Memories of Peace Connected by Music: Completion of the A-bombed Camphor Tree Baton "Heiwa no Takuto"
Key facts
- Memories of Peace Connected by Music: Completion of the A-bombed Camphor Tree Baton "Heiwa no Takuto"
- The conductor baton "Heiwa no Takuto," made from Nagasaki's A-bombed camphor tree, has been completed. It will debut during the 2026 Japan tour of the Harvard Radcliffe Orchestra, serving as a new symbol for inheriting peace.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: May 21, 2026
Direct answer
The conductor baton "Heiwa no Takuto," made from Nagasaki's A-bombed camphor tree, has been completed. It will debut during the 2026 Japan tour of the Harvard Radcliffe Orchestra, serving as a new symbol for inheriting peace.
- Citation
- Memories of Peace Connected by Music: Completion of the A-bombed Camphor Tree Baton "Heiwa no Takuto" (May 21, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- May 21, 2026
The conductor baton "Heiwa no Takuto," made from Nagasaki's A-bombed camphor tree, has been completed. It will debut during the 2026 Japan tour of the Harvard Radcliffe Orchestra, serving as a new symbol for inheriting peace.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 21, 2026 at 20:46
- 🔍 Collected: May 21, 2026 at 12:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 21, 2026 at 12:43 (11 min after Collected)
## Transforming "Living Testimony" into a Musical Tool to "Conduct" Memories
On August 9, 1945, the atomic bomb devastated the city with blast and heat waves. Miraculously, some trees survived despite being scorched. These A-bombed trees remain "living witnesses," harboring memories within their scarred trunks and growth rings. Today, approximately 50 such trees exist in Nagasaki, meticulously preserved. "Heiwa no Takuto" was crafted from pruned branches of the A-bombed camphor tree (estimated 500-600 years old) at Sanno Shrine, located about 800m from the hypocenter.
## Kyushu Sangyo University "PIECE of PEACE" Project: Experiencing Peace with the Five Senses
Launched in 2025, the 80th anniversary of the bombing, the project involves the lab of Professor Takao Ito at Kyushu Sangyo University, the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, and Sanno Shrine. Utilizing materials from Nagasaki's A-bombed trees, they create products that evoke peace through the five senses: smell, sight, touch, hearing, and taste. Previous products include incense, fans, and art supplies.
## Nagasaki Brick Hall: A New Role as a Cultural Hub for Peace
In 2026, the 81st year since the bombing, the project was organized as a new initiative to connect citizens with peace through music, utilizing the venue's role as a center for culture and art.
## A Project Realized through "En" (Fate): Crafted by an Artisan from Hiroshima
The baton was crafted by Daisuke Matsumoto, owner of the string instrument workshop "Matsumoto" in Fukuoka. Matsumoto, originally from Hiroshima, has a great-grandmother who survived the bombing there. This baton represents a connection between the stories of families in Nagasaki and Hiroshima and the thoughts of the generations inheriting these memories.
## Debut Performance Confirmed: Harvard Radcliffe Orchestra Japan Tour 2026
Under the theme "Music as Peace," "Heiwa no Takuto" will be featured at all performances in Yokohama, Tokyo, Nagasaki, and Hiroshima. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Camphor Tree Fund for preserving A-bombed trees. After the debut, the baton will be displayed at Nagasaki Brick Hall and used in peace-related performances.
On August 9, 1945, the atomic bomb devastated the city with blast and heat waves. Miraculously, some trees survived despite being scorched. These A-bombed trees remain "living witnesses," harboring memories within their scarred trunks and growth rings. Today, approximately 50 such trees exist in Nagasaki, meticulously preserved. "Heiwa no Takuto" was crafted from pruned branches of the A-bombed camphor tree (estimated 500-600 years old) at Sanno Shrine, located about 800m from the hypocenter.
## Kyushu Sangyo University "PIECE of PEACE" Project: Experiencing Peace with the Five Senses
Launched in 2025, the 80th anniversary of the bombing, the project involves the lab of Professor Takao Ito at Kyushu Sangyo University, the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, and Sanno Shrine. Utilizing materials from Nagasaki's A-bombed trees, they create products that evoke peace through the five senses: smell, sight, touch, hearing, and taste. Previous products include incense, fans, and art supplies.
## Nagasaki Brick Hall: A New Role as a Cultural Hub for Peace
In 2026, the 81st year since the bombing, the project was organized as a new initiative to connect citizens with peace through music, utilizing the venue's role as a center for culture and art.
## A Project Realized through "En" (Fate): Crafted by an Artisan from Hiroshima
The baton was crafted by Daisuke Matsumoto, owner of the string instrument workshop "Matsumoto" in Fukuoka. Matsumoto, originally from Hiroshima, has a great-grandmother who survived the bombing there. This baton represents a connection between the stories of families in Nagasaki and Hiroshima and the thoughts of the generations inheriting these memories.
## Debut Performance Confirmed: Harvard Radcliffe Orchestra Japan Tour 2026
Under the theme "Music as Peace," "Heiwa no Takuto" will be featured at all performances in Yokohama, Tokyo, Nagasaki, and Hiroshima. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Camphor Tree Fund for preserving A-bombed trees. After the debut, the baton will be displayed at Nagasaki Brick Hall and used in peace-related performances.
FAQ
Where can I see "Heiwa no Takuto"?
It will be featured during the 2026 Japan tour of the Harvard Radcliffe Orchestra and later exhibited at Nagasaki Brick Hall.
What is it made of?
It is made from pruned branches of an A-bombed camphor tree at Sanno Shrine in Nagasaki.
What is the purpose of this project?
To inherit the memory of the atomic bombing and the importance of peace through music and pass these thoughts to future generations.