tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2292413707367152762024-03-06T08:23:25.308+09:00the day, and Aftermonchicamerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02413066745229994463noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229241370736715276.post-23060037301886628722011-09-26T00:30:00.000+09:002011-09-26T00:30:27.538+09:00break time<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;">I have decided to take a break on posting to this blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;">Please contact me via Facebook if you wish to continue the communication.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;">Please click on the following to access <a href="http://www.facebook.com/monchicamera">my Facebook</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;">I thank you so much for reading and commenting on my blog.<o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment-->monchicamerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02413066745229994463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229241370736715276.post-1326248917561242982011-09-26T00:29:00.000+09:002011-09-26T00:29:18.538+09:00Rest in Peace<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0mm; margin-left: 1.59gd; margin-right: -19.56gd; margin-top: 0mm; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .05pt; word-break: break-all;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #54516c; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;">Sept. 4, 2011</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #54516c; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0mm; margin-left: 1.59gd; margin-right: -19.56gd; margin-top: 0mm; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .05pt; word-break: break-all;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #54516c; font-family: Arial;"><br />
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</span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0mm; margin-left: 1.59gd; margin-right: -19.56gd; margin-top: 0mm; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .05pt; word-break: break-all;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #54516c; font-family: Arial;"> <!--StartFragment--></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0mm; margin-left: 1.59gd; margin-right: 2.31gd; margin-top: 0mm; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .05pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #54516c; font-family: Arial;">The funeral was held peacefully at Shogenji Temple of Onagawa at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011.<br />
Thank you so much to all as many people from far and near came to attend my parents’ funeral. I truly appreciate it. I know my parents are very pleased to see all of you at the service.<br />
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It was different from an ordinary funeral as there were no bodies and the passing of about six months since the loss. It was strange in a way. Most of the attendees came to my photo exhibition past week, so we did not have to exchange the formal greetings. For that sake, the funeral had rather peaceful atmosphere instead of sadness. I felt this at my photo exhibition. I was so glad that I was able to see the people who took care of me and my sister when we were children. I realize that the human beings live, being supported and loved by so many people throughout the lives. Because of these people’s help, my parents were able to conduct business, make a decent living and to raise us. We are indebted to them and I truly appreciate them for their support. Thank you so much. Also I would like to apologize for any inconvenience that we may have caused at the funeral. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwdtMwhZ7WHThTz1IY6klhLG7c6-q4HITz275F_17QnGOB5l4XAXy4oti_5I2X6UjxUn0nchtiXM5VkAZeAOd4baXVbnyLS20fR89P2zoesUKs3BZRyJONDPWSeG1wRfFvSDBnflRR-k0/s1600/f0044846_9441153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwdtMwhZ7WHThTz1IY6klhLG7c6-q4HITz275F_17QnGOB5l4XAXy4oti_5I2X6UjxUn0nchtiXM5VkAZeAOd4baXVbnyLS20fR89P2zoesUKs3BZRyJONDPWSeG1wRfFvSDBnflRR-k0/s320/f0044846_9441153.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 1.59gd; mso-char-indent-count: -.75; mso-char-indent-size: 12.0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center; text-indent: -9.0pt; word-break: break-all;"><br />
</div><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #54516c; font-family: Arial;">The picture that we used for the funeral was the one that my parents used for the 2011 new year</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #54516c; font-family: Verdana;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #54516c; font-family: Arial;">s card. I took their photo with the instruction of my father for posing and lighting. A photo in which both of them sit close to each other used to be displayed in their bedroom and this was taken in the same year when they got married and my mother was pregnant with my sister. My father requested me to take a picture of them sitting close to each other and he wanted to use it for the 2011 new year</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #54516c; font-family: Verdana;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #54516c; font-family: Arial;">s card. He told me that he wanted the picture similar to the one taken when they were newlywed. He didn</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #54516c; font-family: Verdana;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #54516c; font-family: Arial;">t say something like this usually, so first I thought it</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #54516c; font-family: Verdana;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #54516c; font-family: Arial;">s strange. When I think of this now, I realize that it might have been his intention of staying close together until the death. My mother was embarrassed with this, but I took this picture in the way that this would overlap with the picture of 39 years ago. That was my intention. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">As for posing, I made them pose in a way that my mother</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">s face would look smaller and my father who had a small stature would look bigger in the picture. As I took several pictures, I was able to capture </span><!--EndFragment--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">an elegant smile of my mother who aged gracefully to 66 years old. Although my mother used to say about her that she was smiling too much or she became an old woman since the stroke, the picture depicted a graceful 66-year-old lady, I think.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'MS Pゴシック';">。</span></span><br />
<!--StartFragment--> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6l5-mgWFkwT6hRhbrkGmRrENtcmYTWU_nw7ug9WE8UI_2Yt2edo_dAJwW_eRyKWUNYD_xQm-rnxsHJx-xV-LyHI6EnCy-kG9QiWdIoPxeQZujjvi63yggTi1PQ5h5bTws6uvn__eLHnAg/s1600/f0044846_9441285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6l5-mgWFkwT6hRhbrkGmRrENtcmYTWU_nw7ug9WE8UI_2Yt2edo_dAJwW_eRyKWUNYD_xQm-rnxsHJx-xV-LyHI6EnCy-kG9QiWdIoPxeQZujjvi63yggTi1PQ5h5bTws6uvn__eLHnAg/s320/f0044846_9441285.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 1.59gd; mso-char-indent-count: -.75; mso-char-indent-size: 12.0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center; text-indent: -9.0pt; word-break: break-all;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0mm; margin-left: 2.58gd; margin-right: 2.31gd; margin-top: 0mm; mso-char-indent-count: .01; mso-char-indent-size: 10.0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-indent: .1pt;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0mm; margin-left: 2.58gd; margin-right: 2.31gd; margin-top: 0mm; mso-char-indent-count: .01; mso-char-indent-size: 10.0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .1pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #54516c; font-family: Arial;">I talked with my sister about the Buddhist altar for my parents and ancestors,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #54516c; font-family: Arial;">and we have decided to keep the altar in her house. I have decided to succeed the photography. Please continue good relations with us privately and professionally into the future. Lastly, I thank my sister from the bottom of my heart for taking care of this time-consuming preparation for the funeral and other tedious things. Good job and thank you so much!<o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment--> <!--EndFragment-->monchicamerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02413066745229994463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229241370736715276.post-11695080106578266842011-09-26T00:26:00.001+09:002011-09-26T00:26:29.774+09:00Seafood Expo July 27, 2011 July 27, 2011<br />
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</div><!--StartFragment--><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6_vYiDjYDAw2C7OW9WN_C7vh403ZdBdb8lOnpN5w_UkoMv98oecXi41ARQXdLyWVkZCK3Ou9TJPMB8PDSL0ahQx8FAovogaXPRMOY-FYewUjUxWUexA8R9pbmXVUDQX6jUO2XOAD6oU4C/s1600/201107-27-46-f0044846_8231843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6_vYiDjYDAw2C7OW9WN_C7vh403ZdBdb8lOnpN5w_UkoMv98oecXi41ARQXdLyWVkZCK3Ou9TJPMB8PDSL0ahQx8FAovogaXPRMOY-FYewUjUxWUexA8R9pbmXVUDQX6jUO2XOAD6oU4C/s1600/201107-27-46-f0044846_8231843.jpg" /></a><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #54516c; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="color: #537f8c;"><u><a href="http://www.exhibitiontech.com/seafood/">Japan International Seafood & Technology Expo</a></u></span> will start today and continue for the next three days at Tokyo Big Sight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is an expo for those who are looking for some items to purchase in this industry.<br />
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I am going to help this event with taking photos because of my ties with event participants.<br />
There is an organization called Onagawa Processed Marine Products Study Association in which Onagawa’s young people who are engaged in the marine products industry participate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their activities include the development of Onagawa-exclusive products, promotion of Onagawa processed marine products, participation in the town events and holding of study sessions on distribution and marketing of the products.<br />
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The booth was</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: JA;"> appealing and sending an aspiring message </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #54516c; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: JA;">that Onagawa has been invigorated nowadays even though it was damaged by the tsunami.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was saying that more products will be brought to the Expo next year.<br />
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These young men and women are dedicating themselves to recover the Onagawa’s fisheries without being discouraged by adversity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The factories and processing machines were all washed away by the tsunami and they had to start from scratch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They want to start the rebuilding right away, but the construction permits to the lowlands are not granted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the reconstruction does not take place quickly, the population will leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then employment cannot be secured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Furthermore, the scope of radiactive contamination and its seriousness are unknown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are many facing issues like these.<br />
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Back in June, I met a person who is a member of Onagawa Processed Marine Products Study Association.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to know more about my hometown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eighty percent of Onagawa’s population (including their families) is engaged in fisheries, so without fisheries it is difficult to make a living.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These people all lost their families, relatives and friends to the tsunami and their houses and factories were washed away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I like about these members is that they have a vision </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #54516c; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">to recover the entire town and Sanriku area’s fisheries, not just their factories under these circumstances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They consider what they must do based on their vision and act upon it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are in the close generation as mine, so I am glad that I can exchange various opinions with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would like to extend my cheers and support to them into the future as much as possible.</span><!--EndFragment--><br />
<!--StartFragment--> <div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #54516c; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment-->monchicamerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02413066745229994463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229241370736715276.post-10551250087400415492011-09-26T00:23:00.000+09:002011-09-26T00:23:36.577+09:00Photo Exhibit “Life --- Father’s Focal Point and Daughter’s Focus”<!--StartFragment--><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #54516c; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: JA;">July 18, 2011</span><!--EndFragment--> <br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #54516c; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: JA;"> <!--StartFragment--> </span><br />
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #54516c; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;">I am writing the captions for my photo exhibits in August.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a quite difficult task.<br />
In mid June, I was taking portraits under a theme of “Current Lives of People Living Oganawa.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was exactly three months after the earthquake when I took these photos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People have started living in new temporary housing or resuming businesses and it was the time when the </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;">modes of people’s lives have started coming back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are some areas that people are confused here a</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #54516c; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;">nd there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, people have become brightened as they started resuming the ordinary lives. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is my hometown and they are people of my hometown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is why I want to stay close with them and to take pictures of them.<br />
