甘藍の碑

Cabbage Patch Monument. A curious name, isn’t it? Here we stand before a large stone monument, a tribute to something unexpected: cabbage. This is the Cabbage Patch Monument, a testament to Nerima’s agricultural heritage. Nerima Ward was once known for its daikon radishes. However, a blight wiped out the crops in the early Showa era, shifting the focus to cabbage production. Today, Nerima supplies approximately 50% of Tokyo’s cabbage. This monument, erected in 1998, commemorates the 25th anniversary of the “Tokyo Furusato Vegetable Supply Project”. This project stabilized vegetable prices after a period of high inflation in 1948. The government partnered with farmers to ensure a steady supply of fresh, safe, and affordable local vegetables. This monument symbolizes more than just cabbage. It represents the resilience of Nerima’s farmers, the collaboration between government and agriculture, and the importance of food security for Tokyo’s citizens. The Cabbage Patch Monument features a large, aluminum alloy cabbage. It’s a creation of Mr. Watanabe, a local farmer. An inscription on the monument reads: “Easy to cut, sweet, and lacking the pungent bite, this variety is loved by Tokyoites.” The monument also honors the 279 growers who dedicated themselves to cabbage production in Nerima, along with other key figures involved in the project. So, next time you enjoy a Tokyo salad, remember this unassuming monument. It stands as a quirky reminder of the hard work and ingenuity that brings food from farm to table.