“The ball of life waits to be caught by hearts that believe in peace.”
— Yoyo, The Story of Kenshiro: Playing Catch with the Wind of Life

This winter, a heartfelt gift arrived at Play for Peace — a poetic offering from Japan that beautifully mirrors everything we stand for: connection, compassion, and the transformative power of play.

A Gift of Life and Connection

Yoyo, a 73-year-old writer and childcare educator (Hoikusha) from Japan, reached out to Play for Peace with a moving message.

“I deeply resonate with your mission of cultivating peace through play. That is why I wish to offer this one ball of life to your glove.”

Enclosed with his letter was a bilingual manuscript — Kenshiro’s Catch: The Universe in My Palm — My One Ball of Life, Waiting in Your Glove. The book tells the story of Kenshiro, a man living with disabilities, whose life is expressed through one simple, universal act: playing catch.

Through this act of throwing and receiving, Yoyo reveals something profound — that connection itself is a form of healing, and that play is not just movement, but a dialogue of life.

The Story of Kenshiro: Catching the Wind of Life

In Yoyo’s poetic storytelling, “catch” becomes more than a game — it’s a symbol of love, communication, and peace. Kenshiro, who lives in a care facility, and Yoyo, his teacher and friend, play catch every Friday. Each throw carries intention, each catch carries trust.

Together, they transform a simple rhythm into something sacred:

“Each throw is a gesture of life. Each catch, a moment of connection.”

Even when words fail, the ball becomes a language of its own — one that says, “I see you. I trust you. We are connected.”

This story, told in both Japanese and English, honors not only Kenshiro’s journey but also Yoyo’s own path as a teacher, artist, and person living with learning differences. It’s a story of empathy that transcends language, culture, and ability.

How It Aligns with Play for Peace

At Play for Peace, we believe in creating laughter, compassion, and peace through the power of cooperative play.

What Yoyo and Kenshiro discovered together is the same truth that guides our global community:

• Play connects us beyond words.
  In Yoyo’s story, catch becomes a way of saying what cannot be said — much like how Play for Peace circles use play to bridge divides between language, faith, or background.

• Every person has value and voice.
  Kenshiro’s story reminds us that no action, no gesture, no child is without meaning. Play for Peace facilitators across 40+ countries echo this belief — that every participant, regardless of ability or experience, brings light to the circle.

• Peace is a practice, not a destination.
  Just as Kenshiro and Yoyo meet every Friday to play catch, Play for Peace communities meet regularly to practice compassion through play — transforming everyday moments into lifelong lessons of empathy and connection.

• Healing happens through relationship.
  Yoyo’s quiet, patient understanding of Kenshiro mirrors the way Play for Peace facilitators approach every child — with respect, curiosity, and unconditional acceptance.

In essence, Kenshiro’s Catch and Play for Peace share one heartbeat: that peace begins the moment we choose to connect.

❄️ Catch Peace This Winter

As we move through this season of gratitude and giving, we are deeply touched by Yoyo’s offering — a reminder that the work of peace often starts with one small gesture: a hand reaching out, a smile, a shared moment of play.

At Play for Peace, we continue to pass that “ball of life” — from community to community, from one heart to another.
This winter, we invite you to catch it — and pass it forward. 🤍

📖 Read Kenshiro’s Catch: The Universe in My Palm and download your free copy of the book

Together, let’s keep the rhythm of compassion alive — one throw, one laugh, one act of peace at a time.

#CatchPeace #PlayForPeace #WinterOfConnection #PeaceThroughPlay #SharedHumanity #KenshirosCatch