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A photo exhibition is a place where you can make a subject matter interesting by making a composition of several photos.<br />
Primarily, a photo should draw interest from the audience without any explanatory remarks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I think that it would be better to add a remark that states a brief life drama of each individual for each portrait in this exhibition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not only to draw more interest, but also to have the audience feel the lives in the disaster areas realistically.<br />
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My late father used to say. “I am not taking just a picture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rather I am taking a picture of that person’s life.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am competing against my father with these portraits that I took.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I am trying to meet a challenge in facing the lives of these models in my photos although by any means I am not comparable to my father technically.<br />
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Some pieces of my father’s work that have been saved from the tsunami will be displayed as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please drop by when you are in the neighborhood.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK2-PfV550-CD55YtEW2wvubLc5Y6ESC0w2c99F0bb9depIBpfkH0Mdr0A1af6s1YuRD_pDcNZbhkIduGEp52ZPxFBO1vAr_CPd3Yjsu-3yaa9PZUN-HcI4TSCB06eP37fb4Yrtr_x7Jsc/s1600/201107-18-46-f0044846_1320297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK2-PfV550-CD55YtEW2wvubLc5Y6ESC0w2c99F0bb9depIBpfkH0Mdr0A1af6s1YuRD_pDcNZbhkIduGEp52ZPxFBO1vAr_CPd3Yjsu-3yaa9PZUN-HcI4TSCB06eP37fb4Yrtr_x7Jsc/s1600/201107-18-46-f0044846_1320297.jpg" /></a></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #54516c; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #54516c; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <!--StartFragment--> </span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0mm; margin-top: 6.0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #54516c; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;">Photo Exhibition<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0mm; margin-top: 6.0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #54516c; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Life --- Father’s Focal Point and Daughter’s Focus”<br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;">Aug. 5 to Aug. 17, 2011:10:00 to 19:00, Aug. 18, 2011: 10:00 to 16:00<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0mm; margin-top: 6.0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #54516c; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #537f8c;"><u><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_286524583">FUJIFILM SQUARE</a></u></span><a href="http://fujifilmsquare.jp/detail/11080501.html"> </a>1F Mini Gallery (At Ropongi Mid Town)<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0mm; margin-top: 6.0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Life --- Father’s Focal Point and Daughter’s Focus”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0mm; margin-top: 6.0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;">Aug. 25 to Aug. 30, 2011: 10:00 to 17:30<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-char-indent-count: 3.0; mso-char-indent-size: 12.0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #54516c; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #537f8c;"><u><a href="http://www.fujifilm.co.jp/photosalon/sendai/11082501.html">Fuji Film Photo Salon, Sendai</a></u></span><br />
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Another exhibition of these photos will be held at Fuji Film Salon, Osaka in October.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<!--EndFragment-->monchicamerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02413066745229994463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229241370736715276.post-88117700109389122282011-09-26T00:18:00.000+09:002011-09-26T00:18:33.111+09:0070-year-old Passion for Starting All Over July 12, 2011<br />
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<!--StartFragment--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Mr. Yuetsu Abe, President of <span class="MsoHyperlink">Yume</span> Shoku Ken, is a person who is trying to start over again in Tottori. When I read a newspaper article about him, I said to myself, “I have to meet him!.” And today I’m at Houki Cho, Saieki-Gun, Tottori Prefecture. <br />
Mr. Abe is a quiet person with a strong determination, and he is of my father’s generation. His energy to start his business all over again at the age of 70 is impressive, and he is a wonderful person. Having recovered two of the dough mixers, his loving bakery tools, in the tsunami-caused rubbles led him to decide to start his business again. He had these mixers repaired and carried them to Tottori. They are in good operating conditions now. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTfL1xxu7ND-13XjpbP61cZQNfgDSXIt2q7N_agFYgCc8g4X9iXtR1lD6pd2LRfuFaQ8N7f9X7xvosuEsn1Qhkk5shypulJRMu6URlf7K3VSrOusiWp5m9O5owl1Ev0mDZ3EXyWcSpeoRQ/s1600/f0044846_23252043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTfL1xxu7ND-13XjpbP61cZQNfgDSXIt2q7N_agFYgCc8g4X9iXtR1lD6pd2LRfuFaQ8N7f9X7xvosuEsn1Qhkk5shypulJRMu6URlf7K3VSrOusiWp5m9O5owl1Ev0mDZ3EXyWcSpeoRQ/s320/f0044846_23252043.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">When I was a third grader, I had a chance to visit his bread factory, “Maruyu Bakery,” through a school field trip. At the end of the factory tour, all of us got sweet bread shaped like Ampan Man, a TV animation character. Mr. Abe’s bakery supplied bread for school lunches. So all of the children in Onagawa grew up with his bread! His bakery was a part of our community. <br />
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Four months before the great earthquake, Mr. Abe and his business partner, Mr. Matsubara, set up a non-profit organization called “Bright Onagawa” to help disabled people get a job and earn their living to support themselves. They began distributing Karinto cookie dough to institutions all over Japan. A new machine to make Karinto cookies was installed in December. An office was leased in Onagawa by Mr. Matsubara in December. They finished moving to the newly released building in the morning of March 11. The future looked good…. then the tragedy of tsunami happened on the very same day. </span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU6tnStEnU4cvWBQoHL28MJnCzgUp0xILZw5tEetX2LV8qZS2yieRMeNpK2F7qSl9pO7wAz7OOJt-PS4VY-H7SkkOQJQZL4_muvnK6EDpFFjdJH8b5c0xbCPl7iGg1v3mwFUrDeDOimRob/s1600/f0044846_23252376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU6tnStEnU4cvWBQoHL28MJnCzgUp0xILZw5tEetX2LV8qZS2yieRMeNpK2F7qSl9pO7wAz7OOJt-PS4VY-H7SkkOQJQZL4_muvnK6EDpFFjdJH8b5c0xbCPl7iGg1v3mwFUrDeDOimRob/s320/f0044846_23252376.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">If they stop now, there will be a subsequent damage. Jobs for the disabled will be lost. With these thoughts, they left Onagawa on April 4 and headed for Tottori, Mr. Matsubara’s home town. By June 1, they were able to begin baking Karinto cookies again<br />
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“Onagawa folks say I have abandoned the town,” he grumbled. Mr. Abe did not abandon the town, but he wanted to respond as quickly as possible to the institutions all over Japan that were waiting for Karinto cookies. <br />
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</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhtBeCycS3Y3xAc6Eh6r5AbDxybVVjgMVXczBaZ0JrrigKiNbSqu_B9P2yRU9r3ZtnYsau3Sadt5In8fUFMJzRmSdTlJNXhSzHzwUIx11wIeCcbHJjv5ys-SzP_qZcE1EcNNEDv8cSzXP/s1600/f0044846_2325188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhtBeCycS3Y3xAc6Eh6r5AbDxybVVjgMVXczBaZ0JrrigKiNbSqu_B9P2yRU9r3ZtnYsau3Sadt5In8fUFMJzRmSdTlJNXhSzHzwUIx11wIeCcbHJjv5ys-SzP_qZcE1EcNNEDv8cSzXP/s320/f0044846_2325188.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><!--StartFragment--></span></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mr. Abe says “It takes 10 years to start a new business.” That means he began planning this business when he was 60 years old. It must have been difficult to start something new in Onagawa, a small town that resists change. It was especially hard to start not just a business but a project to help the disabled make their own living. He explained: </span></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I thought about quitting many times, but each time I overcame the discouragement and moved ahead.</span></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">”</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The great tsunami took away everything, but Mr. Abe</span></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">’</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">s passion. He is starting new in a strange town</span></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">…</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">.. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
Traveling to Tottori and meeting Mr. Abe saved my soul. He is so much like my late father, with extraordinary passion and a broad view looking at the world. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I’m overwhelmed by the energy of Mr. Abe. Because I can no longer hear my father</span></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">’</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">s voice, I especially enjoyed talking with Mr. Abe. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">He was pleased with our meeting where he could hear and speak with an Onagawa accent after he had moved to Tottori, and shared with me the story of how he escaped the tsunami and how he started working on a comeback life. Thank you, Mr. Abe. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<!--EndFragment-->monchicamerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02413066745229994463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229241370736715276.post-64477408847665036172011-09-26T00:15:00.000+09:002011-09-26T00:15:27.916+09:00School Excursion to Yamadera and Tendo<!--StartFragment--><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #54516c; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><b>July 1, 2011</b></span><!--EndFragment--> <br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #54516c; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><b> <!--StartFragment--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Elementary school children from Onagawa took a trip to Tendo City, Yamagata.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The children who participated in this excursion were 5th and 6th graders from Onagawa<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Daiichi, Daini and Daiyon Elementary Schools. They arrived at Yamadera at 10:30 am. They began climbing the mountain in beautiful weather. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Tohoku, the “greens” are luxurious and dark at this time of the year, and when shined on by sunlight, the contrast is a great art itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being exposed to the cool and fresh air in Yamadera is like savoring a forest bath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wondered how these children from Onagawa, the city that lost colors, felt seeing these lush green trees. Tour guides explained each site of interest to the children. While taking a good look at a rock shaped like Buddha, they slowly ascended toward a mountain-top temple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been taking photos of children for schools for many years, but I was so moved by these children who showed so much interest in Buddhism and were praying with their hands together when passing the Buddha-like rock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, how difficult the last three and a half months must have been for them. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> </span><!--EndFragment--> </b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdL76_nIe0A8qpLa_PkJg-TFqjKupUkYcTOYQSK4Zi-h2NP4ik-l1OILdoyL2pYd_-5Fw_CcMdnPGXXN7__cw3QJNynuJLR3v_z8B36s3mSvUSpQI1MGJQXjjkWL25NLry7dIhSwZPVaR1/s1600/201107-03-46-f0044846_1014786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdL76_nIe0A8qpLa_PkJg-TFqjKupUkYcTOYQSK4Zi-h2NP4ik-l1OILdoyL2pYd_-5Fw_CcMdnPGXXN7__cw3QJNynuJLR3v_z8B36s3mSvUSpQI1MGJQXjjkWL25NLry7dIhSwZPVaR1/s1600/201107-03-46-f0044846_1014786.jpg" /></a></div><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #54516c; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #54516c; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: JA;"> <!--StartFragment--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: JA;">They enjoyed the gorgeous buffet lunch and hot spring bath at the hotel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though the buffet offered a large section of exotic dishes, their favorites were fried chicken and spaghetti, simple dishes that are available anywhere!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Buckwheat noodle and stew with Yonezawa beef, the specialties of Yamagata, were also offered. The hot spring bath was refreshing after the 90-minute climb (Alas…no such luck for the teachers and me, we were too busy with chores to enjoy the hot springs.) <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWDpGWhROt0cMNu_MNJrBHjkN8ch-hFfCwKGOn57FAm3AQswgRTktaHGK8CMYwTmnTzJYTxK9HrJ_XW6IqJ9_ib0v4Chew8Qg3Yeq7hXdcsXY6RmxlzS338jKdn70KwFVT2GaEzkOPN017/s1600/201107-03-46-f0044846_1014988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWDpGWhROt0cMNu_MNJrBHjkN8ch-hFfCwKGOn57FAm3AQswgRTktaHGK8CMYwTmnTzJYTxK9HrJ_XW6IqJ9_ib0v4Chew8Qg3Yeq7hXdcsXY6RmxlzS338jKdn70KwFVT2GaEzkOPN017/s1600/201107-03-46-f0044846_1014988.jpg" /></a></div><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #54516c; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><br />
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<b><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">After lunch, we enjoyed picking cherries for dessert</span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝";">!</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"> “Satonishiki” is in season this time of the year in Yamagata.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
