下のスクリプトは事前提出されたものですので、ビデオの音声とは一部異なる場合があります。

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In Remembrance

Akashi National College of Technology

Do you know what this is?
What do you think of when you see this character?
Do you think of beer?
Do you think of fresh food?
Do you think of babies?

In 2005, in the dry riverbed of Mukogawa, this character appeared in a formation of rocks that was ten meters broad and twenty meters long. This was a shock to many passers-by at that time as this symbol of life lied mysteriously on a desolate riverbank that was once covered by water but was then filled with stones. This work of art was created by many people who truly put their hearts into it. In order to understand why they were so dedicated, we must go back to 1995. . .

January 17, 1995.
If you are from Hyogo Prefecture, this date alone will tell you what much of the rest of our speech is about. This art work is a memorial. And now, we will explain what the memorial was meant to commemorate, how it was made, and what can be realized from it.
Of course, this memorial commemorated the Great Hanshin Awaji Earthquake, which occurred on January 17, 1995. The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.3 and brought chaos to southern Hyogo. This completely changed the town of Kobe. Horrific snapshots like these dominated newspapers all over the world as symbols of the tremendous damage caused by the earthquake.

One positive outcome of this catastrophe was a renewed respect for life. After wars and earthquakes pass, we usually have a renewed sense of appreciation for life. However, in time, memories of war and natural disaster tend to fade away. So we need a reminder of the preciousness of life and of the rebirth which follows such tragedy. This work of art brought us that reminder. Especially now that Japan is experiencing a time of peace, reminders of this kind are very important. This is exactly why this character appeared in the Mukogawa.

In 2005, an art exhibition known as “Art Jumping to Town” was held to bring cheer to the town of Takarazuka which had lost vigor due to the damage and depression caused by the earthquake. This memorial to life and rebirth came out of this exhibition. The memorial could be best seen from a bridge that crossed the Mukogawa.

Regarding the construction of this character, making this symbol of life and rebirth was extremely difficult. The designers had to carefully confirm the placement of each stone to avoid distortion of the character. Since the art work was so large, this confirmation had to be done from the top of the nearby bridge. However, because the distance from the memorial site to the bridge was very long, the people positioning the rocks could not hear the voice of the person on the bridge. So there was a repetition of careful work guided by gestures.

Each stone was very large and heavy, so it took great muscle power to move them. However, this was not too big of a problem. Although the work was conceptualized and started by just a few people, the number of hands increased day by day. Neighbors and children who had seen the work ran to assistance.

The memorial was finished in a week. The completion date was January 16, 2005. The next day, of course, was the tenth anniversary of the disaster. Many people were moved on the anniversary to see the memorial lit up for the first time. At that time, it was the biggest monument among many that commemorated the Great Hanshin Awaji Earthquake, and this word which appeared to be floating in the river was a novelty that no one had seen before.

If we were to view the city from this very site, we would be able to see that society and nature are symbiotic. Standing here, we can look back on our own lives objectively from nature’s point of view. Nature surrounds us everywhere we live, work, or play. We cannot live without nature. And yet, with every urban development, some environmental destruction is done.

Likewise, with every heavy storm or strong earthquake, damage is brought to society. As such, neither society nor nature can resist the power of the other. Therefore, it is important that we live with appreciation for nature. This character sends people that message with hope for the coexistence of town and nature to be recognized and respected.

We may find something good even from a sad past. It depends on whether we turn disaster’s experience into opportunity. Those who survived the earthquake know that it is good to never forget the pangs of this disaster and to open their minds to new beginnings. This character carries a message of life for them to live now, to live again, and to never give up hope! Therefore, to put it in a single word, when they look at this character, they do not see fresh food, beer, or babies. The word they see is “rebirth.”

Although this memorial to the Great Hanshin Awaji Earthquake inspired many, and was created by so many loving and hardworking hands, two years after its creation, it disappeared. It was civilization’s never ending call for construction that removed the memorial completely.

This is yet another reminder that everything which has a shape will disappear someday, but for as long as we choose to remember it, this word will live with us, reminding us of the importance of life and rebirth.

We are now ready to take your questions.