Photo by Cunningham Charlowe Photography. Styling by Michael Puccetti.
Hidaka’s father started Hidaka USA’s on the Hidaka USA property maturing The tent faces cherry trees planted parent company, Hidaka Seiki, more and blossoming each year, Hidaka de- along a pond so guests have a good than 50 years ago. After graduating cided to host a Cherry Tree Luncheon, view of the trees – if they’re in bloom from Keio University in Tokyo, the young- inviting City staff to celebrate the coming at the time of the event. Even with laster Hidaka took a job at an automotive of spring. A City building, which houses minute invitations, timing the luncheon is parts company in Japan. In 1987, he several departments, is just across the tricky. If the trees have already bloomed, was transferred to the company’s Ann road from Hidaka USA. the company arranges for photographs Arbor, Mich. office. “We have the event outside every year of the blooms for display at the event. Just three years later, Hidaka Seiki and we try to predict in early March … The event also showcases Japanese decided to build a sheet metal fabri- when the trees will be in full bloom,” Hi- culture. For the last two years, the Consul cation facility in Dublin and asked the daka says. “Once a date is decided, we General of Japan in Detroit, Kuninori Matyounger Hidaka to head up suda, has attended and given the new business. Hidaka; a short speech. Food served is his wife, Keiko; and their two a mix of American and Japasons, Akihiro and Hirobumi, nese staples, including sushi, moved to central Ohio so he in the interest of providing could lead the company. something for everyone. Dublin proved to be an ide“When I first started this busial location – close to its main ness in Dublin, everyone was client, Honda of America very kind to me and I am very Manufacturing and a great happy for the friendship and location for Japanese families support I have gotten over the to live, Hidaka says. years,” Hidaka says. “The According to 2010 data Hanami is my way of thanking from the U.S. Census Buthe City officials of Dublin and reau, Asians are Dublin’s its staff members by bringing us largest minority group, actogether in a joyous way to celcounting for 15.3 percent ebrate the beginning of spring.” of its population (just under This year’s Cherry Blossom 42,000 in 2010), and 8.5 Luncheon will likely take place percent of its businesses are in early April, Hidaka says. Asian-owned. Both of those “I hope everyone can take figures are well above avera moment of their busy schedage for Ohio (1.7 percent ules to look at the true beauty and 2 percent, respectively). of the trees and understand “The City of Dublin … underthat every day is a new beginstands the Japanese communining,” he says. ty and how some are not able The bond between Dublin to live in the city for a long and Japan was strengthened period of time, specifically even further after the devastatduring an overseas job assigning tsunami that struck northern ment. However, the city still Japan and the 9.0 earthquake continues to take good care of off its coast in March 2011. them,” Hidaka says. “A good Sandra Puskarcik, the City’s diexample is the Dublin Methodrector of community relations, ist Hospital that was built five asked Hidaka how the comyears ago. … The hospital promunity could help Japan. vides good translation services The Hanami is my way of thanking Fortunately, neither Hidaka to help them feel comfortable USA’s parent company nor the City officials of Dublin and during their visits.” workers’ friends or family memits staff members by bringing To thank Dublin for welcombers were directly impacted ing Japanese residents, the by the disaster. But in Japan, us together in a joyous way to company started a new tradimore than 15,000 people celebrate the beginning of spring. tion in 2007. died and more than 800,000 - Yoshihiro Hidaka Hanami – the traditional buildings were either damflower viewing of the cherry aged or destroyed. blossoms – is typically spent feasting have two weeks to send out invitations, Hidaka was so saddened by the under the cherry trees with friends and plan the menu and make arrangements tragedy that he considered cancelling family. With more and more of the trees to have a tent set up for our guests.” the luncheon.
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