Japanese Memorial Phone Booth Enables Individuals to Phone Departed Family and Friends
Ōtsuchi wind phone (Photo: Matthew Komatsu via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)
In 2010, Itaru Sasaki experienced the loss of his cherished cousin due to cancer. A professional garden designer, Sasaki utilized his skills to create a tribute that not only paid homage to his relative but also offered him a way to cope with his grief. This endeavor came to be known as a Wind Phone, an unplugged public phone that enables one to “call” a departed loved one.
“Since I could not express my thoughts over a conventional phone line,” Sasaki shared with NHK Sendai, “I desired for them to be carried by the wind.” Nestled within a beautiful expansive garden atop a hill overlooking the town of Ōtsuchi, Sasaki believed that the picturesque surroundings would facilitate mindfulness and aid him in reconciling his emotions.
One year later, Japan faced a calamity when an earthquake and tsunami resulted in over 16,000 fatalities in the Tōhoku region, where Sasaki had constructed his Wind Phone. In an effort to assist mourners in finding solace amid such profound sorrow, the Wind Phone was opened for public use. Since then, it has welcomed over 35,000 visitors, offering them a space for contemplation and comfort.
“It is deliberate that there are no signs, maps, or guides indicating how to reach this place,” Sasaki remarked to LitHub. “It is through the experience of wandering—losing oneself in the landscape, uncertain of where one is and when they will arrive—that individuals find themselves reflecting on many aspects, reassessing their memories of the person they have lost. It is in this state, akin to meditation, that they encounter the Wind Phone. They arrive in a more complete and aware condition. They are prepared.”
Due to the phone’s location, it has faced damage from the elements, including corrosion and a roof being blown off by high winds. After providing comfort to so many over the years, carpenters quickly stepped in to assist in its restoration, and people from around the globe donated funds for its upkeep. This led Sasaki to reinforce the Wind Phone with a more durable aluminum frame.
A multitude of visitors from around the world have also come to the Wind Phone, motivating them to create similar installations in their own neighborhoods. Artist Antje Rook adapted one of Britain’s iconic red telephone booths and placed it on a hill in Dorset, UK, inspired by Sasaki’s philosophy regarding the value of a breathtaking view. “Grieving resembles enduring a trauma, and for many, it’s an incredibly challenging period, so our research indicated that this was truly beneficial,” she informed the BBC.
“Life moves swiftly, and most of us cannot fathom the idea that our connections with those we love might cease before our time does,” reflects Sasaki. “Thus, we need to nurture imagination, starting from our early years. The Wind Phone cannot function without a vivid imagination. Instead of only appreciating what we can see, hear, and touch, we ought to acknowledge the significance of things that lack a physical form, shape, or audible voice.”