Kesennuma 2011 Tsunami An HDR photograph of the No.18 Kyotoku Maru fishing boat which was swept inland for 1 kilometre by the 2011 tsunami. Now also known as the tsunami ship, it was considered to be left as a memorial but has since been scrapped and removed from Kesennuma by a 70% vote from residents as it is a sad daily reminder of the tragedy. Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 After being picked up by the tsunami and swept one kilometre inland the 330 ton, 200 feet fishing vessel No.18 Kyotoku Maru straddles across a sealed road in the Shishiori district. Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 Pedestrian walk/don’t walk light still working across the road that is blocked by what is now well known as the ‘tsunami ship’. Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 Time stands still at 2.46pm on this old wooden wall clock, marking the time when the March 11th 2011 tsunami slammed through one Kesennuma home. Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 Personal memorials and a sign beside the ‘tsunami ship’, the sign roughly translated says: “Kesennuma was one of the main places affected by the earthquake and tsunami, many people were killed here, and there was terrible suffering and damage, please respect this area with your photographs and behavior, thank you for your understanding”. Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 A statue of Daikoku Sama, the god of wealth beside the memorial flower table or Kennkadai. This statue is missing his right arm which normally holds a golden magic money mallet. The right arm was likely broken off during the tsunami, perhaps signifying the terrible loss of life and damage, and with that Kesennuma’s wealth. Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 This small alter or Saidan has offerings of fresh flowers, incense and green tea for the deceased victims of the tsunami. Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 This small alter or Saidan has offerings of fresh flowers, incense and green tea for the deceased victims of the tsunami. Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 HDR picture of the Fishing vessel No.18 Kyotoku Maru propeller. Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 This was taken two years later after a massive cleanup operation, there is no sign of the houses and businesses that were once part of the Kesennuma Township. Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 “GET UP JAPAN” This large Daruma or Japanese wishing doll previously travelled around Japan getting messages of support for Japan after the 2011 earthquake/ tsunami from Japanese and other nationalities before sitting here in Kesennuma. Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 The left eye of the Daruma is painted in when the wish has been made, when the wish is fulfilled the right eye can be painted onto the Daruma. Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 This large Daruma is covered with a map of the world, many wishes of support cover Japan and neighboring countries after the March 11 2011 earthquake/ tsunami. Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 “Pray for Tohoku” many messages and wishes cover the area around the map of South America on the Daruma. Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 Kessenuma resident 45 year old Ito Yuichiro made this ‘Ground Zero’ monument to the tsunami where his home used to stand. Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 From the power of the tsunami, the remains of a bent and twisted iron girder contains a permanently trapped can of Cafe au Lait. Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 No.18 Kyotoku Maru fishing boat behind the Shishiorikarakuwa train station sign. Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 Fishing vessel No.18 Kyotoku Maru. Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 Fishing vessel No.18 Kyotoku Maru with three men looking on. Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 Fishing vessel No.18 Kyotoku Maru propeller. Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 A car crushed under the fishing vessel No.18 Kyotoku Maru during the tsunami. Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 The propeller of the tsunami ship points back towards the sea. Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 Fishing vessel No.18 Kyotoku Maru from the bow. Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 A small figurine monk stands before the tsunami ship. Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 A rice cooker from the tsunami debris sits beside house foundations with the tsunami ship in the background. Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 A photographer takes a picture of the fishing vessel No.18 Kyotoku Maru bow. Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 No.18 Kyotoku Maru fishing boat sits amongst house foundations and roads. Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 New plants for new beginnings in Kesennuma. Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 New flowers planted for a new beginning with a background of the tsunami ship. Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 The fishing vessel No.18 Kyotoku Maru sits as a background to bare house foundations. Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 No.18 Kyotoku Maru fishing boat sits amongst house foundations and roads. Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 Fish, the sea, sea birds and flowers on a kesennuma manhole cover. Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 Tiled steps leading up to a once new house, but now just foundations. Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 A lone standing building, that shows tsunami damage along its sides. Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 A lone standing building, that shows tsunami damage along its sides. Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 A temporary 7 Eleven convienence store is set up in the Shishiori District after the tsunami. Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 The remains of metal girders bent over during the tsunami. Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 A kesennuma house under repairs from damage during the tsunami. Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 The power of the tsunami bent these iron girder fence posts against the rock wall. Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 Debris from the tsunami still visble after two years. Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 Temorary shopping area of Kesennuma Yokocho beside the harbour. Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 A collapsed passenger walkway at Kesennuma harbour. Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 A collapsed passenger walkway at Kesennuma harbour. Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 A new blue sign marks the height of the tsunami along the main street. Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 A small personal memorial and photos in a tsunami damaged building. Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 Bare house foundations from the tsunami contrast against a background of new cherry blossoms. Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 A tsunami damaged Liquor & Gift store. Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 Blue plastic sheeting and scaffolding around a tsunami damaged building. Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 JR (Japan Rail) train standing in Kesennuma Station. Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 Mirror reflection inside train carriage. Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 Railway bridge on the way to Kesennuma. Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 A railway tunnel along the Kesennuma line. Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 Kesennuma line through a small village. Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012 Small railway crossing on the Kesennuma line. Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, April 2012