OBON SOCIETY

05/30/2026

Exciting news! OBON SOCIETY has been invited to speak on a television program that reaches thousands of viewers. This incredible opportunity will help raise awareness about Japanese Good Luck Flags and may lead to many more families being reunited with these treasured items after decades of waiting. For more information, please read below!

We have a fantastic opportunity to communicate our mission and philosophy to a very important segment of our population, but first, we need to fly to Los Angeles.

05/12/2026

Hello OBON Supporters,

Our newest OBON SOCIETY newsletter shares a deeply moving letter exchange between an American family and the Japanese family connected through the return of a flag.

Their words remind us that behind every artifact is a human story of love, loss, remembrance, and healing.

These moments are why peace education matters. They show us that, despite history and distance, we are all connected through our shared humanity.

We hope this story touches your heart as much as it touched ours!

If so, was it framed and put up on the wall as a reminder of that battle, or was it tucked away in a dresser drawer and never looked at again?

04/23/2026

高山せつ城ライオンズクラブ様にお招きいただき、OBONソサエティ講演会「今だから考えよう 戦争と平和」を、Zoomを通じて開催いたしました。
日の丸に書かれた名前、祈り、願い…。
それは、「誰かの大切な人が、確かにそこに生きていた証」でした。
そして講演の中で、アメリカのご家族と、日本のご遺族との間で交わされた手紙を、ゆっくりと読み上げました。
言葉を追うごとに、時代も国境も越えて、二つの家族の想いが、静かに重なっていきます。
かつて敵として出会った人々が、長い年月を経て、誰かの家族として、誰かの大切な存在として向き合う…
そこにあったのは、勝ち負けでも、正しさでもなく、ただ「人と人の想い」でした。
一枚の旗が、海を越え、時を越え、そして、心と心をつないでいく。
和解から友好へ。そして、その先にあるもの…平和。
この小さな奇跡の積み重ねが、未来を変えていくと信じています。
この物語が、あなたの心へも、届きますように。

04/14/2026

OBON SOCIETY would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Pam and Steve Hall from Michigan, who made a special stop in Astoria during their family road trip through the Northwest to hand-deliver a flag that had been in their care.

We truly appreciate those who take the time to come to Astoria, meet with us, and share the story behind these meaningful items. It’s always special to connect in person.

We also enjoy showing visitors our exhibit at the Columbia River Maritime Museum, which has been a wonderful supporter of OBON for many years. If you’re ever in the area, it’s definitely worth a visit!

Thank you again, Pam and Steve, for making the trip, we are so grateful!

04/01/2026

テレビ信州さまに二度にわたり取り上げていただいた、
樋口徳さまの「寄せ書き日の丸」の物語。
時を超えて繋がる想いに、深い感謝を込めてご報告いたします。
2月18日放送
https://youtu.be/g4jylJROf14
3月25日放送
https://youtu.be/nWirzDM1ji8

信州の「戦後80年＋1」は、「海を越えて戻った日の丸」の第2弾です。上田市から出征し戦死した日本兵の「日の丸」は、アメリカ兵とその家族の手を経て信州に戻ってきました。旗を保管してきたアメリカ兵の遺族がテレ.....

02/12/2026

何年も前、ノースカロライナ州にある一軒のお店に、ひとつの財布が持ち込まれました。
それは、戦時中の日本人が持っていたものではないか...
そう感じたリツコ・レイシーさんが、昨夏、私たちに連絡をくださったことから、すべてが動き出しました。
そしてこの度、その財布は高知県にお住まいのご遺族のもとへ、無事に帰ることができました。
時を越え、国境を越え、人の想いがつないだ奇跡です。
この出来事は高知放送にも取り上げていただきました。

返還実現まで力を貸してくださったすべての皆様へ、心からの感謝を申し上げます。
一つの小さな遺品が、世界をやさしく結び直してくれました。
この物語が、どうか多くの方の心に届きますように。

戦時中に太平洋の南方海域で戦没した県出身者の遺品が80年余りの時を経て2月2日に遺族のもとに里帰りしました。

02/07/2026

One of the most meaningful moments from our recent OBON livestream came after the ceremony.

A young boy attended with his dad, whose family submitted a flag to OBON. Later, he drew this picture and wrote about what he experienced, the ceremony, the introductions, and the moment the flag was returned.

We often talk about repatriation as history, diplomacy, or healing between nations. But sometimes, its impact is quieter and closer to home.

It looks like a child understanding that an object once carried into war can be returned with care, and that respect, empathy, and remembrance can be passed on to the next generation.

This is why we do this work. Thank you, Mica!!

02/03/2026

OBON SOCIETY would like to thank everyone who joined us for our live stream yesterday. If you missed it, here is the vertical video to watch. We are deeply grateful to the families who traveled to Astoria and generously shared their stories and personal reflections on why returning these items to Japan matters so much. Each flag entrusted to OBON carries its own history and meaning, and we are honored to help carry those stories forward.

We also extend our sincere thanks to the Consul General’s Office and the Oregon Commission on Asian & Pacific Islander Affairs for taking the time to witness this meaningful event. And, as always, our heartfelt thanks to the Columbia River Maritime Museum for their continued friendship, generosity, and support in making this day possible.

Thank you all for helping make this such a special and moving day!

02/03/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our livestream! If you watched from a computer and noticed the video was vertical, we apologize. A horizontal version will be uploaded in a couple of days. Phone viewers should have had a smooth experience. We’re so grateful for your kind words and support of such a meaningful day. Thank you so much again!

02/02/2026

Please stay tuned for the livestream-thank you for your patience!