Cherishing the fleeting moments of spring

Around the spring equinox, we feel soothed by the gentle sunshine and a lingering sense of winter, as each rain shower brings a change of season. The fields and mountains, with their subdued colors, begin to take on soft patches of white and pale pink, and as we watch them gradually turn into a vibrant green, a smile naturally spreads across our faces. When we see plants in full bloom, the snow that had accumulated in our hearts during the winter melts away, filling us with a sense of exhilaration. We eagerly await the blooming of buds that have survived the harsh winter, enveloped in the excitement of the beginning of a new season.

A heartwarming escape from the ordinary

In Kuroshima town, the gentle sound of waves is accompanied by the chirping of various wild birds, including nightingales and swallows. At the same time, the sounds of publicly funded demolition and repair work, as well as the hustle and bustle of trucks coming and going, can be heard. The extraordinary has become completely ordinary, and I've lost track of what a normal life is like. Every day feels like walking down a foggy road, wondering what the future holds.

Looking at the present of the region and contemplating its future.

Reiwa immediately after the earthquake6(2024)Year2In the same year, people concerned about the future of the town began a dialogue.4Month1The activities of the "Kuroshima Mirai Kaigi," which was established on the 1st as a voluntary gathering of like-minded individuals,3It has been a year.1Regular meetings are held every few weeks at the "Kazoku Kaikan (former Morioka Residence)" located in the heart of town, with local residents such as the Kuroshima District Townscape Preservation Society, the Ward Chiefs' Association, the Wakamiya Hachimangu Shrine Parishioners' Association, the Fisheries Cooperative, and the Kaiyu Women's Association, as well as new residents and other stakeholders attending each time.20Around [number] people have participated, and they have been holding discussions about various issues facing the town after the earthquake.

This regular meeting is open to all residents and aims to "enjoy new values ​​and promote evolution while cherishing history and culture, with a view to a future where Kuroshima Town can be maintained and continue to exist in its own unique way." Anyone can speak up, and those who are interested can participate as observers or connect with the town online.

Activities of the "Kuroshima Mirai Conference"

Reiwa6In the spring of that year, a survey was first conducted regarding intentions to rebuild housing, and of the responses received...7It was found that more than half of the residents wanted to rebuild in the town. At the time, many residents had lost their homes or had to leave town because their houses were damaged, and the community center was functioning as a temporary shelter. Therefore, using this family center as a base,1The Second Evacuee Return Promotion Project was launched to allow as many residents as possible to return to their towns. After its establishment, a consortium was formed with the Japan Association of City Planners, and in Reiwa6Annual emergency budget and Reiwa7With the support of a grant from the annual disaster relief fund's dormant deposit utilization program, approximately2We have continued our activities throughout the year.

First, we started offering housing surveys and consultations by architects and other professionals. Before the earthquake, approximately vacant houses were included.300Of the houses that existed, the owners83During the period, we received consultations and conducted investigations, and with the cooperation of supporters with specialized skills gathered from all over Japan, we also undertook emergency repair work on houses. As there had been no previous examples of the reconstruction of a disaster-stricken Important Traditional Building Preservation District, study sessions and site visits were regularly held to learn about the restoration of buildings using traditional construction methods, examples of recovery from past disasters, urban development in depopulated areas, and initiatives in other Important Traditional Building Preservation Districts. Furthermore, because each person's situation, circumstances, and problems differed, explanatory meetings and consultation sessions were held to propose realistic possibilities and options while being attentive to each individual's needs.

Furthermore, with support from the World Monuments Foundation, which works to preserve cultural heritage such as historical buildings across national and cultural boundaries, a temporary coin-operated shower was installed on the former Kamon family grounds in August 2024. In May of the following year, formal grant support was announced, allowing us to begin the process of rebuilding Wakamiya Hachimangu Shrine.

