We have been working diligently on 2024 initiatives and artisans' stories, while one incident have cut the queue: Noto region was hit by an M7.6 earthquake on the very first day of the year. On a cozy afternoon where many young parents and grandchildren from the cities traveled to the rural villages to stay with the elderly in Noto to celebrate New Year. Some have lost their lives in an instant. Firefighters frantically trying to control the fire at Wajima but couldn't because fire hoses were blocked by collapsed houses and water in the river receded after the quake.
A month later, dusts settled, homes lost, families torn apart. We heard stories where the grandparents watched helplessly their children and grandchildren being buried under the rubbles. A survivor lost his entire family as he was on the second floor and the rest of his family were crushed on the ground floor when the house collapsed. Another person have no choice but to keep running knowing his elderly parents are still trapped in the house engulfed in flame. Our affiliate informed us there are lacquer artisans still unaccounted for.
First responders have done the most they can to save lives, and assessment experts have surveyed and showed us the scale of damages. Survivors in refuge tallied to about 14,650 people (as of Jan 31) with no end in sight to a more permanent place to stay. The entire fishery industry destroyed because the seabed rose by a few meters high and boats can no longer dock. Noto region is known for its harsh winter with beautiful fishing villages wrapped around the coastline and small villages spread out in the mountains. During the first 2 weeks after the quake, survivors dealt with snow storms and rain storms, with no heat, no warm food, no electricity, running water and basic needs. Some went without bath or shower for 2-3 weeks, group living and deteriorating hygiene condition led to spreading of flu and COVID, making senior citizens and people with existing health conditions most vulnerable.
Beginning of a long journey to recovery.
Long-term vision and support needed.
This is just the beginning of an extremely challenging journey of rebuilding. We are talking about the coming 5-10 years if not longer, especially in rural region with thinned population and old infrastructure.
Outside of Japan, news has most likely been replaced by newer chaos and crisis elsewhere. So starting this month, we will post regular blog reports on the situation and disaster relief efforts in Noto peninsula, telling resilient stories from this remote region. Noto should be known on the map not because of the disaster, but because of its wonderful people and history. While the initial contents may be concentrated on disaster relief efforts, we will slowly evolve to tell real stories of artisans when the region is ready for craft revitalization. Noto is a remote peninsula filled with important craft history that has often been overlooked. Wajima city is the home to some of Japan's most reputable maki-e and lacquer artisans. In fact, Noto is a place where all kintsugi and lacquer craft advocates should know and visit, where Japanese ceramic fans should hear about.
We will continue our work in giving voices to regions beyond Tokyo and Kyoto. Please support our Japan Noto Earthquake Disaster Relief initiatives and learn about Noto peninsula's cultural heritage.
2024 Japan Noto Earthquake Disaster Relief Initiative
Our Noto Initiative begins with disaster relief. You can get a glimpse of on-the-ground disaster relief through the lens of Open Japan, an NGO dedicated in disaster relief work, whom arrived on scene on January 2 and has been working day-in and day-out at the local shelters and at ground-zero.
Who is OPEN JAPAN?
Open Japan is an NGO rooted in 1995 Kobe's earthquake and formalized in 2011 after the East Japan Earthquake. Over the years, they have built expertise in disaster relief works and have traveled throughout the country whenever a natural disaster strikes. They work with first responders, Japan National Self-defense Force and municipalities to rescue survivors, search for the missing, to deliver supplies and warm food at shelters, clearing debris of collapse roads and houses etc... They help keep things moving during the most urgent moments after disasters strike. The organization is sustained through individual volunteer help, donations and corporate sponsors.
We first met Open Japan back in 2018 when the western part of Japan was hit by a typhoon where road and houses were flooded. Our founder took a trip to the disaster-stricken rural town in Ehime where Open Japan stationed, and did volunteer work to demolish damaged homes and refurbish salvageable houses for local residents. And through the experience she realized the amount of impactful work that a small organization could provide. (read our blog from 2018 Open Japan)
Why OPEN JAPAN?
