I was away for months (due to migrant work) and caused trouble to the local people, so I wanted to retire, come back here, and contribute to the community. Self-introduction My name is Tomio Yoshida. 76 years old born on March 23, 1935. My parents worked sawing and chopping wood. I am the second son of four brothers. When the Greater East Asian War started, I was in the fourth grade of elementary school. My father went to war, so my mother raised four boys by herself. My mother gave birth to more than 10 children, but only 4 are alive. During the war, we were poor, we had one light bulb, and we all shared the same thing. At that time, there was no rice, so my mother made katemeshi (sweet potato stalks, radish leaves, and a little bit of rice) for us to eat. I graduated from junior high school in 1950, became an apprentice at the age of 15, and trained in Ishinomaki for four years. In 1960, I got married and moved from Yanagisawa Village to Morisaki in Otomo Town. I have four children. One daughter and three sons. Now that I'm older, my eldest son was born in 1961 and worked at a sales office in Sendai, but now I'm working on computers in Tokyo. Same fate as me. My second son is also a carpenter in Tokyo. Born in 1972, the youngest third son is the heir, and works at the local city hall with his wife, who is a nursery teacher. Two grandchildren, the eldest son is in the second grade of elementary school, and the eldest daughter is 5 years old. At the age of 61, I got a car license and I'm going to pick up and drop off my grandson. Before the earthquake, I lived at home with my wife, my son, his wife, and two grandchildren. At 66, I retired. Originally a wood carpenter, but a formwork carpenter. For money, I did concrete work. Until August 2001, I lived and worked alone in Kiyose, Tokyo for over 40 years. The End of the War and the Principal's Words On August 15, 1945, all the students gathered in the school grounds because there was no work to do in the afternoon while they were clearing the land. When I went up to the stage, the principal said, "Japan has lost. What is Japan's fate? What are the lives of the people?" I thought that both Japan and I had lost the war. After the principal finished speaking, the female teacher stood in the schoolyard and cried. There was a rumor that if Japan lost to America, they would all be killed. That's why the teacher must have been sad and cried loudly. At that time, there was no food right after the war, so rice was rarely eaten. It was cold because the house had a thatched roof, not a house where condensation would form like it does now. In the spring, I had a farming holiday to help my parents. The yellowed wheat was cut and dried. Then, in early spring, we picked mulberries and shikana (vegetables, eaten raw or pickled) that grow in the mountains. In autumn, persimmons were eaten as kushigaki (persimmon skins are dried. Today they are hung from threads, but back then they were skewered). There was nothing to eat anyway, so I ate mountain nuts. I secretly ate the kushigaki and got scolded by my mother. I'm sure that was the case everywhere. There were no candies or anything in the shop. In the summer, there are a lot of mosquitoes at home, so we burned the grass on the dirt floor to drive the mosquitoes out, and then we all slept under the mosquito net. Occasionally, mosquitoes also enter through the torn part. It was really peaceful. 15 Years Old - Hard Training Immediately after graduating from junior high school, I went to Kakeyama in Miyagi and trained under my master and my uncle. Whether it was winter or summer, he got up early in the morning and only his master had a bicycle, so he carried a toolbox on his back and walked. After work in the morning, I ate breakfast. After that, I worked until noon and had a feast with the farmers during the day. At night, I worked until I could not see my hands and feet. There's no such thing as an eight-hour workday like today. Looking back on those days, I remember thinking that when the farmers laid out rice bowls around noon, they would soon be ready to eat. I couldn't work, but