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Kiyono Nursery

9/8/2019

9 Comments

 
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                                                       Tsukasa Kiyono​
​ Tsukasa Kiyono was one of the earliest Japanese immigrants to settle in Alabama.  He came to Semmes in 1914 purchasing farm land and began growing Satsuma’s and Pecans. In 1921 he returned to Japan for a visit, marrying Tomoe and returning to Semmes.

Tsukasa and Tomoe had two daughters, Mary born in 1926 and Marion born in 1928 while living in Semmes.

 Hard freezes destroyed the fruit crops and the farming changed to grow nursery plants. In the beginning years, all work was done by Tsukasa and Tomoe.   With years of hard work, Kiyono Nursery became very successful; employees were hired to do the labor.

Tsukasa was always interested in the development of new plants and methods of growing plants, traveling back to Japan and over the world to see plants that might be grown here.  He became known as a renowned horticulturist.  He was featured in Life Magazine in 1939.  The Nursery industry was growing in Semmes. 
   
The Kiyono’s are fondly remembered for their kindness, friendship and generosity to the community.  Semmes was a rural community with a rural school with limited teaching resources. Tsukasa purchases a Victrola and records for Semmes School.  The Victrola was rolled from room to room every Friday and classical music played according to Tom Dodd, Jr.
     
In 1939 Semmes First Baptist Church had built a new church but did not have money for pews.   Tsukasa purchased and donated all the pews for the main auditorium in honor of his two daughters, Marion and Mary, who had become Christians.
     
​While the Kiyono Family was on a visit to Japan 1941, World War II broke out preventing their return to the United States.  Kiyono Nursery was sold at auction to Clint McDade and renamed Semmes Nursery.

 

9 Comments
Yaeko Collier
2/7/2020 06:45:06 am

Tsukasa Kiyono is my great uncle, my grandmother's brother. I visited him in Tokyo many times and enjoyed his company and his garden specially orchids and bonsai he was growing.
I knew he farmed in America but never knew where and am delighted to find information about him.

Thank you,
Yaeko Collier

Reply
Jeanette Byrd link
3/5/2021 05:50:03 pm

Thank You for your Comments.

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Kaeko Funamoto
5/18/2021 10:15:45 pm

What a coincidence! Tsukasa Kiyono is my great uncle too.
He is my granddad,Hiroshi's elder brother. I have no memories about Tsukasa unfortunately but met Mary several times in Japan.I have had just a few information of his camellia farm in America from my mum,Masako, long time ago.Since my mum died I can't get any informations any more.It's so lovely to know more about them.
I'm not sure this mail goes to either Jeanette or Yaeko.
Is it possible to get the contact details of Yaeko who supposed to be my great cousin.

Reply
Kenichiro Fujisaki link
3/5/2021 12:24:55 am

There is a cultivar of Camellia japonica named ’Mary Kiyono’.
Was it named after Ms. Mary Kiyono, a daughter of Tsukasa?

Reply
Yaeko Collier
5/19/2021 05:30:21 am

I would love to connect with my great cousin Kaeko! I live in Portland, Maine. Someday I would love to visit the nursery and perhaps meet my great cousin!!
Would love to see Mary Tsukasa camellia, also.

Reply
Kaeko Funamoto
5/19/2021 02:40:49 pm

Hi Yaeko. How lovely to get a reply from you.
I live in New Zealand, Auckland.
Let's talk and make a plan going to the nursery someday.
Please contact me.
kaeko.funamoto@gmail.com

Reply
Ariel Kochi
10/3/2022 04:17:25 pm

Hello Yaeko and Kaeko,
Tsukushima Kiyono was my grandfather- my mother was Marion. I live in NYC and would love to hear from you.

Kaeko Funamoto
10/3/2022 07:41:12 pm

Hi Ariel.
It’s lovely to hear from you. I’ve slightly remembered you. I would love to talk with you as well.

For Kiyono Nursery,
Thank you so much to give me this wonderful opportunity.
Kind regards.
Kaeko

Reply
Ariel Kochi
10/4/2022 02:50:27 am

Hi Kaeko,

Thank you for replying. I would love to hear from you and may be reached at akochi@mac.com.

Best,

Ariel

Reply



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