Letter of Condolence from CJFA President Song Jian

December 2， 2009

Respected Mrs. Michiko Hirayama，

I am deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Mr. Ikuo Hirayama. My grief is profound.

Mr. Hirayama was an outstanding cultural envoy， a painter of world renown and a great master of fine art. In his career covering over half a century， he created many master pieces that won him respect and admiration in the world and reflected his aspirations for world peace. He had been UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for a long time. To preserve world cultural heritage and promote international cultural and art development as well as cultural exchanges between East and West， he endured many hardships and， treading in the footsteps of the Monk Xuan Zang， traveled many times along the ancient Silk Road and created a large number of exquisite， wonderful and unparalleled landmark paintings. He also donated to UNESCO to set up the Ikuo Hirayama Silk Road Fellowship Program， awarding fellowships to researchers for studies of Dunhuang， thus making prominent contributions to the preservation of Chinese culture.

Mr. Hirayama was a friendship envoy. Since his first visit in 1975， he traveled to China over a hundred times， visiting many parts of the country. He forged profound friendship with personages of various circles and was highly respected by the Chinese people. He served as President of the Japan-China Friendship Association for years. With a sense of mission to promote people-to-people friendship， he made life-long painstaking efforts and outstanding contributions to the cause. The China-Japan Friendship Association conferred on him the title of China-Japan Friendship Envoy in 1993 in recognition of his great contribution to the growth of Sino-Japanese friendly relations.

He was a peace envoy. In 1995， under his initiative， the renovation of the ancient city wall of Nanjing was launched. He said at the time: “To help restore the Nanjing city wall is not simply for the protection of cultural relics. The future belongs to the young people and it is necessary for them to learn about history and plunge themselves into the cause of Japan-China friendship.” His enthusiasm for peace was impressive.

He was a man of great learning， a man with high morals and a man easy to approach. Those who had contact with him were impressed by his charisma and wisdom. At the Ikuo Hirayama Exhibition held in the National Art Museum of China in 2008， Chinese visitors once again appreciated his fine works. Mr. Hirayama and I had agreed that I would invite him to China once a year so that he could visit places he had not yet visited. The sad news of his passing came so unexpectedly. It is hard for me to express in words my feelings of regret and sorrow.

His death plunged us all into deep grief， for we have lost a respected old and good friend， and the cause of China-Japan friendship has suffered an irreparable great loss.

I offer my heartfelt condolence to you and your family. Amid your natural grief， please take care.

Song Jian

President

China-Japan Friendship Association