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upon March 112011, the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in Japan up to HoTo region. Cities with more than 3,000 deaths Ishinomaki of Miyagprivate prefecture the largest loss of life in the earthquake and subsequent earthquakes tsunami.
12 years later Japan forward Visited Ishinomaki to see how the city has changed.
We interviewed the general manager Seitaro Omori Machizukuri Manbow Co., Ltd. Ishinomori Manga MuseumWhen the 2011 tsunami struck, Omori was working at a museum and was a key figure in the city’s post-disaster reconstruction.
Below is an excerpt from the interview.
second of two parts
Read the first part: Interview | Twelve Years After the Great East Japan Earthquake: How the Manga Museum Brings Hope to the Community
Rebuilding
How do you start rebuilding your community?
In April 2011, most of the staff at the Ishinomori Manga Museum lost their jobs. Still, most of them decided to stay to clean up the facility.
“Most people understood. They said ‘good morning’ as if nothing had happened and came to help clean up every day,” Omori recalls.
At that time, the Ishinomori Manga Museum staff began to think about what they could do for the community.
Before the earthquake, there was a custom to hang a large fish windsock called “Koinobori” every year for Children’s Day in early May. Omori says many at the museum were hesitant to resume the tradition.
“It was a time when people across the country were canceling events to show solidarity with those affected by the disaster. [in Ishinomaki] There was some uncertainty as to whether the event should be held in the most affected areas. ”
However, Omori insisted it was key to the community.
Bringing Hope to Grieving Communities
Locals picked up on the idea and helped to hang the carp streamers on 500 meters (547 yards) of rope. “In the mud and debris, everything was gray, but we managed to make something colorful,” Omori recalls.
Koinobori brought the community together. Some people brought snacks to share. A local soccer player came to cheer us on. The nearby Okada Theater was destroyed by the tsunami, but the staff agreed to organize an outdoor screening of the Kamen Rider movie.
Omori’s team worked tirelessly regardless of the number of participants. “I have to do something. I thought it was important to send a message from here,” he explains.
Ultimately, about 4,000 people attended the event and thanked the organizers for their efforts. That’s when Omori realized that the community needed these kinds of events more than anyone else.
Manga-inspired community
The Ishinomori Manga Museum reopened in 2012.
Machidukuri Sunfish is an NPO corporation born out of reconstruction support for Ishinomaki City. Its mission is to create a sense of community through the Ishinomori Manga Museum.
“Not only the Manga Museum, [Shotaro] Works by Ishinomori. We are still trying to revitalize the town by collaborating with various ideas and local businesses,” says Omori.
Looking at the philosophy behind the organization, Omori explains that he draws inspiration from manga.
The “cartoon” characters are cartoons. However, in order to express the diverse nature of manga, Ishinomori insisted on using Manga instead.
“Ishinomori-sensei used to say that manga is art,” says Omori. “Mr. Ishinomori’s manga is full of possibilities.”
Machizukuri Sunfish wants to attract tourists to Ishinomaki and become an indispensable presence in the revitalization of the region. Visitors to the museum have declined since COVID-19, but Omori is optimistic that the easing of travel restrictions will keep people coming back to Miyagi Prefecture.
Related:
Interview: Sean Fernando
Additional information by Arielle Busetto.
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