Yayoi Kusama

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Overview

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Yayoi Kusama born Matsumoto, Japan March 22, 1929. Japanese antiwar visual artist. “Accumulation of Corpses”, 1950; live performance “Anatomic Explosion” at Wall Street, against Vietnam War funding, 1968. Antiwar “Naked happening” protest on Brooklyn Bridge, 1968; ”War, Tidal Waves of War”, 1975; “Graves of the Unknown Soldiers”, 1977. “Revived Soul” for Hiroshima victims, 1995.

Quotations

“You can’t eradicate violence by using more violence.” (letter to Richard Nixon, 1968)

“I made my art to try and change people’s minds about the love in the world that can last forever.” (Infinity, circa 1968, in Dazed, Oct. 8, 2018; photo wikipedia)

Raya Kadyrova

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Overview

Raisa “Raya” Kadyrova born Kyrgyzstan March 28, 1957. Kyrgyz peacemaker. Oversaw tolerance education project for UN High Commissioner of Refugees, 1993. Founding president of Foundation for Tolerance International (FTI), 1998. Promoted nonviolence in Central Asian republics, helping to defuse tensions during Batken War, 1999-2000.

Quotations

“I would like Kyrgyzstan to become an example for peace, equality and tolerance in the entire region.” (No Women No Peace exhibition, 1000peacewomen; photo World People's Blog)

Kang Kyung-wha

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Overview

Kang Kyung-wha born Seoul, South Korea April 7, 1955. Special Adviser on Policy to UN Secretary General 2016; UN Assistant Secretary Humanitarian Affairs 2013; UN Deputy Commissioner Human Rights 2006; Chaired UN Committee on Status of Women 2004-05; Korean representative to UN 2001-05.

Quotations

“We look to the members of the Security Council to show leadership to end the barbaric and brutal warfare in Syria. We are running out of words to describe the terrible human and humanitarian consequences.” (UN Security Council, Sept. 26, 2015; photo free keyword)

Shidzue Kato

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Overview

Shidzue Kato born Tokyo, Japan March 2, 1897 (d. 2001). Leading Japanese feminist and birth control advocate. Imprisoned 1937; socialist member of Japanese Diet, 1946-74; worked for Japanese apology for WWII.

Quotations

“What we did was wrong, and what was wrong must be admitted and put right between nations as well as individuals. . .” (M. Henderson, All Her Paths Are Peace, p.67; photo Museum of Contraception)

Michi Kawai

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Overview

Michi Kawai born Yamada, Japan July 29, 1877 (d. 1953). Japanese internationalist, pacifist; "The greatest woman leader in Japan"; Secretary of YWCA; leader of Fellowship of Reconciliation; President of Japan Peace Society 1931-3 opposing Manchurian war; labored to avoid war with US.

Quotations

"Love cannot live alone; it calls for friendship and grows stronger and purer by unselfish service. Where love is, peace abides, and envy, fear, hatred, war, can never come within its citadel." (Michi Kawai and Ochimi Kubushiro, Japanese Women Speak, p. 189, 1934)

Aki Kurose

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Overview

Aki Kurose (née Akiko Kato) born Seattle, WA February 11, 1925 (d. 1998). Japanese-American Quaker and peace educator. Honored teacher of peace and nonviolence in Seattle schools. Active in CORE & WILPF; opposed nuclear submarines. Placed in internment camp, 1942.

Quotations

"You call yourself the education president, but one stealth bomber could fund how many good teachers?" (to President Bush, on receiving Presidential Teaching Award, 1990)

"Without peace, real learning cannot take place. Real interaction with others. . . meaningful interaction, cannot take place." (Interview I, Segment 30 in historylink.org; photo Densho Encyclopedia)

Fuki Kushida

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Overview

Fuki Kushida born Yamaguchi, Japan February 17, 1899 (d. 2001). Leading Japanese feminist; anti-nuclear peace advocate. President of Federation of Japanese Women’s Organizations, 1958. Protested US military presence on Okinawa and sexual assaults committed by foreign servicemen.

Quotations

“As long as U.S. bases exist there, our fear will never end and violence against women will continue.” (The Day, July 8, 2000; photo amazon.co.uk)