entertainment

Cyndi Lauper brings cherry blossom seedlings to Ishinomaki

56 Comments

American singer Cyndi Lauper, 58, who is in Japan for a tour, visited Okaido elementary school in tsunami-hit Ishinomaki City in Miyagi Prefecture, to meet and sing for 151 children. The singer donated 10 cherry blossom seedlings to the school, Spots Nippon reported.

Lauper arrived in Tokyo for a tour last March 11 just after the earthquake struck. It took her six hours to get from the airport to her hotel in Tokyo. Afterwards, she said that she was advised to cancel her tour and leave Japan as soon as possible, but she decided to go ahead with her concerts because she wanted to help. After each concert, she stood in the lobby with a donation box to help raise funds for tsunami victims.

Lauper told the children in Ishinomaki that she was pleased to be back one year later. Handing the seedlings to the kids, she said: "Planting tree and cultivating them are symbols of 'restoration' and 'rebirth.'"

Lauper will perform in Niigata on Wednesday and at Tokyo's Bunkamura Orchard Hall March 9 to 11.

The March 11 concert will be taped and shown in movie theaters in the affected areas for free.

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56 Comments
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10 seeds? That's it? I know it's better than nothing and all,...but....

-17 ( +3 / -20 )

She's amazing, such a talent! ....and "The March 11 concert will be taped and shown in movie theaters in the affected areas for free." how awesome is that?!!!

6 ( +7 / -1 )

amazing woman ...time after time. =)

8 ( +9 / -1 )

This support is way past these seedlings. She is an angel.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

What a gracious gesture!

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Cyndi is cool. In a Rolling Stone interview she said, "Poverty. I came to wear the clothes I wear from poverty."

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Cindy Lauper is 58!? My shock for the morning....

10 seeds? That's it?

'Seedlings'....small trees. With the size cherry trees reach, 10 is probably just fine for one school.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

mine too Himajin! I cant believe it!

But nice gesture. This is about more than just the number of trees she has brought. This is about someone who doesnt need to give a crap actually making an effort and using her fame to publicise the situation and help and support the people up there.

Maybe TEPCO should offer her a job?

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

I like her, her 80s output was better than Madonna's.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Well said Nicky!

Love her to bits!

1 ( +2 / -1 )

zichi, pass the bucket

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

An amazing woman with true talent who, as others said, truly gives without thought. I've heard that more than a few times she's given impromptu concerts to people, I wonder if she will do the same in the school for the kids. Her gesture will bring some light into the people's lives and those kids can meet a living legend.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Ps. I also love her to bits :)

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Girls just wanna have funds for the tsunami victims... good on her and good on the 1980s for excellent music.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Gurukan, that's 10 seedlings (small plants) and she donates a lot of money to various relief groups. The seedlings were symbolic mostly, a gift of hope for the kids there. I congratulate her work there. Well done Cyndi!!

5 ( +5 / -0 )

You're a class act, Cyndi. I take my hat off you you.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Her true colors are shining through....

5 ( +5 / -0 )

After each concert, she stood in the lobby with a donation box to help raise funds for tsunami victims

.Well done Cindy, you've risen leaps and bounds in my estimation.

I see your true colours shining through, That`s why I love you.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Ah Cyndi ... the lass with the fantastic voice ...

Hope her cherry trees grow to be big and colorful ...

3 ( +3 / -0 )

6 hours from Haneda airport to her Hotel is not a correct information. Her plane was diverted to YOKOTA air force base in Fussa. She Landed at Yokota not at Haneda airport, i was there when she landed.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Still a cool chick, good on her.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

What? Japan doesn't have enough talentless women of its own to do this? and "donated" 10 seeds? don't break the bank, sweetheart!!!

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

10 seeds? That's it? I know it's better than nothing and all,...but....

How would that compare to what you've done directly for the people of Tohoku? Been up there yourself have you?

The size of this gesture can not be underestimated. I always had a soft spot for Cyndi Lauper, I now have a new found respect for her as well.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

How would that compare to what you've done directly for the people of Tohoku? Been up there yourself have you?

And you know that I havent, how?

