Kennedy Center Gets ‘Blue Star of Life’ from Japan on JFK’s Birthday

The Kennedy Center received “The Blue Star of Life,” a porcelain artwork from Japan, during a May 29 ceremony held in the Terrace Theater of the Center, marking the longstanding relationship between the Kennedy Center and the people of Japan. The dedication ceremony honored the occasion of the 160th Anniversary of the Japan-U.S. Treaty of Peace and Amity, as well as the anniversary of the birth of President John F. Kennedy.

“The Blue Star of Life,” a globe-shaped, porcelain vase of considerable dimensions, was accepted and unveiled by Deborah Rutter, president of the Kennedy Center, and others, including Ambassador Yoshio Karita, chairman of the Blue Star of Life delegation.

Japan has given other gifts to the Kennedy Center. As a gift to mark the 1971 opening of the arts memorial to President Kennedy, Japan presented the 3,000-pound, red and gold, silk curtain for the center’s Opera House stage. In 1975, Japanese Prime Minister Miki presented President Gerald Ford with the funds to build the Terrace Theater as a Bicentennial gift from the people of Japan to the United States.

Remarks were made during the ceremony by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Kristie Kenney and Japanese Ambassador Kenichiro Sasae as well as by students from Georgetown University and Keio University. Karita poetically likened the delicateness of the porcelain vase to the fragility of world relations.

Students representing Japan and the United States, including students from Sidwell Friends School and Georgetown University, participated in a “Pebble Drop” ceremony, during which a small satchel of pebbles was dropped into the belly of the vase. Since stone in Japanese is “ishi,” phonetically the same as “will” in Japanese, the pebbles symbolized the will of the world to seek peace and conserve the environment.

A special message from Ambassador Caroline Kennedy was read by a representative of the United States Embassy in Japan, expressing Kennedy’s gratitude for the gift. “The symbolism of the vase captures the best values, hopes and dreams of the American and Japanese peoples,” Kennedy’s note read. “I look forward to being able to drop my own pebble in the vase during my next visit to the Kennedy Center.”

Following the dedication ceremony, a brief reception was held on the Terrace level during which a toast led by student Jack Hannah of Sidwell Friends School was made. Hannah talked about his recent trip to Japan and the lasting impact the new relationships he forged while there have had on him. “Friendship is important,” said Hannah, becoming a bit misty-eyed as he alluded to the significance of strong international relations. “It makes things better for everyone, everywhere.” The group of American and Japanese dignitaries gathered around Hannah emitted a rousing cheers, appreciative of his sentiment.

On the anniversary of the birth of one of America’s most beloved presidents, who emphasized the importance of international peace and development, inside the halls created as a living memorial to his life, friendship was, indeed, alive and well.