Fukushima Photographic Journey
Chief organizer: Hitoshi Maruoka
Photography by: Bruce Osborn
Main Bar (Mar. 04 - 31, 2017)
It has been 6 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake and nuclear accident. You may think that the memories of the disasters are fading, however some feelings and words can only be expressed after a certain amount of time passes. Many of these people who lost their homes and loves ones, had lives that were tied to the sea. The same ocean that brought the deadly tsunami has also been a source of blessings for their families. It is an intertwined relationship which they accept both the good and the bad.
For those who were in Fukushima that day, life will never be same. The nuclear accident that followed made an unimaginable catastrophe even more unbelievable. People living in 12 affected municipalities were forced to leave homes and evacuate to other areas. After six years, many of them are still living in temporary housing. Despite all that has happened, they still cherish their "Furusato" (hometown) and have hope for its future. Like parents and family, a hometown is something we cannot choose by ourselves.
Bio
Hitoshi Maruoka, chief organizer
He began his career working as an editorial designer for Takarajima Publishing Company in Tokyo before relocating his base to Fukushima in 1995. Maruoka established Glamorous Tohoku in 2016 with the mission of helping to revitalize the community through promoting the beauty and culture of the Fukushima prefecture. He believes in the importance of stimulating the local economy, but full recovery in the region will only be achieved when they regain their pride, hope and joy of living in Fukushima.
Bruce Osborn, photographer
Based in Tokyo for over 3 decades, his photographs can be seen in a number of well-known publications and advertisements. His Oyako (parents and children) series started as a personal project, but it has grown into something much larger. In 2003, Bruce and his wife took it one step further and created Oyako Day. Following the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, he went to Tohoku and photograph families that were displaced by the disaster. He has been back several times since to continue taking their photos and also has taught photography workshops to junior and senior high school students living in Tohoku region.
www.bruceosoborn.com www.oyako.org
* Fukushima Photographic Journey project was made possible through a grant from a subsidy of the METI (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry)
The Exhibitions Committee