a prayer for Japan

祈りはじめて10日

30 November 1989, Netherlands
‘candle’
design: Hans Kruit

I was in a hotel room in Tokyo when the earthquake hit Japan.  The room on the 10th floor was shaken badly, but nothing fell down, or was broken or cracked.  Soon I discovered that I was a lucky one – my family is all in the west part of Japan and all my friends in Tokyo and Sendai are fine, although some of them are concerned about their family in the stricken area.  My flight was delayed just 24 hours, and took off on Sunday, two days after the quake, when I returned to London.

Since I left Japan, I have been thinking what I can do.  Maybe right now I can donate for rescue activities, and to pray – for the souls of the victims to rest in peace and for servivors to have rest, comfort and medical care they need.  I am praying for safety of people who are working at the nuclear power station, too.

地震がおそった時、わたしは都内のホテルの一室に居ました。地上10階はさすがに揺れたけれど、耐震構造のおかげか何も床に落ちなかったし、壁に亀裂も走らなかった。心優しい友人たちに助けられ、予定より1日遅れただけでロンドンに戻りました。その2日間に、秩序を守り行動する市民と復旧をいそいで日夜を問わず働いているたくさんの方々を目の当たりにし、日本は大丈夫!と思いました。

日本を離れて以来、遠くから被災地に何ができるのか、デザイナーという職能をどうにかして役に立てることに使えないか?と考え続けています。

まず出来ることは募金、そして、祈ること。犠牲になった方がたの安らかな眠りを祈り、被災地の人びとの一日も早い安堵と健康を心より祈ります。

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