YOKOHAMA--After more than four years and a long journey across the Pacific, parts of “torii” gates at a Shinto shrine in Aomori Prefecture that were apparently washed away by the 2011 tsunami have returned to Japan.
YOKOHAMA--After more than four years and a long journey across the Pacific, parts of “torii” gates at a Shinto shrine in Aomori Prefecture that were apparently washed away by the 2011 tsunami have returned to Japan.
Two pieces of the upper part, called “kasagi” (capping), were recently brought to Yokohama Port on a ship and later carried to Yokohama Customs.
According to Yamato Logistics Co., which transported the kasagi to Japan at no charge, and other sources, the pieces are part of torii gates at Itsukushimajinja shrine in Hachinohe in eastern Aomori Prefecture.
The segments arrived on the coast of Oregon in the spring of 2013, after apparently being cast adrift in the tsunami triggered by the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011.
They were placed under the supervision of the state government’s park bureau. However, the Portland Japanese Garden in the state, which had been engaged in exchange activities with Japan, undertook efforts to bring them back to Japan.
One of the pieces of kasagi is about 4.2 meters long and the other is about 4.7 meters. The Japanese word “hono” (dedication) is written in the central parts. Other Japanese words, such as “tairyo-kigan” (prayer for a large catch of fish) and “kanai-anzen” (safety of family), are written on the back side of the kasagi.
The pieces will be transported to Hachinohe on land and will arrive there in early October.