As all of you are aware, today is the one year anniversary of the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck the Tohoku region. To mark the occasion, I went to an interfaith prayer service in Kamakura today and got a chnace to see one of the disaster zones last weekend.
I got a chance to go to Sendai to visit my friend and while there saw one of the disaster zones. This was not a part of our plans but after our day of fun with my friend and her Japanese friend, he asked us what we wanted to do next as he was our chauffeur and guide. We didn't know. He hesitated for a moment and told us that he would like us to see one of the hardest hit areas in Sendai-shi from the tsunami. We both agreed. It struck me first and foremost how he had invited us to see this area. Instead of asking, he said he would like to take us to see it as though he was saying that he wanted us to see the struggle and reality of what Japan had and is still going through. On the way there, we passed so much land that was just flat. I wasn't sure if it was due to the tsunami or if it was just farm land. Then some still standing but heavily damaged houses started to dot the scenery and we knew we were starting to come into the heavily impacted area. Now, much of the debris form the houses has been cleared away so the landscape is pretty much just flat ground but those few standing houses are a large testament to some of the damage done. Our friend started to point details like the trees and the old gas station. We started driving closer to the coast and passed by a school. My friend and I both gasped as there were piles of debris in the school yard. I immediately thought it was children's school things still left unclaimed. Catching on to this, he slowed down and showed us that they were actually cars and motorcycles that had been tossed into the school or the surrounding area. There is no where to properly dispose of these things so they just sit in the school yard.
We pulled up to the shore to a memorial built for the people who died or are still missing in this area. I followed my friend and we said a prayer to pay our respects. Now, something to understand about this experience. We were with our Japanese friend who lived in Sendai at the time. Japanese people generally do not outwardly display too much emotion in public. I knew that I would be upset by this trip so I kind of removed myself from it a bit. It was almost like I wasn't in my mind and wasn't processing what I was absorbing. I didn't want to get too upset or "create a scene" for our friend who would not know how to handle that kind of response. True to form he himself was very removed and almost stoic the whole time.
When we first got up to the shrine, though, I almost lost it. In Japan, people will leave offerings for the dead: their favorite drink or food generally. Laying at the foot of the shrine were a couple of packs of special mochi given to little girls for Girls Day. I knew that meant that these sweet treats were meant for young girls about ages 3-8 and it saddened me so much to see those offerings for some little girls who never made it home that day.
The shrine
Some of the offerings left for the dead and missing.
I had to step away so we stepped up to the ocean to take a look.
My friend stopping to touch some of the twisted guard rails to the ocean
After we had some time to compose ourselves, we continued walking through the area just surveying what was left which wasn't much.
Nothing left now but some foundations where a whole neighborhood used to be.
Even processing it now, it feels like a dream that I was actually there. It made me want to help with the reconstruction so badly. I was so relieved that I'm going to do some volunteer work in the area soon. Otherwise, I think I may have walked away from this with a feeling of helplessness and distress. I have really come to love this country and to see this kind of destruction and suffering was painful. It gave me so much admiration though for the people of Tohoku who are just picking up the pieces and moving forward. They are all unsung heroes. I can't even imagine the strength that takes. There is a lot of work to be done here but I know that the people will keep moving forward as best as they can. Please hope, pray, and give for Japan.
Here's some additional video and photos from my visit to the disaster zone.
Today, on the actual day of the anniversary, I made a trek out to Kamakura to go to Kencho-ji, one of the most sacred Zen Buddhist temples in Japan and the most sacred in Kamakura. I had seen a flyer for an interfaith prayer service to be held at the temple at the exact time of the earthquake 2:46 PM. I got there at 2:20 and there was a large line to get in.
Hello line and gate
I easily made it in in 5 minutes though since they were not charging the entrance fee as they normally do. I followed the mass of people and got there just in time to see the procession. It started with the Shinto priests, then came the Christians, and then the Buddhist monks.