eating was the only thing I could do. My master scolded me all the time, and once said that I was slow at work and hit me with a hammer. He was embarrassed to be seen around. For four years, he cried because he couldn't work. But I had a great time on my day off. I got about 300 yen and went to a movie theater in Ishinomaki with my fellow disciples. One day, I was told that it would be a learning experience because how to put together an offertory box is difficult. So I went to Shiogama Shrine, which has more than 200 stone steps in Ishinomaki, to see how the offertory box was put together. It's just a box, but it's amazing because it's put together without using nails. I've been looking at the offertory box for a long time, so this time the shrine maiden is suspicious and is staring at me. Migrant Workers - Days when I lived separately from my family I have a dormitory in Kiyose City, Tokyo, but I've been to many places. From 1960 to 1962, I worked in Asahikawa City, Hokkaido. At that time, of course, there were no telephones in the countryside. I can't even hear my wife's voice. You send money once a month. You'll get the answer from your wife. That one time. I was looking forward to the story of my child in the letter once a month. Sometimes I went to Chikura beach in Chiba and did a job to build a villa. I became friends with an ama and got some abalone. Two men worked from morning until night and built it in three months from June to August. Since 1968, I've been doing construction work on condominiums at Naeba Ski Resort in Niigata for 13 years. In winter, if you cross the Gunma Tunnel, even in mid-April, you will see a silver world. That snow surprised me. It's the middle of April. Even living in a group and comparing the height of the body. If both of us get emotional and just say what we want to say, we can't stop quarreling. My wife was here (Rikuzentakata) doing household chores, raising children, and farming all by herself. I can go back to my hometown three times a year. I was looking forward to coming back to Otomo town. When you go back to Otomocho, buy some souvenirs at Ueno station. I really wanted to see my son's face. When I come back, the rice field spreads all over, and I can hear frogs croaking at night, and I feel like I'm back. Tokyo will be noisy. It will be hot in August. Otomo town is quiet as a scene. On the 17th, there was a festival at Tatsuka Shrine, and there were a lot of stalls. Local vegetables and so on. Boiled corn or something. It thrives in the area. In autumn, the rice grows and turns a golden color. Exorcism on New Year's Day. Also, around the time my sons got used to being dads, I returned to Tokyo. When I go back to Tokyo, it's the complete opposite of when I come to Otomocho. Oh, I was lonely. It's been hard for years. I really gave my wife a hard time. Because she was playing the role of a woman and the role of a man by myself. She had to do it even if it was bad. The paddy fields were about 2 hectares long, and I still feel sorry for her cutting them all by herself without a machine and letting them dry. That's why you don't know the pain of migrant work unless you've experienced it. I was away for months and caused trouble to the local people, so I didn't forget to say "Thank you for your help" and bring a gift every time I returned. If I come back, I would be told to come home. I retired, came back here, and wanted to do something that could contribute to the community. Contribution to the Community: Buraku Chairman and Community Events In August 2001, after turning 66, I retired. The following year, I went to see Aoba Castle on a study trip for the elderly classroom. I was called out and for three years from 2007 to 2010, I was an officer (Buraku president). On New Year's Day, see, exorcism, the children dance, cups and fans, and the adults of the PTA walk around playing drums and whistles. There are 72 or 3 events in the Tatsuka village, but they are divided into two groups and dance on New Year's Day. On New Year's Day last year, it was featured on NTV's Zoom In, and because it was a live program, about 20 elementary