In June 2011, a charity concert for Rikuzentakata was held in Orsay, France, and SAVE TAKATA has received a donation of the money that was raised.

The concert was organized around a proposal by a Japanese lady, who studies at a music school in France. SAVE TAKATA was chosen as the recipient of the donation due to the organizers’ intention “to donate to a local and community-based organization”.

To see the detailed report of the concert, read this blog article:
http://savetakata-iot.blogspot.com/2011/08/concert-solidalite-pour-japon.html

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From November 28th to December 2nd, the “TSUNAMI” photo exhibition, featuring the work of Rikuzentakata-born photographer Satoshi Ueda, was held at Wien University in Austria.


(At the exhibition)

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On November 3rd, as a part of the Kids Caravan project, SAVE TAKATA assisted the event “Takata No Warashi Ba”, which was organized by associations that support child-raising around Rikuzentakata city.


Takata No Warashi Ba official website (in Japanese): http://warashiba.kirarinkids.org/

We provided play equipment called “Fuwa-fuwa contrail slide”.
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With the help of multiple support organizations, a project was begun that seeks to “plant sakura trees in areas affected by the disaster”.

Sakura Line 311 Home Page (Japanese)
http://www.sakura-line311.org/

It was not until after the March 11th tsunami that it was discovered that tsunamis of similar size had struck the area in the past.
Had it only been known that a tsunami large enough to overcome the breakwater could potentially happen, more lives could have been saved… From that idea this project was born.

This project seeks to plant sakura trees that demarcate the reach of the tsunami, to show future generations the extent of the damage.
Starting with the development of the home page, SAVE TAKATA seeks to support the project by publishing information about it.

The Sakura Line 311 Home Page will be created in conjunction with the company “days and days”, which is run by people from Rikuzentakata.

days and days　：　http://daysanddays.jp/

By supporting the development and entrepreneurship of local companies like “days and days”, SAVE TAKATA hopes to rejuvenate Rikuzentakata’s economy.

On October 29th the Re:Earth Open Air event was held in Oushu city, Iwate prefecture. The event was planned and organised by SAVE TAKATA.

Official Re:Earth Open Air home-page (in Japanese):
http://reearth-openair.com/

Young people gathered on Taneyama plateau, at a place called Constellation Forest. This is a camp-site from where the stars can be seen very clearly. DJs played music throughout the night.

This event, on the southern coast of Iwate, was planned with the following objectives in mind:
1) create a place where young people can gather.
2) local people create a new festival that young people will look forward to.
3) to develop a kind of celebration that will appeal to everyone around the world.
4) increase awareness of Iwate through local cuisine.

A large number of local young people participated as volunteer staff. The skies were clear and looking up, one could look upon a beautiful sea of stars.

The hope is that this event will be held annually from now on.

I went to Nagoya Dome to see the Rikuzentakata Drum Festival on October 1st, 2011.



This festival used to be held in Rikuzentakata every year and a lot of fans from all over Japan had traveled to Rikuzentakata to see this festival.
Although everyone had given up hope of holding it this year due to the earthquake, the festival was held in Nagoya with the support of the city.

In total, twelve drum teams from all over Japan, including Hikami Drum and Choanji Drum from Rikuzentakata, played at the festival.

The first group was the Hikami drum team. Seven members were killed in the earthquake and resulting tsunami.

They were wearing the same T-shirts instead of their uniforms lost by the tsunami. Their playing was so amazing.
I could not stop crying as their playing reminded me of Rikuzentakata before the earthquake, which was ordinary but peaceful and we were all alive.

I used to be a member of Hikami Drum team and I met them after such a long time.



I introduced Ms.Judith Brandner, a journalist from Austria, to the members for interviews.
She spoke with every member without hesitating and members answered her questions pleasantly.
Most of the members have lost their houses and live in temporary houses now but they live an active life.
They spoke about their ambitions to us. ”We thank everyone so that we could join this festival. We really wish to hold this festival in Rikuzentakata next year.”


Mao Hasegawa SAVE TAKATA Executive Office

In cooperation with Thousand Waves and CEASA, SAVE TAKATA began the “Mi-zu Project” on October 11th, 2011.

