On June 16 of this year, Japan’s first officially recognized “Wind Phone” was completed. Sadly, its founder, Mr. H, passed away from pancreatic cancer on July 10. We understand that those who helped build the Wind Phone, together with Mr. H’s elder sister, are now carrying out the exterior landscaping and garden work and will continue to maintain the site.
Having lost his wife before him, Mr. H longed to convey his thoughts and feelings to her while he himself was battling pancreatic cancer. This inspired him to establish a Wind Phone. With the help of his friends, he managed to complete it on June 16. By then, he was using a wheelchair, but we have been told that he was the very first person to use the phone.
In Japan, “Wind Phone” is a registered trademark in Classes 9, 16, and 41. Therefore, a licensing fee is required for any use of the name or concept. In the past, several people have expressed an interest in creating a Wind Phone, but most of those plans were abandoned because of the licensing fee. Mr. H’s case was exceptional, as he devoted himself to the project while risking his life to see it completed.
P.S. The monument inscribed “Birthplace of the Wind Phone,” featured in our previous post, was erected on June 13 by the Association for the Preservation of the Wind Phone. We sincerely thank all members of the Association for their support and cooperation.
