Background

Kamaishi City, Iwate Prefecture, launched “Kamaishi Mirainomachi Project” aiming to revive the city by coordinating closely with local government administration, experts and residents. Chairman Yamashita is in the middle of designing the revival public housing in Toni district as one of the experts. Historically people have lived by fishery in Toni, and traditional arts, such as “Tiger Dance”(prayer for a good catch of fish and safety) ,’kagura’ and the drum, were for prosperity of the fishermen. Once in three years, a traditional festival“Kamaishi Cherry Blossom Festival” is held. Although every district has the characteristic role, it is difficult to continue because residents were dispersed by the earthquake. To aim at the revival using the characteristic of the town including the continuation of such traditional arts, it is important to recover the previous vigor of Tōni Market which is opposite and facing the public housing and the only important area within walking distance.

Goals

We support the continuation of traditional arts during the reconstruction of the town. It is important to revitalise the town and regain the previous vigour, and for the mental health of the residents. An opinion exchange workshop is a good way to start.

Contents

As for the opinion exchange workshop as the center of this project, we consider the residents would participate with their own initiative and positively. We sometimes will be the leaders who have know-how, and sometimes we push as the supporters. As we will coordinate this project closely with the residents, Mr. Sasaki - the chairman of the neighborhood association, RCF General Incorporated Association disaster recovery support team, and TeMaLi Architects designing the public housing, we think the know-how will penetrate gradually. As the local government administration cooperate with us, there is a possibility that this project will be concretely linked to“Kamaishi Mirainomachi Project” in Kamaishi City, Iwate Prefecture.