Cherry blossom petals were raised in the campus under the spring breeze, showing that the poem representing the friendly relation between China and Japan was eulogized again in Dalian Art College. On the morning of May 9, delegation of Soka University of Japan and Cheery Blossom Association visited the college and conducted the exchange. President of Soka University of Japan Tashiro and 12 students of Soka University, 28 friendly personages of Cheery Blossom Association as well as Mr. Guhe Keji, the president of Japan-China Friendship Association in Ishikawa Prefecture of Japan touched Dalian Art College with their friendliness and sincereness.
To greet Japanese guests, the college held the warm welcome ceremony in the Cherry Blossom Garden. On the ceremony, students of Ikeda Thought Reading Club recited two poems – The Light of Peace and Cherry Blossom Garden in Japanese. These two poems were adapted by integrating the poem of Mr. Ikeda Daisaku into the friendship between Dalian Art College and Soka University. When these Japanese guests enjoyed the cherry blossom tree and listened to the familiar Cheery Blossom Garden sung by students of Dalian Art College, the friendship across the countries rung from the heart of each guest. President of Soka University Tashiro said, “I was deeply moved by the welcome ceremony held by Dalian Art College for us, and it was unforgettable to listen to the poem created by Mr. Ikeda on the site. Cheery Blossom Garden is the poem created by Mr. Ikeda for eulogizing premier Zhou Enlai and friendly relation between China and Japan, fitting our friendly exchange”. Mr. Guhe Keji said, “I would be deeply touched by the beautiful song of Dalian Art College, and had all sorts of feelings when accompanying acting president for visiting Dalian Art College today. Every student carried flowers in their hands, pure soul and rich life were the more beautiful flowers, and wish you greater success in Ikeda Thought Reading Club”.
After the welcome ceremony, Japan’s friends went to the college for a visit. They enjoyed the sight of stone, listened to the narration of student guide on chicken-blood stone of Longsheng in Guangxi, listened to the Notes of the Jade Pool Stones read by students, and felt the chairman’s construction idea of new campus and deep expectations of students of Dalian Art College. Guests stopped to enjoy the paintings of teachers and students, and gave the praise to these works. During the visit of the History Museum completing the new decoration, Japanese guests knew the education philosophy of the chairman, establishment history and educational achievements of the college, etc. Japanese guests also visited Ikeda Daisaku exhibition hall, and felt the respect of the college for Mr. Ikeda and sincerity of friendly exchange of Soka University.
Then, delegation members of Soka University and college leaders conducted the friendly conversation in the VIP room. The chairman presented the calligraphy works to president Tashiro, and asked him to transfer the gifts to Mr. Ikeda and Mrs. Ikeda. The college presented the photo album of Soul of Cherry recording the process of the chairman, the college forming ties with Mr. Ikeda and Soka University. President Tashiro transferred the Ikeda Daisaku Photograph presented by Mr. Ikeda to president Wang Xianjun, and Tashiro also presented the school badge of Soka University to the college. Surprisingly, three ideas - peace, culture and education of Mr. Ikeda Daisaku as the founder of Soka University echoed with the college motto “virtue cultivation, skill training, honest avocation and beauty pursuit”, and design of phoenix wing on the school badge of Soka University had the same effect as the phoenix design on the school badge of the college.
President Wang Xianjun said, “I hope that the college can leave a good impression to president Tashiro, and delegation of Soka University can bring the best wishes of Dalian Art College back. I hope two schools can keep cooperation from generation to generation, and work together to create the miracle of friendly exchanges between universities”. President Tashiro said, “It’s the first time to visit Dalian Art College for me, and I’m deeply touched by such large scale of the college. We visit the History Museum of the college, and feel that president Wang Xianjun as the founder of the college can pass the spirit of founding the college to teachers. We are very moved”.
Meanwhile, members of Cherry Blossom Association and college students made the close communication. The college assigned three students in Japan to introduce what they saw, heard and felt in Soka University, evoking the emotional resonance of members of Cherry Blossom Association, and they talked about happily.
At night, Japanese guests went to grand theater of development zone to watch the oratorio Soul of Cherry. When the prelude played by the orchestra sounded, the spectacular scene shocked them deeply. When the melody of Japanese folk song Red Dragonfly in the prelude sounded, they smiled. In such beautiful music, friendly exchanges would create more legends.