Did you really 'read' my comment? Nothing close to disrespect. What I was leading to was, how about one seedling per student? Enough for one section of the school area? One area of the schools' city? To line one street in front of the school. Nothing was refering to how much money or time she has, or had already donated.

-7 ( +4 / -11 )

The youtube video "Cyndi Lauper sings for passengers at airport" is quite amazing too. Cyndi just wants to have fun.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

She brings warmth and sunshine. I love her music. What a lovely gesture! I applaud her!

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

I didn't say you hadn't. I asked if you had been up there and helped the people first hand.

And do you think she just rocked up with 10 trees and said hey peeps, where can I put these? Or do you think that there were discussions between her people, local government NPOs etc as to what she could present and the total amount. There have been many, many donations to these areas and in some cases there has been too much of one thing and not enough of another. It would seem to be that a donation of 10 trees is what was specified by those on the ground.

2 ( +6 / -5 )

Or do you think that there were discussions between her people, local government NPOs etc as to what she could present and the total amount.

I don't know. That would be assuming. However, nothing wrong with planting a tree. Hell, John Denver has been saying that from back in the day. With that said, I thought that was a great idea, but 10?

Also, been up there 5 times already. Not a rich guy, so I can't donate millions of dollars, but I visit the some of the shelters and do classes to teach the elderly different exercises they can do to improve their physical and mental health, as well, using everday items around the house/facility.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Heda_MadnessMAR. 07, 2012 - 01:14PM JST How would that compare to what you've done directly for the people of Tohoku? Been up there yourself have you?

Heda_MadnessMAR. 07, 2012 - 03:06PM JST I didn't say you hadn't. I asked if you had been up there and helped the people first hand.

Nope you actually didn't say Gurukun hadn't.

But, it does seem at least to me from the way you worded your first post that is what you were implying.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Time after time, Ms. Lauper shows her true colors.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Well done to you and for anyone that has been up to help. I'm sure that your visits have given all of the shelters a lift. In the same way that Cyndi Lauper's visits have given everyone a lift.

I asked if you'd done any direct help because it's far more impactful than giving money so wasn't beginning to compare your finances. But her going to a school in Ishinomaki is far more valuable than her giving xthousand dollars to a charity like the red cross. Just as you going to teach the kids up there is more valuable than you giving xthousand yen to the red cross.

What I still exception to is your suggestion of 'is that it'.

She could have done nothing. She could have chosen to just give money. Instead she got off her ass and made a far more significant gesture.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Very nice gesture by Cindy.

Wonder if she had the time to teach any of people she met during her visit how to "she bop".

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Cyndi Lauper rings a bell from loooong ago among other names. 10 seeds wow, less than a package.

I would have preferred Kim Carnes, Kim Wilde, Bonny Tyler, etc and many more bigger names.

-13 ( +0 / -13 )

Instead she got off her ass and made a far more significant gesture.

120% agree!

My thought on this "is that it?" mentality is this.

It may have been because the article didn't state why there were only 10 seedlings, but it it was me, (and I know I'm not Cyndi Lauper), I would have given one per child to plant at home in memory ofthose that died and as symbols of restoration and rebirth...or, I would have given 1 seedling per class, (who knows, that'w why it was probably 10). My main concern would have been to let every child understand that he/she is special because there were alot of children that are not here anymore due to the EQ and Tsunami, hense the one per child, or 1 per class mentality. A random number of 10, (if it was a random numer), just doesn't seem like it was "for the children."

Don't get me wrong, I've been a fan of her's since the 80's and love her old and new music.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

For the person that voted me down Cyndi has the same drawing power as Kylie, hence why they are plib on the international media.

Sorry, they are no-ones today and most news-sites won't even mention them unless in the small-print.

This is not about her skills but she had her 15 minutes.

-12 ( +1 / -13 )

It's ME - I'm guessing, but I think your downs are probably for the '10 seeds' comment. They were seedlings. Baby trees, not a packet of seeds.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Readers, please do not use this thread to rant against Ms Lauper. If you cannot recognize what she did in Ishinomaki as a grand gesture, then please do not post here.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Blast from the past! I'm always happy to see people who have been extremely successful in the past (may still be successful to an extent, but their peak in the field has ended) doing humanitarian work later while continuing to peddle their trade to an extent. Regardless of whether she sang her tunes from the 80's or later, she came here to cheer the people up and cheer them on, and there is no harm in it at all. And yes, they were seedLINGS (as in, already grown to the point where they can be planted and survive to become full fledged trees), not seeds.

