Botanical Art Workshop & Lecture Held at Rikuzentakata City Museum
Parks Japan.F. General Incorporated Foundation Parks Foundation Press Release: October 16, 2025 Dear members of the press Botanical Art Workshop & Lecture Held at Rikuzentakata City Museum Through the power of art, preserve the Miracle Pine Tree as a symbol of recovery for future generations [The Miracle Pine Tree and Botanical Art] The lone pine tree miraculously survived the tsunami caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake that occurred on March 11, 2011. Because of its appearance, it has come to be known as the “Miracle Pine Tree” and has become a symbol of hope. Although the tree later died from damage caused by seawater, Masumi Yamanaka, an official botanical artist at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK, painted a painting of the tree in 2016 to preserve the memory of the solitary pine tree, a symbol of reconstruction, for future generations. This work was donated by the botanic gardens to the Japanese government and is currently on display at the Takata Matsubara Tsunami Reconstruction Memorial Park, a national memorial and memorial facility in Rikuzentakata City, Iwate Prefecture. To mark the 10th anniversary of this painting, we will be inviting Mr. Yamanaka to the site to give a lecture on the Miracle Pine Tree and hold a hands-on botanical art class.
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/32901/560/32901-560-c307ad860bfc2b47de2f164de03b4097-2194×2925.jpg The current miraculous lone pine tree [Event details] Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025 Place: Rikuzentakata City Museum Address: 300-1 Namisugi, Takata-cho, Rikuzentakata City, Iwate Prefecture Organizer: Park Foundation Co-organizer: Rikuzentakata City Museum, Rikuzentakata City Tourism and Products Association With cooperation from: Takada Matsubara Tsunami Reconstruction Memorial Park National Memorial and Memorial Facility Management Office, Rikuzentakata City Arts and Culture Association, Heijo Palace Site Management Center 1. Lecture Mr. Yamanaka will talk about his own involvement with the Miracle Pine Tree, and will also introduce the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and its valuable collection of botanical illustrations. Event time 10:30～11:45 Number of people wanted Approximately 60 people Place Museum exhibition room See Additional expenses Free 2. Botanical Art Class This hands-on class for beginners teaches botanical art as scientific botanical illustrations from Yamanaka, one of only five officially certified artists at the botanical garden and active worldwide. Event time 13:00～15:30 Number of people wanted 20 people Place Museum training room See Additional expenses Free Participants High school students and above, participants of lecture 1. [How to apply] Reception period October 1st (Wed) – 29th (Wed), 2025 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM *Closed Mondays (or the following day if a public holiday falls on Monday) Reservations 0192-54-4224 (Rikuzentakata City Museum) Notes *First come, first served *Registration will close once capacity is reached *Please provide your name, address, phone number, and the event you will be attending (1. only or both 1. and 2.). [Profile of Mr. Asumi Yamanaka] Born in Nara City. Moved to the UK in 1987 as an exclusive ceramic designer for Marks & Spencer. Started painting botanical illustrations in 2002. In 2009, became the first Japanese artist to be officially recognized by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. In 2015, he was involved in planning solo exhibitions and exhibitions at the gallery within the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, as well as lectures and events promoting Japan-UK friendship. In 2018, he became the first Japanese person to be selected as a judge for the Royal Horticultural Society’s Botanical Art Show. In 2021, he received the Foreign Minister’s Commendation.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/32901/560/32901-560-17cb655185b9ffd0b164eec135d557af-1116×1280.jpg Mr. Asumi Yamanaka ◇Inquiries regarding this initiative TEL: 03-6674-1188 Takemura & Kawahara Website: Parks Foundation (General Incorporated Foundation) ◇Inquiries about reception and venue TEL: 0192-54-4224 Website: Rikuzentakata City Museum [Press release] For more information about this release automatically, so please do not reply. Press release attachments
