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TOKYO ALBUM > Tokyo Photo News > Tokyo Photo News backnumbers > Tokyo Photo News 2007 > Tokyo Photo News April 2007
Opening of “Kodomo-en” (accredited daycare-kindergartens)
On April 1, the first three “Kodomo-en” daycare-kindergarten facilities opened in Tokyo. These accredited centers offer parenting support by providing both child care and educational functions. One of these facilities, “Shinjuku Ward Yotsuya Kodomo-en” opened in a section of Yotsuya Elementary School and currently cares for 147 children from ages 0 to 5. The center maintains a policy to provide children with a rich variety of experience through interaction with the elementary school students and aims to be a daycare-kindergarten open to the local community.
A stroll around the pond while enjoying Japanese wisteria
Kameido Tenjin Shrine of Koto-ku held its annual Fuji Matsuri (Wisteria Festival) from April 21 to May 6. Approximately 300,000 festival goers made their way over Taikobashi bridge and around the pond enjoying the white and purple wisteria flowers. The long clusters of splendorous wisteria within Kameido Tenjin Shrine have earned the name “The Goshaku Fuji of Kameido” (goshaku is measurement for length, about 1.5 meters). These wisteria flowers, adored by the people of Edo, have also been depicted in ukiyoe art by artist Hiroshige. Blessed with excellent weather on April 26, spectators were drawn to the shrine by the sweet fragrance of the 15 trellises of 100 wisteria plants.
Governor Ishihara's third term begins by encouraging TMG staff
Marking the commencement of Governor Ishihara's third term on April 23, the Governor made rounds to each of the bureaus within the Tokyo Metropolitan Government office to greet the staff. The Governor gave words of encouragement, saying, “Tokyo's civil servants are not 'local government employees' but are, indeed, 'staff of the capital of Japan.' Tokyo is the heart of our nation, and I want you all to work with confidence.” Photo: Governor Ishihara greeting staff at the Bureau of Construction.
Special exhibit: Taro Okamoto's “Myth of Tomorrow”
“Myth of Tomorrow,” the giant mural by Taro Okamoto is on special exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo in Koto-ku. The opening reception for this work was held on April 27. Considered to be a counterpart to “Tower of the Sun,” another one of Okamoto's works, this piece is a representation of the instant the atomic bomb exploded. The massive work is Okamoto's largest masterpiece, measuring 5.5 meters high and 30 meters long. In his speech before the tape cut, Governor Ishihara stated “I am delighted that this piece in which Taro Okamoto portrays his view of one of man's insane creations, the atomic bomb, has come to be displayed here.” This special exhibit will continue until April 13 of next year. Photo: Governor Ishihara (center) cutting the tape with other guests.
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