Building Microbe Mound
At the beginning of the Showa Era the Enzyme Industry, which has been my lifework, could
be said to be at what you might call its budding or 'germ' stage, and there were lying before
us a great number of trials and ordeals. Happily and to our great pleasure, thanks to recent
remarkable progress in bacteriology, new kinds of enzymes have been developed in
succession, and have been playing important roles in many fields.
be said to be at what you might call its budding or 'germ' stage, and there were lying before
us a great number of trials and ordeals. Happily and to our great pleasure, thanks to recent
remarkable progress in bacteriology, new kinds of enzymes have been developed in
succession, and have been playing important roles in many fields.
But how selfish of human beings to have been too indifferent to the victimization of trillions
of little lives, in the shade of these glorious technological achievements, to pay attention to
the sacrifices offered by them! Deploring this deeply, I set up the Microbe Mound in the holy
precinct of the auspicious Manshuin Temple at the western foot of Mt. Hiei.
of little lives, in the shade of these glorious technological achievements, to pay attention to
the sacrifices offered by them! Deploring this deeply, I set up the Microbe Mound in the holy
precinct of the auspicious Manshuin Temple at the western foot of Mt. Hiei.
On constructing it, I had Dr.Kinichirou Sakaguchi do lots of favors, including Title Calligraphy
to Ode To Microbe Mound; furthermore, on the Eye-Opening ceremony, to my greatest joy,
he composed a congratulatory poem:
to Ode To Microbe Mound; furthermore, on the Eye-Opening ceremony, to my greatest joy,
he composed a congratulatory poem:
Loving unseen tiny lives
We build an eternal stone monument at the old Templeyard.
Receiving precious recommendatory letters from many distinguished people in this field, I
compiled them into a pamphlet, titled
compiled them into a pamphlet, titled
"Contributions To Microbe Mound,"
and presented them to schools, institutes, and laboratories widely through our country.
Bathed in bliss of my dream coming true, my utmost wish is that persons engaged in this
industry pay a visit once in a while to this sacred place and swear to fulfill their respective
job never to be shamed by little creatures' sacrifices.
Bathed in bliss of my dream coming true, my utmost wish is that persons engaged in this
industry pay a visit once in a while to this sacred place and swear to fulfill their respective
job never to be shamed by little creatures' sacrifices.
Paying condolence to Microbes' souls
At the first anniversary of building the Microbe Mound on May in 1982
Takeo Kasabo, at a cottage in Takarazuka
Microbe Mound
To the innumerable souls of Microbes
Who have dedicated and sacrificed
For the existence of Humans,
We pay our deepest respect.
Here we hold a Memorial Service
For their soul's rest and condolence,
Building a Microbe Mound.