Tsuruga City, A Port of Humanity

Tsuruga City has had a long history with a large focus around our port. In 1920 with the Polish-Soviet War abound, 760 Polish Orphans from Siberia were brought here. Then in the opening years of the Second World War, with the infamous decimation of Jewish people, Chiune Sugihara issued visas, to be later called [Visas of Life] to save over 6000 people. From then, the city was seen by many as being “A Port Of Humanity”.

A Brief Background

The First Wave of Refugees- The case of the Polish Orphans in 1920-22

23rd July 1920, the landing of the Transport Ship Chikuzen Maru. Aboard was a small group of orphans, shabbily clothes and tired, emotionally and physically, from the journey from Vladivostok, Russia. They rested at a school in the city and then boarded a train to Tokyo. These were the first. They wouldn’t be the last. Over a total of 5 missions, 375 children of all different ages were saved and brought to our port.

2 years later, at the urging of the Polish Rescue Committee in Vladivostok, 3 more missions led to the saving of another 388 children, who were fed sweets and fruit and re-clothed. They were then sent to Tokyo so that they could be repatriated. A total of 763 children were saved from the atrocities that came about due to war and revolution.

↑Polish Orphans with Japanese Red Cross Nurses↓

The Second Wave of Refugees- The case of the displaced Jews in 1940~

War always has innocent casualties. The Second World War was no different. With rapid expansion of both Nazi Germany, and Stalin’s Soviet Union. A bottleneck formed, with Jews being forced to choose between either risking getting to Europe via Nazi controlled borders and face certain death, or to leave via the Soviet Side albeit illegally. The majority risked moving to the north to Lithuania. As both villainous sides started to converge slowly on Poland and their new temporary home of Lithuania now under control of the Soviets, the way out was seemingly impossible… or so it was thought.

↑Arrival of some of the first Jewish People（1940）

A saviour of Men – Chiune Sugihara

This is the part of history where a certain man or woman stands up to help. Chiune Sugihara was a consul agent that just worked in the Japanese Consulate in Kaunas, Lithuania. Upon seeing and hearing stories about the problems faced, he worked night and day to write special visas that would allow these discriminated people to travel via the Trans-Siberian Railroad, to eventually board a ship to Tsuruga. Over 6000 people were saved due to what would come to be called[Visas of Life].

The original museum

Original Aims

↑The Current Museum as it stands

The initial aims of the museum was to create something that would lead to a lasting legacy that people could go to and learn about episodes and stories that concerned the refugees that landed in Tsuruga.

It would also allow us to teach our children that live in Tsuruga to be proud about our heritage.

↑One of the Visas for Life that was given out by Chiune Sugihara

When it comes to the Jewish refugees many different stories and events happened. It's often looked back on by many about the journey that these 6000 people took and to Japan of all places. About the long arduous trek and risk life and limb. And about the arrival of the ships to Tsuruga Port.

The Port Of Humanity,


What they saw as being their Heaven.

On display at the current museum are things such as an album containing pictures of people that travelled on the boat when running from Lithuania, or one of the last surviving trinkets, a watch that was sold by one of the Jewish people that arrived. By collecting items such as these we can pass on this history in a way that is easy to understand, and also a way that people can connect with. We want to be able to pass on this legacy via the many stories that can be told about the refugees that came.

↑Album of people that came from Vladivostok

For now, it's difficult to convey the events. So we created an area to learn about these events and we want to make said area even better.

To be able to show people about the Sanctity of Life and the Importance of Peace

Why renew?

「Creating a place where people can learn about peace and philanthropy.」

As globalisation picks up, there seems to be a loss of interpersonal connections. We want to bring back the ideals that were seen during the time that the refugees arrived. A time where even with the barrier of language and culture, people came together to help others. In a time where Japan is accepting record lows of refugees among record highs of applications, we want to teach others that it is the responsibility of humans to look out for one another.

So Why Now?

・We’re approaching two special dates, 100 years since the first Polish orphans arrived and 80 years since the Jewish refugees arrived. But these two important years shows us that time is passing on and those that can remember the times are slowly declining.

・We want to try and pass on these important facts and keep the legacy alive.

・In 2015, with both the opening of a new shop area, as well as the release of the film [Chiune Sugihara – Persona Non Grata] along with an increase of visitors via ferry, visitation to the area has increased and to help with this influx of visitors we wanted to help create a space that will help with education of said visitors.

・We want to also allow for the children of Tsuruga and school children that come to visit, to be able to see the importance of helping others, of the value of life, and of peace. By seeing these episodes and giving them a face we wish for them to be able to see these things and change their values to be more positive towards the global society.

Why Crowdfunding?