As Japan gets struck by natural disasters year-round, one may assume this country must have structured protocols and disaster relief strategies. In fact, each time a natural disaster hits, unforeseen situations arise. Climate Change has also brought more intense catastrophes. In addition, not unique to Japan, bureaucratic processes affect efficiency of disaster relief in many ways.
Only organizations with high mobility and agility are able to deliver fast results in times of chaos and confusion and deliver solid support. Open Japan is a small team of people with big hearts and professional knowledge. High mobility and efficiency allows the team to arrive on site immediately. And after emergency responders departed, the Open Japan team continues to station in town for months, deploying small teams to help individuals to refurbish their dwellings, many are elderly residents rooted in small villages. Their motto is "Bringing smiles back."
Help us rebuild rural towns and revive collapsed craft industries of Noto.
We NEED your support !!! (aside from watching Japan news on NHK).
We are a forgetful generation. When media switches public attention, supports thin down. We will post updates and progress for you, who has been showing your love and respect for Japanese culture and has been an amazing supporter of Goenne.com and Taketombo's vision and mission.
We have set 2 phases for our Noto Earthquake Disaster Relief Initiative and will facilitate GoFundMe fundraise to support:
Phase 1: Earthquake Disaster Relief (for NGO Open Japan)
Phase 2: Craft Revitalization Projects (for individual artisans in lacquer and ceramics craft)
Disaster Relief: We have set up a gofundme page to collect donations from BEYOND DOMESTIC SUPPORT. Donations received will be transferred to fund daily disaster relief activities done by Open Japan. Your contributions, no matter what size, will be put to action and driving IMMEDIATE impact. The team wakes up each morning, some hop on the bulldozers, some provides free massage to the elderly and cook warm meals, and distribute necessities. As debris clears out, roads will be built and salvageable houses will be refurbished. Please subscribe to our blog to read weekly progress.
Craft revitalization: When residents are ready to resettle and restart their livelihood, we will use a small portion of the donations to kick-start initiatives to support lacquer craft and pottery revitalization. Currently, the region's historic craft industries have ceased, with workshops and houses collapsed, tools and craftworks buried. Many artisans have lost their livelihood. We invite you to be part of the revitalization effort for Japan's most famous lacquer craft industry and a "speak-easy" historic ceramics industry. So your contribution, no matter what size, will be making lasting impact.
If you have the capacity to donate directly in Japan, feel free to make your contribution to Open Japan's fundraising site at Yahoo Japan. (in Japanese language, requires Japan's credit card or bank account).
What makes donation meaningful is when you can see the impact it brings. You will become a part of the rebuilding journey, and one day when you decide to visit Japan, you can make a stop at Noto and experience the beauty of this town (and do some lacquer maki-e craft, too!)
In addition to fundraising at gofundme, each purchase order received in February, March, April at Goenne.com we pledge to donate $10 to Open Japan. So when you purchase craft objects made by Japanese artisans, you are supporting Japanese crafts and also automatically donating to help Noto residents.
Your consideration and contribution are greatly appreciated. We invite you to stand with us in supporting Open Japan's Disaster Relief work and upcoming Craft Revitalization initiative, and making a tangible difference in the lives of those affected.
4 Ways to Support by:
Make a donation
Donate at our GoFundMe page to support Open Japan Disaster Relief team. No amount is too small, every dollar matters.
Subscribe & Follow
Follow us on IG (taketombo.jp and goenne.japan) or subscribe to our website to read blog updates. See your donation at work.
Spread the words
Share this blog and our GofundMe page with friends and affiliates and on social.
Shop at goenne.com
From February through April, we pledge $10 donation for every order we received to support Noto Earthquake Disaster Relief. Your purchase will support local Japanese crafts while helping disaster relief works in Noto peninsula.
All rights reserved. Photography of Noto Disaster Relief provided by Open Japan.
Donations received minus currency conversion fees, bank fees and platform service fees will be transferred to Open Japan and affiliate artisans.