On April 3, the anniversary of the death of environmental activist C.W. Nicol Released a ring made of wood from the Afan Forest

Inheriting the wish "I wish I could be a tree, A gift from the forest to nurture the future of your loved one and Japan. Anniversary ring

2024.04.03 10:30

株式会社イング NENRIN

April 3, 2024 - On the anniversary of the death of environmental activist and author C.W. Nicole ("Ms. Nicole"), ING Corporation ("ING"), a company specializing in anniversary rings, will release the "Year Ring" Afan Forest version.

April 3 is the anniversary of C.W. Nicole's death.

■Inheriting Mr. Nicole's legacy, we will revive a precious forest in Japan.

Mr. Nicole invested his private fortune to establish the "Afan Forest Foundation. As a young man, Nicole loved the Japanese people and felt that Japan was the most beautiful country in the world.

However, as Japan became more and more economically oriented and its people's hearts and minds became desolate, she decided to revive nature.

As part of this effort, she continued to nurture the "Afan Forest" in Kurohime, Nagano Prefecture. In order to carry on Nicole's will to revive the rich nature of Japan and spread it to the future, and to make a positive contribution, we at ING will release the "Nenrin" Afan Forest version on the anniversary of Nicole's death.

Mother Tree" Quercus serrata tree ring (5.5 and 4.0mm width)

■One-of-a-kind rings made from the Mother Tree tree

The Afan Forest is home to the "Mother Tree," a Quercus serrata tree that Nicole loved the most during her lifetime.

Nicole said before her death that she wanted to sleep under the mother tree, and now she sleeps there, becoming one with the forest and watching over it. The grain of the mother tree has a unique beauty that reminds us of Nicole's deep love and connection with nature. This is made even more beautiful with the "annual ring" technique.

More than 6 years of research and experimentation to develop a superior wooden ring as an anniversary specialty.

Objective tests were conducted with the cooperation of public institutions.

Completed as the highest level wedding and anniversary ring as a wooden ring with excellent durability and water resistance

Mother tree and memorial stone where Nicole sleeps

■ Thoughts on the Afan Forest version

Here is what we at ING thought about when we created the Afan Forest tree ring.

We want to give comfort to the hearts of those who wear them and contribute to nurture their love for nature, for the next generation, and for beautiful Japan.

Donating a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the rings to fund the activities of the Afan Forest means that the wearer of the rings has contributed to the regeneration of a precious forest.

Only branches naturally dropped to the earth by Mother Tree and other trees are used.

The ring is a reflection of ING's philosophy: "Bringing harmony to people's hearts, enriching society, and giving back to the earth.

Sponsorship of an animation project that connects the bonds between nature and people to the future

ING also wholeheartedly supports an animation project by the Afan Forest based on the poem "Prayer of the Forest" left by Ms. Nicole, entitled "I want to tell many people what the forest will look like 100 years from now by drawing an animation" (https://readyfor.jp/projects/afan2024). We are also supporting this project wholeheartedly.

The moving reading of the poem by actor Keiko Takeshita and music by singer-songwriter Yae, the second daughter of Nicole's friend, Tokiko Kato, will give the work a flavor that will delight Nicole.

10,000 yen per pair will be donated to the "Animation of the forest 100 years from now, to be shared with as many people as possible" crowdfunding campaign (https://x.gd/5E6LX) (for each pair of applicable items costing 120,000 yen (excluding tax) or more).

If you wish, your name will be listed in the supporting comment section of the Afan Forest Animation Crowdfunding (limited time only).