Newsletter― vol.3―(Mar. 2024)

Dear Rose Friends,
We are excited to inform you that the 20th WFRS World Rose Convention is now just one year andtwo months away. Our preparations for the convention are advancing steadily. In light of thisprogress, we are pleased to announce that we will begin accepting registrations in July 2024. As themagnificent convention in Sweden draws to a close, we invite you to turn your attention to EastAsia.
We have an exciting lineup of lectures planned for the 2025 WRC, covering a wide range of themes
from "Roses in Asia," "Conservation," and "Disease Resistance" to "New Techniques."
In this issue, we would like to give you a preview of some of the lectures that will feature in the"Roses in Asia" section.
Our first highlight is a lecture by Dr. Yoshihiro
Ueda, the Project Manager for WRC in
FUKUYAMA. To commemorate the start of WRCin Japan, Dr. Ueda will present a lecture on thefirst day titled "Roses raised by Japanese
Breeders."
In Japan, rose breeding was not practiced until
around the mid-19th century. It was in the late 19thcentury, with the hobbyist cross-breeding of rosespecies introduced from outside Japan, that theimprovement of Japanese rose varieties began toflourish. Transitioning into the mid-20th century,
this effort was spearheaded by Seizo Suzuki ofKeisei Rose Nurseries, who aimed to elevateJapanese rose breeding to a global level. Since
then, young rose breeders, both professional andamateur, have been actively pushing forward with
their breeding efforts. Among them, Takunori
Kimura has determined breeding directions basedon recent rose cultivation trends, activelyintroducing world-class varieties with a focus on
disease resistance. Kimura Takunori will be speaking on the final day at the Breeders' Panel.

Next, we are excited to introduce Dr. Yuki Mikanagi, a distinguished researcher and author
celebrated for her work, "The Handbook of Wild Roses in Japan," which earned the World
Federation of Rose Societies Literary Award in 2022. Dr. Mikanagi is set to speak at both theSweden and Fukuyama conventions, offering her invaluable insights into the world of roses.
Her captivating lectures, titled "Stories of Roses
which Started with a Wild Rose in Japan: Rosa
multiflora Thunb.," will be a focal point of bothevents. In Sweden, she will shed light on thePolyantha Roses, transitioning to the Rambler
Roses for the Fukuyama audience. Through her
comprehensive presentations, attendees will
explore the profound influence that the 16 wildroses native to Japan have exerted on thedevelopment of modern roses.
Rosa Multiflora

In addition to Dr. Mikanagi's compelling lectures, attendees at the Fukuyama convention will havethe unique opportunity to observe a special display of Japan's wild roses at Fukuyama City
Midorimachi Park, one of the event's venues.

The last speaker we're introducing is Dr. Nobuo
Shirasuna, a renowned garden designer celebrated
for his work on gardens that have received theWFRS Award of Garden Excellence. Hisinnovative designs have significantly enhanced
the allure of rose plantings in parks and alongroads within Fukuyama City, making substantial
contributions to the city's landscape.
Dr. Shirasuna's lecture, titled "Roses Depicted inJapanese Art," delves into an often-overlooked
aspect of the rose's presence in Japan. Despite
common perceptions, roses have been cultivatedin Japan for centuries, not only as horticulturalvarieties but also as significant elements inJapanese literature and art.

It is a fascinating fact that prominent Japanese artists have frequently
chosen roses as subjects for their works, embedding these flowers deeply
into the fabric of Japanese culture and tradition. Roses have seamlessly
integrated into the everyday life, becoming a cherished part of Japan's
cultural heritage.
Dr. Shirasuna has taken a particular interest in what he calls "MysteryRoses." These are roses that are thought to have been cultivated in Japan
since ancient times and still exist across the country. His research into these
Mystery Roses aims to uncover the historical significance and continuity ofrose cultivation in Japan, shedding light on the deep-rooted connection
between roses and Japanese cultural expressions.
These lectures will enrich our understanding of the rose's enduring legacy
and its multifaceted role in Japanese art and society.
Roses and Small Swallows
Abe Masazumi (1775-1826)

The foregoing stories are just some of the fascinating talks that await you at WRC Fukuyama 2025.
Of course, we will also offer tours in which you can savor the beauty and fragrance of Japaneseroses to your heart's content. I invite you to visit our website(https://en.wrc2025fukuyama.jp/newsletter/) and join our mailing list to receive all the latest
updates.
We are looking forward to seeing you at the 20th WFRS World Rose Convention.
Sincerely,

Yukiko Shimura
Yukiko Shimura
President, Japan Rose Society

Naoki Edahiro
Naoki Edahiro
Chair, World Rose Convention Fukuyama Organizing Committee