Revision of Ms. YZ (a woman in her 60’s) Y.Z （６０代） from Thu, 12/03/2020 - 10:17

Item Description

June 22, 2014 There were people who ignored the rule that had been etched in the stone monument in Ishinomaki that said, “Do not build beyond this point towards the ocean.” There also were people who bought the land despite the warning of the realtors addressing the potential risk of Tsunami 40 to 50 years ago. It has been three years since the disaster, but we are still struggling to rebuild. The day of the earthquake, when I realized that I survived the disaster, I told myself that I need to live strongly on behalf of the many fallen victims. All my neighbors are gone along with their homes. It’s the fact and cannot be helped. I saw number of corps. I received a great deal of support from so many and don’t know how to return the favor. They all told me that the fact I am living is the best favor that I can give back to them. The thoughts supported me strongly. The relief goods did help me, as well. I felt that the people with faith are generally strong, kind, and gentle. I am against the movement to preserve the damaged elementary school building as a memorial site. The building brings back the painful memory of so many lost lives. I was lucky to survive with my husband. I cannot be dispirited forever. The home will be rebuilt but it is not the end of my journey. I would like to travel to Cambodia to see the Ankor Temple. The past three years… I cannot make any sense out of the last three years. I would like to start an architectural business someday. My sister’s death in 2013 has been the most painful event to me much more so than the disaster. I would like to return the favor to the people who helped me in Japan and from the world. I am lucky to have many friends. I can talk to my friends about my issues. We cannot live alone. Having relationship that you can trust is important. We can do away with material things. I have many friends who invite me to stay over. I drive myself to places as well as I drive for the people who lost their vehicle. I first got my driver’s license at the age of 45. I lost my entire house, however, I am fine because I have my family. I became more insightful of other’s personality and their true colors after experiencing the disaster. I was so shocked when a person told me “you deserve it.” I don’t interact or associate with people that I don’t care for. Others brought me some rice and miso paste from far distance. I would like to live my life as I wish. I worked hard for twenty years so I don’t cling to my life. I have no regrets. I took care of people too, as much as I was able. I don’t want to die before my husband and leave him behind. It is harder for men to live alone. I cannot worry about these things too much. I just take things as they come. I used to love luxury goods like rings and leather goods before the disaster and I indulged myself with Kimonos, purses, and shoes. I totally lost interests on those things now. I don’t even want to wear a ring. It is strange, but I don’t want anything. I don’t care about materialistic things any longer. When I was younger, my husband was away on fishing trips as a fisherman. I worked and raised my children alone by leaving them in someone’s care.

Japanese Description

“ここから、海側に家を建ててはいけない”という石碑の文言を守らなかった石巻の人々。４０年～５０年前、不動産屋は、“ここは津波がくるかも”と忠告しましたが、土地を購入した人々。震災から３年目の今、再建は過酷。震災当日、亡くなった人の分まで生きようとすぐ思いました、生かされたからには。近所のみんなは亡くなり、家はありません。しかたない。みんなも同じです。ご遺体をたくさん見ました。みんなに支えられたので、どう恩返ししたらいいのでしょう。物は入りません。何がなくとも、生きているだけでいいとみんなに言われました。その言葉に支えられました。物にも心にも支えられたのは確かです。信仰を持っている人は強く、やさしく、やわらかいですね。震災遺構として残そうとしている小学校の建物がありますが、自分は保存に反対。見ると辛いし、たくさんの人が亡くなったことを思い出します。自分は幸せ、夫と二人。しょぼくれてもいられません。家を再建しても、それが終わりではありません。カンボジアのアンコールワットを見たいです。この３年。わけのわからない３年。建設のビジネスをしたいです。姉の死（２０１３年）は震災より辛いです。国内外の誰かに恩返ししたいです。友人がたくさんいてよかったです。相談できる友達。一人では何もできません。信頼が大切です。物はなんとかなります。泊まりにおいでと言ってくれる友達がいます。自分のためだけじゃなく、車を失った知人の分まで、車で送迎。実は４５才で免許取得。すっぽり家屋を失いましたが、家族がいるから大丈夫です。震災後、他人の人間性や内面がわかりました。ある人から“ざまぁみろ”と言われ、ショックでした。厭な人とは会わないし交流しません。遠方から米、味噌をもってきてくれた人達。これからは好きなように生きたいです。２０年間働いたので、いつ死んでもいい。後悔はありません。それなりに人の世話もしました。夫をおいて逝きたくはありません。男一人は悲しい。考えてもしかたありません。問題にたちむかいます。震災前は、指輪、皮物が好きで着物、靴、バックをいっぱい持っていました。今はまったく関心がありません。指輪もつけたくない。不思議です。ほしいものは、ありません。物欲が無くなったのです。若いころ夫は船に乗り、自分は一人で子育て。子どもを預けて働きました。２０１４年６月２２日

English Description

June 22, 2014 There were people who ignored the rule that had been etched in the stone monument in Ishinomaki that said, “Do not build beyond this point towards the ocean.” There also were people who bought the land despite the warning of the realtors addressing the potential risk of Tsunami 40 to 50 years ago. It has been three years since the disaster, but we are still struggling to rebuild. The day of the earthquake, when I realized that I survived the disaster, I told myself that I need to live strongly on behalf of the many fallen victims. All my neighbors are gone along with their homes. It’s the fact and cannot be helped. I saw number of corps. I received a great deal of support from so many and don’t know how to return the favor. They all told me that the fact I am living is the best favor that I can give back to them. The thoughts supported me strongly. The relief goods did help me, as well. I felt that the people with faith are generally strong, kind, and gentle. I am against the movement to preserve the damaged elementary school building as a memorial site. The building brings back the painful memory of so many lost lives. I was lucky to survive with my husband. I cannot be dispirited forever. The home will be rebuilt but it is not the end of my journey. I would like to travel to Cambodia to see the Ankor Temple. The past three years… I cannot make any sense out of the last three years. I would like to start an architectural business someday. My sister’s death in 2013 has been the most painful event to me much more so than the disaster. I would like to return the favor to the people who helped me in Japan and from the world. I am lucky to have many friends. I can talk to my friends about my issues. We cannot live alone. Having relationship that you can trust is important. We can do away with material things. I have many friends who invite me to stay over. I drive myself to places as well as I drive for the people who lost their vehicle. I first got my driver’s license at the age of 45. I lost my entire house, however, I am fine because I have my family. I became more insightful of other’s personality and their true colors after experiencing the disaster. I was so shocked when a person told me “you deserve it.” I don’t interact or associate with people that I don’t care for. Others brought me some rice and miso paste from far distance. I would like to live my life as I wish. I worked hard for twenty years so I don’t cling to my life. I have no regrets. I took care of people too, as much as I was able. I don’t want to die before my husband and leave him behind. It is harder for men to live alone. I cannot worry about these things too much. I just take things as they come. I used to love luxury goods like rings and leather goods before the disaster and I indulged myself with Kimonos, purses, and shoes. I totally lost interests on those things now. I don’t even want to wear a ring. It is strange, but I don’t want anything. I don’t care about materialistic things any longer. When I was younger, my husband was away on fishing trips as a fisherman. I worked and raised my children alone by leaving them in someone’s care.