No.198 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@2003.7.9@
Following gFormation of Meguro UNESCO Associationh 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 gPeriod of Foundationh the basic structure of Meguro UNESCO Association was formulated. As one example, the gUNESCO Language Classh was opened under the joint auspices of Meguro Board of Education and Meguro UNESCO Association. It began with the introduction of the gCurrent English Class,h 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 gUNESCO Lecturesh 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 gseries of lecturesh 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, gMeguro UNESCO Schoolh aiming at elementary and middle school pupils was opened to gfoster in children's mind international understanding, respect for cultures, and love of peace, which are the spirit of UNESCO.h 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 gUkiyoe circuith for children at elementary as well as middle schools in Meguro City. @gMeguro UNESCO Art Exhibitionh and gArt classes,h one for sketching and another for ceramics started during this period. Yoshizumi Yokoe, a renowned artist whose sculpture entitled gStatue of Goddessh 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 gfolk art movementh advocated by Soetsu Yanagi. During his presidency, Meguro UNESCO was quite active in promoting understanding of ethnic culture, spreading, for example, gWheel Dolls of Hachioji,h gDances of Okinawa,h gPuppet Play of Takeda Puppet Troupe,h and gMusical Accompaniment to the Kanda festival.h It was also during Yamamoto's presidency that Yoko Urata, who was then a middle school student, played the piano, theeMoon Lightfsonata, 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 g20th Anniversary of Non-governmental UNESCO Associationsh and the subsequent gArt Exhibitionh 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 gKidh currently is displayed in our new office. |