Being a city office, it is hard for us to receive donations and so on from outside sources. While many have come forward to give money to us to help with our cause, we didn't have a way to accept this and focus that money on certain projects. This doubled with the limited funds we get for projects makes it hard to create large scale projects like this. We have luckily received a grant to help with this enormous project, but in order to fully realize this plan, we wish to look towards those that want to help keep Tsuruga City’s legacy alive. By funding this project, we also can promise that the money raised will all be used on creating the perfect public space for visitors and citizens of Tsuruga City.

Creating a museum that can pass on the stories and legacy of the Port Of Humanity

Back in the Meiji era over 150 years ago up until the the beginning of the Showa era (1926), there were four buildings that stood on the edge of the prosperous Kanegasaki area. They were unfortunately destroyed and now we want to use their image as a semi-tribute to the past.

For those that visit the「Port Of Humanity Museum」we want people to look at the area and feel what the people felt back when everything was happening.

The plan to Open 2020/2021

The New「Port Of Humanity Museum」construction plan

・The museum will be moved to the edge of the Kanegasaki area.

・The area will include space not just for the exhibitions but also a teaching and learning facility. As well as this, it will also look to hold certain artifacts from the time.

・We are looking to make a space for elementary school children as well as organisations to be able to come together and learn.

・We're trying to make the museum a place not just to remember those that past but celebrate life and peace

What will be on display?

・A space to talk about both the Polish Orphans and Jewish Refugees

Of course the main area for the museum will be focus on the events concerning the Polish Orphans and Jewish Refugees that landed in Tsuruga. Being a massive part of our history and an event that only happened here, we want to be able to show people about this.

・ A space to learn about the past

We want to allow for those that come to see the reconstructed buildings, and to look back on the deep past that this city and area has and be able to relax.

・To create a exhibition that has a lasting bond between the events of the past and the future

We wish to create an exhibition that allows people to realize the importance of life and peace. By looking back on the past events, we want people to see the examples of the Polish Orphans and the Jewish Refugees, and to make sure that these things don’t happen in the future.

・To create a theatre that makes learning enjoyable for all

We wish to create an area that can hold about 50 people, where that even with large groups of people and organisations can come together and understand the events of the past via cinema.

・To create not just an area of permanent exhibitions but also one for temporary ones

By being able to create an area for exhibitions, that are temporary, we are able to focus on different events and episodes and highlight certain moments.

Schedule

The schedule start of construction is 2019 March with the plan to open sometime between March 2020 and April 2021.

Use of the crowdfunded money

The money raised will be put towards the creation of the new Museum.

Ways to back the project

＜Credit Card Processing＞

Registration to the site is necessary to back the project via credit card.
Click on the top of the page where it says [Sign Up] and you can enter your email address to quickly finish making your account.


Once you have made your account, you should return to this page and choose the return you wish to back.
After you’ve chosen, please enter all the necessary information as well as your credit card information and then click through to the confirmation page.
If everything has been entered correctly that will finalise your crowdfunding support.



＜Bank Transfer＞(INSIDE JAPAN ONLY)

For this project, we are offering the option of a bank transfer within Japan.
In this case, please email the following email address with your wish as well as your name, phone number, Address, and if needed your chosen email address.
JAPANKURU FUNDING: 　[email protected]　 Once you have received a reply, please transfer the money via the following information:


ジャパンネット銀行
ビジネス営業部 普通
1200341
カ)グローバルデイリー

All information from the backers of each project is held confidentially. We won’t pass any of this information on or use it in any other means.

About Returns

Return Significance.

We wanted to create an abundance of returns that people would be able to feel happy to receive if they back it. One of the returns that is included in tiers over 10000 yen is the “Apple Towel”. This has a large significance to the area. As we talked about before, when the Jewish refugees arrived in Tsuruga 80 years ago, many people came out to offer various goods. One big story is of a youth, carrying a large amount of apples and giving them to the refugees. When the refugees tried to pay the youth, he said no and walked away. It left an impression on the Jewish people, and was widely talked about.

＜About the special returns- Apple Towel and Anniversary Badge＞

This is the design for the special returns!！

3,000円

・Thanks Mail
・Updates about the project and its progress!

5,000円

・Thanks Mail
・Updates about the project and its progress !
・New Museum Pair Tickets - Limited Edition Design!
　※Tickets will be handed over when visiting the Museum

10,000円

・Thanks Mail
・Updates about the project and its progress !
・Name displayed on a monitor that will be in the new museum!
・Museum 10 Year Anniversary Badge!
・Apple Towel!
　※These will be handed over at the Museum
・New Museum Family Tickets (tickets for 5) - Limited Edition Design!
　※Tickets will be handed over when visiting the Museum

30,000円

・Thanks Mail
・Updates about the project and its progress !
・Name displayed on a monitor that will be in the new museum!
・Museum 10 Year Anniversary Badge!
・Apple Towel!
　※These will be handed over at the Museum
・New Museum Tickets for 10 people - Limited Edition Design!
　※Tickets will be handed over when visiting the Museum

