The tsunami and earthquake of 11 March 2011 was perhaps one of the worst disasters which Japan has ever faced. The human and material cost, particularly to the Pacific Coast of northeastern Japan, was and remains staggering. One of the other casualties of this disaster is some of the physical heritage of that region. Temples, shrines, memorial stones, statues, old estates, gardens, the contents of libraries, and so much else, were not exempt. As a graduate student in history, specializing in northeastern Japan, I was therefore moved to put my knowledge of the region to good use, in gathering information about the status of that physical heritage and making it publicly available. The purpose of this project, therefore, is as follows.
1. To tag such locations in the affected area, and gather whatever information possible about their status. Are they intact? Damaged? Obliterated?
2. To gather information about these locations in the name of preserving their memory. Some of them, arguably, will not be rebuilt, so in the name of preserving at least their memory, I believe an organized collection of information (links to pre-tsunami images, pertinent historical data, etcetera) is necessary.
3. To act as an international clearinghouse for, and to increase awareness of, the unique regional history and culture of Japan, especially northeastern Japan.
If you are able, please make a donation for the sake of helping those people who remain affected by this tragedy. I recommend donating to the Japan Red Cross, but there are plenty of other organizations out there who are also at the fore of helping those who have survived. As for this project, if you have any information on the sites I have tagged, can offer help with the readings (yomikata) of names, or have new sites or things you would like me to tag, please let me know and I will add them, and give you full credit. After all, I am just one man, and the content you see on the map below is just a start. もちろん、日本語のＥメールも大丈夫。
Douzo yoroshiku tanomimasu.
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