We went to one of the commercial cherry farms, not the one for tourists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Large cherries were everywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being allowed to eat as much as they could, they stretched their arms high.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But after 10 minutes, they stopped eating and started spitting pits. I took pictures while picking cherries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some children picked cherries for me, saying “These are great.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
This was the best excursion for the children and they fully enjoyed Yamagata. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For teachers, it was a great time to relax and release the tension they had been under for a long time since the earthquake. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We thank Sanko for sponsoring the trip that healed us both physically and mentally.<o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment--> <!--EndFragment--> </b>monchicamerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02413066745229994463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229241370736715276.post-87640658603289514542011-09-26T00:11:00.000+09:002011-09-26T00:11:41.400+09:00Serious Problem with an Outbreak of Flies June 29, 2011<br />
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<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-right: .85gd; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #54516c; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;">Many disaster areas including Onagawa have a serious problem of an outbreak of large flies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did they spawn in dead fish?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know the cause, but it is terrible.<br />
Several minutes after parking a car, it was covered with a swarm of flies all over although it depended on where you parked.<br />
Click to enlarge the photo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The black spots are all files.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-right: .85gd; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #54516c; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
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</span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-right: .85gd; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #54516c; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <!--StartFragment--> </span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #54516c; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;">I brought a gift of many mosquito repellents as the summer was arriving in earnest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the flies were the problems, not mosquitoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought that the repellents hung at the front entrance might repel some flies, but not so many.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We could not catch up with the overwhelming number of flies.<br />
There was an article in the<span style="mso-field-code: "HYPERLINK \0022http\:\/\/www\.kahoku\.co\.jp\/news\/2011\/06\/20110616t15003\.htm\0022 \\t \0022_blank\0022";"><span style="color: #537f8c;"><u> Kahoku Shimpo</u></span></span> newspaper about the extermination of flies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a mixture of 100 g of sugar, 70 cc of Sake and 50 cc of vinegar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The small amount of this mixture can be put into a 2-liter plastic bottle with holes being punched on the side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bottles can be placed around the house or be hung from the wash-line pole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a nutshell of the article.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw many bottles hung from the poles from that day in Onagawa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A bottle turned black with a swarm of flies overnight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, flies were born every day.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7dBc6UGH2Rycr5V7T6Cx8zGKPRaBTZQlZS-mHQNAWjSzjeEm-AlN2FnmH4VvwnLtIoV9j1WAbkIGtdLT2R1wbe8kxhRUFzUiKOBVYoYIWpEDOIZR_pzs_QYnRRMdF5rpctI2XV2BNFWNk/s1600/201106-29-46-f0044846_22471887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7dBc6UGH2Rycr5V7T6Cx8zGKPRaBTZQlZS-mHQNAWjSzjeEm-AlN2FnmH4VvwnLtIoV9j1WAbkIGtdLT2R1wbe8kxhRUFzUiKOBVYoYIWpEDOIZR_pzs_QYnRRMdF5rpctI2XV2BNFWNk/s320/201106-29-46-f0044846_22471887.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #54516c; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
Depending on the location, some area had more files than the other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The coast, Shimizu area, multipurpose gymnasium were the worst in terms of infestation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Asahigaoka had a fewer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During my stay in Onagawa from June 17 to 19, the areas where people are living were disinfected extensively.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am hoping that the disinfection would work. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: 424.0pt; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #54516c; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was a lunch time when I visited the school and again the flies got in the way of setting the table at teachers’ room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was this somewhere in Asia?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was infestation of flies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will become even hotter this summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We really have to pay attention to sanitation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The disaster areas face difficulty one after another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Onagawa Disaster Measures Headquarters have been asking the goods to repel flies through <span style="mso-field-code: "HYPERLINK \0022http\:\/\/p\.tl\/XpeY\0022 \\t \0022_blank\0022";"><span style="color: #537f8c;"><u>Amazon</u></span></span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really hope that the situation will improve, even a little.<o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment--> <br />
<!--EndFragment-->monchicamerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02413066745229994463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229241370736715276.post-11079387218939993892011-09-26T00:09:00.000+09:002011-09-26T00:09:24.932+09:00Demolition of My Family House June 29, 2011<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;">The buildings along the coast and behind Marine Pal are in the process of demolition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Chamber of Commerce’s building that was standing several meters from my parents’ house has been demolished as of Wednesday, June 22.<br />
A large crane truck was lifting and taking down the buildings recklessly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The grit was flying all over the place and the buildings diminished quite easily.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWjn0lo3idbBFIq_knYRfs6fDNxFduEZoJ-3sD7bDQL8LpaHd7AyRViUIQDl7t21w0mPFV3evpBGQBvDd7n7PvsOUY9-DBX7wZKVr6tkc6MRhV_0r9aHDAtqnCJusV246iNuTwiwuRaQb/s1600/f0044846_22411551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWjn0lo3idbBFIq_knYRfs6fDNxFduEZoJ-3sD7bDQL8LpaHd7AyRViUIQDl7t21w0mPFV3evpBGQBvDd7n7PvsOUY9-DBX7wZKVr6tkc6MRhV_0r9aHDAtqnCJusV246iNuTwiwuRaQb/s320/f0044846_22411551.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center; word-break: break-all;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #54516c; font-family: Arial;"><br />
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I asked the building department of Onagawa about my parent’s house and nearby buildings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A clerk told me that Sasaki Portrait Studio and Sato Kogyo, the steel skeleton next to the studio would be demolished very soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A heavy equipment to break the steel skeleton is supposed to arrive in Onagawa this week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Upon the equipment’s arrival and the approval from owners if possible, the buildings will be demolished one by one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of requesting to keep the building persistently, it is better to leave this type of thing up to the government at its convenience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would be too much for us to handle if we leave it for now and the expense for demolition is billed to us later.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> </span><!--EndFragment--> <br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #54516c; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: JA;"> <!--StartFragment--> </span><br />
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #54516c; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;">The dark room survived the tsunami and my parent house diminished to 1/8 in size!<br />
Even though the house is in this condition, I felt reassured very much, knowing that a part of the house was saved.<br />
I thought I wanted to take pictures of the demolition of the house, so I asked a clerk about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought it over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps, it would make me feel sadder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps it might be better that the house disappears without its being noticed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am going to Onagawa this weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wonder if this visit would be my last (before the demolition) or this photo would be the last (one with the house) I am going to see.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="mso-cellspacing: 0mm; mso-padding-alt: 0mm 0mm 0mm 0mm;"><tbody>
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</tbody></table><!--EndFragment-->monchicamerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02413066745229994463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229241370736715276.post-60500697622578405362011-08-12T12:33:00.000+09:002011-08-12T12:33:59.761+09:00my documentary on TV<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, 'Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro', Meiryo, 'MS PGothic', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">Hi there , <a href="http://jibtv.com/program/index.aspx?page=2&program_id=8040">my documentary</a> is coming up today.You can see it on this website. I hope you know about TSUNAMI town and my action for this 5 month.You can also know how I was standing up even I lost my parents and my home Ongawa .I really recommend .Please watch it!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, 'Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro', Meiryo, 'MS PGothic', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, 'Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro', Meiryo, 'MS PGothic', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"> JITV on web.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, 'Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro', Meiryo, 'MS PGothic', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><br />
8/12 FRI 09:30-10:00 AM(JST) 01:30-02:00 PM(JST)<br />
05:30-06:00 PM(JST) 09:30-10:00 PM(JST)<br />
8/13 SAT 01:30-02:00 AM(JST) 05:30-06:00 AM(JST)</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3B83nHc16hw5tvCif4tv8cXxdY4J58QwBK0QpHAdMExreXTaD18RTBezh2PmzL6LaUrMWqle7vt8VCEFdwibXrvHBjMqmcFuhFDjjqFXu_yrkbiZf3nCbKG-VpIdcy7rZtnAfEm75WcAy/s1600/f0044846_92731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3B83nHc16hw5tvCif4tv8cXxdY4J58QwBK0QpHAdMExreXTaD18RTBezh2PmzL6LaUrMWqle7vt8VCEFdwibXrvHBjMqmcFuhFDjjqFXu_yrkbiZf3nCbKG-VpIdcy7rZtnAfEm75WcAy/s320/f0044846_92731.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, 'Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro', Meiryo, 'MS PGothic', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></span>monchicamerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02413066745229994463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229241370736715276.post-78438975940433780112011-08-02T17:53:00.000+09:002011-08-02T17:53:12.949+09:00Thinking about Japan: Sakura CD reviewed in the Sunday Times .<b><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">This music is made by my new friend Mike, I met him on web, he watched my documentary in UK,and he tried to contact me on Facebook. When I read his message, I am really grad and I feel connected with people all over the world from my action.</span></b><div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://thinkingaboutjapan.blogspot.com/2011/07/sakura-cd-reviewed-in-sunday-times.html?spref=bl">Thinking about Japan: Sakura CD reviewed in the Sunday Times .</a>: "Sunday Times 31/07/2011 Culture Magazine . Review written by Stewart Lee who kindly mentions that all money taken will be donated to help su..."</div></div></div>monchicamerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02413066745229994463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229241370736715276.post-31439208291756668562011-07-21T20:31:00.000+09:002011-07-21T20:31:01.000+09:00100th day<div style="color: #333333; font: 13.5px Arial; margin: 6.8px 0.0px 6.8px 0.0px;"><b>100th day</b></div><div style="color: #666666; font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 5.0px 0.0px 5.0px 0.0px; text-align: right;"><b>June 18, 2011</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOMLXpadS_78MWhEa8hyjOHm1zBDU1QZeF4nFlzZbxfljX_RE69Ii_LTb80PGzivNgxQepTG626qwDM0yWZXKBkmEdTK5ACsEgfCOxZJu9lnAr8q5GaCWNjqzjKdZx3Nn05vdEqn9_xh_t/s1600/DSC_6019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOMLXpadS_78MWhEa8hyjOHm1zBDU1QZeF4nFlzZbxfljX_RE69Ii_LTb80PGzivNgxQepTG626qwDM0yWZXKBkmEdTK5ACsEgfCOxZJu9lnAr8q5GaCWNjqzjKdZx3Nn05vdEqn9_xh_t/s320/DSC_6019.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">On the 100th day, today, I went to Ishinomaki.<span style="font: 12.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
</span>I went up to Hiyoriyama . where the whole city of Ishinomaki can be viewed for the first time in many years. <span style="font: 12.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
</span>From the mouth of the Kitakami River, the right side (Kadonowaki) was completely destroyed while there were many roofs on the left side. (Minato direction) <span style="font: 12.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
</span>Around the Marumitsu Department Store, I could see scenes along Aitopia Street that brought back fond memories.<span style="font: 12.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
