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Our sister city, Muko, is adjacent to Kyoto and for a 10-year period during the eighth century, it was the capital of Japan. Recently, 63 people represented the Saratoga Sister City group at a weeklong celebration in Muko. They were celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Muko and Saratoga affiliation. For many, it was like coming home because they had previously participated in exchanges.
As we entered city hall we felt like royalty as numerous Muko citizens clapped continuously and greeted us warmly the first day. In honor of this auspicious occasion, several dignitaries, including then-Mayor Ann Waltonsmith, spoke. She mentioned this was her first trip and had been looking forward to it. Her mother, Blanche, had come in l988 and urged Ann to visit someday.
Muko's Mayor, Tsutomu Kushima, welcomed us on behalf of Muko's 55,000 citizens. He said the past 20 years had become a precious treasure. The mayor pointed out that there had been 82 exchange students and l8 official visits between the two cities.
In his speech, Paul Howard, representing the American Consul General in Oska-Kolbe, gave credit to famous architect Kiyoshi Yasui from Muko. Yasui helped with the Hakone Gardens renovation. Howard said that after its renovation, Hakone became internationally considered as one of the finest Japanese gardens in the world outside of Japan.
At the opening ceremony, Mayor Waltonsmith presented a watercolor painting by Saratoga artist Norman Carter, and Mayor Kushima gave a hand-painted Japanese fan to Saratoga. It will be displayed in our city hall. Mayor Waltonsmith and Saratoga Sister President Don Morgan were given flower bouquets.
Each Saratoga delegate presented a book for Muko's library. The books will be used in the Saratoga City section. A special dance performance by Yachiyo Inoue, master class dancer, ended the program. Outside city hall a dogwood tree was planted by the two mayors in honor of the 20th anniversary. One hundred years ago a dogwood tree was planted when the United States and Japan started diplomatic relations.
At Muko's Shinto Shrine a special ceremony was performed. Mayor Waltonsmith and President Morgan laid special tree boughs on the altar. The busy day included visits to a preschool and a planetarium.
For the remaining four days, the Saratoga visitors toured Muko and nearby cities of Nara and Kyoto, seeing shrines and temples, and ended the visit with a lavish sayonara banquet in the hotel ballroom. More gifts of paintings and memorabilia were received. Morgan presented Muko with a sumi-e painting and received a scroll in return. Peter Marra, John Tauchi and Don Morgan accepted gifts for the Saratoga Sister City people who attended the festivities. Don Miller gave a painting by artist Karen Honhaer on behalf of Saratoga Rotary. Muko provided outstanding entertainment.
Saratoga Sister City participants explored other parts of Japan under the excellent leadership of Saratogan John Tauchi. We were fortunate to have John with us. He has taught us etiquette, Japanese phrases and how to get around. John had sleepless nights worrying about us making all the fast trains. He has decided to retire after leading the Sister City tours for 20 years.
Waltonsmith says, "The Saratoga citizens who were part of the 20th anniversary visit enthusiastically discuss their experiences and share their pictures. The city of Saratoga and its Sister City organization are pleased and proud to be building the future connection to our friends in Muko, Japan."
Membership in Sister City is open to the community. For further information, call 408.867.4297.
Louise Webb is a former columnist for the Saratoga News.
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