Yesterday
(March 11th, 2016) was the fifth anniversary of the Great East Japan
Earthquake. More than 20000 people were killed or missing (including those who
died of the damages caused by the disaster). About 170 thousand peoples are now
forced to live away from their homes.
The
Fukushima Daiichi Power Plant continues leaking wasted water. Sendai nuclear
plant in Kyushu island restarted its operation. People’s interest in saving
electricity seems fading.
It
is the reality of Japan five years from the quake and nuclear accident.
Today,
I visited Zojoji temple in Minato ward, central Tokyo to see traditional
performing arts of Iwate Prefecture. The performances were organized as parts of
the events to console the spirits of the victims of the disaster.
One
of the performances was the Kanazu-school deer dance. They danced with deer
masks and drams. (see the second photo from the top)
Another
performance was sword dance. The players wore demon masks and danced with fans and
swords. (See also the top photo)
They first played danced on the stage. Then, they walked in the garden of the Zojoji
Temple.
The
temple developed with the support of Tokugawa Shogun house about 400 years ago.
The Tokyo Tower stands behind the temple.
A
Buddhist monk prayed for the victims. The leader of Save Iwate, who support the
event, burned incense for them.
The
dancers prayed outside the temple building. (the thirs photo fro the top).
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