school students woke up at 5:00 to rehearse. The sea breeze blows up, and the children start crying because it is strong and cold. But it only appeared on TV for about 30 seconds. In the past, we didn't have amps or equipment, but these days the population is declining in this area, and the number of people playing flutes is decreasing, so these days it's tape. On August 17th, I did a children's sword dance. Wear a mask, wear a hanten (short coat), wear an apron, and dance with a fan and cup. After that, members of the Women's Association danced Bon dance, and junior high school students played drums. There is a youth group of about 20 men in their 30s and 40s who make oden and other dishes and set up stalls. Everyone chooses and buys for 100 yen, but it's actually a deficit. On October 10th, the townspeople's athletic meet. Player selection, two people from each household. It's a ball throw, a parent-child relay. But in the past few years, even if I go to the parent-child relay, I don't have a child. In June, August and October, we also cut grass at more than 70 houses. Everyone is getting old, and it takes 20 minutes to get to the precincts of the shrine, but I thought that there would be no more people carrying a lawnmower to the precincts. Once a year, at the end of January, the entire tribe gathers for a general meeting. I decided annual events and reported what I did. Also, whenever there is an event, the tribal president has to speak. So I thought about that sentence. There was no event this year due to the earthquake. You did a great job negotiating Teodori In 2008, I put out Teodori for the first time in 16 years. A two-day festival on October 4th and 5th. Hachiman Shrine and Yanoura Fishing Port are nearby shrines. In 1992 there were 20 people, but in 2008 there were 65 people including small children. That's why the people of Otomo were so surprised. I decided to do it at an extraordinary general meeting, and at first I thought it would be nice if 40 people gathered. However, in one family, as many as five people were sent out. Considering that it was raining outside for practice, I walked around elementary and junior high schools and negotiated with the principal to let me use the gymnasium. I was told that I couldn't lend it to one tribe, but I visited many times and asked. Finally, I called a dance teacher and practiced for days. I was scolded by my family and danced. However, this earthquake killed 12 people in the entire Tatsuka village, and one person has yet to be found. That was the big earthquake. I thought I would cry. Tsunami of March 11th After 14:00, elementary school ended early, so I went to pick up my grandson, and the grandma and grandson were sitting in the living room at home. It was long with strong tremors. At 2:45 p.m., a large tsunami warning was issued on the city's disaster prevention radio, and the tsunami was reported to be 3 meters high. Twenty-five years ago, I reclaimed a rice field and my house is on a little hill, so I thought that the tsunami wouldn't hit my house. I climbed the hill in the back of the house, including the surrounding family. Then there was a loud noise and a black wave came. When I looked to the west this time, I could see waves coming from the shadows of the mountains because there was an ocean. In short, the waves from the fishing port collided with the waves from Hirota Bay. It became a huge energy and washed away the Wagon R that I had just bought in the garden. After that, the hall, the garage, and the house immediately floated and were washed away by the road. It really happened in an instant. It's getting dark, and from the hill to the auto campsite. I was crammed and put on someone's light truck bed, and I arrived at Mobilia. Put a blue sheet on the concrete of the warehouse. There is nothing in the tsunami. It's cold. We all sleep like small fish. No electricity, no bath. No hot water. Aftershocks are coming and I'm scared. The clothes are the same, nothing to replace. At night, the people of the Nakazato village of less than 10 households brought rice balls, soup kitchens, and blankets, and