Earthquake Recovery through Art

After the Great East Japan Earthquake, I was asked by the Cabinet Office of Japan to be the core "sensei" overwatching rebuilding efforts in Higashi Matsushima and Minami Soma as a part of their Future Environmental Cities program. These small cities had been devastated by the earthquake both in deaths and physical damage and showed enormous drive and success in their recovery efforts. One of the projects that grew out of the recovery was an art festival in Higashi Matsushima that celebrates sand art. The sand sculpures are designed and built over a few day period and then displayed to the public through an art festival. I am one of the judges and am constantly amazed by the creativity and level of sand art.

There is much sadness and destruction in the world caused by nature and by humankind but the effort and commitment to recovery and spirit of refusing to lose to either of these is a profound and essential aspect of the human psyche.