Arcata Peace Lantern Ceremony

“When the student is ready,
the teacher will appear.” 

— Buddhist proverb 

Humboldters mark the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki with a floating lantern ceremony of peace and remembrance, and have done so for 30 years, yet this was our first time attending. The occasion was marked with song and poetry, and a special recognition of Kyoko Clark — a native of Kyushu, Japan, and long-time Humboldt resident — who was in attendance at the area's first peace lantern ceremony. 

People gathering at the edge of Klopp Lake at the Arcata Marsh …

… were welcomed by flute songs.

Kyoko Clark (left) received special recognition for 30 years
of participation in the lantern ceremony.

As dusk falls, the lanterns are lit  …

 

… and set adrift, one by one.

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Float a Lantern for Peace

Hiroshima lantern ceremony, 2010flickr.com/sueannsimon

Sunday's Cha-no-yu demonstration was attended by a couple involved in the annual Lantern Floating Ceremony in Arcata, Calif. Some details from the North Coast Journal:

The community is invited to the annual Lantern Floating Ceremony at Klopp Lake at the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sactuary on Saturday, Aug. 4 at 7:30 p.m. As in past years, lantern making materials and help will be available on the northwest side of the Arcata Plaza during the Farmers’ Market on the morning before the ceremony.

Lantern floating ceremonies have been traditional in Japan for many centuries. An event is held annually in Hiroshima to honor those who suffered and died in the bombing, but long before that, the lanterns carried messages of loving remembrance of friends and family who have passed away. Arcata’s ceremony has expanded to include this older meaning, as well as being a time for our community to rededicate itself to peace.

Everyone is invited to gather at the lake for a program including music and poetry, followed at dusk by the launching of the lanterns.

This year's event will also honor Kyoko Clark for her participation in the first Arcata Lantern Ceremony, 30 years ago. For information, call (707) 826-7233. Click here for map.

We look forward to seeing you there.