The 32nd Mabuni Fire & Bell Observance

The 32nd Mabuni Fire & Bell Observance was solemnly held at the Okinawa Peace Memorial Hall in Mabuni, Itoman City from New Year’s Eve into New Year’s Day to offer prayers to the 230,000 people who died during the Battle of Okinawa.

This ceremonial festival has been held each year since 1978, when the hall was established.  With the performance of the brass band, the festival started at 10 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2009.  

Many local people of Okinawa, young and old, with family or friends, as well as some foreign visitors sat on the floor to see the Japanese spoken film titled “Proposal for the Future.”  The video shows the recovery of the remains of war victims and the harsh realities of the Battle of Okinawa.  

Following the opening addresses by the representative of Peace Memorial Hall and Itoman City Mayor, all the participants prayed silently.  

I prayed in my mind, 

“May your soul rest in peace.  May more people in the world know how terrible the war is and how precious the human life is.  Please lead me to explain well about the horrible experience of Battle of Okinawa when I guide people from different countries.”

The flam of the prayer was brought in the lantern by two international students studying at Okinawa International University.  

The flame was given for seven candles, which represents the seven seas. 

Five elementary school students were chosen ambassadors of Peace Memorial Hall to swear the oath of peace.  

A very old and famous Japanese song, “furusato” by all the participants was followed by the bringing the seven candles out to the hand wash basin in front of the hall.  

Everybody came out of the hall to receive a torch and went down staircases to wait in front of the large torch. Three hundred and fifty torches were prepared for this year.  

At 11:30 p.m. all the lights were turned off and the flame of prayer descended from the bell tower 45 m high to the large torch and lighted the participants’ torches.  

Everybody went up the staircases to go back to the square next to the hall to form several circles.  Just imagine you are a part of the march holding the “flame of prayer” torch, a part and link of the wishes for peace.  I was so impressed that I could have this opportunity to pray for the world peace all together in such a special place, the site of the last fighting of the Battle of Okinawa.  

At twelve midnight the Bell of Peace was rung as seven girl scouts and boy scouts lighted the large flame holders with their torches.  

All the participants sung a Japanese song “Oshogatsu (New Year’s)” aloud to welcome in the new year.  All the program finished at 1:15 and celebratory, joyous fanfare pleased everybody’s ears and minds on their way home.  

“Always have peace in mind. A Happy New Year, everybody!”