The Wind Phone: When Words Travel Beyond
Wind phones provide physical connections to lost loved ones.
In Ōtsuchi, Japan a simple phone booth has become a profound symbol of grief and connection. This, the original wind phone—a physical phone disconnected from any live connection that people use to have conversations with lost loved ones—would eventually inspire a global movement
In 2010, garden designer Itaru Sasaki built a phone booth in his yard to “talk” to his deceased cousin. What began as a personal tribute transformed into something far greater when, just months later, the devastating Fukushima earthquake and tsunami claimed over 20,000 lives. In an act of profound compassion, Sasaki opened his private sanctuary to neighbors seeking solace in their grief.
“Life is only, at most, 100 years. But death is something that goes on much longer, both for the person who has died and also for the survivors, who must find a way to feel connected to the dead. Death does not end the life. All the people who are left afterward are still figuring out what to do about it. They need a way to feel connected.” —Itaru Sasaki 1
The idea resonated deeply with people, and wind phones began appearing across Japan and, eventually, throughout the world.
The beauty of a wind phone lies in its simplicity: a disconnected rotary or push-button phone, housed in a private yet public location, often accompanied by a bench or chair. The concept resonated deeply across cultures and continents. These installations create sacred spaces for the ritual of grief—sanctuaries where words can bridge the divide between our world and whatever lies beyond.
Every year, on the anniversaries of losing our son and daughter, my family visits the bench dedicated in their honor. In the peaceful garden of St. Luke's in the Fields, I open my journal and read aloud the letter I've written to them that day. My husband and daughter listen and I imagine my babies can hear the words I’m speaking. This ritual of speaking aloud to those we've lost—making our internal dialogue external—creates a tangible connection to the intangible.
After discovering that among hundreds of wind phones across America, none existed in Manhattan, I felt called to action. Today, I'm honored to announce the installation of Manhattan's first wind phone2, nestled within the natural embrace of the Central Park Ramble. Like the flowers we leave at grave sites or the prayers we whisper in the dark, this wind phone stands as a testament to love that transcends physical presence. In our bustling city, it offers a quiet sanctuary where the wind carries our words to those we miss most dearly.
This installation marks just the beginning. I plan to create more of these sacred spaces across the city, offering more places for New Yorkers to maintain connections with their loved ones who have passed on. Stay tuned for future locations.
To learn more about wind phones, visit this Smithsonian article and video.
To find a wind phone by you, visit the My Wind Phone locator.
Words of the Week
“When your heart is filled with grief, or some kind of burden, you aren’t in tune with your senses. You’re closed off, like curtains have been pulled around you. After you empty your heart a little bit, you might hear some birds singing again. You might notice a fox or the sound of the stream in the garden.” —Itaru Sasaki
Photo of the Week
[UPDATE: As of 1.22.25 this phone has gone missing presumably removed by the NYC Parks Department.] Finding a location for Manhattan's first wind phone required patience and intuition. My daughter and I spent yesterday afternoon exploring the Ramble, searching for a spot that would offer both accessibility and the solitude these conversations deserve. After an hour of careful consideration, we found the perfect spot at the top of a boulder overlooking a pond.
The wind phone is accessible via a path from the main walkway. While the winter landscape is stark, in the coming months, visitors will find themselves surrounded by emerging foliage and the gentle sounds of nature—the perfect setting for moments of reflection and connection.
Manhattan's first wind phone honors my Aunt Linda. It was installed yesterday, January 11th, 2025 which marks both my cousin's 50th birthday and 21st anniversary of my cousin celebrating her birthday without her Mom.
From an interview with Tessa Fontaine.
Since releasing this newsletter, Amy, from My Wind Phones, wrote to say, “I know you shared that it is the first wind phone in Manhattan. I don't include that in the features because there are so many Wind Phones that are not registered on the map but are in place. We had a lovely creator state that hers was the first, and she was berated online; I try to avoid that.” So I stand corrected. The Central Park Wind Phone is currently the only registered Wind Phone in Manhattan would be more accurate!
Is there nothing you can’t do. Kudos
So beautiful, Lia. You are an incredible person.