Spring in Japan brings blooming cherry blossoms, symbolizing fresh starts. In April, volunteers returned to the Noto Peninsula, fulfilling a promise they made to residents to visit again in the spring.

Although rain fell heavily upon arrival, repairs along the roads showed steady progress in the area's recovery. The volunteers settled in at the Anamizu Town home of Satomi Minami (南里美), a familiar shelter during their previous visits to the region.

Prioritizing community needs

At the town office, the group met with Mayor Yoshimura of Anamizu Town. Discussing the town's recovery, he shared his approach to the rebuilding process:

We must prioritize building fifty recovery homes for the residents to secure their living arrangements before we can spare time to repair the heavily damaged town office.— Mayor Yoshimura, Anamizu Town

Following the meeting, visits were made to the homes of elderly residents. At the home of Etsuko Hirota (廣田悅子), the date of the visit was neatly marked on her calendar. She brought out a donation bamboo bank. Though she apologized for saving less because she now mostly uses electronic payments, her dedication remained unwavering. She also shared her meticulously kept blood pressure logs, demonstrating a strict commitment to her health.

Learning of the visit, her neighbor, 88-year-old Sadako Nitta (新田定子), hurried over with carefully saved chestnuts to share with the guests.

Another visit was to 92-year-old Mieko Wakabayashi (若林美惠子), who experienced the earthquake on her 90th birthday. She hung a peace charm by her bed, looking at it every morning and night:

This is my amulet. Whenever I look at it, I am reminded of everyone's care, which gives me the strength to keep on living. — Mieko Wakabayashi, Survivor

She also shared a collection of short poems titled "Stone Flowers." She explained that the title refers to oysters—ordinary yet resilient, blooming like flowers on rocks in the sea.

Finding hope in temporary housing

On April 11, the group arrived at the Michishita First Housing Complex in Monzenmachi, Wajima City, home to over 300 families. Minami decorated a small Buddha bathing station with fresh blue hyacinths from her garden, representing rebirth.

During the gathering, residents participated in gentle exercises, sharing smiles and momentarily forgetting their worries. In a corner of the complex, Tomoko Kanzaki (神崎智子) found a path forward. Having lost her two daughters and mother-in-law to the earthquake, she initially withdrew from others. Through consistent companionship over the past two years, she began stepping out and formed a community group called "Flowers" to organize events for residents. She explained her motivation simply:

I organize these events because I receive more than I give. — Tomoko Kanzaki, Resident

The "Flowers" team hosts weekly physical activity sessions and provides a listening ear for elderly neighbors. Sadako Rokuta (六田貞子), a member of the group, mentioned that when Kanzaki was reluctant to leave her home, the community encouraged her to step outside, allowing her to heal through helping others.

Small steps forward

Recovery is an uneven journey. Sachiko Nakamoto (中本幸子) admitted that while she knows she must be strong, her thoughts and actions often do not align. Having survived a previous earthquake years ago, she feels the physical and emotional toll more heavily this time. With gentle encouragement, she wiped her tears:

I am truly fortunate to still be able to say this with a smile. — Sachiko Nakamoto, Survivor

After the gathering, 88-year-old Ikuko Sakatani (酒谷郁子) asked for a few of the decorative flowers to place at the altar for her late husband. Volunteers accompanied her home, listening to her memories and helping ease her loneliness.

The resilience extended to local artisans. A Wajima lacquerware craftsman, recently recovered from major heart surgery, brought his first completed piece since his operation. Although he lost his workshop, his dedication to his craft persevered. Local volunteer Shinobu Yoshida (吉田忍) was moved to tears, noting that the visits made her feel less isolated in the aftermath of the disaster.

Unbroken connections

The following day, visits continued at the Yuigaoka Housing Complex in Anamizu Town. Granny Kataoka cheerfully shared her sewing projects, remaining optimistic despite not qualifying for financial aid. On the street, the group paused to comfort Michiko Ito (伊藤道子), who was mourning the recent loss of her son to a brain tumor. Nearby, 82-year-old Mr. Yamashita cared for his 102-year-old mother, receiving encouragement to join community activities to ease his isolation.

As the visit concluded, the group gathered outside Minami's home, waving at a passing train. Lin-Yun Chen (陳玲韻) and Lillian Chang (張玲英) reflected on the warmth and strength they witnessed in the small, temporary homes. Fulfilling their spring promise, they set a new one with the residents: to meet again in the autumn. The road to recovery for the Noto Peninsula may be long, but consistent care continues to serve as an amulet for the community, illuminating the path forward.

Written by Li-Shing Lin Shyu (許麗香)