二十世紀梨誕生の地

Could a garbage dump birth a legend? Here at the Nijisseiki Nashi Sei no Chi, the birthplace of the 20th Century Asian pear, the answer is a resounding yes. This unassuming spot holds the unlikely origin story of a fruit that revolutionized pear cultivation. Our tale begins not in an orchard, but in a garbage heap in 1888. A young boy, Kakunosuke Matsudo, stumbled upon a small, unassuming pear seedling amidst the refuse. Recognizing something special in the discarded plant, 13-year-old Kakunosuke rescued the seedling. He brought it back to his family’s orchard in the pear-growing district of Matsudo. Little did he know this simple act would transform his life and the future of pear cultivation. The seedling, prone to diseases like alternaria black spot, required meticulous care. Kakunosuke nurtured it diligently for a decade, fighting against its vulnerability. Finally, the tree bore fruit. The moment Kakunosuke tasted the sweet, juicy pear, he knew he had discovered something extraordinary. He named it “Shin Daihaku,” meaning “New Large White,” hoping it would surpass the popular “Daihaku” pear. The Nijisseiki Nashi Sei no Chi, then just a small family orchard, became the cradle of this new variety. In 1904, Kakunosuke’s discovery gained recognition in the agricultural magazine Kohnoh Zasshi. The article praised the pear’s exceptional flavor, declaring it “the perfect pear.” The editor, Torajiro Watase, renamed it “20th Century,” a name reflecting the dawning of a new era. The Nijisseiki pear quickly gained popularity. Kakunosuke renamed his orchard “Nishiki kaen,” meaning “Brocade Orchard,” and began selling seedlings. The 20th Century pear’s fame grew, and soon, dignitaries visited the Nijisseiki Nashi Sei no Chi, boosting the area’s development. Sadly, Kakunosuke passed away in 1934, but his legacy lived on. The original tree at Nijisseiki Nashi Sei no Chi, designated a national monument in 1935, met a tragic end in an air raid in 1944. Though the tree perished, the impact of Kakunosuke’s discovery remains. The 20th Century pear reached its peak popularity between 1972 and 1988. Even today, its descendants, “Kosui” and “Hosui,” are among the most popular Asian pear varieties. Though the original Nijisseiki Nashi Sei no Chi has transformed into a residential area, a monument and a small park named after the pear commemorate its significance. The legacy of the boy who found treasure in a garbage dump continues to inspire.