GETTYSBURG, Pa. — The Gettysburg National Military Park and staff members of the Gettysburg Foundation recently welcomed a delegation from the battlefield's sister park, the Sekigahara Battlefield in Sekigahara, Japan.
Representatives from Japan's Gifu Prefecture government, the Sekigahara Battlefield, and the Japanese tourism industry were in attendance for a viewing of the film "A New Birth of Freedom," a visit to the Gettysburg Cyclorama, and a tour of the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center, park staff said in a press release.
Following a tour of the Gettysburg battlefield, the delegates enjoyed time behind the scenes to view artifacts not currently on exhibit, preserved and cared for by Gettysburg National Military Park and the Gettysburg Foundation.
Since the 2016 World Battlefields Summit Joint Declaration, this most recent visit continued the Sister Park relationship between the Gettysburg and Sekigahara battlefields. At the same time, the Borough of Gettysburg signed a Sister City agreement with the town of Sekigahara, Gifu Prefecture, Japan.
Now preserved as a military park, Sekigahara Battlefield is remembered as one of the largest samurai battles in history, when 160,000 opposing eastern and western factions of samurai fought on and around a strategic mountain pass. On October 21, 1600, the Eastern Army of Tokugawa Ieyasu successfully defeated the Western Army of Ishida Mitsunari and so began more than 200 years of peace in Japan.
Learn more about the Battle of Sekigahara on Gettysburg National Military Park’s website.
"The Japanese delegation visit fosters cultural exchange and strengthens international ties with Gettysburg National Military Park, the Gettysburg Foundation and the Borough of Gettysburg," the Gettysburg Foundation said. "The delegation also visited the Gettysburg Borough Hall and other businesses in town and experienced a comprehensive understanding of Gettysburg’s significance and impact on American history.
"Their visit is representative of the Gettysburg Foundation’s efforts to reach new and international audiences through fostering collaboration and mutual promotion of historical and cultural attractions. Gettysburg National Military Park and the Gettysburg Foundation encourage visitors to learn the significance of such momentous historical events from different countries and cultures for a more holistic and informed view about our shared human heritage."
