Received the following email...

Great idea, very inspirational, and hope to get some kids involved and make one of our own.  

We are now collecting ‘KOINOBORI’ with your words

You may have heard that over 150,000 people live in shelters after the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami on 11 March 2011. Many children have lost their parents and their smiles. There still are frequent aftershocks.

The University of Fukushima and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Fukushima City have started collecting your ‘KOINOBORIs’ which contain your wishes. KOINOBORI is a traditional carp-shaped wind sock to celebrate the national Children’s Day wishing the carp will be a dragon someday - meaning that the children will grow up healthy and strong. The entire city will be decorated with KOINOBORIs on this year’s Children’s Day on May 5^th. The collection will also be shown in the ‘Fukushima Modern Art Biennale 2012’.

We believe that this project helps to encourage traumatized children in distress and pain. Please create your own KOINOBORIs with your warmhearted words and make a difference in overcoming this disastrous situation.

 

Conditions

1.    Material should be weatherproof (e.g. cloth, nonwoven fabric, acrylic fabric, etc.)

2.    Size – W 35cm, L 75cm (including 10cm tail)

3.    We appreciate any designs. You are free to write your wishes on it.

4.    Please be aware that we cannot send back your KOINOBORI. Also, we cannot reimburse postage.

5.    Please send to:

Fukushima University

Department of Arts, painting

1 Kanayagawa

Fukushima-shi

960-1296 Fukushima

Japan

 

Please help children victims with your KOINOBORIs!