Tree Project Tips Its Hat To Phoenix-Like Survival

Hibaku trees sound just a little more special than normal trees, even if you aren't very familiar with botanical varieties indigenous to Japan or you lack the linguistical background necessary to translate the word hibaku. Some might imagine that they're a delicate flowering specimen celebrated among botanical circles for their rare, intoxicatingly scented blooms that announce their presence just 2 days a year. Mmm noooo, not quite. They are definitely rare and certainly revered, but mostly because they are born out of the vestiges of tree species that survived Hiroshima's nuclear bomb explosion on August 6, 1945. Hibaku, which directly translated, means "something that has experienced a nuclear bomb" is a derivative of the Japanese word hibakusha, referencing "people who have survived a nuclear bomb." Sobering, indeed...but in the face of the absolute devastation of a full-on explosion, trees just a few hundred meters away from ground zero became Phoenix-like symbols for the ability of life to carry on and thrive.

Dr. Riki Horiguchi, Hiroshima's resident caregiver to all Hibaku trees in the city, maintains and nurtures the specimens that are still standing 64 years later. So many of the trees in The Hiroshima Botanical Garden and in the surrounding vicinity of the blast were irrevocably altered in appearance, and yet new life continued to spring forth from them. With Horiguchi's dedication to the seed collecting and cultivation of authentic Hibaku trees, he has managed to safeguard the existence of second and third generation Hibaku trees. This Johnny Appleseed-like conservationist has collected seeds from tree survivors like Persimmon, Chinese Parasol, Round Leaf Holly, Chinaberry, Cycas Revoluta, Firmiana Simplex, Ginkgo, Japanese Hackberry and Jujube to Oleander, the sole tree type that blossomed just one year following the explosion. He then distributes them to people across the world, including artist Hiroshi Sunairi, a professor at NYU’s Department of Art and Art Professions.

Sunairi, the brainchild behind the U.S. based Tree Project, shares Horiguchi's hand-collected Hibaku tree seeds with anyone in the world who is sincerely interested in honoring their collective vision and intent. A native of the Hiroshima region himself, he believes in the message of hope and determination that the trees convey to rise above all obstacles. Sunairi is no stranger to Hibaku trees, having woven pruned boughs in a metal elephant framework for his 2005 "Night of Elephants” art installment, commemorating the 60th year since the bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. He continues to celebrate Hibaku trees by encouraging all New York based participants in his Tree Project to "loan" their tree seedlings to The Horticultural Society of New York from December of this year through February 2010 as part of a special exhibit, LEUR L'EXISTENCE. Following the display, all seedlings will be gratefully returned to their respective owners.

Whether you live in New York or New Delhi, Sunari will happily provide you with a Hibaku seed (depending on what variety will thrive in your planting zone) as long as you cover the expense of shipping via FedEx. Beyond that, he respectfully asks that participants join his Facebook page and document via photographs, video and/or blogging the progression of your Hibaku seed's growth. His Tree Project blog is devoted to citizen Hibaku seed caregivers, offering them a place in the spotlight to shine as brightly as the seed they've been entrusted to look after. Sunari diligently documents their individual successes throughout the weeks, always commemorating the event of germination with an accompanying photo and a few congratulatory statements. Whether you're seeking your 15 minutes of fame or you are simply inspired by this humble yet honorable mission, please contact Sunari at treeprojects@gmail.com for further information on how to get started. Please spread the word -- Sunari's project is just a small yet ideal example of how we all have the power to plant seeds of inspiration.

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Just a quick post-script to this article. For NYC residents who plan to view Hiroshi Sunairi's Tree Project Exhibition in person at The Horticultural Society of New York, please view this link for details (and bear in mind that it runs through Friday, February 12, 2010). Here are a few photos from the opening event to whet your appetite: