A commemorative monument featuring ceramic boards from our company was installed at Sakamoto Hachimangu Shrine in Dazaifu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, with an unveiling ceremony held on November 11th.

• Sakamoto Hachiman Shrine 
• The unveiling ceremony 

Sakamoto Hachimangu Shrine is the site where the poet Ōtomo no Tabito hosted the “Plum Blossom Banquet” and composed the verse from the Man'yōshū that inspired the era name “Reiwa.” This monument, featuring  Ōtomo no Tabito as its motif, embodies the wish to “praise the beauty of Japanese words and deepen interest in Japanese culture, such as waka poetry.”
The ceramic board depicts  Ōtomo no Tabito admiring red and white plum blossoms beside a cup of sake, painted by the ink-wash artist Mizue Tōkyū. It also bears the poem Tabito composed: “Even if called a priceless treasure, how could it compare to a single cup of cloudy sake shared with friends?” Tabito's serene expression and the plum blossoms' splendor are captured in rich, vibrant colors.

• Front of the Monument to Ōtomo no Tabito, Governor of Dazaifu 
• Back side 

Chief Priest Mita Yoshitomo stated, “I hope people will reflect on the heart and character of Tabito who cherished sake and flowers, a spirit that gave birth to the Reiwa era.”
Mr. Okamoto, who dedicated the monument, remarked, “In keeping with the meaning of ‘Reiwa’—an era of beauty and peace—I wish for Japan's enduring peace.”

We will continue our craftsmanship, connecting tradition and culture to the future.