Japan: Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance Art Exhibition Successfully Held in Iwatuki

The city of Iwatuki is a famous Japanese traditional arts and crafts center. From July 26 to July 31, 2005, Falun Gong practitioners held a Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance Art Exhibition in Iwatuki. The six-day-long exhibition was very successful. The visitors not only enjoyed the painting skills demonstrated in the works, but also learned the truth about the persecution of Falun Gong in China.

In order to let more people know about the upcoming exhibition, the practitioners contacted the local newspaper and obtained permission to insert thousands of promotional flyers, to be distributed with the paper. In order to get permission to display paintings depicting scenes of torture, the practitioners talked to the city's human rights organizations. The practitioners also talked to the director of the art gallery, sharing how Falun Dafa has spread throughout the world, and discussing the six years of persecution in China. The director agreed to display the paintings exposing the tortures. The practitioners introduced the stories behind every painting to each visitor. Some people viewed all the paintings with tears in their eyes.

One visitor to the exhibition had been eating in a Chinese restaurant when he overheard a practitioner clarifying truth to the owner of the restaurant. As a result, he went directly to the art show. He said that when he saw the painting showing little Fadu, he was totally attracted by Fadu's eyes. His heart could feel strongly that Fadu's eyes were trying to talk to him, asking for awareness and support from all kind people.

The Chinese restaurant owner posted the art exhibition announcement in his restaurant and also hung up the lotus flowers given to him by the practitioner in a prominent location. The restaurant owner's wife visited the exhibition and said she would let her friends know the truth about Falun Gong. Some people who visited the art show wanted to learn Falun Gong.

One person visited the art show three times in six days. On the last day, he took a photo with practitioners and wrote in the comment book, "I hope you will continue the effort. I pray for you and hope that China will stop the persecution as soon as possible." Another visitor wrote, "I respect you. I will come to support your future activities. I will do my best to help you." Later on, he brought his wife and friends to see the art show.

Some students wrote articles about visiting the art show for their summer vacation homework. Many people suggested that the practitioners hold the art exhibition in more areas, in order to let more people learn the truth of Falun Dafa.