Many sects of Buddhism were represented
Many sects of Christianity were represented
The Shinto priests
The lady next to me thanked me for my sincere prayers (that is literally what she said)
After the procession, one of the sacred bells was rung and a moment of silence was observed. Then the service started. Each religion had it's chance to offer up a prayer. It was so beautiful to see everyone together praying for one cause. It felt wonderful to be so connected in that moment. Even though the service was two hours long, everyone remained prayerful and respectful while all religious figures were speaking. One of the things that struck me though was that the Christian ministers were the only one that actively involved the crowed with prayers and songs. Although it was super interesting to hear some Buddhist chants by the monks while we all prayed and meditated. This was the most emotional I have ever seen or felt Japanese people before. Older women shielded their faces as they wept. Men stood silently as they allowed one or two tears to slip out. Younger women, like myself, took out hand towels and dabbed at our eyes when we just couldn't hold it in any longer. Yet, there was no wailing or hugging just this silent display of grief and pain for the people in their country who have suffered so much. Words cannot describe how beautiful and emotional this service was for all involved. Even if I didn't understand the prayers, I felt like a part of the spiritual whole and it was amazing.
After almost three weeks of them being gone, I am finally coming to the close of the stories from my family's stay. I wore them down pretty hard! On the 9th day, we had a pretty relaxing day. We got up late and rolled into Tokyo to visit a garden. We went to the Shinjuku Gyoen. It was beautiful and had many plants from all around the world! It was a nice find for someplace I could go strolling in the future. We mostly spent our whole day there wandering around.
The skyscraper district in the background
The traditional Japanese Gardens
More of the gardens
Fish!
Enjoying a picnic lunch
Yummy!
The French part of the garden
After the garden, we ran to see the Imperial Palace. My family was thoroughly disappointed in it though as you can't actually enter the palace grounds or get near the Palace. After that disappointment, we just headed back home.
The next day, we went back to Kamakura. We had missed a whole bunch of temples including my favorite temple in Kamakura, Hasedera. We saw the three most important Zen temples in Kamakura first. I'm not going to lie. I don't remember the names of these temples. This was actually the first time that I had been to the temples. They were beautiful with a very quiet and serene atmosphere.
The path up to one of the temples
Clearly have to come back here in the spring
A sacred bell
Another temple
Another bell
Such a stunning gate
After our hike around Kita-Kamakura, we headed over to one of my favorite temples in all of Japan, Hasedera. I had been bummed that we missed it on our first trip over to Kamakura and was very happy that they wanted to head back to it for our last day. It had a little bit of something for everyone! It had the history and feel of olden day Japan for my dad. A great garden for my mom. A wonderful view for my sister. A sacred cave for one of my brothers. And, well, I'm not too sure what Tom got out of it...Everyone thought it was a great way to end their stay in the Land of the Rising Sun.
Hello temple which I love
Sacred cave
What a view!
After our exciting day trip, we met up with a friend. My sister had a foreign exchange student as a roommate in college. She was from Japan and just so happened to live in the same prefecture as me! I called her and we met her at my station for some Japanese karaoke! Everyone had a blast singing their hearts out and catching up with Jenny's old roommate.
It was a fabulous end to a fabulous day. Later, I had to say goodbye to them and head off to work the next day. Goodbye family! You are missed! See you again in 6 months!
After 5 days in the big city of Tokyo, my family wanted to venture out into the suburbs a bit. I took them to the historical and beautiful city of Kamakura. Kamakura was the center of Japan during about the 1200s during the Kamakura era. First, we made a stop to Enoshima Island. I had never been to Enoshima before so I was very excited to see what people love about it. We had to walk a bridge to get to the island.
The bridge
The island
The streets were narrow and just lined with small restaurants, tourists shops, and fish markets. We walked up the main path and ran into a temple.
