Children Experience Wartime Cuisine at 80th Anniversary of Kofu Air Raid

As we approach the 80th anniversary of the Kofu Air Raid, a significant event will take place on August 11th in Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture. Organized by the Pal System Yamanashi Nagano, a lifestyle cooperative, this event invites children to experience the realities of wartime cuisine, fostering a deeper understanding of history and the importance of peace.

Starting from 10:00 AM and lasting until 1:00 PM, the event will be hosted at Kofu Minami Community Center. Participants will have the opportunity to listen to a reading of the picture book "Kofu Kuushuu no Hanashi Kaminzu" (The Story of Kofu Air Raid and Kamizu), specially narrated by Aiko Fujimaki, the representative of the Yamanashi Mukashigatari Association. The book features illustrations created by children that depict the events of the Kofu Air Raid, showcasing their perspective on this historical event.

Fujimaki will recount a poignant tale set during the air raid, focusing on siblings who venture out to collect mulberries, only to be caught up in the chaos of the bombing. This story provides a unique viewpoint on the devastating impact of the air raid, which resulted in significant destruction in Kofu City — with over 70% of the urban area disappearing in a single day and 1,127 lives lost due to the indiscriminate bombings by more than 130 B-29 bombers.

After the reading, children will engage in a hands-on cooking experience where they will prepare and taste traditional dishes such as "Osuiton," a meal commonly consumed during wartime amidst severe food shortages. This activity seeks to create an avenue for participants to connect with the past, understand the privations endured during wartime, and reflect on the importance of peace.

Moreover, the children will also experience a performance of the paper play "Chicchai Koe" (Small Voices), illustrated by the Maruki couple, which artistically conveys the haunting consequences of the Hiroshima atomic bomb on living cells. This interplay between storytelling and culinary experience aims to instill in young minds the critical realities of war and the necessity of striving for a peaceful future.

The event is designed to promote dialogue among participants, encouraging them to ponder the lessons learned from history and to consider how they can contribute to a better future. The schedule for the day is divided into two parts: the first from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM for the storytelling session, followed by a second part from 11:15 AM to 1:00 PM featuring the cooking activity and paper play performance.

Event Overview

- Date: August 11, 2025 (Monday)
- Venue: Kofu Minami Community Center (15 Shimoimai-cho, Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture)
- Capacity: Part 1: 50 people (lottery if oversubscribed); Part 2: 15 families (30 people total)
- Participation Fee: Free for Part 1; ¥100 for adults in Part 2 (students free)
- Registration Deadline: August 3, 2025 (Sunday)
- Registration Link: Event Application Form

In the spirit of promoting peace, Pal System Yamanashi Nagano is committed to continuing initiatives that engage with diverse generations to contemplate actionable steps toward harmony in the future.

In conjunction with this event, we invite readers to discover more about the powerful message behind the Seven-Year Project transforming the Hiroshima atomic bomb illustrations into the poignant paper play "Chicchai Koe," as articulated by poet Arthur Binard.

Additional Information

- Pal System Yamanashi Nagano

- Headquarters: 225-1 Kojo, Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture
- Chairperson: Shigeko Furuya
- Total Contributions: ¥2.65 billion
- Members: 59,000
- Total Business Volume: ¥8.23 billion (as of March 2025)
- Website: Pal System Yamanashi

As we mark this important anniversary, let us reflect on the significance of peace and the efforts to engage future generations in meaningful discussions around this crucial theme.