
Seeds from the trees have been donated to a number of countries and locations, allowing the spirit, hope and courage that stemmed from Hiroshima at that period to be spread across the world.
South Ayrshire’s 30 peace seeds have now been planted by volunteers at Belleisle Conservatory in Ayr and will be looked after there, over the next two years, until the saplings are ready to be planted in the ground.
South Ayrshire Provost, Helen Moonie, was joined by the Consul-General of Japan, Daisuke Matsunaga, to mark the handover and planting of these remarkable seeds.
Consul-General Matsunaga, said: “Hiroshima is very close to my heart. In fact, my wife’s family is originally from Hiroshima, and one of her uncles, who was a 13-year-old schoolboy, perished near the epicentre on the fateful day of 6 August 1945.
“On the morning, my mother-in-law was about to go to school. She was 15, and her house was on the outskirts of the city, separated by a hill from the city centre. In the toilet, she saw a flash of light, brighter than broad daylight, and held on to the pillar to withstand the quake. Evidently, something extraordinary had happened. Several hours later, she saw a procession of atomic bomb victims shuffling along to evacuate. They were like zombies in tattered clothes. Townsfolk prepared rice bowls and gave them water.
“The following day, the town organised a rescue team, and my mother-in-law was on the team. They walked into the city to help the survivors without knowing anything about radioactivity. Later in her life, she developed thyroid cancer, but fortunately it is now under control.”
Of the seeds initiative, he said: “I highly appreciate the initiative of Mayors for Peace. I truly believe in the power of prayer. If people wishing for peace get together and send out their sincere wishes to the world and the universe, it will surely help us achieve peace. May the ginkgo seeds grow up to be a symbol of this admirable aspiration.”
Provost Moonie added: “We’re proud and privileged to receive this very generous gift from Mayors for Peace, and it was a true honour to be joined by the Consul-General of Japan to mark the planting of these seeds, which travelled almost 6,000 miles to make the journey from Hiroshima to Ayr.
“It’s very humbling to think that the seeds – which originated from the horrors of one of the most devastating events in world history – will grow into truly impressive symbols of peace for all to see.
“They will create a legacy for the people and communities of South Ayrshire, and we’ll be working with our schools and young people to get them involved with the project and spread the word about what it means.
“The seeds – and the trees they will become – will create a lasting link between South Ayrshire and Japan, and I hope they will grow and blossom just like the friendship between us.”
Matsui Kazumi, President of Mayors for Peace and Mayor of Hiroshima, said: “We hope from the bottom of our hearts that these seeds – which will grow into second-generation A-bombed trees – will be raised carefully, and that, with the love of many citizens, they will come to serve as a symbol of peace.”
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