The undying flame

with sunset comes in

in hot rain.

(haiku by a team member)

Well, if you have been observing the Japanese course of the World Harmony Run from the beginning, maybe you know that the Harmony torch, lit in Hiroshima, and carried through many famous cities, will in the tenth day of its voyage come to Tokyo, the Japanese capital.

Having a busy morning schedule, our team had to be divided into two groups: one group ran from yesterday's finishing point, Shinagawa station, towards the goal in the centre of Tokyo. In the meantime, the other group met with 300 children of the Yokohama International School (YIS) where kids from all around the world joined in wishing for harmony. This was the largest number of kids we have met until now. They were from 4 to 12 years old and 1/3 of them were English native speakers, 1/3 were bilingual (English, Japanese) and the rest spoke other languages and English. Therefore, our Harmony program had to be all in English so we practiced the skits once more beforehand. First we introduced the Run to all of the kids who where gathered in the school yard for the morning assembly and sang our theme song.
Visit to the morning assembly of Yokohama International School

Then we did our program about harmony two times for about 150 children each. We were surprised that the children, upon being asked “What is harmony?”, gave lots of excellent answers, such as Caring, To get along with others, Loving, Peace … We had also a mini-relay around the yard with representatives of each class running – they were enthusiastic and fast! In the end, the children got a homework to think about the ways how to become a harmony-builder at school, at home, in the town they live etc. We would like to know what ideas they wrote about!

The first group of 150 children listening to us

Erik leading the lap around the school yard

Children were from all over the world but everyone held the torch

At YIS they teach children that they should think about everything themselves, have responsibility and should have the courage to act. And since there are children from so many countries, they must try to understand different cultures and be friends with each other. Mrs. Toni Bell who is the elementary school coordinator and arranged our meeting said “The ideas we aim to teach the children and what you want to manifest through the World Harmony Run, fit perfectly.”

The visit to the International School was delightful

Harashita with Mrs. Bell who arranged the meeting

Next, the group caught up with the runners in Ginza, the famous shopping centre of Tokyo's and ran up to the goal in Shiba Park which we reached at around midday. It was pleasant to run screaming: “We are the World Harmony Run! We came running from Hiroshima!” The reactions of passer-by’s were diverse.

Running through the centre of Tokyo close to the goal

At the Children Peace Tower in Shiba Park we ended by a while of silence and the theme song the long 10-day journey.

The ceremony at the goal in Shiba Park

However, being still in the flow of this joy spreading event, we did not hesitate to answer the invitation of the Shimo-koiwa second Primary School in the afternoon. It was a rainy but just before arriving to the school, it stopped – so we can do the Harmony program in the school yard! There is river called Shin-nakagawa just next to the school and we ran on its bank which overlooks the school yard. Children holding a banner which they made themselves welcomed us with greetings.

Pupils from Shimo-koiwa school welcoming the team

Kids smiling while running with the torch

A group of children had prepared a performance on single-wheel bikes that was simply amazing. Thank you! Then the children ran a relay with the torch around the yard. We are grateful to the club manager Mr. Tanaka and all the teacher to give us this opportunity!

Performance on single-wheel bikes

After a nice farewell supper in Saizeriya Restaurant, the blissfully delighted runners, overwhelmed by the good feeling that is growing only in selfgiving activities like the World Harmony Run, departed. Three runners who came from far away to help and inspire the Japanese team and remained until the very end - Erik from Slovakia, Ombo from Mongolia and Jarmila from Czech - got a present from the team: running socks, meaning “come to run with us again!” We are all grateful to Sri Chinmoy, the founder of the Run, to all the teachers, children, runners and municipalities who joined in and to all those who are looking for harmony here, there and everywhere...

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Distance: 12 km

Team Members:
Asami, Bistarini, Harashita, Jarmila (Czech), Jyotirmala, Kasturika, Ombo (Mongolia), Pramiti, Yamada, Erik (Slovakia), Gunarashi, Hasegawa, Karel (Czech), Krutananda, Sudasa, Tsogo (Mongolia)

Gallery: See more images!

< Japan 8 June