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Remembering Peace: A Concert for the Hibakusha Piano

On October 13, 2023, a poignant concert took place at the Craft Civic Hall in Tsuchiura, marking the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing and the post-war period. Organized by the Palsystem Ibaraki Tochigi cooperative, led by chairperson Yasuyo Aoki, the event witnessed the gathering of 423 attendees who listened to the harmonies of a hibakusha (A-bombed) piano alongside the voices of local school children.

A Legacy of Remembrance Through Music

The concert featured music played on a piano that survived the atomic bombing in Hiroshima. The Tsuchiura Second Elementary School chorus, consisting of 38 young singers, performed alongside this unique instrument, with their voices expressing a wish for peace. It was their first experience singing with the hibakusha piano, and they dedicated their performance to the hope for global harmony, showcasing seven songs.

The concert kicked off with the upbeat tune, "Up, Up and Away," which resonated with childhood joy. Their second piece, "Blue Angels," served as a reminder of the NHK National School Music Contest's tradition, where participants reflect on the possibility that someone affected by the bombing once played in a similar atmosphere. The children conveyed the narrative of angels spreading their wings, embodying a spirit of growth and kindness.

Next, they sang "The Blue Sky Is" to commemorate the adoption of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in 1971. With guidance from composer Susumu Onishi, these students infused their performance with aspirations for global peace and the desire to eradicate nuclear weapons. They followed this with the classic, "Look Up at the Night Sky," imploring viewers to hope for peace.

Before the concert commenced, the children learned about the realities of the atomic bombing through a paper play titled "Hide and the Atomic Bomb." They shared thoughts during breaks between songs, voicing their determination against war and an understanding of the devastation caused by the bombings. Their reflections promoted a sense of responsibility towards peace: "Knowing the terror of the atomic bomb helps us consider ways to contribute to peace. It is vital never to allow for war, and we must resolve differences through dialogue."

This performance also included musical pieces that resonated with gratitude for life and the wish for everyone's happiness, such as "Tree Diagram" and "Song of Life." The children emphasized their commitment to nurturing empathy and contemplating actions that foster peace.

The Importance of Memories and Voices

The film "Mother's Hibakusha Piano," screened during the event, captures the journey of piano tuner Mitsunori Yagawa, who spent ten years documenting the stories of atomic bombing survivors and the owners of hibakusha pianos. Since its release in 2020, the film has gained acclaim and even won a peace award at a film festival in the United States, with an English subtitled version available.

Yagawa's journey began in 1998 when he was entrusted with restoring a hibakusha piano. In 2001, he initiated a national tour of concerts featuring these pianos, aiming to remind audiences of the importance of peace. Over the past two decades, he has performed more than 3,000 times across all prefectures in Japan, with a notable increase in performances this year, reflecting a commitment to sharing messages of peace.

The piano used in the concert was exposed to the blast 3 km from the hypocenter, suffering damage from the explosion and radiation. Yagawa undertook its restoration, later bringing it to New York, where it was played on September 11, 2010, a date loaded with memory and meaning in itself. Despite the complex feelings associated with performing in the United States, Yagawa remains committed to expressing a unified desire for peace.

On the 80th anniversary of the bombing, he urged the participants to use their experience at the concert as a starting point for discussions on the value of peace.

A Collective Commitment to Peace

The Palsystem Ibaraki Tochigi cooperative has long engaged in activities promoting a culture of peace. This concert is part of their ongoing commitment, also marking the International Year of Cooperatives in 2023. A space collecting peace messages was set up at the venue, where attendees shared their wishes for continued peaceful days. Messages like, "May peaceful and calm days continue," filled 87 cards posted on a wooden tree illustration.

As the cooperative looks toward the International Year of Cooperatives in 2025, they aim to educate diverse generations about the calamities caused by war and inspire individual actions towards peace. Palsystem Ibaraki Tochigi will continue to remind its members of the significance of peace, conveying these values to future generations.

Organizational Overview

Palsystem Ibaraki Tochigi operates from Mito City and has a chairperson, Yasuyo Aoki, overseeing assets worth 70.9 billion yen. With over 141,000 members, their total business volume is 18.34 billion yen as of March 2025. More information is available at Palsystem Ibaraki Website.