Furthermore, driven by a desire to convey the ever-changing situation of the town and its residents to those displaced by secondary evacuation, we edit and publish the Kuroshima Future Newspaper, mailing it to anyone with ties to Kuroshima who requests it. Showing hope for the future of this town is a shared sentiment among the members participating in the "Kuroshima Future Conference," and it is the driving force behind our activities.

The diversity of opinions revealed in questioning what makes Kuroshima unique.

At the regular meeting, in addition to discussing the progress and direction of these activities, opinions are solicited from a wide range of people regarding the town's future vision, and approximately1We spent years carefully building up discussions. Everyone had different viewpoints, leading to twists and turns, and sometimes heated discussions that went late into the night. Ultimately, we agreed on a shared vision for the future of Kuroshima Town: "the sea and sunsets that evoke the history of the Kitamae ships and the workings of nature," and "a town where people live peacefully, while preserving and passing on the history and culture of the Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings."

Furthermore, based on this vision, we discussed a draft town development agreement with the support of the Japan Association of Urban Planners. This agreement establishes detailed rules that could not be covered by the conventional preservation plan for the Important Preservation District of Buildings, in order to protect the unique character of Kuroshima as mentioned earlier, and also expands the target area to include not only the townscape but also the surrounding sea and mountains. Reiwa8Years1At the residents' general meeting held at Kuroshima Community Center last month, this proposal was approved, and a "Community Development Consultation Committee" was established as a specialized committee of the Ward Chiefs' Association. It is expected that this committee will now handle preliminary consultations based on the community development agreement.

A transition to a new phase

Looking back on our journey so far, I believe that the "Kuroshima Mirai Conference" was essential in creating a source of emotional support for the people of the region after the earthquake. In a situation where people had lost their place in the world and their foundation for life, whether they were in evacuation centers or living in temporary housing, they were able to maintain their feelings for Kuroshima.

And in Wajima City, Reiwa7Years12In addition to the fact that the deadline for the publicly funded demolition work was reached in the month of Reiwa8Years5From mid-month2With the application period for disaster-relief public housing taking place over the next few months, the government's response to housing issues will move into the next phase.

Before the earthquake, approximately280Of the population of Kuroshima Town, which was originally 100 people, approximately 30 people were still living in the town in the spring three years after the earthquake.100The number of people (including nearby temporary housing is approximately)140It is said that many residents are still unable to return to their homes. In light of the current situation, some have started living in new places. On the other hand, the number of people with ties to the area is increasing, with many people visiting for inspections and tourism, as well as those hoping to relocate. Surprisingly, I hear that burglaries are also on the rise.

As the surrounding environment, people's feelings, and local issues are constantly changing, it is hoped that these regular meetings will become a forum for information sharing among residents and stakeholders active in the town, and an opportunity for collaboration among their respective activities.

“Wajima News ~While looking up at the starry sky~” is…

Yukiko Akiyama, a lacquer artist who lives in Wajima, writes ``Wajima News ~While looking up at the starry sky~''. 30 minutes by car from the center of Wajima City. The Kuroshima area, located in the northwestern part of the Noto Peninsula, flourished as a residence for Kitamae-bune ship owners and sailors, and its beautiful landscape with black-tiled roofs has been designated as a nationally important preservation district for groups of traditional buildings. I did. After 16 years in Wajima, lacquer artist Yukiko Akiyama set up a workshop in an old private house in the Kuroshima district, and was just about to work on her work while restoring it, when she was struck by the earthquake. Like many buildings, Akiyama's workshop collapsed. Although there is no prospect of resuming production in her workshop, she will continue to work with lacquer here, and while working on the town development of Kuroshima, she will aim to rebuild the Noto Peninsula and solidify her resolve to start a new life. I am. The rich lifestyle of Kuroshima in the past, the beautiful nature, the interaction with people, the passion for lacquer, and the current situation of the disaster area... She is a woman who lives her daily life in the disaster-stricken area and strives for reconstruction, but at the same time, she depicts the true image of Noto as depicted by a woman who deals seriously with lacquer.