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A Los Angeles musician Ken Koshio finally reached New York Sept. 6 finishing his “Thousand Cranes Tour,” a-month-long road trip from Los Angeles to New York, initially following the old Route 66. Along the way, he performed on-the-street music while asking people to fold paper cranes (senbazuru). Koshio participated in many of memorial services, which were held throughout New York City on Sept. 10 and 11.
“Senbazuru is a Japanese traditional gift for those who are sick or unfortunate. I want to deliver people’s wish for a peace to the ground zero through the cranes and music to the families of the Sept. 11 victims.”
“As a Japanese, I want to understand America more. That is why I drove along historic Route 66. I wanted to see America. Everywhere I went, people were so nice to me. They encourage me and made a crane for me. I felt, ‘America will be all right. Everything will be O.K.’”
The singer’s tour began with a native American ceremony at Santa Monica on Aug. 6, and with a concert on Aug. 6, the 57th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. The live performance was held at the Green Plaza in Pasadena, which was one of the facilities used to conduct nuclear weapons research during World War II.
The Hopi Tribe reservation in Ariz. was one of the places Koshio stopped to perform and to get inspiration. From this group of people, Koshio learned to cherish all the events and feeling in life, whether it is a happy or unhappy experience.
“They absorb everything in their lives. Since Sept.11, which was a very sad incident, many Americans have been driven to retaliation. I understand how they feel, but still, I don’t think retaliation is the best method to take. Retaliation never ends,” he stated, during a memorial peace service at Washington Square on the eve of the anniversary.
A few days stay with the Hopi Tribe made the musician think what he would, could, and should do to overcome the extreme fear and feeling of injustice felt since last year’s attacks.
Koshio was born and raised in Japan. The singer-songwriter, who is heavily influenced by artists such as Neil Young, Bob Dylan and John Lennon, has been a street performer for over 15 years.
“This experience has also helped me to change my attitude toward music, song-making. I know my singing won’t bring world peace, however, something might change. Somebody might be inspired by me. I want to communicate with a lot of people through singing,” he said.
Koshio hoped this Sept.11 would become an opportunity to bring people closer, especially in busy city like New York.
Supported by the collection efforts of friends in both the U.S. and Japan, Koshio arrived in New York with more than 10,000 folded cranes.
Hundreds of performers, peace activists and students from all over the world attended the memorial service at Washington Square, which took place from 6 p.m. to mid-night. Participants were invited to pray and light candles and lanterns for the victims of the Sept. 11.
Organizers of the event, however, wanted to emphasize the global aspect of the gathering, perhaps in an effort to avoid any endorsement of military action; mourners were asked not to bring American flags.
Recipients of the cranes are not determined yet, but Koshio wishes to give them to the families of victims.
For more information on Ken Koshio and his activities, log on to his web site at www.kenkoshio.com.