370 Sending Prayers

“Sending Prayers”

Fireworks light up the summer night sky in Japan.
In previous years, fireworks festivals throughout the country were a great success.
However, due to COVID-19, fireworks displays have been canceled,
And last year and this year, the summer night sky in Japan remains dark.

Cholera raged through Japan,
During the reign of the 8th shogun, Yoshimune, in the Edo period (1603-1867).
In order to pray for the souls of the deceased and to get rid of the plague,
A water god festival was held on the Sumida River.
Around 20 fireworks were shot off.
This was the origin of fireworks festivals in Japan.

Fireworks are beautiful and fleeting.
This is what fascinates us.

Beautiful things have the power to purify.
We can imagine the feelings that fireworks elicited in the people of the past.
They would have closed their eyes, clasped their hands, and prayed,
“May Edo be at peace.”

A beautiful large flower blooms in the summer night sky.
Our hearts light up at once.
Now, more than ever, the prayers of the people are needed.
For prayers of the people have the power to fight the invisible threat of viruses.

Staying inside with self-restraint will not solve anything.
We should use our wisdom to set off fireworks in the summer night sky,
And let’s send our prayers to the divine.
“Please, let the world be at peace.”