Japan House São Pauloトピックス
Heiwa, An Appeal for Peace
In the year that marks 80 years since the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the exhibition invites reflection on the value of life and peace, and the importance of passing these ideals on to future generations.
Heiwa, An Appeal for Peace
‘Heiwa’ is a Japanese word that means ‘peace’. Guided by this concept, Japan House São Paulo presents the exhibition ‘Heiwa, An Appeal for Peace’ in the month that marks the 80th anniversary of the nuclear attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, at the end of World War II.
The exhibition brings together key elements of the historical aftermath and invites the audience to reflect on the value of life and peaceful coexistence, while also showcasing the present-day cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki after their revitalization and reconstruction.
The story of Sadako Sasaki
The famous tsuru (the bird named crane, in English) origami gained even greater significance through the story of a young girl named Sadako Sasaki. Diagnosed with leukemia as a result of radiation exposure, Sadako began folding hundreds of paper tsuru in the hope of being cured, inspired by the Japanese legend that promises a granted wish to anyone who completes a senbazuru—a thousand origami tsurus.
Sadly, Sadako passed away at the age of 12, becoming one of the most recognized hibakusha—a Japanese term meaning ‘bomb-affected person’. In 2015, one of the original tsuru folded by Sadako was donated by her brother to the Hibakusha Brasil pela Paz Association, which then presented it to the House of Representatives of the State of São Paulo (Alesp). The crane remains on display there, helping to spread awareness of Sadako’s story. That tsuru was specially loaned to Japan House São Paulo for this exhibition.
“These tsuru carry a message of hope to the world, as every year, people from around the globe fold them and send them to Hiroshima, where they are placed around Sadako’s statue. In the park, countless senbazuru convey a single wish: peace”, says Japan House São Paulo cultural director Natasha Barzaghi Geenen.
What does peace mean?
In addition to Sadako’s tsuru, another highlight of the exhibition is the projection of 94 drawings created by children aged 6 to 15 from various countries. These artworks were submitted to the Peaceful Towns competition, organized by the NGO Mayors for Peace, which advocates for the global abolition of nuclear weapons. The competition invites children to reflect on the meaning of the word peace. The exhibition will feature the award-winning drawings from the 2018 to 2024 editions.
In partnership with the Hibakusha Brasil pela Paz Association—founded in 1984 by surviving Japanese immigrants—the exhibition also features a poignant poem by hibakusha Ayako Morita, offering a heartfelt reflection on the consequences of war and the profound value of life.
Hiroshima e Nagasaki today
In another section, the exhibition showcases the contemporary cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, highlighting their vibrancy and vitality following reconstruction. Images provided by the Tourism Associations of both cities will be available for public viewing through photographic monoculars.
Furthermore, in partnership with the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), visitors will be able to explore how the cities are today—important tourist destinations in Japan, featuring expansive green spaces and numerous memorials dedicated to peace.
Oleanders of hope
Finally, in the center of the exhibition ‘Heiwa, An Appeal for Peace’ is a large origami installation simulating a garden of oleanders, created by artist Mari Kanegae. Symbols of resistance, resilience, and hope for the Japanese people, oleanders were the first flowers to bloom in Hiroshima just over a year after the nuclear attacks, in soil once thought to be barren for decades. Defying earlier predictions, flowers continue to bloom across the city each summer, symbolizing the emergence of a new era of peace and tranquility.
“In Japan, these flowers appear in many different shades, but here we chose white to emphasize the message that peace is essential for life to flourish”, explains Natasha.
Tsuru for peace
Throughout the exhibition period, Japan House São Paulo will collect donated tsuru, which will be sent to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. There, they will join tributes at the Children’s Peace Monument—erected after Sadako‘s death to honor and comfort the souls of children who were victims of the atomic bomb.
All tsuru origami must be made on paper measuring 15 cm x 15 cm and can be deposited in a box that will be located on the 1st floor of the institution.
Learn more:
Exhibition // Heiwa, An Appeal for Peace
#HiroshimaNagasaki #HeiwaNaJHSP
Period: August 6-31, 2025
Place: Japan House São Paulo | first floor
Address: Avenida Paulista, 52
Free admission
Check out the program at www.facebook.com/JapanHouseSP/ and @japanhousesp
Parallel events:
For children interested in learning the Japanese art of paper folding, the Educational Department at Japan House São Paulo will offer origami workshops on August 17 and 31, with sessions held at two different times each day: 11 am and 2 pm. For the general public, origami sessions will be held throughout the week, with dates and times available on the institution’s website.