Being sent to North-Eastern Japan, the smiles of Tenjin (Photo Event)

Translated from the original article at: http://tenjin.keizai.biz/headline/3407/

March 05, 2012

Mizutani Koji surrounded by smiling umbrellas.

The smile photography project is currently being held at the Inter Media Station of Tenjin 1,Chuo Ward, Fukuoka.

The scene of a photo being taken.

"Smiles are the universal language of the world" and "Enjoyment and Happiness" are the themes that graphic designer Mizutani Koji seeks to deliver. From 1999, he's taken his "Merry Project" beyond Japan, taking pictures of smiling faces to display as a message. So far, Mizutani has taken pictures from over 30,000 people across 26 countries. Since the great disaster of Eastern Japan, he's focused his efforts on taking pictures to support the afflicted area.

During the period of March 3, 5, 6, the smiles will be broadcast to both the disaster area and central Japan, beginning with the enactment of the Fukuoka photography project. On the 3rd, 80 people had pictures taken. On the 4th, holding umbrellas printed with the smiles of children from the disaster area, there was an event where the people of Tenjin walked throughout town, wishing for restoration of north-eastern Japan.

While taking pictures in Fukuoka, Mizutani commented "About the smiles of Fukuoka’s, this is not merely a city district. I feel a window of power within Asia. Fukuoka and Tenjin's power, their hope for the disaster area's restoration. I want to pour all that into North Eastern Japan.

The photos from this round of photography are planned to be displayed in the 2nd basement level of the IMS building from April 3rd. Photography takes place until March 6th. Participation is free of charge. Photography time is 10:00AM to 4:30PM.

Original text:

天神の笑顔、東北へ届け－天神で笑顔の撮影会

（2012年03月05日）

笑顔の傘に囲まれた水谷孝次さん

イムズ（福岡市中央区天神1）で現在、笑顔の写真を撮影するプロジェクトが行われている。

【画像】撮影の様子

グラフィックデザイナーの水谷孝次さんが「笑顔は世界共通のコミュニケーション」をテーマに「MERRY（楽しい、幸せ）」を届けようと、国内外の笑顔を撮影しメッセージとともに展示する1999年より始めたプロジェクト「MERRY PROJECT（メリープロジェクト）」。水谷さんはこれまで世界26カ国・地域で3万人以上の笑顔を撮影。東日本大震災以降は、被災地での撮影など支援活動も行っている。

3月3日・5日・6日の3日間、被災地や日本中に笑顔を発信しようと福岡で初めて撮影会を実施。3日には約80人を撮影し、4日には復興を願い、被災地の子どもたちの笑顔で作った傘を持って天神の街を歩くイベントも行った。

福岡での撮影では「福岡の人たちの笑顔には、単なる地方都市ではないアジアの窓口ならではのパワーを感じられる」と水谷さん。「被災地の復興を願って、福岡・天神のパワーを東北に注入したい」と話す。

今回撮影した写真は4月3日より、同館地下2階に展示する予定。撮影は3月6日までで、参加無料。撮影時間は10時～16時30分。