I still love Lauper.... takes me WAY back. Might have to watch the Goonies this weekend.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Like I said, you're assuming she just turned up. Someone somewhere would be talking to the people up there and saying she'd like to come, what can she give. And someone else would have said 10 trees. I don't blame her for that and now you can only do what you're asked to do it. 10/11 months ago they'd have gratefully taken anything but now they are selective in what you can give.

And like I said well done for you for getting off your ass. You can't underestimate the impact it has on here. And I apologise if I originally suggested you hadn't been up there and given directly. A lot of sofa commentators on here and I apologise for linking you to them.

Hope you can continue to give whatever support you can.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Whether its music or trees Cyndi always tries to make lives around her feel better

3 ( +4 / -1 )

I can recognize what she did in Ishinomaki as a grand gesture!

My 14-year-old daughter was humming some Cyndi music a while back with no knowledge of its origin. Funny how timeless such bits of '80s fluff have become.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Laguna: Agreed. Works the same with our generation, too; I find myself every now and again humming stuff from long before I was born. You fill in the gaps later, hopefully. Cyndi is an 80s legend, and brings back HEAPS of memories if/when I hear her stuff.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I love Cyndi Lauper! And super cool for her efforts to help.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I would have given one per child to plant at home in memory ofthose that died and as symbols of restoration and rebirth...or, I would have given 1 seedling per class

Do you know how big cherry trees get?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

she stayed put and held donation box after each concert, perhaps in Japan, after March 11. well, that is something for a foreigner. 10 seedlings for a start is better than criticising, don't you think. perhaps there are other donations that we do not know of that she preferred not to be mentioned. give her some benefit of the doubt

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Sapling is probably a better word than seedling. You can see a photo here:

http://news.tbs.co.jp/20120305/newseye/tbs_newseye4969314.html

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I don't know if Cindi knew or not but all the Cherry blossom Someiyoshino trees including the ones in Washington DC comes from one single tree since Someiyoshino was a fluke in cross pollination in the Meji era. It really doesn't matter if it was ten, million or ever one tree, her gesture will go around like the Someiyoshino had in the past.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"Money Changes Every Thing". Thank you Cyndi for being brave to remain in Japan and for helping out with fund raising efforts.

Yesterday, I blinked and nearly missed that cameo appearance in the new Uniqlo commercial here in Japan.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Apparently she's still doing well in the music industry:

Lauper has since released 11 albums, the most recent the acclaimed grammy nominated Memphis Blues which was Billboard's biggest selling blues album of 2010.

Yokatta Cyndi-san! "She-bop" like a boss!

I hope the school has enough topsoil left after the tsunami to support the trees. It would be disheartening to plant them, then watch them wither away.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I believe that any donation should be acknowledged and graciously accepted. Thank you for donating both your time and the seedlings, Cyndi. To all the unknown people who have donated either their time and money or both, thank you as well!!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

jonobugs :

For a million reasons, I haven't been able to go there myself but I'll transmit your thanks to my son, who brought 300 kilos of goods (which he collected from friends and colleagues in 5 different European countries) in April last year for the victims.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Cyndi was never my genre of music but I always liked her voice and her spirit. It seems she's got a good soul too. What a wonderful person and looking so young for 58.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

she's soooo cool. Good ambassador of kindness

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I saw her performance two years ago. She has changed from 80's rocker to great southern blues. Her voice still stands out. Her new album did pretty well and was well received. She seems very genuine to the roots of the deep south and understand the sufferings of people in Japan from 3/11. She is a good down to earth person that cares for people of all nationality.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Himajin is correct. Ten seedlings--which will become sizable trees--are enough for one school. Think: What happens when all the students get seedlings? They are often planted inappropriately as people have no idea of their size or or how they should be placed in a garden. And how many homes in Japan have room for a sakura tree on the property? Within a few years those trees would likely get cut down. What would remain of Lauper's legacy then? Nothing. However, a small grove of sakura in a school yard will likely be treasured for its blossoms and its shade for decades to come.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

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