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</span><span style="color: black;">I went to see </span><span style="color: #d71600; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_672967001">the San Juan Bautista</a></span><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://santjuan.exblog.jp/15484066/">, </a>too</span>. The ship that managed to survive the tsunami had its mast broken by the storm on April 28. On the website, you can see how it was at the time of the tsunami. The building around the dock was destroyed, but if you look at only the picture, it is very mystical and appears that it shows the strength of the ship that moves ahead in the storm very well. It has an atmosphere that the restored ship is fighting bravely in the art of nature.<span style="font: 12.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
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</span>I could talk to some staff members of the San Juan Museum. Some ship carpenters have retired due to age. It was in 1992 when my father took pictures of them. It was in 2004 when a photo exhibition was held. I had a chance to meet with some of the ship carpenters at the time, but I wonder how they are doing right now. The world of ship carpenters is artisan business and it seems that it is difficult to find successors. I am sure the number of ship carpenters is less compared to that of 20 years ago. I saw that Murakami Shipyard that used to be in Nakasu of Ishinomaki was gone… I hope that there will be more successors of ship carpenters and that the Sant Juan will be restored somehow so that there will be a day when it can go back to the vast ocean again. </div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div>monchicamerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02413066745229994463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229241370736715276.post-8193368781304272762011-07-21T20:26:00.000+09:002011-07-21T20:26:10.103+09:00News letter from Genkidama Project<div style="color: #333333; font: 13.5px Arial; margin: 6.8px 0.0px 6.8px 0.0px;"><b>News letter from Genkidama (Spirit Bomb) Project</b></div><div style="color: #666666; font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 5.0px 0.0px 5.0px 0.0px; text-align: right;"><b>June 15, 2011</b></div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">To all supporter of the Genkidama Project<span style="font: 12.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
<br />
</span>Please allow me to let you know the following donations from the project.<span style="font: 12.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
</span><span style="font: 12.0px Hiragino Kaku Gothic ProN;">・</span> Year 2011Onagawa Daiichi Elementary School: Delivered group pictures of enrollment ceremony matted and mounted in covers<span style="font: 12.0px Hiragino Kaku Gothic ProN;">(</span>5/26<span style="font: 12.0px Hiragino Kaku Gothic ProN;">)</span><span style="font: 12.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
</span><span style="font: 12.0px Hiragino Kaku Gothic ProN;">・</span> Year 2011 Onagawa Daiichi Junior High School: Delivered group pictures of enrollment ceremony matted and mounted in covers <span style="font: 12.0px Hiragino Kaku Gothic ProN;">(</span>5/26<span style="font: 12.0px Hiragino Kaku Gothic ProN;">)</span><span style="font: 12.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
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</span>I printed logo of ‘Gambappe! Onagawa’(‘Hanging tough! Onagawa’, shown left) on the mat. Usually, a name of photo studio is printed as a title on a mat. However, this time I put ‘Genkidama Project and Sasaki Portrait Studio’ as the title because I wanted to deliver the compassion of the 140 donors to the students.<span style="font: 12.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
<br />
<br />
</span>And also the following donation will be made:<span style="font: 12.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
</span><span style="font: 12.0px Hiragino Kaku Gothic ProN;">・</span> Year 2010 Onagawa Daiichi Junior High School: Additional yearbooks for the seniors of 2010<span style="font: 12.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
</span><span style="font: 12.0px Hiragino Kaku Gothic ProN;">・</span> Year 2011 Onagawa Daiichi Elementary School: Total order of 39 yearbooks for new 6 graders. Genkidama funds will donate 8,000yen per book.<span style="font: 12.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
</span><span style="font: 12.0px Hiragino Kaku Gothic ProN;">・</span> Year 2011 Onagawa Daiichi Junior High School: Total order of 69 yearbooks for new senior students. Genkidama funds will donate 8,000yen per book.<span style="font: 12.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
<br />
</span>The yearbooks of 2010 were delivered to school on March 10 and the students brought them to their home and washed away on very next day. I estimated that 60 to 70 % of the seniors of 2010 lost their books. Based on that number, I calculated the cost to reprint them, which is about 300,000yen and decided to pay in full from the funds. Even though I don’t have the final number to be ordered, please allow me to report the progress.<span style="font: 12.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
<br />
</span>As far as the year books of 2011are concerned, many families don’t have income yet because of the disaster, I tried to reduce the financial burdens of the parents to pay yearbooks.<span style="font: 12.0px MS Mincho;"> </span>The funds will pay \8,000 per book, which means 8,000yen cheaper than that in the past for families. To be honest, I considered using the funds to pay full price. However, there are concerns that some people might talk about free yearbooks in a certain school and expensive ones on the other schools. Such an argument will cast negative impact on business of peers. So, the solution was: same price as in the past and cover the part of the cost from the funds.<span style="font: 12.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
<br />
<br />
</span>When I was a child, I always expected to receive a yearbook as given. <span style="font: 12.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
</span>I found out later that it was our parents who paid money every month to the school for a yearbook like they did for school trip. <span style="font: 12.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
<br />
</span>Many parents in Onagawa were grateful when the schools explained the Genkidama project funds to help them. The wishes of individuals to make memories to the children will reach out through the yearbooks for sure. I am planning to print names of the all contributors on the last page of the yearbook. Isn’t it delightful to think about these children to grow up and open their yearbooks 10 years or 20 years from now? <span style="font: 12.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
<br />
</span>I extend my thanks to 140 donors for this project. I would like to carry over the leftover money to the next year. </div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
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</div>monchicamerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02413066745229994463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229241370736715276.post-34145077812311652202011-07-21T20:22:00.000+09:002011-07-21T20:22:24.974+09:00Learning the History of Tsunamis<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6.8pt; margin-left: 0mm; margin-right: 0mm; margin-top: 6.8pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.5pt;"><b>Learning the History of Tsunamis<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: right;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>June 8, 2011<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600"
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o:title="f0044846_14561778"/> <w:wrap type="square"/> </v:shape><![endif]--><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYU7jRwmGGQ8_BeKTEy76vzZgyUA74yaktR9mHYgQBsMaqx-h9cCJrcveyZmUiAEW6O728D2ZS4wuQ2XgL5dmfefVzcsWSFnU9AraXM53Bc2Cw9ajnOZqiBrh_9whde0YEvLm-5TjQKolZ/s1600/201106-08-46-f0044846_14561778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYU7jRwmGGQ8_BeKTEy76vzZgyUA74yaktR9mHYgQBsMaqx-h9cCJrcveyZmUiAEW6O728D2ZS4wuQ2XgL5dmfefVzcsWSFnU9AraXM53Bc2Cw9ajnOZqiBrh_9whde0YEvLm-5TjQKolZ/s200/201106-08-46-f0044846_14561778.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333;">I recently read a book titled “The Great Sanriku<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;">Coastal Tsunamis” by Akira Yoshimura.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was originally published in 1945 and has been reprinted several times since then. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The book describes in great detail the 1896 tsunami, the 1933 tsunami, and the 1960 tsunami caused by an earthquake in Chile. It contains eye-witness accounts by two survivors of the 1896 tsunami who must have been very old at the time of the interview for the book. The section of the book dealing with the 1933 tsunami includes essays by elementary school children describing the details of the tsunami, and how residents escaped (or failed to escape).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
If I had known about the book and had read it, I could have saved my parents…<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
Since I was a child I have heard a lot about the tsunami. As both of my paternal grandparents were dead, I didn’t have a chance to hear directly from them, but my father and his friends used to talk about “the great tsunami” often.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tsunami they were talking about was the 1960 Chile tsunami. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
“The water receded to a far distance so that the bottom of the bay became visible. Fishes were jumping and some who went after them washed away and others got back alive. ” “I was up on the electric pole watching.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The first floor of the photo studio was under the water, but the second floor was alright. Oh, how I hated to throw away the tatami floor mats.” “It was a kind of fun to cook communal meals outdoor with neighbors.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“People on the hills came down and helped us.” His stories sounded “not so serious” in comparison with the recent great earthquake and tsunami. There were even elements of humor in their stories that as a child I enjoyed hearing about the tsunami from adult men in my neighborhood. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;">Now that I have read this book, I have come to realize why my parents could not escape from the tsunami.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tsunami in my father’s memory was an “easygoing monkey tsunami” of 1960. He didn’t know the “Godzilla tsunamis” of 1896 and 1933! <br />
<br />
The tsunami he experienced at the age of 22 was only the Chile tsunami. He could have possibly heard about the earlier great tsunamis; but such information is totally useless if it does not lead to risk management.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For my mother, she was a native of Akita where there is no tsunami. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;">The only tsunami she experienced was<span style="color: red;"> <a href="http://monchiblog.exblog.jp/m2010-03-01/">the one caused by the Chile earthquake in March, 2010 (only 0.5 meter high in Onagawa).</a> <a href="http://monchiblog.exblog.jp/m2010-03-01/"> </a></span>This one was another “easygoing” type; it came slowly taking 24 hours to reach Onagawa from the other side of the earth. At that time the relatives came and helped my parents move everything from the first floor to the second floor and to the studio which took a half day, thus avoiding any flood damage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
But not this time!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They never thought they would be swept up in only 20 minutes after the big earthquake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the book describes, it must have been like a massive Godzilla suddenly appeared and began attacking. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
I cannot help but feeling remorse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they had known the Godzilla size tsunamis, they could have taken proper actions for escape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I now know how important it is to learn various types of tsunamis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Such knowledge will lead to good disaster control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;">I never was worried about the tsunami during the 18 years I lived in Onagawa. Of course every Onagawan knew that the Sanriku coast was exposed to the danger of tsunami. But very few, if any, knew “how and when it would come.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even I wouldn’t know “how quickly it may come and how to escape from it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reading this book makes me think that we could have foreseen and prepare for the recent gigantic one if we had known about those great tsunamis of the past. <br />
<br />
I think this book should be read by everyone who lives along the Sanriku. It is easy enough for any middle school student to read. This book is packed with more valuable information than any other books on tsunami. “History repeats itself.” “Natural disaster repeats itself, too.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Though I don’t want to think about it now…)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment-->monchicamerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02413066745229994463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229241370736715276.post-34539167499003999332011-07-21T20:19:00.000+09:002011-07-21T20:19:00.655+09:00My Honest Feelings Now--- Almost 3 months<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6.8pt; margin-left: 0mm; margin-right: 0mm; margin-top: 6.8pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.5pt;"><b>My Honest Feelings Now--- Almost three months<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: right; word-break: break-all;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>June 5, 2011<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAVFnjmYGGvXlkH42S9QuDL5JrEYRbtceLDj4kblukHLdy5Q7tTNDON-nvpCqx7wxtOTRwnSWDWUqqrGiwEncN8YMbi__dSAjBrWd_S0-9f1qeDU_4o1fUYQeEQ5KXBi1c4mdzndaLSnm0/s1600/201106-05-46-f0044846_21373745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAVFnjmYGGvXlkH42S9QuDL5JrEYRbtceLDj4kblukHLdy5Q7tTNDON-nvpCqx7wxtOTRwnSWDWUqqrGiwEncN8YMbi__dSAjBrWd_S0-9f1qeDU_4o1fUYQeEQ5KXBi1c4mdzndaLSnm0/s320/201106-05-46-f0044846_21373745.jpg" width="220" /></a><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;">In the TV and magazine interviews, I was asked if I have experienced any changes in my feelings from the onset of the earthquake/tsunami to the present.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was puzzled by such a question as my feelings change from day to day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am fed up with the same old questions from various sources.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The responses and reactions to the earthquake and tsunami vary among the survivors and families of the deceased.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would be better to face ordinarily with those who are trying to lead a normal life.<br />
