Smiling Umbrellas

Koji Mizutani had a simple message when he displayed 100 ‘smiling umbrellas’ in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 2010. “I want to send a ray of hope to ease the friction of war and conflict where bombs were dropped,” he said.

After traveling to the United States and seeing girls whose smiles were wonderfully hearty and carefree, he experienced an inspirational flash. The smiles expressed what Mizutani thought was ‘extreme happiness’.

Believing that a smile represents the very best in what design can offer, Mizutani reduced his workload and began his quest. He visited 26 nations and photographed about 40,000 beautifully smiling subjects.

Printing smiling faces on panels and umbrellas was his hope of expanding the circle of ‘smiles and happiness’.

To mark the 65th anniversary of Hiroshima’s atomic bombing, Mizutani displayed umbrellas featuring the smiling children he photographed from around the world. He also used this opportunity to listen to survivors' experiences.

A 100 smiling umbrellas ‘bloomed’ on August 1, in front of the ‘A-Bomb Dome’ in Hiroshima, where citizens read peace messages.

A similar event was held in Nagasaki on August 7 at Nagasaki Peace Park in front of the ‘Peace Statue’.

“Because the two bombed cities experienced much despair, I hope they can now be filled with smiles,” Mizutani said.

Source: Yomiuri News

Until you follow Christ, you have no true hope.

Romans 12:12

 Rejoicing in hope; 

patient in tribulation; 

continuing instant in prayer;

 Ps 146:5 ¶ Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, 

whose hope is in the LORD his God:

 Jeremiah 17:7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, 

and whose hope the LORD is.

When you have real Biblical hope, rejoicing is the ‘new normal’.

Romans 15:13 ¶ Now the God of hope fill you with all joy

 and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, 

through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Begin to hope and your heart will soon brim over with joy and peace!

John 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you,

 that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

Choose Christ and you will understand the deeper meaning of a smile!