No.198 2003.7.9
| Following “Formation of Meguro UNESCO Association” appearing in the January 2003 issue, I would now like to trace the footsteps of our Association in preparation for its 50th anniversary. During the “Period of Foundation” the basic structure of Meguro UNESCO Association was formulated. As one example, the “UNESCO Language Class” was opened under the joint auspices of Meguro Board of Education and Meguro UNESCO Association. It began with the introduction of the “Current English Class,” led by Mr. Sukeyuki Akamatsu, former Counselor of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Advisor to Radio Press. Also under the joint auspices with Meguro Board of Education, many prominent people gave “UNESCO Lectures” on the subjects of international affairs, human rights, and culture. Among them were Kisaburo Yokota, Seiji Kaya, Shigeko Tanabe, Zenmaro Toki, Masahiko Katori, Hanako Muraoka, Seiichiro Katsumoto, Koichi Ueda, Shigeharu Matsumoto, Yoshitaka Takahashi, Kyuzo Tomioka, Akitomo Katagiri, Eiichi Isomura, Masami Murayama, and Satoru Kamegaya. Officials from foreign embassies in Tokyo also were speakers. On the subject of the Japanese language, a “series of lectures” was given under the guidance of Hisaharu Kugimoto, then professor of Japanese at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. Borrowing classrooms from Gohongi Kindergarten and Gohongi Elementary School, “Meguro UNESCO School” aiming at elementary and middle school pupils was opened to “foster in children's mind international understanding, respect for cultures, and love of peace, which are the spirit of UNESCO.” The school held classes every Sunday morning with 8 teachers and 50 children. The classes offered music, ballet, English and natural science among others. They held summer sessions as well as arts and science festivals. They also conducted the “Ukiyoe circuit” for children at elementary as well as middle schools in Meguro City. “Meguro UNESCO Art Exhibition” and “Art classes,” one for sketching and another for ceramics started during this period. Yoshizumi Yokoe, a renowned artist whose sculpture entitled “Statue of Goddess” is exhibited near Meguro Persimmon Hall, advocated that art is loved and understood by people all over the world and that art, like words, connects people's minds. Artists gathered to hold the 1st Art Exhibition in 1957 featuring the works of Masahiko Katori, Yoshizumi Yokoe, Satoshi Ogawa, Morisuke Komoda, Kizan Itaka the First, Kimei Yasuhara, Kizan (Hiroshi at that time) Itaka, and others. Mr. Tamesaburo Yamamoto, who founded Asahi Breweries Ltd. and became its president, was our 2nd President. He was also known as an ardent supporter of the “folk art movement” advocated by Soetsu Yanagi. During his presidency, Meguro UNESCO was quite active in promoting understanding of ethnic culture, spreading, for example, “Wheel Dolls of Hachioji,” “Dances of Okinawa,” “Puppet Play of Takeda Puppet Troupe,” and “Musical Accompaniment to the Kanda festival.” It was also during Yamamoto's presidency that Yoko Urata, who was then a middle school student, played the piano, the‘Moon Light’sonata, at the 10th Anniversary of Meguro UNESCO Association. Mr. Tatsuzo Mizukami, our 3rd President, was then president of Mitsui & Co. and later became President of Japan International Education Association, which manages the Foreign Students House in Komaba. Meguro UNESCO Association often cooperates with the House in connection with youth activities. Although Mr. Mizukami's term of office was only two years, the “20th Anniversary of Non-governmental UNESCO Associations” and the subsequent “Art Exhibition” took place in Tokyo while he was our president. The Art Exhibition was held in 1967 under the joint auspices of Kyoto and Meguro UNESCO Association to commemorate the 20th anniversary. I should note that the office of Meguro UNESCO Association was located in the Meguro Board of Education all through these years as permitted by the Law Concerning UNESCO Activities. When Meguro UNESCO Association was established, there was only one female officer, Ms Fuku Okami serving then as an auditor, reflecting the social circumstances of that time. (She is now an honorary member of the Association.) Ms Shoka Minozuma, a renowned doll maker followed Ms Okami, and then Ms Isako Kato became our 5th President. One of Ms Minozuma's works called “Kid” currently is displayed in our new office. |