<br />
In my case, I first placed the painful, harsh fact outside my thought range.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was not ignoring the fact, but rather I was intentionally controlling it in order to alleviate my pain and sorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It worked for me around the time shortly after the earthquake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, as the time passes, sorrow has started to surface gradually.<br />
<br />
My husband told me that people felt grief most when they remembered the decreased.<br />
It is surely so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The more I remember them, the sadder I feel.<br />
<br />
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Recently I remembered the alley from 25 years ago that I used to pass when I was a child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was even before Onagawa Bypass was built.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where did this lead to?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried to remember, but my memory broke off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I remembered my old house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were a lineup of many coffee cups and a siphon coffee-maker that my mother cherished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried to visualize where they went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I wondered how the stairs and pillars were destroyed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then my mind became exhausted to the point where my thought process stopped.<br />
<br />
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o:title="f0044846_21375727"/> <w:wrap type="square"/> </v:shape><![endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333;">It is not a sin to feel grief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, it takes so much energy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I want to feel grief at</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333;">my own pace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a way to share grief with others, but I would like to feel it on my own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is my ritual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I am still not good at dealing with sad phone calls from people I know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I don’t know what to say if they cry.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can handle somewhat If I am telling sad news about me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333;"><br />
</span></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLrpEi-d54yN2aOFKhET12t5-XwLLNWaLd7hEuxRyvaTqJhG8Z9_-vJP-oS67kMpc8P_0hIx6BhklvG34Duthmd2p1p-7Ss_QVJLa5isUSj5vX7OdayI2NcYqWI_X-47kpOyBlYZ3boLb4/s1600/201106-05-46-f0044846_21375727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLrpEi-d54yN2aOFKhET12t5-XwLLNWaLd7hEuxRyvaTqJhG8Z9_-vJP-oS67kMpc8P_0hIx6BhklvG34Duthmd2p1p-7Ss_QVJLa5isUSj5vX7OdayI2NcYqWI_X-47kpOyBlYZ3boLb4/s320/201106-05-46-f0044846_21375727.jpg" width="229" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333;"><br />
</span></span></div><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: JA;">However, I feel very uneasy when I am asked a question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I talk to my elder sister, I always talk about a funny story.<br />
<br />
On the other hand, I would rather not be alone when I try to keep my chin up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would like to be surrounded by many people who support each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I truly appreciate the support from my friends at the time like this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I met many people through this tragic earthquake.<br />
<br />
There is no way that we can change this reality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The house is gone; my parents are gone; the reality does not change.<br />
<br />
If you ask me whether it is painful, it is not painful.<br />
If you ask me whether I feel sad, I don’t’ feel sad.<br />
Getting myself totally absorbed in my work and taking on new thing may be a good way to deal with grief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A challenge to a new thing may bring a balance to my life.<br />
<br />
These are my honest feelings.<br />
<br />
I wonder how all of you are doing now.</span><!--EndFragment-->monchicamerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02413066745229994463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229241370736715276.post-52987452639524642412011-07-15T13:17:00.000+09:002011-07-15T13:17:38.678+09:00NY that I Visited after 10 Years of Absence<div style="color: #333333; font: 13.5px Arial; margin: 6.8px 0.0px 6.8px 0.0px;"><b>NY that I Visited after 10 Years of Absence</b></div><div style="color: #666666; font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 5.0px 0.0px 5.0px 0.0px; text-align: right;"><b>May 29, 2011</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4LZL3APCL_CsayUxi2zroSS9ZaF2SK0rUgdRZKjKqhaczDwYnoBjwLtTF43lheVXM_vkXkO31D9zbCeUCesVkFaKI0WGW62vRTM8YA4IpD_ABMVdVhkrK2VXBKP7k2dOTtk8GLYzZrNf2/s1600/201105-29-46-f0044846_10491531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4LZL3APCL_CsayUxi2zroSS9ZaF2SK0rUgdRZKjKqhaczDwYnoBjwLtTF43lheVXM_vkXkO31D9zbCeUCesVkFaKI0WGW62vRTM8YA4IpD_ABMVdVhkrK2VXBKP7k2dOTtk8GLYzZrNf2/s200/201105-29-46-f0044846_10491531.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px;">As I wrote in the title of my blog, I like to travel. <span style="font: 12.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
</span>It was in May of 2001 when I first visited the U. S. I travelled across the United States for full 3 months until my tourist visa expired. Starting from Seattle on the west coast, I went to Los Angeles, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Santa Fe, Chicago, New York and Miami.<span style="font: 12.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
<br />
</span>I could not speak English very well, but with Leica in my hand, I went to different places in the three months and met various people. The experience I gained at that time became the foundation of what I am now.<span style="font: 12.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
<br />
</span>One month after I returned from the trip to go across the United States, on Sept. 11, 2011, it happened. <span style="font: 12.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
</span>The country, the United States, occupied an important part of my life. I became friends with many people and met with a lot of people. I felt that those important things were breaking down. I could not describe in words. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbc3k5w4r_C3cHIVlGgoRbwgdDK0FOJjTkpCPT7s096S8T9982d9oLoPlP5_pxWA9Y71jlb0oNwWqQoMCnfbva-R7QFZhpZH9Z_FOyTVghFv-a26RG2VcddoYsx323w4-KLnR6hmGwplF/s1600/201105-29-46-f0044846_10503866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbc3k5w4r_C3cHIVlGgoRbwgdDK0FOJjTkpCPT7s096S8T9982d9oLoPlP5_pxWA9Y71jlb0oNwWqQoMCnfbva-R7QFZhpZH9Z_FOyTVghFv-a26RG2VcddoYsx323w4-KLnR6hmGwplF/s320/201105-29-46-f0044846_10503866.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px;">I went to “September 11 Memorial & Museum” on May 22. <span style="font: 12.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
</span>There were portraits of those people killed, high heels found at the site, burned windows from the airplanes. Firefighters who tried to rescue people. My heart was broken as if I traveled10 years back to the past. Still, 24 people are missing. I found that there were 1,100 bodies that could not be identified.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirGlCZT01UOZ9Q7nP6ahEATNlF18QCm2WTxpzjlDM8enMd1W5Ar0OmpK4sJXYCMYPEMa9NfATA1TlC5rSD04h6y8F5_cWyvz_t23IG5F__5qxyOgpdadELgmZ-b5DxqgDLdfcbePGEckS9/s1600/201105-29-46-f0044846_10485285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirGlCZT01UOZ9Q7nP6ahEATNlF18QCm2WTxpzjlDM8enMd1W5Ar0OmpK4sJXYCMYPEMa9NfATA1TlC5rSD04h6y8F5_cWyvz_t23IG5F__5qxyOgpdadELgmZ-b5DxqgDLdfcbePGEckS9/s320/201105-29-46-f0044846_10485285.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px;">There are similarities with situations that we are now facing. Like my parents, many bodies have not been found. Even if their bodies are found from the ocean, I do not have confidence that I can identify them. How were the 10 years where people in N.Y. had to face with such agonies? It is very meaningful that we could exhibit photographs and have an opportunity to show drawings of children in such location.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbrtPz39XkeBeOG7GBlKVlfAR_6mhIMoMnetCYVAuBm8UQO3DGcB4Tmb-1KWxnzQm-o8EdwU5PdffdDI05wA7iLQOeIXvtpRj8Dy2ciAOaJGDwanb9QxAnv55QxcF9ojEU26djxXIp5k2/s1600/201105-29-46-f0044846_10485615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbrtPz39XkeBeOG7GBlKVlfAR_6mhIMoMnetCYVAuBm8UQO3DGcB4Tmb-1KWxnzQm-o8EdwU5PdffdDI05wA7iLQOeIXvtpRj8Dy2ciAOaJGDwanb9QxAnv55QxcF9ojEU26djxXIp5k2/s320/201105-29-46-f0044846_10485615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">I embarked on a ferry to Staten Island from Manhattan for the first time in 10 years. I shot the same scenery. Currently, a new building and a park are under construction on Ground Zero. What do people learn from there… I am going back to Onagawa today. </div><div><br />
</div>monchicamerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02413066745229994463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229241370736715276.post-48177536232018155122011-07-15T13:15:00.002+09:002011-07-15T13:21:42.129+09:00What is a first class photographer …<div style="color: #333333; font: 13.5px Arial; margin: 6.8px 0.0px 6.8px 0.0px;"><b>What is a first class photographer …</b></div><div style="color: #666666; font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 5.0px 0.0px 5.0px 0.0px; text-align: right;"><b>May 28, 2011</b></div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSHXlJZUNkA78oB4GCSh1Ftau2UjRZYZolhf0pjBxDb3pcX9PxVbXWHKf2n24IGrR11uO3QmXUd7V4Gqm7I9rsw3fClJXV0E8ViQmIhWxhQ4YUzZv5t8yYsJfbiylcYd7VhPr4x0jJQ_E-/s1600/201105-28-46-f0044846_1612155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSHXlJZUNkA78oB4GCSh1Ftau2UjRZYZolhf0pjBxDb3pcX9PxVbXWHKf2n24IGrR11uO3QmXUd7V4Gqm7I9rsw3fClJXV0E8ViQmIhWxhQ4YUzZv5t8yYsJfbiylcYd7VhPr4x0jJQ_E-/s200/201105-28-46-f0044846_1612155.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnuwW2PL8xwQODFm2ixTXqBlzlflHPeO2ZL7b8etW8fdNDn0GJ8TU76WQK1YD5OFM2RAv5A9LFJh2a6fPUthF8XCa07AMhX0SguBoY5U7xN4rSpNf0xlIddfHHXZxeU59DBRhGBq0RXOFq/s1600/201105-28-46-f0044846_16124247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnuwW2PL8xwQODFm2ixTXqBlzlflHPeO2ZL7b8etW8fdNDn0GJ8TU76WQK1YD5OFM2RAv5A9LFJh2a6fPUthF8XCa07AMhX0SguBoY5U7xN4rSpNf0xlIddfHHXZxeU59DBRhGBq0RXOFq/s200/201105-28-46-f0044846_16124247.jpg" width="200" /></a>A first-class photographer stopped by at the exhibition.<span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Lucida Grande';"><br />
</span>It was<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1154985701"> </a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1154985701">Peter Cunningham</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1154985701">.</a></span><a href="http://petercunninghamphotography.com/"> </a>He shoots rock bands, documentary, the world of zen, etc. What you see throughout his works is ‘human connection’. His photographs depict spiritual world of human being.<span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Lucida Grande';"><br />
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</span>I saw pictures of Bruce Sprinsteen in 1970s and Madonna in her early career on Mr. Cunningham’s<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1157276424"> </a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1154985711"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"> </span></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1154985711"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">web site</span></a><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://petercunninghamphotography.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">.</span> </a> </span>I have seen them all before! Everything about his works is cool. In spite of the fact that he just arrived in NY from Boston, he strolled into AIGA and <span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Lucida Grande';"><br />
</span>intensely looked at my photographs. Without knowing his busy schedule, we talked a lot. At first glance, he looks like ‘a strange old guy’(laugh), wearing a cap and with his CANON hanging around his neck. But when you talk with him, you can easily connect to him.<span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Lucida Grande';"><br />
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</span>‘There are no people in the landscape portraits of Onagawa city. Did you intentionally exclude people or there are simply no people in the town?’, Mr. Cunningham asked. He also gave me some advice to take pictures from the same spot on the hill every time I visit the town.<span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Lucida Grande';"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Hiragino Kaku Gothic ProN'; font-size: small;"></span> On that day, there were TV crews in the gallery to interview me. <span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Hiragino Kaku Gothic ProN';">(</span>By the way, one of the crews invited Mr. Cunningham to the exhibition.<span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Hiragino Kaku Gothic ProN';">)</span> We suddenly decided to<span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Hiragino Kaku Gothic ProN';"> </span>have a photo session.<span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Lucida Grande';"><br />
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</span>The light in the gallery was a mix of natural light and tungsten light, which is not easy for shooting. While I was wondering how I shoot and checking in my camera bag to pick up a right lens, Mr. Cummingham already started shooting (laugh). He took the first move!<span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Lucida Grande';"><br />
