Miyajima:
The reason I found out about the Kaki Tree II was because of the Water Wave Mark Exhibition that I once participated in. I had always had an awareness of the atomic bomb issue, and with that project, whose concept linked Tokyo and Nagasaki, I felt the wish to do something on Nagasaki. Afterward I visited Nagasaki, and after considerable investigation I discovered the existence of the Atomic Bombing Victim Kaki Tree, and went to see kaki trees actually growing in the city. As I listened to people speak of the trees, I learned that there was somebody growing saplings for the next generation of kaki trees, and contacting that person was my first meeting with you, Mr. Ebinuma. When I saw the second generation saplings for the first time, they were so beautiful that I was moved. That was how I came to be involved in the Kaki Tree Project. On the other hand, I am a modeling artist, so rather than simply communicate this, I felt the need to further expand the life energy of the saplings and devise a new structure for them. As I worked to help you with your efforts, I wondered if there wasn't some way I could make a unique contribution. The idea I struck on was Art in Action. In other words, to spread the seeds of wonder in people through the living entities known as kaki tree saplings. In other words, this process and activity itself is also art. One way of saying it would be that I wanted to create a collaboration or joint performance in which many people would pass the baton based on the nobility of the life continuum.


Miyajima:
The Kaki Tree which has taken shape will continue to grow with the help of many people. While all this is taking place against the background of the history of the atomic bombing, I think that the sight of the second and third generation of trees living on into the 21st Century with the help of a new generation will give courage to our children. The pupils of the Yanagikita Elementary School in Tokyo say , "the sight of the kaki tree saplings growing little by little makes us feel great". One said: "When we get in a fight or get scolded by our mothers or teachers, watering the kaki trees makes me see that if this little tree can try so hard, so can I." Listening to these remarks, I feel that it is so important for children to be able to have this kind of discussion.

Ebinuma:
Communicating war and the reality of atomic bombings to children is an important task. However, the act of growing kaki tree saplings enables us to communicate this information from the same viewpoint as the children. We can see, as they do, that "even if we get bullied, the little kaki trees are growing by leaps and bounds." And as children around the country exchange letters and form spontaneous Kaki Tree networks, I come to feel that this also is the work and activity of peace.

Miyajima:
The essence of peace is, in a sense, the strong aspiration to cherish life itself. The kaki saplings are indeed life itself. We interact with this life, and perhaps this positive form of anti-nuclear movement is truly unique, wouldn't you agree?

Ebinuma:
Yes, and I hope that as living witnesses, the kaki trees will grow and flourish into second and third generations, spreading to be accepted by people around the world. I express that hope through my work in growing the saplings.

Miyajima:
I feel the same way. I believe that everything that comes about through these trees is art, and at the same time, all the people who are involved with the trees are artists. Therefore, this project will no doubt continue to expand indefinitely, and there is no limit to the number of people who can participate. It's my wish that we can make this a positive project that will develop in ways that we cannot now forsee, giving rise perhaps to poetry collections or songs, created by people we may have yet to meet.