I’ve been doing a lot of writing recently and it’s left me burned out in terms of thoughts and words. I definitely don’t have the stamina that Haruki Murakami says a professional writer needs (which isn’t a problem because I’m not a writer).
This post is probably going to freak my parents out. Mom, Dad, please trust me when I say that this is the worst of the damage and I think things are fine for the time being.
My apartment is one of four in a small building. It was old to begin with and I was very worried about how it held up right after the earthquake. There is quite a bit of damage to the exterior and interior, but the landlord seems to think it’s only cosmetic and the building is sound. I’m going to push for some type of inspector to come and check to make sure. Unfortunately, even if the building is safe, it will most likely be torn down instead of repaired. I think I should start looking for a real estate agent.
The walls in this apartment have, what I think, is a more traditional surface treatment. That is, something that looks like sawdust and glitter has been glued to the surface. This stuff sheds like hell when the ground isn’t moving, so it’s no surprise that there was wall dust everywhere after the quake. On top of that hunks of the wall treatment cracked and fell off the wall at most of the corners. The damage is isolated to the edge though and a majority of the sawdust walls are untouched. I’ve pushed on most of the walls and they all feel solid.
In the kitchen, the walls are paneled and then covered with textured wall paper. The flexing of the paneling caused a lot of the paper to rip. I really wish I knew the state of the wall behind the paneling, but I’m not ready to cause any trouble with the building owner. I’ll let a professional do that.
If you didn’t know, toilets in Japan usually get their own room and in these parts we call it the “toilet closet”. The wall here is cracked.
Finally, the bathroom took the most damage. Quite a few tiles popped off the wall and the waterproof paint started peeling off in sheets. That faucet connects to the washing machine, and it was already leaking before the quake.
I just read your article on Salon and wanted to thank you for your fairness and calmness. One thing I believe I’m witnessing in this country is a source of discrimination: lack of perspectives and scientific knowledge. This country, like any others that have serious problems, may suffer from unnecessary damages caused by irrespoisible rumors and wild speculations. Your article to English speakers is a great help to prevent those damages. Thank you very much and God bless you. Yosuke Yanase (Hiroshima)
I also just read your calm and clear piece in Salon and want to thank you. I spent a couple of weeks in Japan and really admire the people there.
I went to my grocery store yesterday and I saw that my favorite cashier, who is Japanese and grew up in Japan, was working. I always employ my rusty Japanese pleasantries with her so she remembers me. I asked her if her family was okay and she said “I am from Sendai.”
I was shocked and tears welled up in my eyes. She was so calm talking about it. She had not heard anything for days. She finally found out they were alive and unhurt.
I wish you and all of Japan, especially in the north, the best from Vermont!
I saw your very nice piece in Salon on your decision to stay on in Sendai. I myself lived several years in Sendai although a few years ago I moved back to the U.S. Sendai was very much my home and it is tough to see so many places I remember going devastated. But I am very thankful that my friends and family have pulled through ok.
If I was still living in Sendai I would have stayed too. Best of luck and take care.
Aimee -
I’m still searching for Hiromi Imai, an elementary teacher in Sendai. She stayed with me in Ohio in ’97 through a Japan in the Schools program (Ohio State University), doing workshops with my students, and visited since. Her address is 43-6-202 Niimichi-ku
Nanakita, Izumi-ku Sendai 981-3131. At least 3 people from Ohio – including OSU – have been trying to locate her, with no success.
I’m assuming she was at school (I don’t know which school) during the earthquake and tsunami. Do you know anything about how her neighborhood fared, or do you have contacts at other schools who might know her?