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</span>He was walking around me and taking pictures randomly. I mean, it was really random. (laugh) I had no idea how the photographs would turn out. It was as if you were watching a student playing one of games on a school field day. Even if somebody tells you he is the world-class photographer, he is just a funny old guy.<span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Lucida Grande';"><br />
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</span>But, I was shocked when I saw <span style="color: #d71600; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://petercunninghamphotography.com/2011/05/18/tsunami-wave/">his blog</a></span><span style="color: black;">. </span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">His pictures are…fantastic!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_5FvL9Pd2bZMD6MNQ8TIsP3GnZaI7LnFr4bnDEV5QZJV43tkerUwGRz_5FyntY2cChx1DbMlUmGWGT9WWmQZU2IwrxWHNv6Xrh9KI3PfAaW3rOHKyY8qJwdPJIafm7TmHObO_-qWTa2pF/s1600/201105-28-46-f0044846_16123115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_5FvL9Pd2bZMD6MNQ8TIsP3GnZaI7LnFr4bnDEV5QZJV43tkerUwGRz_5FyntY2cChx1DbMlUmGWGT9WWmQZU2IwrxWHNv6Xrh9KI3PfAaW3rOHKyY8qJwdPJIafm7TmHObO_-qWTa2pF/s320/201105-28-46-f0044846_16123115.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">They are the works of the first-class photographer. His photographs capture the atmosphere and me in the gallery.<span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Lucida Grande';"><br />
</span>The game is over and I lost… <span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Hiragino Kaku Gothic ProN';">(</span>Well, right from the beginning, the result was so obvious… LOL<span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Hiragino Kaku Gothic ProN';">)</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Lucida Grande';"><br />
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</span>On the other hand, this is what I took.<span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Lucida Grande';"><br />
</span>It is an ordinary portrait and nothing special.<span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Lucida Grande';"><br />
</span>It turned out OK just because Mr. Cunningham is photogenic. </div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7Jk4J_vOpbKKvFgX99n0LXxFkLidvcZCpwQQEmfFVWcsRon_f-ZkNmUHRnejGrmZemRCjA5tI3ttm9RaZxJo71E2Zzo6m10OxdaYr29-h5lyqyztIPbBRKj2_Qj4g_UyJOXzSh3-ajOM/s1600/201105-28-46-f0044846_1612541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7Jk4J_vOpbKKvFgX99n0LXxFkLidvcZCpwQQEmfFVWcsRon_f-ZkNmUHRnejGrmZemRCjA5tI3ttm9RaZxJo71E2Zzo6m10OxdaYr29-h5lyqyztIPbBRKj2_Qj4g_UyJOXzSh3-ajOM/s320/201105-28-46-f0044846_1612541.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Lucida Grande';"><br />
</span>It does not mean anything to take a straight-forward portrait of this magnificent and ‘funny photographer’ (Sorry to call you funny, Mr. Cunningham!<span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Hiragino Kaku Gothic ProN';">)</span>. I am so disappointed that I could not depict real him. There is a long way for me to go.<span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Lucida Grande';"><br />
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</span>I don’t regret. But I have been thinking what made the difference between Mr. Cunningham and me in the gallery on that day. What does it mean to be ‘the first-class…’?<span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Hiragino Kaku Gothic ProN';"> </span>It is a good homework for me to think about in the future.</div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 6.8px 0.0px 6.8px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div>monchicamerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02413066745229994463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229241370736715276.post-1126738087376225582011-07-15T13:09:00.000+09:002011-07-15T13:09:47.119+09:00NY School<div style="color: #333333; font: 13.5px Arial; margin: 6.8px 0.0px 6.8px 0.0px;"><b>NY School </b></div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 5.0px 0.0px 5.0px 0.0px; text-align: right;"><b>May 27, </b><span style="color: #666666;"><b>2011</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #666666;"><b><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAc1AcSDJDMtDsYVxO00z1N5-hfVFEkQ7Cyus-3CyudBkM7WpbAhxm5h-8ATegGRj78BOSOPYLnJDKcnJ5U8XS2pDpy6SskXhMrfM2Nygo2x-zqNGe7f5ltOfnEx1U9o_yz5kfNJNb4utL/s1600/201105-27-46-f0044846_10595951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAc1AcSDJDMtDsYVxO00z1N5-hfVFEkQ7Cyus-3CyudBkM7WpbAhxm5h-8ATegGRj78BOSOPYLnJDKcnJ5U8XS2pDpy6SskXhMrfM2Nygo2x-zqNGe7f5ltOfnEx1U9o_yz5kfNJNb4utL/s320/201105-27-46-f0044846_10595951.jpg" width="320" /></a>On May 19 I visited a Japanese school located in a NY suburb. Despite short notice, the teachers were kind enough to allocate a “lecture” time for me by shortening their regular class hours. I was very grateful for their thoughtfulness. <span style="font: 12.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
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</span>It appeared that the impact of the earthquake was felt in a big way by these children living abroad. Japan is their home country wherever they are. All of the children took initiative to hold a “charity concert“ on March 18. They asked themselves what they could do to help. As a result, they performed and raised money along with local people. Some children baked and sold melon bread to raise money. They volunteered their labor to raise money…What a wonderful idea! Such idea is rare in Japan.</div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Upon reviewing the question cards collected from the children, I found that their common question, regardless of their grades, was, “What happened to children in Japan?” They all wanted to know what was happening in Japan, their home land.</div><div><br />
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</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_r0ApS1j9kpP_-0P0T89hrbqJJlJnSCA2iMxN-3TqOGgx7_22jewnK4bCK_8F2M2O6PM0LTbb-FL0QSG1a-qqcqcBfIurv1V3LuedM4VXO3XAcQXY2oeF7Bo3XtsyuBGaFI4fJLBJlbx/s1600/201105-27-46-f0044846_1101178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_r0ApS1j9kpP_-0P0T89hrbqJJlJnSCA2iMxN-3TqOGgx7_22jewnK4bCK_8F2M2O6PM0LTbb-FL0QSG1a-qqcqcBfIurv1V3LuedM4VXO3XAcQXY2oeF7Bo3XtsyuBGaFI4fJLBJlbx/s200/201105-27-46-f0044846_1101178.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="font: 12.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
</span>During the 1-hour session, first I briefly explained what type of tsunami devastated the town while presenting data. Frightening photos may not be appropriate for young children. Showing a photo of a building tilted 90 degree angle, I asked, “Which side is a ceiling?” and explained why the building had ended up that way. “How do you think a car got up on the third floor of the building?” I though of ways to keep 1st graders to 6th graders interested.</div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><sup></sup></div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">“What do you think elementary school teachers in Onagawa want to have most? “<span style="font: 12.0px Hiragino Mincho ProN;"> (ー</span>Answer: a play ground. A temporary housing compound doesn’t have one.<span style="font: 12.0px Hiragino Mincho ProN;">)</span><span style="font: 12.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
</span>“What is the most popular job among Onagawa elementary school children? <span style="font: 12.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
</span><span style="font: 12.0px Hiragino Mincho ProN;"> (ー</span> Answer: a member of Japan self-defense force<span style="font: 12.0px Hiragino Mincho ProN;">)</span><span style="font: 12.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
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</span><span style="font: 12.0px Arial;">I think that the quiz session made it easy for lower grade children to understand. Also I think that I was able to convey that kids in the disaster areas were cheerful and doing their best.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq3c7S78indbzVla46826lzBgXyFUezxeM3nrqqYmV-gwAfw-6nXy-bgU4jQODKKoSYVNo31N4126OA7WqgD1xgVB190TCXS8jCley7ZSFQE5O2w4cLxPFwDAz91t-SsxCLrsGof6lNbNe/s1600/201105-27-46-f0044846_10595780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq3c7S78indbzVla46826lzBgXyFUezxeM3nrqqYmV-gwAfw-6nXy-bgU4jQODKKoSYVNo31N4126OA7WqgD1xgVB190TCXS8jCley7ZSFQE5O2w4cLxPFwDAz91t-SsxCLrsGof6lNbNe/s320/201105-27-46-f0044846_10595780.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">At the end of the lecture, the students presented me with a chorus. It was a lovely song,“You Can, Ai-no-Kuni (the country of love).” It was one of the songs sung at the March 18<sup>th</sup> charity concert. A kind of song that gives the audience energy…a song about everyone is connected… I wish they could some day sing together with Onagawa school children. These students drew pictures and wrote messages on Japanese paper. As one of “Hug Japan” activities, we want to continue spreading the “Message Relay.” </div></div></b></span></div>monchicamerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02413066745229994463noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229241370736715276.post-28382987469990734762011-07-15T13:06:00.000+09:002011-07-15T13:06:16.632+09:00Hug Japan in NY<div style="color: #333333; font: 13.5px Arial; margin: 6.8px 0.0px 6.8px 0.0px;"><b>Hug Japan in NY</b></div><div style="color: #666666; font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 5.0px 0.0px 5.0px 0.0px; text-align: right;"><b>May 25, 2011</b></div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px;">It was great to work with a group of people organized in NY.<span style="font: 12.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
</span>Thank you so much!<span style="font: 12.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
</span>I am not alone! I can keep going with this group, I thought.<span style="font: 12.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
</span>Here we are....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiduyebFs1uYjczdYbW3gRkjveampCN43FDZ9rvyxlF0s3T-RZINM6ab89BjQQrdhJCGUuvnHeBye9TcfC5LRKzKFFFJvTwRO9eshC3gRUuj21LBEsNwaylkZrA5Ip4idh8eHjykGdyMVKI/s1600/201105-25-46-f0044846_7234056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiduyebFs1uYjczdYbW3gRkjveampCN43FDZ9rvyxlF0s3T-RZINM6ab89BjQQrdhJCGUuvnHeBye9TcfC5LRKzKFFFJvTwRO9eshC3gRUuj21LBEsNwaylkZrA5Ip4idh8eHjykGdyMVKI/s320/201105-25-46-f0044846_7234056.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div>monchicamerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02413066745229994463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229241370736715276.post-18696354908159200762011-07-15T13:04:00.000+09:002011-07-15T13:04:42.788+09:00Potentiality of Art<div style="color: #333333; font: 13.5px Arial; margin: 6.8px 0.0px 6.8px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><b></b></span></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: medium;"><b><div style="color: #333333; font: 13.5px Arial; margin: 6.8px 0.0px 6.8px 0.0px;"><b>Potentiality of Art</b></div><div style="color: #666666; font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 6.8px 0.0px 6.8px 168.0px; text-indent: 183.5px;"><b>May 19, 2011</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkAH40H0wxRkPiWpC6JOyXhQL4zd_MKUKFw5NGRzizaIydLsonykurwDlb-N4iJ0kLcCi-5ZuqB9u5SEbjYQCODGKNf8LQWA6XQ4Uvq3C8gTGLYCfjG9LpBBRcX7YLwyKpJ8rp1iSoqIX3/s1600/201105-25-46-f0044846_5252041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkAH40H0wxRkPiWpC6JOyXhQL4zd_MKUKFw5NGRzizaIydLsonykurwDlb-N4iJ0kLcCi-5ZuqB9u5SEbjYQCODGKNf8LQWA6XQ4Uvq3C8gTGLYCfjG9LpBBRcX7YLwyKpJ8rp1iSoqIX3/s200/201105-25-46-f0044846_5252041.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 5.0px 0.0px 5.0px 0.0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCoiBij8VbA7BZMoG0kSFa2BeAZ_q-4DivSbkUzo_yYJFXSNvZvfvcXs3TMAP6CbmTeStw4lyUIbAODSluLSZxqGHWMeQ8vQdOLqazNL9Cx4SVg4dnZTR9218k7vUTFA1A2YmOIjcQ91Hi/s1600/201105-25-46-f0044846_5215342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCoiBij8VbA7BZMoG0kSFa2BeAZ_q-4DivSbkUzo_yYJFXSNvZvfvcXs3TMAP6CbmTeStw4lyUIbAODSluLSZxqGHWMeQ8vQdOLqazNL9Cx4SVg4dnZTR9218k7vUTFA1A2YmOIjcQ91Hi/s200/201105-25-46-f0044846_5215342.jpg" width="200" /></a>There were many galleries in the Chelsea district of NY, which scattered conveniently here and there. It is free of charge and you can just stop by whenever you<span style="color: black;"> feel like it. It is a good change when you are close to a conclusion with things you are working on (smile). </span><span style="color: black; font: 12.0px Times;">Displayed were</span><span style="font: 12.0px Times;"> a lot of modern arts that I am unfamiliar with. Although it’s a matter of taste, I felt that after all this was NY and I wished that Japan would become a place like this.</span><span style="font: 12.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
<br />
</span>Among the galleries, there was a gallery that had several displays of dynamic objets d’art made of steel frames and car bumpers. I would have been gazing into these several months ago, saying “How cool!” However, here I thought frankly that the cars in Onagawa looked great (smile). The cars twisted and bent by the forces of the tsunami could become an art, I was firmly convinced.<span style="font: 12.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
<br />
<br />
</span>After the 311 disaster, my view on things had totally changed. No art can surpass a formation by the nature, no matter what they are and no matter who made the arts.<span style="font: 12.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
<br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: black;">Meat Market </span>district was located in the southwestern part of Manhattan. I strolled in the promenade called <span style="color: black;">High Line </span>which was the modification of the old, discontinued railroad. The wooden deck<span style="color: blue;"> </span><span style="color: black;">that extended straight</span> from North to South commanded a view of the railroad along the way here and there. The meticulously cared garden and properly-calculated, yet pleasing placement of benches added to this promenade an alluring taste that blends into old buildings in Manhattan. It made me feel like that I want to take a walk every day.</div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Times; margin: 5.0px 0.0px 5.0px 0.0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkW-d0_keIg7WwBADffXj8SRP0e0iC8YwzEgUkqF2eupux3HRZYVI9IEUzgHgtZZjmiXvlGm0MfU2xS5e1oLCo0eYIvrcWQcAtoP2PunYCL_bpbsvBIhTSiAqo8cQjjVHHaKSW2FynxWNz/s1600/201105-25-46-f0044846_5215031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkW-d0_keIg7WwBADffXj8SRP0e0iC8YwzEgUkqF2eupux3HRZYVI9IEUzgHgtZZjmiXvlGm0MfU2xS5e1oLCo0eYIvrcWQcAtoP2PunYCL_bpbsvBIhTSiAqo8cQjjVHHaKSW2FynxWNz/s320/201105-25-46-f0044846_5215031.jpg" width="320" /></a>What a good sense they have for remodeling the railroad! While strolling, I was thinking about a restoration model for Onagawa. The<span style="color: black;"> coastline o</span>f Onagawa has sunk and people are afraid of building houses again because of another possible tsunami. However, if the land can be utilized effectively, it might be better to build a park like<span style="color: black;"> High Line Park of NY</span><span style="color: red;"> </span><span style="color: black;">on the coastal road.</span><span style="font: 12.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
