KIH
[Purist]
12044
Montblanc makes special pens from the "Miracle Pine Tree" and donates for the restoration.
.... of the area devastated by the 3.11.2011 disaster.
Do you remember the tragic event? Human being have unfortunate or sometimes convenient tendency to forget things, good or bad, especially which did not directly affect them. Well, about this tragic disaster, same thing is actually happening even among the people in this country.
But, to my surprise, Montblanc has not forgot. Montblanc has done a wonderful thing to Japan and I, for one, am so thankful and impressed. Of course, many others are still doing many things to help the affected area, but what Montblanc has just done is so memorable and very thoughtful. I honestly love this brand even more now.
There was a line of pine trees along the coast line in the City of Rikuzen-Takata, and the "woods" was called for a very long time "Takata-Matsubara (pine field)". It was so close to the sea and one of the most beautiful sight of Japan. But then the earthquake and subsequent tsunami attacked the coast and the pine trees are all gone, except this one. This one survived the tsunami, but the root could not be resuscitated due to the deep salt water for a prolonged time.
The English news about it, if you want to remember. The photos still brings tears to my eyes.
Mr. Lambert taking photos of the area, still well under rebuilding.
Listening to how, what happened back then. The conveyor behind them is doing a great job (later in Mr. Lambert's speech).
Looks like Mr. Lambert is reading the memorial plate and thinking of 20,000 people who perished instantly....
Looks like the newly built tsunami surveillance center.
Memorial hall for the victims.....
Roots of some of the dead pine trees found after the tsunami.
Overwhelming. The letter next to Mr. Harrar reads "Kizuna" - means "ties" or "bonds".
Still left as it was.
Mr. Lambert showing the pen to the City officials. On the right is the Mayer.
Mr. Lambert makes speech.
"This is my first visit to the 'site'. I was shocked and awed by the power of the nature, but at the same time, impressed by the people who are trying hard together to rebuild with chin up and the gigantic technology of Japan - I saw big machines 'scraping' the mountain side and bring it via the elevated silver conveyor to the near-sea area to raise the land to reduce the damage from the future tsunami. In such a landscape, I felt like the Miracle Pine Tree was cheering up the people as unmistakably tall and visible-from-anywhere monument."
This message has been edited by KIH on 2015-03-01 04:26:22
Some may question "where were the rest of the trees? It seems like it was alone standing in the town from the beginning".
No. The photos below are "before". Beautiful. Has been there for hundreds of years. These worked as the protection against the past Tsunami, but at this time, the Tsunami power was too great.
70,000 pine trees along the 2km coast line - and ONLY ONE survived and left standing after the Tsunami. (photos from internet)
February 25, 2015
The photos of Jerome Lambert, CEO, Montblanc, Maxime Harrar, CEO, Montblanc Japan, Miki Ando (Professional figure skater, who was the presenter of the pen to the city), and others touring one of the hardest hit area where the Miracle Pine Tree was "rebuilt".
Mr. Lambert taking photos of the area, still well under rebuilding.
Listening to how, what happened back then. The conveyor behind them is doing a great job (later in Mr. Lambert's speech).
Looks like Mr. Lambert is reading the memorial plate and thinking of 20,000 people who perished instantly....
Looks like the newly built tsunami surveillance center.
Memorial hall for the victims.....
Roots of some of the dead pine trees found after the tsunami.
Overwhelming. The letter next to Mr. Harrar reads "Kizuna" - means "ties" or "bonds".
Still left as it was.
Mr. Lambert showing the pen to the City officials. On the right is the Mayer.
Mr. Lambert makes speech.
"This is my first visit to the 'site'. I was shocked and awed by the power of the nature, but at the same time, impressed by the people who are trying hard together to rebuild with chin up and the gigantic technology of Japan - I saw big machines 'scraping' the mountain side and bring it via the elevated silver conveyor to the near-sea area to raise the land to reduce the damage from the future tsunami. In such a landscape, I felt like the Miracle Pine Tree was cheering up the people as unmistakably tall and visible-from-anywhere monument."
"As the CEO of Montblanc International, it is our great honor to get permission to use the branch of this Miracle Pine Tree and make it into MONTBLANC MEISTERSTUCK Miracle Pine Tree. 10,000km from here, at our factory in Hamburg, our craftsmen poured all the energy, passion, and technique to make the best pens they can from this important material. We are so happy to present this limited edition on the 4th anniversary of the disaster, March 11, 2015."
