Kikuzuki Preservation Society

The Kikuzuki Preservation Society (菊月保存会, Kikuzuki Hozonkai) was a Japanese voluntary association, later a general incorporated association, dedicated to salvaging, repatriating, restoring and preserving relics of the Imperial Japanese Navy destroyer Kikuzuki, which was wrecked in the Solomon Islands in 1942. Its stated purpose was to recover part of the vessel from the Solomon Islands, restore and conserve it in Maizuru, Kyoto Prefecture, and thereby contribute to the promotion of international mutual understanding. The organization began as the Kikuzuki Project in January 2015 and was incorporated as a general incorporated association in February 2016, initially headquartered in Dojimahama, Kita-ku, Osaka, before moving its headquarters to Sanmu, Chiba Prefecture, in June 2016. It received permission from the Solomon Islands government on 30 March 2016 to salvage the destroyer's No. 3 (later identified as No. 4) gun barrel and No. 3 gun mount. In January 2017 it announced on Twitter that part of the ship's first funnel had returned to Japan. The No. 4 gun barrel was successfully recovered on 18 June 2017; after decontamination and rust-proofing at Tulagi, it was transported to Honiara port, shipped to Japan, and arrived at Kobe Port on 3 September 2017 — the first return of the vessel's remains to the Japanese mainland in 75 years since it was wrecked on 4 May 1942. On 5 September 2017 it was moved to the Maizuru works of Japan Marine United (JMU), successor to the former Maizuru Naval Arsenal where the ship was built. After restoration at JMU, the No. 4 gun barrel was dedicated at Omori Shrine (Imikani Shrine) on 27 June 2020, and a signboard was installed there on 27 June 2021. The general incorporated association was dissolved on 18 September 2021. The society's activities included the salvage, restoration and preservation of war relics such as the destroyer Kikuzuki, and exchanges with former crew members and related persons. It maintained a membership structure of regular members, supporting members, honorary members and associate members. Its legacy is the repatriated and enshrined gun barrel, which remains as a physical memorial to the ship and its crew.

The Kikuzuki Preservation Society originated as the Kikuzuki Project, launched in January 2015 by volunteers aiming to salvage and display the Imperial Japanese Navy destroyer Kikuzuki. In February 2016 the project transitioned into a general incorporated association, headquartered in Dojimahama, Kita-ku, Osaka, and adopted the name Kikuzuki Preservation Society. In June 2016 its headquarters moved to Sanmu, Chiba Prefecture. On 30 March 2016, the society received permission from the Solomon Islands government to salvage the destroyer's No. 3 gun barrel and No. 3 gun mount; a joint survey with the Solomon Islands National Museum later identified the barrel as No. 4. On 19 January 2017 the society announced on Twitter that part of the ship's first funnel had returned to Japan. On 18 June 2017 the recovery of the No. 4 gun barrel was completed. While the barrel was being cleaned on Tulagi Island, an unidentified object — later determined to be a shell with its explosive charge removed — was found inside, prompting a safety check by a local explosive ordnance disposal team. A month later, on 15 July 2017, rust-proofing was completed and transport to Honiara port was finished. The following week, on 23 July 2017, transport to Japan began, and on 3 September 2017 the barrel arrived at Kobe Port, returning to the Japanese mainland for the first time in 75 years since the ship was wrecked on 4 May 1942. On 5 September 2017 it was moved to the Maizuru works of Japan Marine United (JMU), successor to the former Maizuru Naval Arsenal where the ship had been built. After restoration work at JMU, the No. 4 gun barrel was dedicated at Omori Shrine (Imikani Shrine) on 27 June 2020. On 27 June 2021 a signboard was installed at the enshrined barrel. The general incorporated association was dissolved on 18 September 2021. The society's main activities were the salvage, restoration and preservation of war relics such as the destroyer Kikuzuki, and exchanges with former crew members and related persons. Its membership comprised regular members, supporting members, honorary members and associate members.

• 2021

  Signboard installed at the enshrined No. 4 gun barrel.

• 2021

  General incorporated association dissolved.

• 2020

  No. 4 gun barrel dedicated at Omori Shrine (Imikani Shrine).

• 2017

  Announced on Twitter that part of the ship's first funnel had returned to Japan.

• 2017

  Recovery of the No. 4 gun barrel completed.

• 2017

  Rust-proofing completed and transport to Honiara port finished.

• 2017

  Gun barrel arrived at Kobe Port, returning to the Japanese mainland for the first time in 75 years; moved to JMU Maizuru works.

• 2016

  Transitioned to a general incorporated association; headquarters in Dojimahama, Kita-ku, Osaka; renamed Kikuzuki Preservation Society.

• 2016

  Received permission from the Solomon Islands government to salvage the destroyer's No. 3 gun barrel and No. 3 gun mount.

• 2016

  Headquarters moved to Sanmu, Chiba Prefecture.

• 2015

  Kikuzuki Project launched.

Non-profit heritage preservation organization focused on salvaging and repatriating relics of the destroyer Kikuzuki and promoting international mutual understanding.

1. 1Kikuzuki Preservation Society - Wikidatawikidata.org
2. 2菊月保存会 - Wikipedia (Japanese)ja.wikipedia.org