everyone from children to the elderly went to sleep thanks to these gifts. I was grateful. After the earthquake On March 12th, when I woke up in the morning, I had my driver's license, wallet, insurance card, and other important things in my car, so I went to look for them. There was a lot of rubble in the landfill, and I searched for it, wondering where my beloved car was. There was a puddle and I was half submerged. It's cold and cold. After searching for 3 days, I found it. I climbed on the hood and dodged the mud with a scrap. Then, I went to my parents' house to get fresh water, washed away the mud, and dried my driver's license, wallet, etc. Not only that, I don't know if she had died because his wife wasn’t there (his son's wife). I can't get through the phone. My grandchildren will cry "Mama" too. Just tell me you're coming. About 10 days later, my daughter-in-law's father brought her. For the first time, I learned that my family of six was safe. I feel relieved. A few days later, I boiled hot water at a private house in the Nakazato village, said, "Iriko," and took a bath about 20 minutes away on foot. On March 30th, I was taken to Yonezaki-cho and went to the Japanese Self-Defense Forces bath. Power of women At the evacuation center, women gathered and formed a cooking team. Have a meeting at night and think about the menu. After confirming the number of people, I cook and carry meals not only for the center house people but also for the elderly people in the dome for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I worked hard and didn't seem to have time to rest. If I was in charge of cooking every other day, there would be differences of opinion, and I would have to be careful about the taste of the soup and how to cut the vegetables. I laid out a vinyl sheet in the hall of the center house, pulled out the futon, woke up at 5:00 in the morning, got ready, carried it, prepared for lunch without a nap, and carried it again. From now on Experiencing the great Tsunami : Though my property and car were swept away, I am grateful that I still have my family of six and my life. However, it breaks my heart to think of the families who lost their most beloved relatives, and the families who are still missing. It's just about me, but it was an indescribable feeling to have my house, car, and parking lot that I had built by working alone for over 40 years in Tokyo washed away in an instant. All my old correspondence, cassette tapes, and photos were washed away. My clothes were also washed away, so I received supplies and the clothes I'm wearing now. Even now, when I wake up in the middle of the night, I suddenly think that I was swept away in an instant. Only the foundation remained. It was also removed, so it became just land. I think it's a waste of land. Houses cannot be built on land damaged by the tsunami. That's why, from June 20th, we will start living independently in temporary housing, and this time we have to live on our own. For a while, I received rice as supplies, and I received clean water. But I can't stay in temporary housing for years, so I have to find high ground and buy land, but from now on, I'll leave it to my son and his wife. So, I want to have a house built and live with everyone. It's hard.
自己紹介
私はね、吉田富男（よしだとみお）。昭和10年3月23日生まれの76歳。両親は木挽き、木を切る仕事してた。男4人の兄弟で、次男坊。小学校4年生のときに大東亜戦争が始まると、父親が戦争に行ったから、母親が細々と女手1人で男4人育てたんだ。おふくろは10人以上子ども産んだんだけど、生きてるのは4人だけ。戦争の時期は貧しくて、電球は1つで、みんなで同じとこさいた。あの当時米がなくて、母親がかて飯（さつまいもの茎に大根の葉、少しだけお米をいれたご飯）を作って食べさせてくれた。
昭和25年に中学校卒業して、15歳から弟子に入り、4年間石巻で修行した。昭和35年、結婚して、柳沢部落から小友町（おともちょう）の森崎に婿に入った。子どもはね、4人いるんだ。娘1人に息子が3人。今は大きくなって、長男は昭和36年生まれで仙台の営業所で務めたんだけど、今は東京でコンピューター関係の仕事してる。おらと同じ運命だ。次男も東京で大工してる。昭和47年生まれの末っ子の三男が跡取りで、保育士の妻もらって、地元の市役所に務めてる。孫は2人、長男が小学2年生、長女が5歳。61歳で泣き泣き車の免許を取って、おらが孫の送り迎えするんだ。地震が起きる前は家でばあちゃん（妻）に息子にその妻、孫2人で暮らしてた。
66歳で退職。元々は木造大工だけど、型枠大工。金になるんで、コンクリート工事をした。平成13年8月まで東京の清瀬市で40数年間１人暮らししながら、働いてた。
終戦と校長先生の言葉
昭和20年8月15日、開墾作業しているうちに、午後の作業がなくなって全生徒が校庭に集まったんだ。檀上にあがって校長先生が「日本は負けた。日本の運命は…。国民の命は…」なんていう内容の話をしてさ、おらも日本も戦争に負けたんだと思った。校長先生のお話が終わった後に、校庭で女の先生が立ったまま、泣くのよ。あれは日本がアメリカに負けたら皆殺しにされるって、そういう噂が立ったんだもん。だから先生も悲しくて大きな声を張り上げて泣いたんだろうな。
