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Outside of Japan, news has most likely been replaced by newer chaos and crisis elsewhere.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