(Victor
Hugo)
 |
| Photo: Shibuya Atsushi |
SWTJ FIRST DISASTER ANNIVERSARY
Requiem Music Caravan
In memory of the victims
of
the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami of March 11, 2011
SWTJ
organized a Requiem Music Caravan in the disaster area for the first
anniversary of the earthquake.
In
close cooperation with our local contacts, we determined the place and time at
which SWTJ could show its solidarity with the people in the disaster area at such
a sensitive time.
Together
with the local branches of SWTJ in Kesennuma and Rikuzentakata, we decided
that bringing music in the spirit of remembrance of the souls of the disaster
victims would be the most appropriate way to share our sorrow with the
survivors on and in the days close to the anniversary.
We
are extremely grateful to the members of the Fanfare Roma’n-Garde, an ensemble of Japanese musicians led by Seto Nobuyuki, for having agreed to take part in the March 2012 SWTJ Activity
Week under the same conditions as our own members, which means as volunteers who
donate their time and skills.
 |
| Seto Nobuyuki, Clarinet (Photo: Shibuya Atsushi) |
Musicians of the Fanfare
Roma’n-Garde:
Seto Nobuyuki (leader): clarinet;
Terukina Toshinori: euphonium; Nagata Mitsuru: percussion; Watanabe (Watanbe)
Mitsuru: drums; Mihara Sachie: accordeon; Nobori Keizo: sax; Ikeda Ayuko:
percussion; Kumasaka Yoshito: contrabass; Kumasaka Natsumi: Kumasaka Kota :
percussion; Igaki Akiko: violin.
 |
| Kumasaka Kota, the youngest member of the Caravan, beats the drum |
March
10:
Musicians
and SWTJ members arrive at the Former Tsukidate Elementary School, our
base in the hills of Kesennuma in the disaster zone where we can stay overnight on
the floor of an unused classroom during our volunteer activities.
After a last rehearsal by the musicians at the school, we head to the Zaito and Yanagizawa temporary housing sites in Otomo, Rikuzentakata, where local SWTJ branch leader Kanazawa who lives close to the temporary housing has arranged the site for our event.
After a last rehearsal by the musicians at the school, we head to the Zaito and Yanagizawa temporary housing sites in Otomo, Rikuzentakata, where local SWTJ branch leader Kanazawa who lives close to the temporary housing has arranged the site for our event.
We
spend precious time together with the evacuees from the temporary housing and other
locals. Evacuees and locals join
the musicians, and we all sing some familiar songs together.
It
has become a tradition that SWTJ offers takoyaki octopus dumplings and
watagashi cotton candy at some special events with evacuees. March Activity
Week Project Leader Shuto Naoya reports:
'Today
from 12pm we shared time with the evacuees at the Yanagizawa Community House, and
from 3pm at the Zaito temporary housing site. While the ensemble played, we prepared
takoyaki octopus dumplings and cotton candy on-site. The atmosphere was
friendly and relaxed.
One of the evacuees, fisherman Yu M. contributed the octopus that is needed for the dumplings, and it was him who had caught and boilt it!
Of course, that made the takoyaki dumplings an especially delicious treat. Wataro, the nine-year old son of SWTJ member Wako, was really good at making the cotton candy!
After
the event, the locals treated us to local wakame seaweed and other delicacies
from the ocean. It is still freezing cold in Tohoku, but there is a hint of spring
in the air!“
One of the evacuees, fisherman Yu M. contributed the octopus that is needed for the dumplings, and it was him who had caught and boilt it! Of course, that made the takoyaki dumplings an especially delicious treat. Wataro, the nine-year old son of SWTJ member Wako, was really good at making the cotton candy!
 |
| Elderly evacuees at Yanagizawa community house, Otomo, Rikuzentakata |
March
11:
Today
is the anniversary of the earthquake.
Today,
we mourn the victims together with the earthquake survivors.
In
order to honor the silence and privacy that survivors will need today, exactly
a year after the earthquake and tsunami brought so much tragedy to so many
families, our group moves to areas in a certain distance from residences that
have symbolic significance.
We
move to Mount Anba above Kesennuma
City from which large parts of the destroyed coastal area can be seen.
Next, we move to the old Hajikami Cemetery on the southern coast of Kesennuma, where gravestones were badly damaged by the March 11 tsunami, and where monuments remind the visitor of earlier devastating tsunamis, such as the Meiji Sanriku Great Tsunami of 1896, and the Showa Sanriku Tsunami of 1933.
Requiem at Mout Anba above Kesennuma
Next, we move to the old Hajikami Cemetery on the southern coast of Kesennuma, where gravestones were badly damaged by the March 11 tsunami, and where monuments remind the visitor of earlier devastating tsunamis, such as the Meiji Sanriku Great Tsunami of 1896, and the Showa Sanriku Tsunami of 1933.
Finally, we move to Shishiori, a Kesennuma district that was hit especially hard.
 |
| Shishiori in mid-March 2012 |
 |
| The huge boat sitting in the middle of the former residential district Shishiori has become famous (March 2012) |
Requiem in front of a ship that was washed inland by the tsunami
The requiems are played in remembrance of the souls of the victims, and in prayer for recovery of all natural life in Tohoku.
March
12:
Today,
the Music Caravan travels to Minamisanriku. Driving south from Kesennuma, where
the earthquake and tsunami and a subsequent fire left unsaid destruction in
homes and factories, here, we encounter a different sight: Homes and factories
have completely been washed away: we enter a deserted land.
Utatsu, once a peaceful fishing village on the coast within the municipality of Minamisanriku, has physically disappeared. There used to be an Utatsu train station here, but it is gone.
