“Anne’s Rose” was created by a Belgian breeder in memory of Anne Frank, a girl who died in a Jewish concentration camp during World War II.
Anne’s father, Otto Frank, gave its roots to a pastor in Nara Prefecture in 1972. After that, a former high school teacher in Kyoto Prefecture cultivated it with her son and sent it to various parts of the country and spread it. That is the its roots in Japan.
About 30 years ago, a seedling came to Mr. Hirotatsu Aoki, a rose farmer in Ono Town, Gifu prefecture through the UNESCO Association. “If I don’t keep growing it, it will extinct.” Aoki grows about 10 grafts a year.
Last year, when photographer Hiroyuki Miura visited “The Phone of the Wind”, he heard the story of Anne’s rose, “Rose related to Anne who endured adversity,” and “It encourages people who visit the telephone box after losing a loved one.” He asked Mr. Miura to act as an intermediary. Mr. Aoki also entrusted the seedlings to Mr. Miura, saying, “I would be happy if the roses would heal the visitors,” and this time, on the 15th, he visited “The Phone of the Wind” and handed them over to me.
I am deeply grateful to all of you for your efforts and to have another item that will help to recover visitors’ hearts. thank you!