May 9, 2026     SCREEN Group

On May 9, 2026, ahead of the procession of the Aoi Festival,¹ the “Aoi Homecoming” ceremony was held at Kamigamo Shrine. As its highlight, futaba-aoi (two-leaf wild ginger, an herb originally gathered on the shrine premises) grown on the grounds of the SCREEN Holdings Head Office was ceremonially “returned” to the shrine.
This initiative is part of SCREEN’s efforts to help conserve Kyoto’s rare wildlife and plant species and preserve local cultural traditions. In recent years, the futaba-aoi used in the Aoi Festival has declined in number due to the impacts of climate change and wildlife damage. To address this issue, under the “Aoi Homecoming” initiative, organizations and individuals receive divided plants and cultivate them as volunteer “foster growers.” SCREEN participates in this effort, contributing to the stable supply of the plants.
SCREEN’s Head Office site has been certified under the a Kyoto City biodiversity and cultural conservation project² and cultivates rare plant species native to Kyoto on its grounds. The green space at the Head Office is home to more than 15 species of rare plants, including the near-threatened species fujibakama (thoroughwort) and kikutanigiku (chrysanthemum).
A member of the team responsible for maintaining and managing the green space area commented, “This is my third year caring for the futaba-aoi. In the beginning, we struggled because the plants did not grow. Since it proved difficult to cultivate them directly in the green space, we tried several approaches, including transplanting them into planters and growing them in shaded, well-ventilated locations. As a result, the futaba-aoi grew healthy and strong, and we were delighted to present them to the shrine and contribute to the Aoi Festival.”
Beyond this initiative, SCREEN recognizes the importance of biodiversity and is engaged in a variety of biodiversity conservation activities, including collaborating with the Lake Biwa Museum.

Notes:
1. A festival of Kamigamo Shrine and one of Kyoto’s three major festivals, alongside the Gion Festival and the Jidai Matsuri (Festival of the Ages). The festival takes its name from the extensive use of futaba-aoi leaves and is said to have originated approximately 1,400 years ago as a ritual to ward off epidemics and poor harvests and to pray for abundant crops.
2. A project designed to preserve and rehabilitate species that have played a role in local festivals and traditional culture. Kyoto City certifies the activities of project members and sends experts to support their efforts.

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