From there we had a choice to: take the escalator (a paid service) or the stairs to explore the island. My Dad's knee is a little out of whack so we chose the escalator. It was a good life choice. We went up about 5 or 6 steep flights of escalators to get to the main attractions of the island. After two flights of stairs, we came to the main temple. The god at this temple is supposed to bring special luck to those in love. There were a ton of red and pink votives hung all over in trees as prayers for love.
There was a line to get in and pray as it was the day after New Years
There were dozens of these racks all filled up
We then made our way up higher to get to the gardens. We stopped on the way to sit above the sea and have lunch. Also, there was a comedy show going on in front of the gardens so we stopped to check that out. Japanese humor is so funny! They do a lot of slapstick and facial expressions.
The view from lunch
After our detours, we got to the gardens. Needless to say, in the middle of winter there were some plants and trees but most were dead. It was still interesting to see though! The garden dead ends into the Sea Candle an observatory deck for Kamakura. On really clear good days you can see Fuji and sometimes all the way to Tokyo. Lucky for us, it was actually a clear day! Mom was ecstatic to get a glimpse of Mt. Fuji! It was super windy up there though but way worth it!
The Sea Candle
Kamakura
Mt. Fuji
We glanced down at our watches and panicked a bit because there was still one thing that we had to see before leaving Kamakura: the Daibutsu (Great Buddha). See, almost all historical places here close by 5 and it was already 3:15 and we still had to get back to the train and take the train to Hase. We sprinted to the train. We got on the train just in time. We took the historical rail line called the Endo line. We got fantastic views of the sun setting over the island and Fuji.
Enoshima Island
Fuji
As soon as the train hit the station, my brother and I literally ran to get some tickets to see the Daibutsu. We got there just in time! They told us we had 10 minutes which was fine by us! My family gasped when they saw it. It really is awesome to behold. It was especially interesting for me too since I'd never been there at close. We were the last ones there. It was so cool to be the only ones with this massive presence.
The family with the Great Buddha
Not a soul there except us...
We headed back to Fujisawa to catch our train and had dinner at an Italian restaurant where I proudly was able to read about 85% of the katakanna for the family. It was a very fun and educational day for the family.
I live about an hour and fifteen minutes away from the great historical city of Kamakura. I've been meaning to head over there for quite sometime now but Sunday was the first time that I actually got to visit. It was a great experience and I had a fantastic time!
The experience started as soon as I pulled into Fujisawa. From there, I took an old historical electric railline it was really cute and fun!
The train!
While on the train, I got my first glimpse of the sea since I arrived here months ago.
There it is!
My first stop was to go to Kotokuin Temple to see the Great Buddha of Kamakura. This bronze statue is the second largest Buddha statue in Japan. It was originally cast in 1252. I couldn't wait to get it in person. I also heard that Kamakura was very beautiful in the fall so I was looking forward to what the scenery around the statue would look like. It did not disappoint!
Me and the Buddha
The Buddha's slippers
The inside of the statue
After seeing the Great Buddha, I did some shopping for gifts. I also ended up getting some green tea and sweet potato ice cream. I was unsure of how it was going to taste but it was really good! I liked it a lot! W While I was getting the ice cream, the clerk asked me where I was from. I told him that I was American and he pointed towards a picture of President Obama outside of the store dated 11/14/2010. He smiled and told me, "President Obama, okay! Nice!" I smiled and told him that I was from Illinois which is where Obama is from as well and he nearly freaked out! It was so funny. He shouted "Sugoi!" and told the other cashiers that I was from Chicago in quick Japanese and they all shook their heads and agreed that it was very awesome. It was quite the fun little experience. I then headed to another temple on my way back to the train. It was Hasedera, a temple dedicated to the goddess Kannon. I adored this temple. It had beautiful gardens, a fantastic view, and awe inspiring statues. Oh, and an amazingly creepy sacred cave.
The gardens
The temple lit up at night. The colors in front of the temple change.
Sacred cave!
The inside of the cave
The fantastic view
It was a fabulous day of exploring which I REALLY needed after a rough week at work. Great way to turn the week around!