</span><span style="font: 12.0px Arial;">Thinking about planting a lot of plants in the places where many lives were lost, I was strolling in an obscure corner of Manhattan in the twilight. As the evening draws in, I also enjoyed the transformation of NY in 10 years.</span></div><div style="font: 10.5px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 12.0px; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></b></span></span>monchicamerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02413066745229994463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229241370736715276.post-48319161752665762142011-06-28T22:29:00.000+09:002011-06-28T22:29:32.029+09:00WE ARE HERE --- Installation May 14, 2011<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVdmetREH_XJmJV46iaQxcA1zNdNwyB61L1p9Ejh0PgKwCpKxcP1ZGbZxlddcZTcH0tBym4phK8b5hs2DbMN-vFbqNip_pvOQ03cnoA0E-NsiliroFCRLK-BRz3ARnBUyccQa73vZF_Obu/s1600/201105-14-46-f0044846_22571340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVdmetREH_XJmJV46iaQxcA1zNdNwyB61L1p9Ejh0PgKwCpKxcP1ZGbZxlddcZTcH0tBym4phK8b5hs2DbMN-vFbqNip_pvOQ03cnoA0E-NsiliroFCRLK-BRz3ARnBUyccQa73vZF_Obu/s1600/201105-14-46-f0044846_22571340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVdmetREH_XJmJV46iaQxcA1zNdNwyB61L1p9Ejh0PgKwCpKxcP1ZGbZxlddcZTcH0tBym4phK8b5hs2DbMN-vFbqNip_pvOQ03cnoA0E-NsiliroFCRLK-BRz3ARnBUyccQa73vZF_Obu/s1600/201105-14-46-f0044846_22571340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVdmetREH_XJmJV46iaQxcA1zNdNwyB61L1p9Ejh0PgKwCpKxcP1ZGbZxlddcZTcH0tBym4phK8b5hs2DbMN-vFbqNip_pvOQ03cnoA0E-NsiliroFCRLK-BRz3ARnBUyccQa73vZF_Obu/s320/201105-14-46-f0044846_22571340.jpg" width="212" /></a><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;">We left Narita on Thursday and arrived in New York City around noon on the same day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We brought in overwhelming volume of stuff and all members worked hard to manage them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please look at the pile of cardboard boxes!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This picture doesn’t show all but there are total of 28 staff members along with their suitcases as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was fun, reminding me of my school trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the traveling itself made me exhausted (laugh).<br />
<br />
<br />
As soon as we landed in the United States, we moved to a gallery to bring in pictures and drawings.<br />
The venue is a <span style="mso-field-code: "HYPERLINK \0022http\:\/\/www\.aiga\.org\/content\.cfm\/we-are-here\0022 \\t \0022_blank\0022";"><span style="color: #d71600;"><u>gallery called AIGA</u></span></span> located in the Chelsea district in Manhattan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gallery embraces a high ceiling and sophistication of New York City.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the place where 80 photographs and 400 pictures drawn by children in the disaster area will be displayed.<br />
<br />
The theme of photographs is Sasaki Portrait Studio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It consists of photographs of Onagawa city taken by my father and me, and also photographs of the children in the disaster area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will also show nine restored portraits of ‘Masters in 20<sup>th</sup> Century’ taken by my father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are not in perfect condition but we have decided to show them as the survivors of the tsunami.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When they are spotlighted, even a melted surface shows a good taste.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My father’s large format camera (4x5), which was found in rubble and still covered with mud and salt from seawater, is displayed as it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is vividly describing the impact from the tsunami.<o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment--> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExYoMp7X0l_olOE0rS91CCo4TkLgNzyQH6UUJi97sElQ0HJ2RFtQXR3JtLkzic0pl9KjjKGLoglD4j4cX91MA-E7_vXE1MR_EdKOuuVWdvw9Gf2iZrIX_bUF5Qmwm0aGZfBSxDEuPiZcA/s1600/f0044846_23104838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExYoMp7X0l_olOE0rS91CCo4TkLgNzyQH6UUJi97sElQ0HJ2RFtQXR3JtLkzic0pl9KjjKGLoglD4j4cX91MA-E7_vXE1MR_EdKOuuVWdvw9Gf2iZrIX_bUF5Qmwm0aGZfBSxDEuPiZcA/s320/f0044846_23104838.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><!--StartFragment--> </div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;">The photographs taken by my father are displayed on the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The moment when the first portrait of the series of ship carpenters was placed, I said to my father, “Dad, finally you made your global debut as a photographer”, and I was almost moved to tears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The master carpenter in the picture even looked happy.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXOgtJ4hEuM2qsJMGqlz_lIDh2MW0QMSrrMLrcyHYpGDeG3Dt6EuqGANZiHYkUfWbOrSULHy4uFTn82oEQwoFf0NMF_dEbkWlQqA4G5-Ny9EhMWBSSC5R5boq9XUV-CJsgM9_hZT4b_n2E/s1600/f0044846_22593391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXOgtJ4hEuM2qsJMGqlz_lIDh2MW0QMSrrMLrcyHYpGDeG3Dt6EuqGANZiHYkUfWbOrSULHy4uFTn82oEQwoFf0NMF_dEbkWlQqA4G5-Ny9EhMWBSSC5R5boq9XUV-CJsgM9_hZT4b_n2E/s320/f0044846_22593391.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <!--StartFragment--> </span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;">There are workers who put photographs and pictures on the walls for exhibition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are Lisa and Bob. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just as you expect from professionals in NYC, they are skillful and have good sense. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The way they measure the wall to level and nail the objects onto the wall in a second is truly a work of craftsmanship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took them five hours to finish displaying the photograph section.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since the ceiling is so high, Lisa and Bob use a lifter shown in this picture to decorate the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t see a ladder of that high in Japan so often, which is interesting to just watch.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <!--StartFragment--> </span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;">The pictures drawn by children are individually mounted in acrylic frames, and all are dazzling on the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you take time and look at each picture closely one by one, each touches you deeply and much more than photographs do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel pain by looking at them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel sad by thinking that they have been hanging tough with such feelings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These drawings will make you realize that all these children have kept going forward positively while their little hearts have been suffering from great pain and distress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want many people in New York City to see and feel these children’s hearts.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfb2FAGDf8kBS-8e9xgLBakV3XkmSvZvKPJgQeHQC5em7QjRceWRmXRyZCmh3oLkVOWQme9Dl2HF7yTG5tFEhCpuPvf_5YDafdERn3uU78_ScsKQtLGjeXwnlu6C7O94atb9LjKylYXul/s1600/f0044846_23134892.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfb2FAGDf8kBS-8e9xgLBakV3XkmSvZvKPJgQeHQC5em7QjRceWRmXRyZCmh3oLkVOWQme9Dl2HF7yTG5tFEhCpuPvf_5YDafdERn3uU78_ScsKQtLGjeXwnlu6C7O94atb9LjKylYXul/s320/f0044846_23134892.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><!--EndFragment--> <br />
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<!--EndFragment-->monchicamerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02413066745229994463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229241370736715276.post-11527469299662069102011-06-28T22:24:00.000+09:002011-06-28T22:24:34.110+09:00Hug Japan May 8, 2011<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: right;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>May 8, 2011<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWlp-_HMcWynKtoygcChFOENUCGoGem1G5N7zAZZDzmil2KlopbppSaDO0WrqRd_T-hLQJtSytIVHFMm8m-HGmgrVAa_aJHpVB0m_sI0La8JideC6W15h8CZm8USj8iahnf6HC4cpvYvPr/s1600/201105-08-46-f0044846_1973369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWlp-_HMcWynKtoygcChFOENUCGoGem1G5N7zAZZDzmil2KlopbppSaDO0WrqRd_T-hLQJtSytIVHFMm8m-HGmgrVAa_aJHpVB0m_sI0La8JideC6W15h8CZm8USj8iahnf6HC4cpvYvPr/s1600/201105-08-46-f0044846_1973369.jpg" /></a></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .57gd; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;">I am involved in a project called <span style="mso-field-code: "HYPERLINK \0022http\:\/\/hugjapan\.jp\/\0022 \\t \0022_blank\0022";"><span style="color: #d71600;"><u>Hug Japan</u></span></span> which will have an exhibition in New York.<br />
<br />
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“WE ARE HERE”<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>--- Little Voices and Art 311 Japan<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .57gd; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;">May 16th <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to 20th, 2011<br />
<br />
Gallery at AIGA National Design Center<br />
164 Fifth Avenue (between 21st and 22nd Streets) in New York City<br />
<br />
The following are three areas of our exhibition.<br />
</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; font-size: 12.0pt;">・</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;">Global Message Relay --- <span style="color: #d71600;"><u><a href="http://monchicamera.blogspot.com/2011/06/devastated-area-in-ibaragi-prefecture.html">Pitcures Drawn by Childrens of Disaster Areas</a></u></span><br />
</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; font-size: 12.0pt;">・</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;">Photo Exhibition --- “The Day, and After”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My photo exhibits of current Onagawa and the portraits of ship carpenters taken by my father.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .57gd; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; font-size: 12.0pt;">・</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;">A film of Onagawa from the viewpoint of Atsushi Sasaki, which was taken by my husband, Yusuke Suzuki.<br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><b><br />
</b></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
An insignificant photographer from the country now coming to the world’s stage! <br />
Never ever thought of such chance would come to show my “Onagawa” photos to the world…<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
There were reasons for my decision to participate in this project.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;">First, the paper the children are drawing on. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is unique Japanese paper called “Kangoshi,” which is a recycle from the paper on which people once wrote Buddhist scriptures in deep thought for special friends, benefactors or family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;">Also drawing pictures are therapeutic to children in disaster areas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Above all, the sense of connection with the world that these children can feel, knowing that their drawings are seen by people in foreign countries, gives them confidence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I heard this, I made up my mind right away.<br />
<br />
And my photo exhibits in collaboration with my father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been trying to heal myself by taking photos for the past two months. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Showing the work is having Onagawa known to the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
I heard that people who had suffered from the Great Hanshin Earthquake said “being forgotten is the saddest.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In two months after the earthquake, Onagawa has gone through reconstruction at full speed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The town is changing so rapidly that it hardly gives us time to mourn for the dead or to be filled with sorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Onagawa” will soon be forgotten.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
There was time when I thought that my taking photos would do nothing to help the reconstruction of the town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other hand, I thought giving a photo exhibition overseas might be useful. <br />
<br />
<br />
The Past (Father), the Present (I) and the Future (Children) on an axis of time ….Sounds like an interesting photo exhibit. <br />
I am so honored to be able to exhibit our work at a well-known New York gallery. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wonder if my parents pushed and backed me up? (or father simply wanted to go to New York himself?)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
This exhibit will go to Paris, France and then continue onto Taiwan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
I’m looking forward to reporting the exhibit to the children by showing a lot of pictures I take at each exhibition site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;">Oh, I’m so happy that I can be a bridge that connects them to the world. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment-->monchicamerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02413066745229994463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229241370736715276.post-81460493017167627952011-06-28T22:20:00.001+09:002011-06-28T22:21:25.417+09:00My father’s favorite items May 6, 2011<div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfbXKYbQUjg4vs37IUyATxiC3R1whiF70fYAk8dZmsGEoWup0_hFkSdOTqDPiD18Td-9_gGX9GoBtWwiRi4eWO3v5RROkoT8YEouxSVjARFvxxUc7Sp9151cd7TmrHSvxXpLGqrjmFuh18/s1600/f0044846_21145476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfbXKYbQUjg4vs37IUyATxiC3R1whiF70fYAk8dZmsGEoWup0_hFkSdOTqDPiD18Td-9_gGX9GoBtWwiRi4eWO3v5RROkoT8YEouxSVjARFvxxUc7Sp9151cd7TmrHSvxXpLGqrjmFuh18/s320/f0044846_21145476.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I went to Onagawa on May 2 and 3. <span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Lucida Grande';"><br />
