Introduction

I hope you are doing well, enjoying the fresh greenery and pleasant sunny skies.

It's that time of year again - the Peach Moon Festival is upon us once more.

How have you been? We're excited to announce the 17th Peach Moon Festival. Let's come together and enjoy some relaxing and fun time amidst nature.

17th Peach Moon Festiva May 19, 2024 13:00

3131 Nishiasuma, Nishi-ku, Saitama 331-0061 Togetsuen main building

Well, here we have "Samurai Grandma" this time.

She was a petite, 30kg optimist who lived to the age of 98 and had a cute grandma appearance.

I've crafted my latest work, "Samurai Grandma," featuring her as the heroine.

Watch as she defeats the villains using haiku and ooo as her weapons!

Additionally, I've infused this thrilling tale with a dance element!

Stay tuned for Shoko Ito's newest creation, "Samurai Grandma"!

I understand you're very busy, but I'd like to extend an invitation for you to witness her story.

An auspicious April day.

Peach Moon Festival Executive Committee Chairman/Nakano Neighborhood Association Chairman　Tomomi Kobayashi

Peach Moon Festival Executive Committee Public Relations Manager　Shoko Ito

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Samurai Grandma tells the story of Grandma Kane, the 7th generation of the Momogetsuen Ito family.

Grandma Kane lived to the age of 98. She was known as Grandma Kane, a literary enthusiast who adored haiku. Instead of maintaining a daily diary, she penned haiku about the day's events. How many haiku poems did she fill her notebooks with over her lifetime? Even if she only wrote one each day, the count would reach 35,770. Her husband, Grandpa Haruko, was a towering and formidable figure. A neighborhood elder reminisced about calling him "the big man at the peach shop" in his childhood, as Grandpa Haruko would sternly shout "Hey!" at kids playing mischief. But why did Grandma Kane marry him? When asked, she quipped, "Because my grandpa was a hot guy." Indeed, in the old photograph of Grandpa Haruko in his youth, he appeared strikingly handsome, resembling more of a Russian than a Japanese.

Curiously, when Grandma Kane's grandson's friends from Europe visit, she converses with them one-on-one (her grandson Shoko translates in the adjacent room simultaneously). "Grandma, I love you, Stefan," one confessed. Grandma Kane's daughter, Harue, corrected her, saying, "Grandma, you're using the wrong English. It should be 'I like you.' That implies a friendly affection. When you say 'I love you,' it means you really love someone." To this, Grandma responded, "Ah, I understand. In that case, Stefan, I love you!" Harue exclaimed, "Grandma, you're dangerous!" To which Grandma Kane playfully retorted, "Because Grandma is forever young..."

An ally of justice fashioned after such a mischievous grandma! Samurai Grandma!

Go! Fight! To defend the wives of the world!

[History and origin of Togetsuen] Peach and Satsuki Garden

Eighty years ago, amidst food shortages in post-war Japan, Shunzo Ito, the 7th generation of the Ito family (and later the inaugural proprietor of Togetsauen), shared lineage with Harue Ito, the 8th generation of the family (who later became the 2nd generation of Togetsauen). Residing in Saitama City (then Omiya City), he dedicated himself to cultivating peaches in an orchard to alleviate local nutrition shortages. His efforts bore fruit when their peaches earned the prestigious Prime Minister's Award for being the finest in Japan. As food scarcity eased, he transitioned to nurturing the soul by establishing Togetsauen, Satsuki's bonsai garden, in lieu of Momo (located in Nishi Ward, Saitama City). Thus, he became the inaugural owner of Momo and Satsuki Garden [Togetsauen]. Once more, his bonsai Satsuki garnered acclaim, earning him another Prime Minister's Award. Annually, the Satsuki Festival is held at Omiya Hikawa Shrine and Togetsauen Garden in May, coinciding with the bonsai Satsuki's flowering season, marking the inception of the Peach Moon Festival.

Shunzo chaired the Omiya branch of the Japan Bonsai Association for over three decades. More than fifty years ago, he pioneered bonsai exportation overseas (with current Nishi-ku Togetsauen Neighborhood President Tomomi Kobayashi overseeing transportation), catalyzing the global recognition and exportation of Japanese bonsai. Togetsauen became a frequent destination for foreign tourists, known as the "Town of Bonsai" worldwide. Orders streamed in from overseas, including the United States, propelling the exportation of bonsai seedlings, regardless of weather challenges. Profit was never Shunzo's primary concern.

Harue, the second head of Togetsauen, cherished Mamiya throughout her life, imparting Japanese dance to locals and serving as a road safety instructor. She entertained the community with dances at local primrose festivals and other gatherings, supporting various cultural endeavors generously. Akiyoshi Ito, her son-in-law, held the mayoral office of  Mamiya Nakano, Nishi Ward, for several years, succeeded by Kiyoshi Kuroiwa, former chairman of the Nishi Ward Neighborhood Association.

Presently, Takahisa Ito, the ninth-generation eldest son of the Ito family, leads the Mamiya Nakano Youth Group in Nishi Ward, Saitama City, actively participating in volunteer initiatives. Shoko Ito, the ninth generation's eldest daughter, has showcased Japanese cultural theater worldwide for over three decades across 85 countries through diplomatic performances sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In 2024, Director Shoko Ito's feature film "Drawing in the Sky (1)" secured accolades at ten international film festivals across more than 30 countries globally.

Togetsauen is designated as Saitama City's official cycling holiday stop and official disaster evacuation drinking water supply site. Within Togetsauen, Saitama Togetsauen Campground, collaborating with Nishi Ward's appealing Ryan02 shaved ice shop, Matatabi creative restaurant, health-centric cafe BIG MOUSE, fortune-telling & art, and bridal jewelry store, has transformed into a serene oasis in Nishi Ward, Saitama City.

We aspire for Togetsauen to maintain its close bond with the local community. Come and join us in the joyous festival. Let's make merry together♪

An auspicious April day.

Peach Moon Festival Executive Committee Chairman/Nakano Neighborhood Association Chairman　Tomomi Kobayashi

Peach Moon Festival Executive Committee Public Relations Manager　Shoko Ito

Anticipate the Nankin Tamasudare crafted by Masatoshi Ogawa from the nearby Mamiya area!

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