Sendai

The news footage of the earthquake and the tsunami that has hit northeastern Japan near the town of Sendai, Miyagi prefecture, is devastating, almost unbelievable. The 8.9 earthquake is said to be the strongest earthquake in Japan’s recorded history. The giant wave that followed, gathering speed, momentum and height, ravaged shockingly across Japan’s countryside. Seeing the photos of traditional low-rised houses, expansive farmland, animals and its people being overtaken by water has stayed with me.

I am taken aback to my short yet overflowing time in Japan. It was many years ago, however, this country continues to hold a unique space in my consciousness. I had the opportunity to live in Seihi-cho, a small farming town just north of the coastal city of Nagasaki in the prefecture of the same name. When I first arrived to this town, I knew very few words of Japanese. In order to communicate with my neighbours, I needed to learn their language as quickly as I could. So I did. I studied vigorously, though it took a little while.

Before I succeeded in my language acquisition, I remember walking through rice paddies on my way to the local grocery store. Unexpectedly, a man stopped me – perhaps in his late sixties. He approached me with an armful of fresh vegetables, presumably from his farm. He couldn’t speak any English, and at the time, my Japanese was basic. I graciously accepted the bundle, bowed and continued walking, touched by his hospitality.

Another random memory. In a town of 10,000, an honour system was still in place. A city-girl at heart, the fruit stands lining the winding roads were a pleasant surprise. Each rickety wooden stand had fruit, a box, and a sign indicating the price. I’d drop yen in the slot and grab a bag of fruit. The farmers would return each evening to collect and replenish.

A pivotal moment. I remember walking through the rambling alleyways that connected the main road to the high school in which I was newly assigned. It was one of my first days of work at an agricultural high school, which I would later realize was complete with farm animals, horses, rice paddies and fruit and veggie growing areas, and a school dog. I heard a loud and very clearly articulated ‘Hello.. hello…’. I turned around and saw a friendly-looking woman, possibly in her mid-fifties waving frantically in my direction. With more persuasion, I suddenly found myself in her living room sipping tea. I politely mentioned that it was ‘Sports Day’ and I needed to get back to school before they started up again. I mentioned in passing that I had been on my way to the corner store to buy a disposable camera as I wanted to capture the festivities of the day. She insisted I use her camera. It was impossible to depart from her dwelling without accepting her offer. This woman and her husband became a constant warm presence during my three years in Nagasaki.

This location is geographically far from the areas affected, however, I imagine the heart and genuine caring that I experienced prevails from one end of the country to the other, from one countryside town to another, from Seihi to Sendai. Japan, you are in my thoughts.

Japan Earthquake Before and After Aerial Images