"We thank the City of Rikuzen-Takata who let us do this honor and all those who are concerned. Please remember that we, Montblanc, even though 10,000km away, will always be with you through this MEISTERSTUCK Miracle Pine Tree. We need to share and remember 3.11."
Mr. Harrar's speech.
"As you may know, Montblanc was born in Hamburg in 1906 and now it is the synonym of the pen. Meisterstuck, born in 1924 is without a doubt the most iconic writing instrument in the world. Montblanc is also known for its CSR activities including but not limited to supporting artistic activity as well as UNICEF."
Mr. Harrar's speech.
"As you may know, Montblanc was born in Hamburg in 1906 and now it is the synonym of the pen. Meisterstuck, born in 1924 is without a doubt the most iconic writing instrument in the world. Montblanc is also known for its CSR activities including but not limited to supporting artistic activity as well as UNICEF."
"March 11, 2011, was the tragic day for Japan. The news shook the world and the world was saddened but at the same time impressed by the people who are helping each other in order. In June of the same year, Montblanc started the initiative 'Meisterstuck Rainbow House' where we sold the pen with that name for limited edition of 1000 and we donated all the proceeds to the 'Tohoku Raibow House' for the children who had lost parent or parents to the disaster. And last year, we met Rikuzen-Takata people and were asked to make the Miracle Pine Tree to the pen to give people 'hope'."
"We decided to make 113 pens (from "March 11") and give No. 1 to this City of Rikuzen-Takata. It is to be displayed where people of Rikuzen-Takata can see anytime after the City has been rebuilt. Montblanc will donate the proceeds, 80% to the school rebuilding and education, 20% to the organization for the international cooperation for the kids, 'AidTAKATA'."
Agreement of donation, Mayer Futoshi Toba and Mr. Harrar.
And the catalog of the pen was presented from Miki Ando.
Far left is the character for Rikuzen-Takata. On the right is the actual "branch" used to make the pens.
And this is THE MEISTERSTUCK Miracle Pine Tree Limited Edition of 113, to be on sale on March 11.
Agreement of donation, Mayer Futoshi Toba and Mr. Harrar.
And the catalog of the pen was presented from Miki Ando.
Far left is the character for Rikuzen-Takata. On the right is the actual "branch" used to make the pens.
And this is THE MEISTERSTUCK Miracle Pine Tree Limited Edition of 113, to be on sale on March 11.
Lastly, the video of the news broadcast aired on Feb. 25 (sorry, all in Japanese). From 0' 38", Jerome and Maxime will appear....
This may be just another news for you, but this means a lot for the people in the affected area and this country. Thank you, Montblanc. You gave us another hope.
Our sincere thanks to:
Montblanc
Jerome Lambert, CEO, Montbanc
Maxime Harrar, CEO, Montblanc Japan
Shigo Hisai, PR, Montlanc Japan
Thank you for reading.
Best,
Ken
PS: on the following day (Feb. 26), I had breakfast with Mr. Lambert and the interview article will be posted soon. Will get back to the watch topic 
Montblanc makes special pens from the "Miracle Pine Tree" and donates for the restoration.
.... of the area devastated by the 3.11.2011 disaster. Do you remember the tragic event? Human being have unfortunate or sometimes convenient tendency to forget things, good or bad, especially which did not directly affect them. Well, about this tragic di...
Montblanc 1ppon Matsu pen
Ken, I have to admit to a small tear from my eye when I read your report and watched the video. We collected pens before watches especially from Montblanc. It is good that they remembered the rebuilding. Having lived in Japan before the Tohoku Tsunami and...
Thank you.
... you and Mrs. MTF should visit Japan again soon. It's still the same good old country with good old people :-) Ken
Wow! Incredibly meaningful.
I'm impressed. So, the pine tree that is in the photograph, is the tree going to survive? Or is the tree not going to survive due to too much saltwater in its roots? This is a touching story for one of the most tragic natural disasters this world has ever...
The miracle pine tree survived...
... and kept standing, but in time, the root died slowly and now it is dead - the monument is sort of a "Cyborg", but it still is the great monument to remember the disaster by.... And its "kids" were found and planted somewhere. Yes, very impressive, gre...
Read the story in greater detail...
I read the story about the tree itself in greater detail and I see it was recreated with the top part of the original tree, but with a man-made artificial tree base. Such a sad story for the tree to have died despite surviving such a terrible ordeal. Remi...
Thank YOU, Patrick....
.... for reading and sharing what we feel. Warmest regards, Ken