100,000円

・Thanks Mail
・Updates about the project and its progress !
・Name displayed on a monitor that will be in the new museum!
・Museum 10 Year Anniversary Badge!
・Apple Towel!
　※These will be handed over at the Museum
・New Museum Tickets for 10 people - Limited Edition Design!
　※Tickets will be handed over when visiting the Museum
・Name displayed on special plaque!(Individual)

300,000円

・Thanks Mail
・Updates about the project and its progress !
・Name displayed on a monitor that will be in the new museum!
・Museum 10 Year Anniversary Badge!
・Apple Towel!
　※These will be handed over at the Museum
・New Museum Tickets for 10 people - Limited Edition Design!
　※Tickets will be handed over when visiting the Museum
・Name displayed on special plaque!(Individual)

500,000円

・Thanks Mail
・Updates about the project and its progress !
・Name displayed on a monitor that will be in the new museum!
・Museum 10 Year Anniversary Badge!
・Apple Towel!
　※These will be handed over at the Museum
・New Museum Tickets for 10 people - Limited Edition Design!
　※Tickets will be handed over when visiting the Museum
・Name displayed on special plaque!(Individual or Sponser)

1,000,000円

・Thanks Mail
・Updates about the project and its progress !
・Name displayed on a monitor that will be in the new museum!
・Museum 10 Year Anniversary Badge!
・Apple Towel!
　※These will be handed over at the Museum
・New Museum Tickets for 10 people - Limited Edition Design!
　※Tickets will be handed over when visiting the Museum
・Name displayed on special plaque!(Individual or Sponser)

※What is the monitor talked about in the returns?

In the new [Tsuruga Port of Humanity Museum] we will have a large monitor in place, where we will be introducing the crowdfunding project as well those that have helped us to make the new museum. As well as this, we will be displaying the names of the backers if it is included in your selected tier.

※What is the plaque talked about in the returns?

In the new [Tsuruga Port of Humanity Museum] we will have a plaque, where we will be permanently introducing the people that helped support the project with large donations, for everyone to see!

※Update reports

We plan to update everyone once every month or so about how things are progressing!

Additional Information about Tsuruga

「Port of Humanity Museum」

Home Page http://www.tmo-tsuruga.com/kk-museum/index_e.html
Post Code 〒914-0072
Address 44-1 Kanegasaki, Tsuruga City, Fukui Prefecture
Telephone 0770-37-1035
Opening Hours 09:00-17:00
Holidays December 29th-January 3rd
Access Bus from Tsuruga Station.「Kaizen Line 」to 「Kanegasaki(金ヶ崎緑地)」
Bus from Tsuruga Station「Sightseeing Route」to「Kanegasaki(金ヶ崎緑地)」
Hokuriku Highway Tsuruga IC Exit about 7 Minutes
Taxi from Tsuruga Station about 5 Minutes

Tsuruga City

　Tsuruga City has a rich history when it comes to the ocean, being one of the ports in the middle of Japan. Even today, many ships from around the world arrives here bearing containers, or even the odd ferry! As well as this, the city is home to a nuclear power plant, that supplies the surrounding areas

　Obviously being close to the sea, the city's main industry is using the seafood that is abundant around us. with us holding about 85% of the countries output of kelp as well as different types of fish pastes. We're also blessed with having an abundance around us, with one of Japanese biggest Pine groves. When it comes to the wildlife around us, we are famous for having [Tsuruga Blow Fish (fugu)] and amazingly tasty [Echizen Crab]. Outside of food, we have an astounding assortment of famous shrines and temples, as well as manga character figures' from the famous manga artist, Leiji Matsumoto making Tsuruga an amazing place for everyone to visit!

Future of Tsuruga

By the end of 2023、the Hokuriku Bullet Trainshould be usable making access to Tsuruga even easier! With this, we are looking to help promote Kanegasaki and looking to make it an even more prosperous vibrant area! Up until now we have finished construction of the Old Red Brick Storehouse mentioned earlier, as well as looking to create more events focused during the winter period for the locals and visitors. We hope that by putting together an area that both represents the past and looks positively towards the area, people will enjoy themselves and come repeatedly every year!

Final Words

Thank you for checking out this project and for taking the time to read until the end.

We here in Tsuruga through our schooling learn about all the amazing things that happened here over the years, about Chiune Sugihara and how he helped save people. We want to be able to pass on this knowledge to those that are from outside our small city. There are still many Japanese people that have never heard of the things that happened such a long time ago and being able to make an area for people to be able to learn and then go away and tell others would be an amazing thing.

We urge you to back the project and then come and visit the museum when it’s done.
Thank you so much!