</span>Amid Golden Week, Tohoku Highway was rather crowded. <span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Lucida Grande';"><br />
</span>In Onagawa, there were many cars with license plates from other prefectures or people who did not have Onagawa dialect. Did they come to see a world heritage site, Onagawa? Whether it was good or bad, I would want them to come back to Onagawa when it recovers as a port town to eat tasty fish. </div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBi6fapH5zL9WP7Z0XdT5nqjqS-DRKZEIPueMUyxOKXkEIwQj72yhcHDRqBOZcadJVU4eYdQFe6vYTBtqKxGiOq9yxbsCLNoiWmtV7cIdJ8RY1dOo8oFfwmp6RQBgbhFZpZSdY9f65tydI/s1600/f0044846_21125617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBi6fapH5zL9WP7Z0XdT5nqjqS-DRKZEIPueMUyxOKXkEIwQj72yhcHDRqBOZcadJVU4eYdQFe6vYTBtqKxGiOq9yxbsCLNoiWmtV7cIdJ8RY1dOo8oFfwmp6RQBgbhFZpZSdY9f65tydI/s320/f0044846_21125617.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0Z_juDVrZiw1IM10XnYyZJGdmPHy7UfDb2fF9WmHq_7I4bPO8FAAruQTjkn1H9BWVFu7h5QLbXr8-VoQSHf477agZ0TWcuFelVGiLzdHYTmkLj5yaOQ3bKYX3GE496UHLshUk9SPbh9Z/s1600/f0044846_211345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0Z_juDVrZiw1IM10XnYyZJGdmPHy7UfDb2fF9WmHq_7I4bPO8FAAruQTjkn1H9BWVFu7h5QLbXr8-VoQSHf477agZ0TWcuFelVGiLzdHYTmkLj5yaOQ3bKYX3GE496UHLshUk9SPbh9Z/s320/f0044846_211345.jpg" width="320" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: #333333;">Roads were made a little higher in the shape of a cross around Marine Pal. </span></a>It seems that it was to prevent flooding at the time of high tide. What a change in just 10 days as I was in Onagawa until 4/21. I can understand that people are talking about recovery, but when the town changes so rapidly at this pace, there is no time to be nostalgic. (laugh)<span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Lucida Grande';"><br />
<br />
</span>This time, I went as a group of three, with my husband and a former classmate, Mr. K. He experienced the Kobe earthquake when he was in high school. He was in the same photography department in Nihon University College of Art as me and we were in the same class for four years since the entry to the school. One time, he stayed at our house in Onagawa, so the visit this time seemed very shocking. He lost words to the damages caused by the tsunami, which is a little different from those by earthquakes, but still looked through the finder and clicked the shutter. <span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Lucida Grande';"><br />
<br />
</span>I am used to the scenes of Onagawa, however, I discovered something new by taking a friend with me. To my surprise, I found a 4x5 rails and a large tripod for the use in studio, both of which were my father’s favorite items. They were found at 50 ~ 100 meters west to the house. <span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Lucida Grande';"><br />
</span>I had been only looking 30 meters around the house. It is understandable that a photographer friend can find those items quickly. (laugh)<span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Lucida Grande';"><br />
<br />
</span>I just realized that it was a little strange to be called “rubble.”<span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Lucida Grande';"><br />
</span>What is on the ground is a collective mass of something that was part of our life, such as pillars of a house, a chest of drawers, clothes, and plates. My father’s camera equipment is now just iron scraps, but we could live thanks to the equipment. It did a good job until the end. I would like to thank not only to my father, but to the equipment. </div><div><br />
</div>monchicamerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02413066745229994463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229241370736715276.post-10572094427090309632011-06-28T22:16:00.002+09:002011-06-28T22:16:59.699+09:00From Hokkaido May 2, 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8a9wyAqLfnVbojcnD-J_pIEGQS4oqftWF4e1lw0aqAMaaoAea059Dzqw93rDQtnPNBdnmY2D7gnxto-AekW6nEugOjGZu4fGjEuwzF6G4EDuCxGNZibjS87f3c00Q5EYvmES_7ImhGYE/s1600/f0044846_12573679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8a9wyAqLfnVbojcnD-J_pIEGQS4oqftWF4e1lw0aqAMaaoAea059Dzqw93rDQtnPNBdnmY2D7gnxto-AekW6nEugOjGZu4fGjEuwzF6G4EDuCxGNZibjS87f3c00Q5EYvmES_7ImhGYE/s320/f0044846_12573679.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">A letter from a woman in Hokkaido was delivered to Asahi newspaper. It was from a 57-year-old woman who was born in Onagawa and spent her life there until 6<sup>th</sup> grade in elementary school. At the end of the letter where she wrote about her feelings towards her hometown and memories of Onagawa, she wrote a very surprising incident.<span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Lucida Grande';"><br />
<br />
<br />
</span>“A photo to commemorate my entrance to the elementary school was taken at the studio of your grandfather, but right before it was finished, the photo was washed away by the Chile tsunami and I could not receive it.”<span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Lucida Grande';"><br />
<br />
</span>It was May 24, 1960. The tsunami caused by the earthquake in Chile destroyed the first generation of the Sasaki Portrait Studio that my grandfather built. A lot of negatives were lost, too.<span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Lucida Grande';"><br />
<br />
</span>What were the feelings of my grandfather at the time? <span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Lucida Grande';"><br />
</span>What did my father feel about it when he returned from his training? <span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Lucida Grande';"><br />
</span>Later on, in 1972, my father built the current home (that was destroyed this time.) Did they ever imagine that the same thing would happen 39 years later?<span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Lucida Grande';"><br />
<br />
</span>I am sure they feel so mortifying.<span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Lucida Grande';"><br />
</span>We could not deliver the memory of the year 1960 to this lady, but somehow I would like to deliver my grandfather’s feelings.</div>monchicamerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02413066745229994463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229241370736715276.post-64234490886953514252011-06-28T22:14:00.000+09:002011-06-28T22:14:45.640+09:00From New Zealand May 1, 2011<div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzqSIhsZdEN8V-kEoujDKAFynhOIu2v2mx_ccnaeAEF6tNJy9pcTbm2rd2rYqnwGlzDzRLO6Q7e2OLT9n_hSZ5Z34FOpTKVVN-yBSIPQmBkZUa435EMx7ldVgo3FR-OleMY4TC1YIjoE7/s1600/f0044846_1137198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzqSIhsZdEN8V-kEoujDKAFynhOIu2v2mx_ccnaeAEF6tNJy9pcTbm2rd2rYqnwGlzDzRLO6Q7e2OLT9n_hSZ5Z34FOpTKVVN-yBSIPQmBkZUa435EMx7ldVgo3FR-OleMY4TC1YIjoE7/s320/f0044846_1137198.jpg" width="320" /></a>Messages came from elementary school children in New Zealand to an elementary school in Onagawa. <span style="font: 12.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
</span>A message and drawings from each and every child; I am sure they spared a lot of time and effort to write and draw.<span style="font: 12.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
</span>They were visualizing friends in far away Japan, whom they had never even met and trying to encourage them. <span style="font: 12.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
</span>I was moved as I turned the pages one by one. </div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Mr. Watarai, a teacher, put together everything neatly. He put round stickers around the holes of each page so that the holes would not break, attached drawings and messages on thicker paper and put Japanese translation. I see a sophisticated sense of art in his careful work. Their eyes that watch over children in the affected area from far away New Zealand; It is encouraging not only to students in Onagawa, but also for teachers in Onagawa. I will make sure to deliver your messages! Thank you, Ms.Watarai. I appreciate your kindness very much.</div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div>monchicamerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02413066745229994463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229241370736715276.post-6833232234097229292011-06-28T22:12:00.000+09:002011-06-28T22:12:56.427+09:00A Devastated Area in Ibaragi Prefecture May 1, 201<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">On April 28, I visited Takahagi Elementary School in Ibaragi prefecture.<br />
Located in the northern part of Ibaragi prefecture, the school is faced by the Pacific Ocean and is blessed with rich nature.<br />
The damage from the tsunami in this area was not in a great extent, but the devastation from the earthquake was substantial. The children in this area had been frightened for days as electricity and water had not been available for several days after the earthquake. And now they are scared of invisible radiation.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0kTXav42aqKoLvXaKOLYHLpZDbna4GlKovPItkItxoQ5n-7rMFGQIGBRKBhKkMIpdtCHoXWmassH049leG3vz1JYjdKAIE-vF0gNc6vDof0QtJ1TeaeA7-ECqwDSGybOXixU35opEYBak/s1600/f0044846_0174284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0kTXav42aqKoLvXaKOLYHLpZDbna4GlKovPItkItxoQ5n-7rMFGQIGBRKBhKkMIpdtCHoXWmassH049leG3vz1JYjdKAIE-vF0gNc6vDof0QtJ1TeaeA7-ECqwDSGybOXixU35opEYBak/s320/f0044846_0174284.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
I became involved with a project under which we have children in disaster areas draw some pictures or write messages and those will be exhibited in a gallery in New York. 106 students from the 4<sup>th</sup> and 5<sup>th</sup> grades of Takahagi Elementary School are participating in this project, representing children in Ibaragi Prefecture.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> </span> <br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"> <!--StartFragment--><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: JA;">First, a teacher introduced me to the students.<br />
“This young lady came from a town called Onagawa in the Sanriku region.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her house was washed away by the tsunami and she lost her mother and father.</span><!--EndFragment--></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: JA;"> <!--StartFragment--><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: JA;">She is here to take photos of you and your activities today.”<br />
Then 212 eyes gazed at me all together.<br />
What would it mean that people are dead and houses are lost?<br />
<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUaaEH_yBHYTzAmD1dU8-SZAVNXo-s9g2wOqMqvyLCNSaqoSKo8fSn2u_6pqboPJTuVBdd6fybnWnz9ie4ECzbTMFeFz10qItZlzDlYdO5gT8ATvR_aopsM7p4_Pr0OeykZuUh8munR-bh/s1600/f0044846_0175262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUaaEH_yBHYTzAmD1dU8-SZAVNXo-s9g2wOqMqvyLCNSaqoSKo8fSn2u_6pqboPJTuVBdd6fybnWnz9ie4ECzbTMFeFz10qItZlzDlYdO5gT8ATvR_aopsM7p4_Pr0OeykZuUh8munR-bh/s320/f0044846_0175262.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><br />
Children became vivid when they started drawing pictures.<br />
A child drawing with many colors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A child writing a message with an ink-brush-style pen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A child writing with a big, strong stroke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A child writing “Supporting Each Other” in a thin, narrow stroke. <br />
<br />
Common feeling among them is “Life”--- That is what I felt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZoyJf7QVVe12z-bcp_xC47Z0TgYKLqP-pbPD60EBGDMqExZ8G1dX_r4n-RTiXH2pzai5l5nnsXyaBJsD5f7lPjklxXnMnAIJC_NcwFvGMUShvZ4yRnu8nM0PsH0I-P9tIRdVUI8gU5SZ/s1600/201105-01-46-f0044846_0174674.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><br />
Gazing at me and my engagement in taking photos, one of the girls asked me if it was</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: JA;"> true that I lost my (parents’) home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She must have felt uneasy while asking me such a question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She grabbed my arms gently and said, “I hope you will find your parents soon.”</span></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZoyJf7QVVe12z-bcp_xC47Z0TgYKLqP-pbPD60EBGDMqExZ8G1dX_r4n-RTiXH2pzai5l5nnsXyaBJsD5f7lPjklxXnMnAIJC_NcwFvGMUShvZ4yRnu8nM0PsH0I-P9tIRdVUI8gU5SZ/s1600/201105-01-46-f0044846_0174674.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZoyJf7QVVe12z-bcp_xC47Z0TgYKLqP-pbPD60EBGDMqExZ8G1dX_r4n-RTiXH2pzai5l5nnsXyaBJsD5f7lPjklxXnMnAIJC_NcwFvGMUShvZ4yRnu8nM0PsH0I-P9tIRdVUI8gU5SZ/s320/201105-01-46-f0044846_0174674.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: JA;"> <br />
It seems that these girls wanted to help me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the students said, “You, too, keep your chin up, Sister!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are with you!”</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><br />
While I was taking photos, another child asked me, “Do you know about radiation?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to know if my school is safe.”<br />
Even though they want to ask their teachers and parents about radiation, no one really knows the situation regarding radiation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Living in this town means that these children have to face such risk.<br />
<br />
I myself have lived with the situation of Onagawa nuclear power plant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know painfully the situation that these children are placed in.<br />
<br />
Stress from the earthquake devastation and double calamity of nuclear power and earthquake.<br />
I want to brighten the future of these children.<br />
<br />
The photos of these children will be exhibited in New York as well to inform the world of the children who are making the best of their lives in the devastated areas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we will bring the exhibition back to Japan and tell the children living in the disaster areas that they are connected to the world, which hopefully </span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">will bring about confidence.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">It is a tiny activity but I myself too will be able to recover from this hardship.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">As a child grabbed my arm and whispered to me, I want to be such a presence to others.</span><br />
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</span>monchicamerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02413066745229994463noreply@blogger.com0