Earthquake survivors in northeastern Japan shifting to new phase with refined memories (2)

 

Earthquake survivors in northeastern Japan shifting to new phase with refined memories (2)

<Pupils evacuated safely, kindergarten kids found dead in charred vehicle>

The three-story building of Kadonowaki Elementary School, located about 500 meters from the sea, once looked dignified, something like a landmark that could be seen from everywhere in the area. 

On the doomed day, the building was in a sea of fire. The fire continued for a few days, as lots of burning vehicles were brought one after another to the school grounds. 

Pupils, led by teachers, evacuated in groups quickly according to evacuation manuals toward the top of Mt. Hiyori, located behind the school. Local residents who had gathered at the school grounds also evacuated to safer locations. 

When they were moving to higher ground on foot, a tragedy had occurred near the school.  

The monument in memory for the dead kindergarten children has been erected by a group of bereaved families on the roadside near a new housing complex. So, it may be missed, if not carefully searched. 

The victims were attending a kindergarten near the top of Mt. Hiyori, actually a hill with a height of 56 meters. After a major tsunami warning was issued for the city, a bus with children on aboard left the kindergarten down the hill to bring them back to each of their families.

Part of them were handed to their families near their homes, but after that, as the remaining kids were unable to be carried home due to road congestion, the bus had to return to the kindergarten, and then, it was caught up by the tsunami before reaching the hill. 

The five children, aged four to six, were found dead in the charred vehicle at a point less than 100 meters down from the hill three days later. It is said that their bodies were too fragile to be held up and hugged.  

The case was brought to court by part of the bereaved families, and the plaintiffs won an out-of-court settlement in favor of them from the kindergarten operator in 2014. The parents' message on the monument reads, "Don't forget their sacrifice." 

"The child had left with saying 'See you later' that day, but never came back with the words 'I'm home.' There will be no hug with my child any more. I wish to see my child's smile one more. Not to repeat the same tragedy."

<Damaged school building reborn as tsunami ruins display facility> 

The Kadonowaki Elementary School building was opened as a "tsunami ruins" display facility in April 2022.

Discussion on whether to preserve the building began soon after the city embarked on rehabilitation projects for the affected areas. Initially, nearly half of those who lived around the school asked for demolishing the structure, emphasizing that it would remind them of the horrible scene of the tsunami fire. 

The course of discussion changed later in favor of preserving the building, partially or entirely, as experts, media people and citizens concerned noted that the building is one of the few ruins that can tell the dreadfulness of a tsunami fire. 

The original Kadonowaki Elementary School building had a length of 107 meters extending east and west, but the current structure is much shorter. 

Both of its ends are demolished, because local residents not in favor of its preservation hoped that the building, if preserved, would be as inconspicuous as possible.

The tour within the school building brings the visitor first of all to part of the charred rooms on the first floor, which can been seen from the corridor through the mesh wire fence. 

Lying in the center of the principal's room is a safe with bundles of graduation certificates kept inside. The certificates were found intact in the safe and handed to graduates one month behind schedule. 

The dark staff room, next to the principal's room, is seen filled with various kinds of equipment toppled and destroyed with the strong tremor and the wave. 

In a classroom for small group learning, a lot of charred desks and chairs used by children are scattered around. Also lying on the burned floor are the damaged teacher's desk and an organ.