Utatsu, once a peaceful fishing village on the coast within the municipality of Minamisanriku, has physically disappeared. There used to be an Utatsu train station here, but it is gone.
But
in the hearts of the residents, Utatsu is strong: the evacuees of this village
have become famous nationwide for their extraordinary cooperation,
determination and courage after the earthquake.
Fishermen lost all their boats to the tsunami, and today they rely on a few boats that they share. Without more boats, Utatsu cannot recover.
Fishermen lost all their boats to the tsunami, and today they rely on a few boats that they share. Without more boats, Utatsu cannot recover.
In
December 8 months after the disaster, a first makeshift container market was
built with the help of outsiders: the Utatsu Isato-Mae reconstruction market. It is a first sign of recovery for the
residents.
At the Utatsu Isato-Mae reconstruction market, SWTJ members sell takoyaki dumplings, cotton candy and popped rice. The people at the market are warm and friendly, and even help us make the food. SWTJ donates all profits to the Utatsu Isato-Mae reconstruction market association.
Today, the Fanfare Roma’n Garde slowly parades through the bare land where Utatsu once was. The ensemble’s leader Seto leads the group in the spirit of remembrance of the tragic fate of the people who once lived here.
At the Utatsu Isato-Mae reconstruction market, SWTJ members sell takoyaki dumplings, cotton candy and popped rice. The people at the market are warm and friendly, and even help us make the food. SWTJ donates all profits to the Utatsu Isato-Mae reconstruction market association.
 |
| SWTJ sells takoyaki dumplings at the makeshift market in Utatsu. |
Today, the Fanfare Roma’n Garde slowly parades through the bare land where Utatsu once was. The ensemble’s leader Seto leads the group in the spirit of remembrance of the tragic fate of the people who once lived here.
Requiem parade in Utatsu, Minamisanriku
In the local tradition, the souls of the dead cannot rest in peace unless the dead body is found and a burial is held.
Officially, a year after the disaster, the death toll stands at 15,854, and 3,155 people are still missing. People pray for the spirits of the dead and missing. The parade was held in this spirit.
At night, SWTJ moves back to Kesennuma where the Fanfare Roma'n- Garde gives a performance for the people of Kesennuma at Ping-Pong, an izakaya-style pub well liked by the locals.
 |
| The Fanfare Roma'n-Garde at Ping-Pong, Kesennuma (photo: Shibuya Atsushi) |
Locals and visitors alike are touched by the sincere performance and moving sounds of the music ensemble.
 |
| Nobori Keizo: Sax (photo: Shibuya Atsushi) |
In
the morning, the SWTJ Music Caravan plays at Tsukidate Elementary School in
Yasse, Kesennuma. We visit the school during the main morning break, and the
children get very excited and follow the musicians as they parade through the
school. They are also very interested to get to know so many different musical
instruments.
We are very happy to re-encounter the school rector and teachers, who always receives us so warmly here in the hills of Kesennuma whenever SWTJ organizes an activity here. Many thanks!
We are very happy to re-encounter the school rector and teachers, who always receives us so warmly here in the hills of Kesennuma whenever SWTJ organizes an activity here. Many thanks!
In
the afternoon, the Music Caravan moves to Kesennuma’s Minamimachi Ward, a
low-lying part of this port city in Miyagi Prefecture that was terribly damaged by the 11 March 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
Minamimachi
has come a long way since March 11. With the help of the Japanese military
first, then the firemen and policemen, and later a large crowd of volunteers,
victims have been helped and dead bodies have been searched for, people have
been evacuated, and dirt has been carried away. Still, there is so much to do.
But
there is a first sign of reemerging business: the Minamimachi Murasaki Ichiba- a makeshift
market building for retailers who have lost their shops in the disaster. It was
inaugurated in December 2011, and has brought some new life into the area. |
| Minamimachi Murasaki makeshift retailer's market |
While the ensemble plays, other SWTJ
members make takoyaki dumplings, cotton candy and
popped rice after having prepared their stand. All profits from the SWTJ sale today are donated to the association that runs the Minamimachi Murasaki Ichiba makeshift retail market.
The SWTJ Music Caravan parades through the roads of the market. Many locals
as well as visitors or volunteers who have come for the anniversary week
gather. People are first surprised, but soon join the rhythm of the music and
sing along or dance along.
There
is a great sense of unity through the power of the music.
SWTJ
thanks the people of the Minamimachi Murasaki Reconstruction Market for their
warm welcome!
March 14
It's time to clean up and say good bye! Our sincere thanks go to the Fanfare Roma'n-Garde, whose music brought tears and smiles to so many during this week; to the SWTJ branches in Tsukidate (Kesennuma) and Rikuzentakata for arranging our visits; to KRA for connecting us and to the Murasaki market for welcoming us in Minamimachi; and to the people of Utatsu for giving us space and a warm welcome at the Utatsu Isato market.
SWTJ will be in the disaster area again in late April. After an extremely exhausting year for the disaster victims, many now try to find a new livelihood. SWTJ will adapt to new needs in the disaster area in close cooperation with our local contacts.
Finally, we would like to thank the many sponsors who made the March Anniversary Requiem Week possible for their trust and generous support!
Based on a report by Shuto Naoya@SWTJ
(Edited for the English version by Beatrix Yoshikawa)
SWTJ will be in the disaster area again in late April. After an extremely exhausting year for the disaster victims, many now try to find a new livelihood. SWTJ will adapt to new needs in the disaster area in close cooperation with our local contacts.
