Author: Galileo de Guzman Castillo

WELL, LET’S TRY IT. Sate, sate, sate! (さて / Now… / So… / Well…) Ajima Midori-san, a cultural worker and artist for peace, in one of her theatrical performances.

An airplane takes off at the Nagoya Airfield. The Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) shares the runway as a part of Japan Air Self-Defense Force Komaki Base (航空自衛隊小牧基地 Kōkū Jiei-tai Komaki Kichi).

OUR LESSON FOR TODAY IS… Written on the blackboard: We want kapayapaan! / heiwa / ピース [peace written in katakana]

PLANTING SEEDS OF PEACE. A farmer gives his support to the heiwa koshin.

BLUE SKY. The sun is sure to shine / For you and me for everyone / So don’t be sad it’s just the start / Of a new beginning in your life (Hale)

BAREFOOT GEN. Gen is a Japanese name meaning “root” or “source.” Keiji Nakazawa (manga artist and writer) stated, “I named my main character Gen in the hope that he would become a root or source of strength for a new generation, one that can tread the charred soil of Hiroshima barefoot, feel the earth beneath its feet, and have the strength to say ‘NO’ to nuclear weapons.” (Wikibooks)

A WAVE OF WAVES. Peace-loving peoples and solidarity groups shout “Kon’nichiwa, heiwa koshin desu!” (Hello! We are the Aichi Peace March) as they continue marching on the second day of the Aichi Heiwa Koshin.

ETERNAL FLAME OF PEACE. From the ashes of Hiroshima in 1945, brought to Sakuragaoka High School by an atomic bombing survivor. From left to right: Charley Sta. Maria, Galileo de Guzman Castillo, and Kobayashi-san, a “true marcher” who will walk the entire 1,800-kilometer Peace March course from Tokyo to Hiroshima.

THE PEACE ROOM. Hideki “Run” Yokoe of Gensuikyo is busy with preparations before the start of the Japan National Peace March in Aichi Prefecture.