Japanese sunrise drummer closes in on 1,500 consecutive hikes to honor Lori Piestewa
Ken Koshio says he's not after a world record but rather to honor the woman the mountain is named after, Lori Piestewa. Ken Koshio, a Japanese sunrise drummer, has been hiking at Piestewa Peak for the past four years to honor the woman named after Lori PiestEWa, who was killed in the Iraq War. Koshie, who calls himself a global peace warrior, started the daily trek four years ago on the fallen soldiers memorial. He aims to reach three thousand days in a row on April 30. The ceremony, which includes a message of peace from the woman's son, Brandon, parallels Koshios' heritage and his traditional Japanese upbringing.
发表 : 4 周前 经过 David Caltabiano 在
PIESTEWA PEAK, AZ (AZFamily) — If you’ve recently gone on a sunrise hike at Piestewa Peak, you’ve heard his music and seen him hike. Every morning for the past four years and more, Ken Koshio has hiked the trail with a hundred pounds on his back to greet the sunrise with his Taiko drums.
Arizona’s Family’s David Caltabiano and crew joined him for hike 1,466 on Wednesday morning. “OK, let’s hit it,” said Koshio.
The man from Nagoya, Japan, is not after a world record but rather to honor the woman the mountain is named after, Lori Piestewa, who was killed in the Iraq War on March 23, 2003.
Koshio, who calls himself a global peace warrior, started this daily trek a little over four years ago on the fallen soldiers memorial. A day that once brought tears to Lori’s son, Brandon.
“It was a hard time for me as a kid growing up and having to relive that tragedy every day. But when people come around and come in good spirits, it’s such a blessing; it’s not even viewed in a negative type of way. It’s a healing ceremony,” said Brandon.
This healing ceremony parallels between Piestewa’s Hopi tribe and Koshio’s traditional Japanese upbringing. “This is my faith, with nature and the God,” said Koshio.
It’s a religion he calls ‘one love,’ with a message of peace as he honors the woman who died in war. “My mother’s legacy was to bring people together,” said Brandon. “Knowing that we can add Ken’s ceremony is the cherry on top.”
The beauty of the sunrise on this peak keeps the 57-year-old going day after day. “How much longer can you do this?” Caltabiano asked. “I’m still wondering myself,” Koshio laughed. Brandon said to keep going.
Koshio does have a milestone in mind. “Three is a good number, so maybe I’ll stop at three thousand,” he said. On April 30, he will hit 1,500 days in a row.
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