A Kind Gesture
Hello dear LJ friends,
It's been a while since I posted, and I do intend to get much better when I start my new job (eep!) but for now I wanted to draw your attention to a project which I think is very worthwhile, simple and could make a real difference to the children of Japan struggling with the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami. It doesn't involve donating money.
I received this email at work today from one of our partner universities in Japan, and I thought some people might be interested in the project:
"You may have heard that over 150,000 people live in shelters after the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami on 11 March 2011. Many children have lost their parents and their smiles. There still are frequent aftershocks.
The University of Fukushima and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Fukushima City have started collecting your “KOINOBORIs” which contain your wishes. KOINOBORI is a traditional carp-shaped wind sock to celebrate the national Children’s Day wishing the carp will be a dragon someday - meaning that the children will grow up healthy and strong. The entire city will be decorated with KOINOBORIs on this year’s Children’s Day on May 5th. The collection will also be shown in the “Fukushima Modern Art Biennale 2012”.
We believe that this project helps to encourage traumatized children in distress and pain. Please create your own KOINOBORIs with your warmhearted words and make a difference in overcoming this disastrous situation.
Conditions:
- Material should be weatherproof (e.g. cloth, nonwoven fabric, acrylic fabric, etc.)
- Size - W 35cm , L 75cm (including 10cm tail)
- We appreciate any designs. You are free to write your wishes on it.
- Please be aware that we cannot send back your KOINOBORI. Also, we cannot reimburse postage.
- Please send to:
Department of Arts,paiting
1 Kanayagawa
Fukushima-shi
960-1296 Fukushima
Japan
Here's an illustration of what a koinobori looks like:
The two sides of material are attached around the edges with a fixed mouth at the end so that it creates a sock-like shape which catches the wind and 'swims' when it's in the air.
This post will be public, so please feel free to link it if you think any of your friends would be interested in taking part. Not only do I think it's a great way for us to make a kind gesture, but I think it'd be great for people with children to get them involved in the project as well to help encourage them to think about others. Plus a craft project will keep them busy for a while!
If you're interested in sending a koinobori, keep in mind that Children's Day in Japan is on the 5th May and that you need to allow time for postage, so make sure you don't leave it too long to make it. Today is Wednesday so there's a weekend in 2 days... just sayin' ;)
I'll be back soon to return to my previously scheduled tv ramblings, but for now I'll be finding out where to buy koinobori materials.