One Tree, One Moon, One Future: Trees for Peace & Otsukimi
Join us for an evening rooted in resilience, honoring Hiroshima’s survivor trees and the Japanese harvest tradition of Otsukimi.
Trees for Peace is an initiative which distributes and plants living saplings grown from hibakujumoku trees that survived the 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima. These remarkable trees, exposed to the nuclear blast yet resilient enough to regenerate, have become powerful global symbols of peace, hope, and environmental endurance. In San Diego, a ginkgo tree descended from a Hiroshima survivor was planted at the San Diego Botanic Garden in 2023, serving as a living witness to both tragedy and renewal. By planting these trees, communities worldwide engage in an act of ecological and educational restoration, promoting international peace and environmental stewardship. We will be honoring members of the community and create a living legacy at Crown Point Junior Music Academy.
Otsukimi (お月見), or “moon viewing,” is a cherished Japanese tradition celebrating the autumn harvest moon. With deep roots in ancient agricultural practices, the festival honors the moon’s crucial light for successful harvests and reflects a deep cultural reverence for nature’s cycles. During Otsukimi, families gather to admire the full moon, decorate with pampas grass (susuki) which symbolizes protection and the harvest, and share seasonal foods like tsukimi dango (rice dumplings). This tradition embodies the Japanese aesthetic of finding harmony with the seasons, inviting participants to pause, appreciate the natural world, and reflect on humanity’s connection to the earth.
Family-Friendly Festivities
Join us for a vibrant celebration featuring:
Cultural Crafts & Cuisine: Enjoy traditional Japanese seasonal foods and shop from local vendors.
Live Performances: Experience the powerful rhythms of taiko drumming and the communal joy of Bon Odori dancing.
Artistic Expression: Watch pop idol, sumo demonstrations and traditional performances by local artists.
Moon Viewing: Enjoy close up views of the moon by telescope.
Bridging Cultures, Sustaining the Future
This gathering offers a unique opportunity to draw inspiration from Japanese cultural traditions and the enduring strength of nature. By celebrating the harmony of the harvest moon and the resilience of Hiroshima’s survivor trees, we foster a deeper commitment to environmental sustainability and global peace.
To learn more about this event, visit otsukimi.org
*Please carpool, consider biking, skating or boarding or taking public transit, to make this event as clean and green as possible. The nearest public transit stop is the Ingraham St & Grand Av station, which is approximately a 1-minute walk from the school.
Use moovitapp.com to find helpful information about how to access public transit including trolley, bus and Amtrak.