The Japanese Peace Bell in the United Nations Garden

Tucked away in the heart of the United Nations Headquarters, we find a historic treasure - the Japanese Peace Bell. Donated to the UN by the United Nations Association of Japan in June of 1954, this bonsho is 60 centimeters in diameter, 1 meter tall, and weighs 116 kilograms. It bears the Japanese characters '世界絶対平和萬歲' on its surface, which means 'long live absolute world peace.' This monument is a message that rings clear throughout the garden with every toll.

The belfry, built by Rinpei Oshita, a traditional architectural craftsman from Uwajima, was made in the shape of the blossom temple where Buddha was born. What's even more intriguing, a handful of sand from atom-bombed areas in Hiroshima and Nagasaki was sent by a chief Zen priest and a female Christian student to be buried under the foundation stone for the belfry. Each toll serves as a reminder of the history and the work required to achieve global unity.

Ceremonies are held at the opening of the United Nations General Assembly in September each year. The bell is also rung on the International Day of Peace on September 21, when the Secretary-General, UN executives, and other public figures ring it in honor of world peace. Additionally, the bell is rung around Earth Day on March 21, where different honorees are selected to ring it as part of the celebrations.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons