Sadako Legacy, a Tokyo-based non-profit established in memory of Hiroshima peace icon Sadako Sasaki, will be hosting a cross-cultural meeting in Los Angeles where participants will share their experiences and lessons of war, and talk about how they can work together for peace on Sunday, March 2, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Los Angeles Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple (aka Nishi Hongwanji).
Sadako Sasaki was the 12-year-old girl from Hiroshima who became famous for attempting to fold 1,000 origami cranes in hopes of defeating the “atomic bomb disease” before succumbing to leukemia in 1955. Her story of determination and hope is known around the world, and the origami crane is now an international symbol of peace.
To carry on in her memory, Sadako’s older brother, Masahiro, and nephew, Yuji, started Sadako Legacy in Tokyo, and have recently established a presence in the U.S. as well.
Entitled “Bringing Hearts Together with Sadako’s Paper Cranes,” the purpose of this meeting, according to its organizers, is to create a place for two members of Sadako Legacy — Clifton Truman Daniel, the grandson of former President Harry S. Truman, and Lauren Bruner, an ex-Marine and a Pearl Harbor U.S.S. Arizona survivor — to meet and build friendships with Japanese American survivors of World War II American concentration camps.
“We are eager to learn about the history of Japanese American people and hand-in-hand, we hope to work together to deliver the message of peace to the world,” said Yuji Sasaki.
Japanese American guest speakers will include Nisei activist and researcher Aiko Herzig Yoshinaga and former California State Assemblymember George Nakano.
Daniel will also announce the formation of Sadako Legacy USA and ask for the community’s assistance as it plans its U.S. activities.
Sasaki, a professional singer and musician with Sony Music in Japan, will also sing his Sadako Sasaki theme song, “Inori” (Prayer), with local singer Keiko Kawashima, accompanied by musicians Scott Nagatani and Hiro Morozumi.
The meeting will be held in a downstairs classroom at Nishi Hongwanji, located at 815 E. First St. in downtown Los Angeles. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Masaki Kobayashi at info@sadakolegacy.jp.