当時、終戦直後は食べ物もないから、お米なんてめったに食べれなくて、お正月だけは白いお米、あんころ餅を食べられたんだ。今みたいに結露が出るような家じゃなくて、茅葺き屋根の家だから寒かった。春には親を手伝うために、農繁休業があったの。黄色くなった麦を刈って、乾燥させた。それから、春先は野山になる桑の実や「しかな」（野菜。生か漬物にして食べる）を採った。秋には柿を串柿（柿の皮を干す。今は糸から吊るすが、当時は串刺し）にして食べた。とにかく食べるものがないから、山の実を食べたもんだ。こっそりその串柿を食べて、母親に怒られた。どこのうちでもきっとそうだった。お店には飴玉も何もなかった。夏に家では、蚊がいっぱいいるから、草を土間で焼いて、蚊を追い出してから、蚊帳の中でみんなで雑魚寝したんだ。時には破れたとこから、プーッと蚊も入ってくる。本当にのどかだったなー。
15才―辛い修行
中学校卒業してすぐに、宮城の佳景山（かけやま）さ行って、師匠さ、叔父のとこさで修行した。冬だって夏だって、朝っぱらから起きて、師匠しか自転車は持っていなかったから、道具箱背負って歩いていくわけよ。朝、仕事してから朝食食べた。それから、昼まで働いて、農家さんに昼間はごちそうになった。夜は手元・足元が見えなくなるまで働いた。今みたいに8時間労働なんてないんだから。当時を思い出すと、昼ごろになって、農家の人が茶碗なんか並べると、早く飯になんねえかなと思っていたもんだ。仕事はできないけど、食うことだけが一人前だった。師匠には年がら年中怒られて、ある時は仕事がのろいと言われて、金槌でターッと叩かれた。周りに見られるのが恥ずかしかった。仕事ができない悔しさで4年間、泣きながら働いていた。だけど休みの日は楽しかったな。300円くらいもらって、兄弟弟子と石巻の映画館に行った。
ある時、お賽銭箱の組み方は難しいから勉強になると言われた。だから、石巻にある石段が二百何十段もある塩釜神社に行って、お賽銭箱の組み方を見に行った。ただの箱なんだけども、釘も使わないで組んであるからすごいんだよ。ずっと賽銭箱見てるもんだから、今度は巫女さんが怪しがって来て、じっとこっちを見てるんだ。
出稼ぎ―家族と別々で暮らした日々
東京の清瀬市に宿舎があるだけで、色んなところに行ったんだ。昭和35年から37年まで、北海道の旭川市で働いた。その時は田舎のほうにはもちろん電話がなかった。妻の声も聴けない。月に1回お金を送金するでしょ。その返事が妻から来るでしょ。そのたった1回。その月1回のお手紙の、子どもの話とかが楽しみだった。
時には千葉の千倉の海岸に行って、別荘建てる仕事もしたんだ。海女さんと仲良くなって、アワビをもらったの。男2人で朝から晩まで働いて、6月から8月までの3ヶ月間で建てた。昭和43年から、新潟の苗場スキー場で13年間マンションの工事とかやってきたの。冬になって、群馬のトンネルを越えれば、4月中旬でも一面、銀世界よ。あの雪にはびっくりしたあ。4月の中旬だよ。団体生活もして、肉体の背比べだってば。お互い感情的になって言いたいことは言ってばかりでは喧嘩が絶えないもん。妻はここ（陸前高田）で家事に子育て、農業を女手一人でこなした。
帰省できるのは年に3回で、5月の連休4日・5日間とお盆は10日間と正月。小友町に帰ってくるのが楽しみだった。小友町に帰る時は上野駅でお土産を買ってなあ。そりゃあ早く息子の顔が見たかった。帰ると、一面に田んぼが広がって、夜はカエルの鳴き声がガーガーと聞こえてきて、戻ってきた気持ちになるんだ。東京は騒音でしょう。8月になったら、暑いしなあ。小友町はシーンとして静かでさあ、のどか。17日は田束神社で祭りがあって屋台がいっぱい出てさ。地域の野菜とかさ。とうもろこしとか茹でてさ。地域で盛り上がるんだ。秋になると米が実って一面、小金色。元旦になると悪魔払い。また、息子たちが父ちゃんってなついた頃に、東京さ戻ったんだ。東京に帰るときは小友町に来るときと全く逆なんだ。そりゃあ、寂しかったあ。何年たっても辛かったな。女房には本当に苦労かけたなあ。一人で女役、男役やってたからな。具合悪くてもやらなきゃいけなかったからね。田は2反分くらいあって、一人で機械なしで刈って、稲を乾燥させて、今でも申し訳ないと思ってる。だから、出稼ぎの辛さは経験したものでなきゃ分からないな。何か月も留守して、地域の人にも迷惑かけたから、帰る度に「お世話さま」って挨拶と手土産は忘れなかったなあ。帰ってくれば、お帰りって言ってくれたな。退職して、こっちさ帰ってきて、地域に貢献できることをしたかったんだ。
地域への貢献―部落会長と地域行事
平成13年の8月、66歳になってから退職した。次の年に高齢者教室の研修旅行で青葉城とかに見学に行った。声をかけられて、平成19年から22年の3年間、役員（部落会長）をやった。元旦には、ほら、悪魔払いって言って、子ども達が踊って、杯と扇子を持って、PTAの大人達が太鼓とか笛吹いて歩く。田束部落には72、3件あるんだけど、2班に分かれて元旦に踊って歩くわけよ。
去年の元旦には日本テレビのズームインに取り上げられて、生番組だから、小学生が約20人起きて、5時に起きてリハーサル。海風が吹き上げて、強風で寒いから子どもたちが泣き出すわけだ。だけどテレビに映ったのは30秒くらいだったな。昔はアンプとか設備もないけど、最近はこっちの地域は人口減少だし、笛を吹く人も減るから、最近ではテープでさ。
8月17日には子ども剣舞をやって。面を被って、装束（半纏）を着て、前掛けをして、扇子に杯を持って踊るんだ。その後には婦人会のメンバーの盆踊り、中学生が太鼓。30代から40代の、20名くらいの男性の青年部があれよ、おでんとか料理とか作って、露店をする。100円で皆で選んで買って、本当は赤字なわけ。
10月10日には町民運動会。選手選考、家1軒からは1人出れるように。玉入れだとか、親子リレーとか。でも、ここ数年は親子リレーっていっても子どもがいないからさ。
6月、8月、10月に、70軒以上で草刈作業もする。みんな高齢化してさ、神社の境内まで行くのに20分かかるけど、草刈り機担いで、境内まで上がる人がなくなってくるなあと思ってさ。
年に1度、1月末には部落全部集まって総会がある。年間行事を決めたり、したことを報告したりしたな。それと、何か行事があるたび部落会長はお話をしなきゃいけない。だから、その文章を考えたりもしてた。今年は震災だから何にも行事はなかった。
手踊りの交渉、頑張ったな
平成20年に、16年ぶりに手踊りを出したわけよ。10月4日・5日に2日間のお祭り。八幡神社と矢の浦漁港ってとこの近くの神社でさ。平成4年は20人だったのに、平成20年は小さい子どもを集めて65人。だから小友町の人はびっくりしたわけよ。臨時総会でやると決めて、最初は40人集まればいいなあって思っていたわけだ。けれど、ある家族では5人も出してくれたわけ。練習のために外で雨が降ったことも考えて、小学校・中学校を回って歩いて、校長先生に体育館を貸してもらえるよう交渉した。「1つの部落に貸すわけにはいかない」とも言われたけど、何度も足を運んでお願いしたんだ。やっとこさ、踊りの先生も呼んで、何日も練習したわけよ。私も家族に怒られ怒られ踊ったんだよ。
だけど今回の地震で田束部落全体では12人も犠牲になって、まだ1人、見つかってないの。大震災はあれだ。涙が出る思いだよ。
3月11日の大津波
14時過ぎ、小学校が早く終わるから、孫を迎えに行って、おばあちゃんと孫と3人で家の茶の間にいた。強い揺れで長かった。14時45分、市内の防災無線で大津波警報がでて、津波が3mと伝えられた。25年前、田んぼを埋め立て、少し高台に家があるから、甘い考えでうちまで津波が上がらないだろうと思った。
家の奥の高台に、周囲の家族も含め登った。そしたら、ものすごい音がして、黒い波が来た。今度は西の方を見たら、海があるから山の影からダーッと波が来るのが見えた。要するに、漁港からの波と広田湾の波がぶつかった。巨大なエネルギーになって、庭にあった、買ったばかりのワゴンRが流されたんだ。その後、すぐに広間と車庫、家が浮いて、道に流されていってしまった。本当に一瞬の出来事だった。
暗くなってきて、高台からオートキャンプ場に。ぎゅうぎゅうづめで、誰かの軽トラの荷台に乗せてもらって、着いたところがモビリアよ。倉庫のコンクリにブルーシート敷いて。津波で何もないんだもん。寒いし。みんなで雑魚寝。電気もないし、風呂もないし。お湯もない。余震も来るし、怖い。洋服もその時のまま、取り換えるものもない。夜、10軒足らずの中里部落の人が、おにぎりや炊き出し、毛布を持ってきてくれて、子どもから年寄まで雑魚寝。ありがたかったなあ。
震災後
3月12日、朝起きてさ、車の中に免許証、財布、保険証、大事なもの入れてあったわけ、それを探しに行った。埋立地にがれきがいっぱいあって、愛車どこさいったかなあと思いながら探した。水たまりがあって、体が半分浸かってしまった。寒くて寒くて。3日間も探して、発見した。ボンネットに上がって泥を切れ端でよけた。そして、真水を実家に取りに行って、泥を流して、免許証、財布などを干した。
それだけじゃなくて、嫁さん（息子の妻）が居なくてさ、亡くなったか分からない。電話も通じないわけよ。孫たちも「ママー」と泣くわけよ。来るからなって言ってさあ。10日後くらいに嫁さんを嫁さんの父さんが連れてきてくれたんだ。家族6人、無事だと初めて知ったんだ。安心したな。
何日か経って、中里部落の個人の家でお湯を沸かして、「入りこ」って言ってくれて、歩いて20分くらいのところにお風呂をいただいたの。3月30日には、米崎町に送り迎えしてもらって、自衛隊の風呂に入りに行った。
女性陣の力
