Sumitomo Forestry Launches "Sakura no Tasuki" Project ~Passing on cherry trees weakened by aging and environmental changes to the next generation using tissue culture (cloning) technology~

On March 26, Ninnaji Temple (Kyoto City) newly established a viewing deck and explanation panel for the "Omuro Sakura," a scenic spot within the temple grounds. It will be unveiled for the first time at the "Omuro Flower Festival" starting March 27. This deck was newly established with support from the Agency for Cultural Affairs, marking 15 years since the successful tissue culture propagation of the scenic "Omuro Sakura" in 2010. In conjunction with this occasion, Sumitomo Forestry Co., Ltd. (President: Toshiro Mitsuyoshi, Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) has launched the "Sakura no Tasuki" project, utilizing seedling propagation technologies including tissue culture, to pass on Japan's historically and culturally valuable trees facing the risk of decline or death without interruption to the next generation.

■Efforts towards the inheritance of Ninnaji Temple's "Omuro Sakura"
The "Omuro Sakura" at Ninnaji Temple is said to have been planted during the reconstruction of the temple's main hall in Shoho 3 (1646). Known for its characteristic of growing only to about human height and its late blooming, it allows viewing at eye level and is celebrated for coloring the end of Kyoto's spring. However, with an estimated age exceeding 360 years, its vitality is significantly declining, and there are concerns about wilting in some areas.
In response to these challenges, Ninnaji Temple launched the "Omuro Sakura Research Project" in 2007 under the guidance of the Kyoto Prefectural Board of Cultural Properties Protection, in collaboration with the Sumitomo Forestry Group and the Faculty of Horticulture at Chiba University.
Under this project, Sumitomo Forestry conducted research at its internal research facility, the Tsukuba Research Laboratory, to elucidate the ecology of the Omuro Sakura and develop management techniques based on scientific knowledge. As a result of this research, tissue culture propagation of the Omuro Sakura was successfully achieved in 2010. The cloned cherry trees planted on the temple grounds in 2012 bloomed for the first time in 2014 and have continued to bloom beautifully since.

■Sumitomo Forestry "Sakura no Tasuki" Project
Famous trees over several hundred years old are declining due to their lifespan and are at risk of dying. Furthermore, due to recent climate change and environmental shifts, concerns are growing that the growing environment will become even harsher than before. Sumitomo Forestry has been propagating seedlings of over 25 types of famous and precious trees, such as the "Taiko Shidarezakura" at Daigo-ji Temple and the "Izumi no Ichiyō Matsu" (Izumi's Pine) a natural monument in Minamisōma City, Fukushima Prefecture, with the aim of passing on historically and culturally valuable trees to the next generation.
This time, the "Sakura no Tasuki" project has been launched to systematize these efforts to pass on famous and precious trees to the next generation and to foster understanding of their significance. "Sakura" (cherry blossoms) have been loved by Japanese people since ancient times and are cherished worldwide as a symbol of Japan. The word "Tasuki" (sash) is layered onto this, signifying the desire to pass on precious things to the future without letting them disappear, and to connect scientific technologies like tissue culture with cultural value. The "Sakura no Tasuki" project will promote efforts that include not only cherry blossoms but also the nurturing of successor trees for other famous and precious trees.
The Sumitomo Forestry Group has formulated its long-term vision, "Mission TREEING 2030," looking ahead to 2030, which is also the target year for SDGs. The long-term vision presents three values: "Value for the Global Environment," "Value for People and Society," and "Value for the Market Economy." This project is part of an initiative to further enhance "Value for People and Society" among these three values. Moving forward, through this project, we will connect precious trees with the memories of people and the local cultures that have flourished alongside trees to the future.
(Reference) Seedling propagation by tissue culture: https://sfc.jp/treecycle/value/naegi_zousyoku.html Video: https://youtu.be/eWgtN_r9HcA?si=msnN2Vcnx8YEfD2z

■Ninnaji Temple's Scenic "Omuro Sakura" Viewing Deck and Explanation Panel
At Ninnaji Temple, last year marked the 15th anniversary of the successful tissue culture of "Omuro Sakura." To allow visitors to experience its value more deeply, a viewing deck for the "Omuro Sakura" has been newly established within the scenic garden, with support from the Agency for Cultural Affairs. Previously, a temporary viewing deck was available only during the annual "Omuro Flower Festival," but the newly established deck is permanent, allowing visitors to view the "Omuro Sakura" as it changes through the seasons, from green leaves to autumn foliage.
The viewing deck uses Kyoto cypress wood donated by Sumitomo Forestry. Furthermore, the benches installed on the deck are made from cypress grown in Sumitomo Forestry's own forest in Niihama and have also been donated by Sumitomo Forestry.
Additionally, as part of Sumitomo Forestry's "Sakura no Tasuki" project, an explanation panel has been installed within the deck. The panel introduces the "Omuro Sakura," outlines the project and tissue culture technology, and features the project's original "Jumon" (tree crest) design. This "Jumon" visually expresses the individuality of the Omuro Sakura. In the future, similar "Jumon" designs will be created for other famous and precious trees, allowing visitors to enjoy them in a manner similar to a stamp rally...