CEASA
http://www.ceasaespana.com/

Thousand Waves
http://watergrid.jp/




-Background
Residents in and around coastal areas of Rikuzentakata were forced to relocate to evacuation centers after the tsunami devastated the region on March 11th, 2011. As many of these centers were closed on July 31st, 2011, most of their inhabitants moved to new temporary housing.
The water for temporary housing units is provided either by purified water taken from wells, or from the city water main, both of which have been certified safe for consumption. However, many complain of debris in the water or ‘a strange taste and/or smell’ and raise concerns over its safety, particularly in homes with young children.

[Outline of SAVE TAKATA “Mi-zu Project”]

In order to eliminate concerns regarding water for temporary housing and to establish sustainable businesses in the area, SAVE TAKATA will be providing those housing units that request them with RO water purifiers.
Following the results of a survey of roughly 2200 temporary housing units in Rikuzentakata, we will be working with local water providers in installing these units. We will also work with these same providers in providing regular maintenance of the purifiers.


-October 5th, 2011 First Installation
Installation of a test purifier at Yonesaki Elementary School’s temporary housing.






-October 11th, 2011
Representing CEASA, Thousand Waves and SAVE TAKATA respectively, Ruben Rubio Loriente, Semba Kagawa, and Nobuaki Sasaki met with Rikuzentakata Mayor Futoshi Toba at Rikuzentakata City Hall.

We will be releasing a website expressly for this project shortly.

Assisted by Shoma Okamoto, Front-line leader of SAVE TAKATA, we showed Enzo Caffarelli around Rikuzentakata on August 30th. Mr. Caffarelli used to live in Rikuzentakata and worked as an ALT at two high schools (Takata high school and Hirota high school).

Mr. Caffarelli is currently staying in Ofunato while joining in a programme run by All Hands, an NPO. He worked as an English teacher in Rikuzentakata between 2006-07, and has been sending his thoughts to people in affected areas since March 11th. He is going to stay in Ofunato for three months. We all take our hats off to Enzo for his enthusiasm in helping his former adopted city recover from the tsunami.


(Base of All Hands in Ofunato)

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Even among the hundreds of festivals taking place across Japan, Rikuzen-Takata’s Moving Tanabata Festival is especially unique.
Decorated dashi-floats stroll the streets to a special tune featuring taiko-drums and flutes for the festival.
Even youth who have left the town to find work return home just for this intense festival.



With the vast majority of Tanabata floats destroyed during the March 11th tsunami, most doubted that the festival could take place this year.
But a a small group of supporters sought to revive the festival, for the sake of those souls lost to the disaster.
After all, Tanabata was a festival originally started to comfort the souls lost in the wake of tsunamis and famine.
Albeit small, on August 7th, with the support of people from all over the country, the Moving Tanabata Festival began anew.



The dashi-float, moving across the ravaged town with the falling dusk, glowed with a light that would surely guide the spirits of those lost to the disaster.
Though separated into evacuation zones and temporary houses, the citizens of Takata were reunited by this year’s Tanabata Festival.
With tears mourning the fallen, the hearts of the citizens were lifted as they moved the floats and played their flutes and drums to their procession.
There can be no mistake; this Moving Tanabata Festival was surely a big step toward Rikuzen-Takata’s Recovery.

Office stationery and supplies provided by JTB Shibuya branch were delivered to Rikuzentakata Sports Association,Takata Kappan(printing company) and Senyodo(camera store) on July 11th.

Although it was a Monday, many people came to help us out. Thank you so much.



Heading north to Rikuzentakata on Route 4.


On our way to Rikuzentakata, we stopped off at Hiraizumi, designated a World Heritage Site, for the night. Beautiful hydrangeas were in bloom.


Upon arriving in Rikuzentakata, we dropped off the office supplies at Sun Village Takata, a former sports center which used to function as an emergency shelter.


Offices and stores devastated by the tsunami, the Rikuzentakata Sports Association, Takada Printing, and Senyoudo Cameras have all moved to Sun Village Takada to revive their businesses.



After unloading the supplies, we headed towards the town proper.
Though much of the debris had been cleared from the town, and the bridge had been (partially) restored, the police still searched for the missing.


With the leaves turning brown from the sea salt, it is ever obvious that the days are passing. It concerns me that the restoration isn’t progressing with them.
I feel that it will yet be a long time before Rikuzentakata can return to its former life.
Even more support and more manpower will be needed.