避難所では女性が集まり、炊事班を結成した。夜は会議を開き、献立を考えて。人数確認して、センターハウスの人だけでなく、ドームのお年寄りにも朝・昼・晩にご飯を作り、運ぶ。苦労したし、休む暇がなかったようだ。1日おきに炊事を担当しては、意見の食い違いも出るし、汁の味、野菜の切り方にも神経使ったわけよ。センターハウスの広間でビニールシート敷いて布団引いて、朝5時起きて、用意して、運んで、昼寝もせずに昼の準備、そしてまた運んだんだ。
今後
大津波を体験して、財産・車とも流されたけんども、家族6人、命があるばりもありがたい。だけども最愛の肉親を亡くされた家族、まだ行方不明になってる家族を思うと胸が張り裂ける思いだ。私ごとだけど、東京さ一人で暮らして40数年間、年中出稼ぎして建てた家・車・駐車場が一瞬で流されてしまって、なんとも言えない気持ちだった。昔からの文通もカセットテープも写真も全部流されてしまった。服も流されてしまったから、物資をいただいて、今着てる服ももらったもんだ。
今でも夜中に目が覚めると、一瞬にして流されてしまったなあ、とふと浮かんでくるんだ。基礎と土台だけ残った。それも撤去してもらったから、ただの土地になってしまって。もったいない土地だなあと思う。津波で被災した土地に家は建てられない。だからあれだよ、6月20日から仮設住宅で自立の暮らしが始まって、今度は自分達で生活していかんきゃいけない。しばらくはお米を物資でいただいて、綺麗な水を貰ってな。でも、仮設住宅に何年も入ってられねえからさ、高台を見つけて、土地を求めなきゃいけないんだけども、今後は息子夫婦たちにまかせる。そんで、家を建ててもらって、みんなで住みたい。大変だけどさ。
I was away for months (due to migrant work) and caused trouble to the local people, so I wanted to retire, come back here, and contribute to the community.
Self-introduction
My name is Tomio Yoshida. 76 years old born on March 23, 1935. My parents worked sawing and chopping wood. I am the second son of four brothers. When the Greater East Asian War started, I was in the fourth grade of elementary school. My father went to war, so my mother raised four boys by herself. My mother gave birth to more than 10 children, but only 4 are alive. During the war, we were poor, we had one light bulb, and we all shared the same thing. At that time, there was no rice, so my mother made katemeshi (sweet potato stalks, radish leaves, and a little bit of rice) for us to eat.
I graduated from junior high school in 1950, became an apprentice at the age of 15, and trained in Ishinomaki for four years. In 1960, I got married and moved from Yanagisawa Village to Morisaki in Otomo Town. I have four children. One daughter and three sons. Now that I'm older, my eldest son was born in 1961 and worked at a sales office in Sendai, but now I'm working on computers in Tokyo. Same fate as me. My second son is also a carpenter in Tokyo. Born in 1972, the youngest third son is the heir, and works at the local city hall with his wife, who is a nursery teacher. Two grandchildren, the eldest son is in the second grade of elementary school, and the eldest daughter is 5 years old. At the age of 61, I got a car license and I'm going to pick up and drop off my grandson. Before the earthquake, I lived at home with my wife, my son, his wife, and two grandchildren.
At 66, I retired. Originally a wood carpenter, but a formwork carpenter. For money, I did concrete work. Until August 2001, I lived and worked alone in Kiyose, Tokyo for over 40 years.
The End of the War and the Principal's Words
On August 15, 1945, all the students gathered in the school grounds because there was no work to do in the afternoon while they were clearing the land. When I went up to the stage, the principal said, "Japan has lost. What is Japan's fate? What are the lives of the people?" I thought that both Japan and I had lost the war. After the principal finished speaking, the female teacher stood in the schoolyard and cried. There was a rumor that if Japan lost to America, they would all be killed. That's why the teacher must have been sad and cried loudly.
At that time, there was no food right after the war, so rice was rarely eaten. It was cold because the house had a thatched roof, not a house where condensation would form like it does now. In the spring, I had a farming holiday to help my parents. The yellowed wheat was cut and dried. Then, in early spring, we picked mulberries and shikana (vegetables, eaten raw or pickled) that grow in the mountains. In autumn, persimmons were eaten as kushigaki (persimmon skins are dried. Today they are hung from threads, but back then they were skewered). There was nothing to eat anyway, so I ate mountain nuts. I secretly ate the kushigaki and got scolded by my mother. I'm sure that was the case everywhere. There were no candies or anything in the shop. In the summer, there are a lot of mosquitoes at home, so we burned the grass on the dirt floor to drive the mosquitoes out, and then we all slept under the mosquito net. Occasionally, mosquitoes also enter through the torn part. It was really peaceful.
