Consul General Maeda Visits Wakamatsu Tea & Silk Farm Colony
2020/9/8
Group photo at the Wakamatsu Tea & Silk Farm Colony
Grave of Okei-san
On Saturday, September 5, Consul General Maeda visited the Wakamatsu Tea & Silk Farm Colony, the first Japanese settlement in the U.S. established in 1869 by Japanese emigrants from Aizu-Wakamatsu in modern-day Fukushima Prefecture. Consul General Maeda toured historic sites in the colony, including the grave of Okei-san, a 19-year old Japanese woman who died there.
Consul General Maeda also attended a Wall of Honor plaque-mounting ceremony hosted by the American River Conservancy (ARC), a nonprofit organization that manages the Wakamatsu Farm’s facilities and preservation efforts. During his remarks at the ceremony, Consul General Maeda recognized the donors and supporters of the farm. He also highlighted the unique place occupied by Northern California in the history of Japan-US relations, by recollecting the arrival of the first official mission from Japan in San Francisco in 1860, the establishment of Wakamatsu Colony in 1869, and the opening of the Consulate of Japan in San Francisco in 1870.
Consul General Maeda also attended a Wall of Honor plaque-mounting ceremony hosted by the American River Conservancy (ARC), a nonprofit organization that manages the Wakamatsu Farm’s facilities and preservation efforts. During his remarks at the ceremony, Consul General Maeda recognized the donors and supporters of the farm. He also highlighted the unique place occupied by Northern California in the history of Japan-US relations, by recollecting the arrival of the first official mission from Japan in San Francisco in 1860, the establishment of Wakamatsu Colony in 1869, and the opening of the Consulate of Japan in San Francisco in 1870.
Consul General Maeda and Mr. Herb Tanimoto, ARC docent, at the California Historical Landmark Monument
Consul General Maeda delivers remarks during ceremony
Consul General Maeda and guests at the Wall of Honor
