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Life Onboard |
LAST UPDATE
August 21, 2005
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| site design imagesparkle.com |
| August 10, 2005 |
In Pictures – Photo Tour VII of Life Onboard |
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As August 2005 marks the 60th anniversary of the end of World War Two, Peace Boat organized a Peace Week to reflect upon the past and future. A series of lectures and events were held to highlight available opportunities for participants wishing to study about peace and make a change. Peace Week events included: a photo exhibition by Mr. Kikujiro Fukushima, who has been photographing Hiroshima for 30 years since the atomic bomb; Peace Fair, an outdoor events-filled festival to raise funds for Maruki Peace Museum; No Music No Peace, a music concert; a Peace Film Festival and various open discussions such as “Today is the Day.” A Peace Week t-shirt (shown in photo) was also created. |
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With imagination and creativity, a group of P-Cen (Peace Boat Center) volunteers joined together to create a replica of the Hiroshima Memorial Dome for Peace Week. Using only cardboard boxes and scissors, the group created an impressive structure to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of World War Two. The real dome is the only building that was hit by the atomic bomb on Hiroshima that remains standing. The “A-Dome” is known across the world as a symbol of peace. Participants were urged to write messages of peace on origami paper and fold it into a crane. The cranes, also a symbol of peace, were then placed on the dome. |
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The Peace Fair was held by the Global English/Espanol Training (GET) program team to raise funds for the Maruki Peace Museum in Saitama, Japan. The museum is currently in dire financial straits, and the donations will allow the museum to remain open to educate more visitors about peace through art. Mr. Kurosato Muraki and his wife Toshi, who founded the museum, hurried to Hiroshima to visit their relatives immediately after the atomic bomb destroyed the city. Overwhelmed with the destruction they saw around them, the two artists painted “Figure of A-Bomb”, among other paintings, and published a picture book called “Pika in Hiroshima” in efforts to express the horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in order that it would not happen again. The museum’s collection also includes art depicting Auschwitz and other horrors of war and conflict. At the Peace Fair, a series of booths such as the peace bazaar, in which volunteers sold donated clothes and other items; henna tattooing; dream catcher making; massage corner; and magic corner were held. Participants were able to buy “peace currency” to use at the various booths. A total of US$2,220 was collected thanks to everyone’s generous contribution. |
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In the cool winds of the Pacific, the “No Music No Peace” music concert was held on the pool deck into the wee hours of the morning. Various musical selections were performed including a hip hop dancing, acoustic guitar, cover bands, DJ-ing, jazz band, taiko (Japanese drumming), Irish dancing, and salsa and merengue dancing. The event proved to be the 49th voyage’s largest music event. The “No Music No Peace” message proclaimed: “Turn your weapons into musical instruments! No War!” |
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The 49th voyage will soon return to Japan, and as a testimony to the days that have passed “Today is the Day” event was organized. Showcasing the issues that have been covered thus far on the voyage, young participants read oral accounts from survivors of the Battle of Okinawa, the Tokyo bombing, a soldier battalion, and the atomic bomb in Hiroshima. It has been 60 years since World War Two ended and Article 9 – which renounces war and the right to maintain forces – was drawn up in the Japanese Constitution, yet war continues to rage on around the world. There have been or continues to be war in Afghanistan, Cambodia (Kampuchea), Chechnya, Israel and Palestine, Iran, Iraq, Korea, Rwanda, Sudan, the former Yugoslavia, Vietnam. The event urged participants to reflect upon conflict and injustice. In an effort to inspire, peaceful moments in history were highlighted including the civil rights movement, the fall of the Berlin Wall, as well as the stories of Peace Boat’s many guest educators. “What will you do for peace? Today is the day to make a change,” said Mr. Tetsutaro Kadowaki, the voyage director. As an appeal for peace, participants offered a candlelight vigil in front of a handmade replica of the Hiroshima Memorial Dome (in photo). |
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Human beings continually try to find ways to go faster in order to find more time for themselves. But it seems we work more and spend more time and money in our lives. Moreover, the quest for an “easier” world continues to destroy the environment. In reaction, the “Slow Life” movement arose to counteract the fast-paced world. Peace Boat staff members Ito Masae and Muramatsu Mina led a discussion about “slow life” as an alternative culture that has seen a boom in recent times. Its origins spring from a town in Italy critical of fast food and genetically modified food. Humans used to consume food according to the seasons, but items are now available all year round; supporters of slow life eat seasonal food harvested locally. “Slow life” incorporates walking and riding bikes instead of cars. The concept aims to reduce unnecessary things, and concentrate on co-existing with nature. One of the more ambitious objectives of the “slow life” movement is to promote “slow business”, which promotes environmental consciousness within companies. The idea is to think of ways for companies to make money while still protecting the environment. |
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“Are We Japanese? To Live as Nikkei” lecture was held by two Nikkei participants onboard, Minoru Mashiko Gutiérrez, a Nikkei from Mexico, and Tami Ogura, a Nikkei from Canada. Nikkei is defined as “persons of Japanese descent, and descendants, who have emigrated abroad and created unique communities and lifestyles within the context of the societies in which they live. Nikkei include those who have returned to Japan where they constitute separate identities from the Japanese population.” Nikkei populations in the Americas include the United States, Brazil, Peru, Canada and Mexico. “We wanted to share our stories, about how we have dual cultures, because there have been times when we are misunderstood for not being ‘Japanese’ enough, while at the same time neither‘Canadian’ or ‘Mexican’ enough,” explained Tami. “And we believe it’s important to foster cross-cultural understanding and sensitivity with Japanese people,” Minoru added. After the event, how did they feel? “We feel we have become more comfortable with our identity as Nikkei, and we hope we raised awareness about the Nikkei communities around the world.” |
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Amid the excitement of various lectures, workshops, and artistic activities onboard, CC Hiromi Takahashi and friends hosted a relaxing event called “Sleepy Chillout”. Decorating the usually dark Sports Bar with tatami mats, luminous lights, cushions, hanging vines made from ribbon and paper leaves, participants were invited in this quiet sanctuary to find a calm place to lie down. The atmosphere was enhanced by soothing music and a slideshow of peaceful photos of nature. |
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Flashing strobe lights and a runway? What else but a fashion show! The “Around the World 49th Fashion Show” was underway with a varied set of models, both male and female, old and young, showcasing clothes and charisma. In the countries’ category, models wore ethnic costumes from around the world such ao dais, saris and kimonos. The emotional highlight was when a Zainichi Korean (a Korean born in Japan) passenger proudly wore her traditional Korean dress. Next, models wore dresses reformed and embellished from donated recycled clothes and items. A wedding dress was made from recycled pet bottles and white vinyl shopping bags, and a beautiful gown was made from colorful paper streamers collected after they are thrown at the departure from each port (in photo). For an added twist, a “sweatshop fashion” segment depicted the poor working conditions of employees of well-known brands such as GAP and NIKE, as well as brands known for fair-working conditions like Timberland. After a month of creating the fashions and theme, the designers and artists tearfully thanked everyone for coming. “Even through our disagreements, our team worked hard together to ensure the audience had a good time,” said the director Ms. Kuga Masae. The event was a success and appreciated by everyone who attended, many of whom were awed by the sheer talent of all the participants involved. |
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