15 Years Old - Hard Training
Immediately after graduating from junior high school, I went to Kakeyama in Miyagi and trained under my master and my uncle. Whether it was winter or summer, he got up early in the morning and only his master had a bicycle, so he carried a toolbox on his back and walked. After work in the morning, I ate breakfast. After that, I worked until noon and had a feast with the farmers during the day. At night, I worked until I could not see my hands and feet. There's no such thing as an eight-hour workday like today. Looking back on those days, I remember thinking that when the farmers laid out rice bowls around noon, they would soon be ready to eat. I couldn't work, but eating was the only thing I could do. My master scolded me all the time, and once said that I was slow at work and hit me with a hammer. He was embarrassed to be seen around. For four years, he cried because he couldn't work. But I had a great time on my day off. I got about 300 yen and went to a movie theater in Ishinomaki with my fellow disciples.
One day, I was told that it would be a learning experience because how to put together an offertory box is difficult. So I went to Shiogama Shrine, which has more than 200 stone steps in Ishinomaki, to see how the offertory box was put together. It's just a box, but it's amazing because it's put together without using nails. I've been looking at the offertory box for a long time, so this time the shrine maiden is suspicious and is staring at me.
Migrant Workers - Days when I lived separately from my family
I have a dormitory in Kiyose City, Tokyo, but I've been to many places. From 1960 to 1962, I worked in Asahikawa City, Hokkaido. At that time, of course, there were no telephones in the countryside. I can't even hear my wife's voice. You send money once a month. You'll get the answer from your wife. That one time. I was looking forward to the story of my child in the letter once a month.
Sometimes I went to Chikura beach in Chiba and did a job to build a villa. I became friends with an ama and got some abalone. Two men worked from morning until night and built it in three months from June to August. Since 1968, I've been doing construction work on condominiums at Naeba Ski Resort in Niigata for 13 years. In winter, if you cross the Gunma Tunnel, even in mid-April, you will see a silver world. That snow surprised me. It's the middle of April. Even living in a group and comparing the height of the body. If both of us get emotional and just say what we want to say, we can't stop quarreling. My wife was here (Rikuzentakata) doing household chores, raising children, and farming all by herself.
I can go back to my hometown three times a year. I was looking forward to coming back to Otomo town. When you go back to Otomocho, buy some souvenirs at Ueno station. I really wanted to see my son's face. When I come back, the rice field spreads all over, and I can hear frogs croaking at night, and I feel like I'm back. Tokyo will be noisy. It will be hot in August. Otomo town is quiet as a scene. On the 17th, there was a festival at Tatsuka Shrine, and there were a lot of stalls. Local vegetables and so on. Boiled corn or something. It thrives in the area. In autumn, the rice grows and turns a golden color. Exorcism on New Year's Day. Also, around the time my sons got used to being dads, I returned to Tokyo. When I go back to Tokyo, it's the complete opposite of when I come to Otomocho. Oh, I was lonely. It's been hard for years. I really gave my wife a hard time. Because she was playing the role of a woman and the role of a man by myself. She had to do it even if it was bad. The paddy fields were about 2 hectares long, and I still feel sorry for her cutting them all by herself without a machine and letting them dry. That's why you don't know the pain of migrant work unless you've experienced it. I was away for months and caused trouble to the local people, so I didn't forget to say "Thank you for your help" and bring a gift every time I returned. If I come back, I would be told to come home. I retired, came back here, and wanted to do something that could contribute to the community.
Contribution to the Community: Buraku Chairman and Community Events
In August 2001, after turning 66, I retired. The following year, I went to see Aoba Castle on a study trip for the elderly classroom. I was called out and for three years from 2007 to 2010, I was an officer (Buraku president). On New Year's Day, see, exorcism, the children dance, cups and fans, and the adults of the PTA walk around playing drums and whistles. There are 72 or 3 events in the Tatsuka village, but they are divided into two groups and dance on New Year's Day.
On New Year's Day last year, it was featured on NTV's Zoom In, and because it was a live program, about 20 elementary school students woke up at 5:00 to rehearse. The sea breeze blows up, and the children start crying because it is strong and cold. But it only appeared on TV for about 30 seconds. In the past, we didn't have amps or equipment, but these days the population is declining in this area, and the number of people playing flutes is decreasing, so these days it's tape.
On August 17th, I did a children's sword dance. Wear a mask, wear a hanten (short coat), wear an apron, and dance with a fan and cup. After that, members of the Women's Association danced Bon dance, and junior high school students played drums. There is a youth group of about 20 men in their 30s and 40s who make oden and other dishes and set up stalls. Everyone chooses and buys for 100 yen, but it's actually a deficit.
On October 10th, the townspeople's athletic meet. Player selection, two people from each household. It's a ball throw, a parent-child relay. But in the past few years, even if I go to the parent-child relay, I don't have a child.
In June, August and October, we also cut grass at more than 70 houses. Everyone is getting old, and it takes 20 minutes to get to the precincts of the shrine, but I thought that there would be no more people carrying a lawnmower to the precincts.
