Miracle Tree - K38 Japan Disaster Area Tour
- Details
- Created: Friday, 22 November 2013 00:43
MIRACLE TREE – K38 Japan Tohoku Disaster Tour
Second day of the K38 Tohoku disaster area inspection October 23, 2013
"The miracle solitary pine tree" in Rikuzentakata Japan was our next stop. This location had previously supported a beautiful tall pine forest that was home to approximately 70,000 trees prior to the Tohoku tsunami. All but one solitary tree was swept away by the tsunami ocean surges. The sole pine remaining after the raging waters receded left the haunting image against the skyline of this surviving pine tree.
This tree stood as a haunting and miraculous symbol of survival. It is now a symbol of hope for the earthquake disaster reconstruction. However, shortly afterwards the pine tree began to die due to seawater (salt) contact with its root system. Subduction occurred and this are the land mass dropped a over meter in depth allowing tidal waters to surge further inland. The Miracle Pine was subjected to professional processing as a preservation project. All its trunk, branches and leaves are now a replica now of what life it once held after its full restoration.
Today the surrounding flood plain is being leveled off with earth removed from the local mountains to raise this area an additional 10 feet higher than its newly recorded elevation. This will ensure a safety zone for rebuilding the commercial properties. Likewise all the residential communities will be rebuilt to surrounding higher elevations.
There is an incredible amount of reconstruction taking place like I have never witnessed before in my lifetime. It is commendable what the Japanese government and citizens who have volunteered to push hard for repair.
The death toll from the tsunami and missing persons has risen to nearly 2,000 in Rikuzentakata area.
I left a prayer of requiem and dedicated a floral bouquet along with guidance from my K38 family on how to properly offer my respects in the Shinto and Buddhist traditions for those lives lost and the recovery of those lives who were saved and sheltered from the tragedy.
Shawn Alladio
K38 Founder
www.K38Japan