Sasabe Prefer Animals

Hello! In this column, we will also continue to provide in-depth information about the Sasabe Sakura Collection and cherry blossoms in this year.

Sasabe Shintarō, who spent his life protecting and nurturing Japan’s ancient wild cherry blossom trees was also interested in animals. A typical example is birds. He considered that wild birds play important roles because they carry plant species as dung, and they can help diversification of vegetation. At the “Ekiraku Sansou”, his forest used for research of cherry blossoms in Takedao, Takarazuka City, he hung nest boxes and observed nesting orioles. He listened and wrote records of the various birdsongs that came there. In his autography, “Sakura Otoko Gyōjō,” he described that Japanese paradise flycatcher also came there. His cherry blossoms garden was also a bird paradise.

He also liked dogs. When a gardener working on the mountain brought a puppy, it fiercely plays with Sasabe and his clothes were damaged. But he showed his affection by replying, “Still, a mountain with a dog is bright.” When his dog, which he had cared for a long time, died, he carried it from his residence in Osaka to Ekiraku Sansou for burial.

While he was compassionate to the animals, Ekiraku Sansou often suffered from food damage. It is recorded that wild rabbits sometimes ate the shoots of seedling cherry trees, and Sasabe put wire netting as a countermeasure. During wartime, when food was scarce, valuable foods such as persimmons and chestnuts were sometimes eaten by a large monkey. Until then, Sasabe considered animal welfare as a part of the colorfulness of the mountains, but he had finally decided to exterminate the monkey. When it was captured, the news was published in the local newspaper with a picture. Also, his friend gave him a poem on this subject.

These episodes are written in Sasabe’s own handwriting in the “Record at Ekiraku Sansou,” a book of his work in there. In the Sake Museum, the entire volume of it is exhibited until March 3, 2025. Many episodes that could not be introduced in this article are also on display, including the story with the captured baby boar and other interactions with cherry trees and people. Please come to the museum and see the history of him. Please look forward to the next issue!