Once a year, at the end of January, the entire tribe gathers for a general meeting. I decided annual events and reported what I did. Also, whenever there is an event, the tribal president has to speak. So I thought about that sentence. There was no event this year due to the earthquake.
You did a great job negotiating Teodori
In 2008, I put out Teodori for the first time in 16 years. A two-day festival on October 4th and 5th. Hachiman Shrine and Yanoura Fishing Port are nearby shrines. In 1992 there were 20 people, but in 2008 there were 65 people including small children. That's why the people of Otomo were so surprised. I decided to do it at an extraordinary general meeting, and at first I thought it would be nice if 40 people gathered. However, in one family, as many as five people were sent out. Considering that it was raining outside for practice, I walked around elementary and junior high schools and negotiated with the principal to let me use the gymnasium. I was told that I couldn't lend it to one tribe, but I visited many times and asked. Finally, I called a dance teacher and practiced for days. I was scolded by my family and danced.
However, this earthquake killed 12 people in the entire Tatsuka village, and one person has yet to be found. That was the big earthquake. I thought I would cry.
Tsunami of March 11th
After 14:00, elementary school ended early, so I went to pick up my grandson, and the grandma and grandson were sitting in the living room at home. It was long with strong tremors. At 2:45 p.m., a large tsunami warning was issued on the city's disaster prevention radio, and the tsunami was reported to be 3 meters high. Twenty-five years ago, I reclaimed a rice field and my house is on a little hill, so I thought that the tsunami wouldn't hit my house.
I climbed the hill in the back of the house, including the surrounding family. Then there was a loud noise and a black wave came. When I looked to the west this time, I could see waves coming from the shadows of the mountains because there was an ocean. In short, the waves from the fishing port collided with the waves from Hirota Bay. It became a huge energy and washed away the Wagon R that I had just bought in the garden. After that, the hall, the garage, and the house immediately floated and were washed away by the road. It really happened in an instant.
It's getting dark, and from the hill to the auto campsite. I was crammed and put on someone's light truck bed, and I arrived at Mobilia. Put a blue sheet on the concrete of the warehouse. There is nothing in the tsunami. It's cold. We all sleep like small fish. No electricity, no bath. No hot water. Aftershocks are coming and I'm scared. The clothes are the same, nothing to replace. At night, the people of the Nakazato village of less than 10 households brought rice balls, soup kitchens, and blankets, and everyone from children to the elderly went to sleep thanks to these gifts. I was grateful.
After the earthquake
On March 12th, when I woke up in the morning, I had my driver's license, wallet, insurance card, and other important things in my car, so I went to look for them. There was a lot of rubble in the landfill, and I searched for it, wondering where my beloved car was. There was a puddle and I was half submerged. It's cold and cold. After searching for 3 days, I found it. I climbed on the hood and dodged the mud with a scrap. Then, I went to my parents' house to get fresh water, washed away the mud, and dried my driver's license, wallet, etc.
Not only that, I don't know if she had died because his wife wasn’t there (his son's wife). I can't get through the phone. My grandchildren will cry "Mama" too. Just tell me you're coming. About 10 days later, my daughter-in-law's father brought her. For the first time, I learned that my family of six was safe. I feel relieved.
A few days later, I boiled hot water at a private house in the Nakazato village, said, "Iriko," and took a bath about 20 minutes away on foot. On March 30th, I was taken to Yonezaki-cho and went to the Japanese Self-Defense Forces bath.
Power of women
At the evacuation center, women gathered and formed a cooking team. Have a meeting at night and think about the menu. After confirming the number of people, I cook and carry meals not only for the center house people but also for the elderly people in the dome for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I worked hard and didn't seem to have time to rest. If I was in charge of cooking every other day, there would be differences of opinion, and I would have to be careful about the taste of the soup and how to cut the vegetables. I laid out a vinyl sheet in the hall of the center house, pulled out the futon, woke up at 5:00 in the morning, got ready, carried it, prepared for lunch without a nap, and carried it again.
From now on
Experiencing the great Tsunami : Though my property and car were swept away, I am grateful that I still have my family of six and my life. However, it breaks my heart to think of the families who lost their most beloved relatives, and the families who are still missing. It's just about me, but it was an indescribable feeling to have my house, car, and parking lot that I had built by working alone for over 40 years in Tokyo washed away in an instant. All my old correspondence, cassette tapes, and photos were washed away. My clothes were also washed away, so I received supplies and the clothes I'm wearing now.
Even now, when I wake up in the middle of the night, I suddenly think that I was swept away in an instant. Only the foundation remained. It was also removed, so it became just land. I think it's a waste of land. Houses cannot be built on land damaged by the tsunami. That's why, from June 20th, we will start living independently in temporary housing, and this time we have to live on our own. For a while, I received rice as supplies, and I received clean water. But I can't stay in temporary housing for years, so I have to find high ground and buy land, but from now on, I'll leave it to my son and his wife. So, I want to have a house built and live with everyone. It's hard.