Devastation and hope: Photos show early days of Japan's tsunami recovery


By Britt Lewis |
April 17, 2012

Upon hearing news of the earthquake and massive tsunami that demolished whole cities in her native Japan, Airi Katsuta made plans to help with the recovery effort. For a summer she volunteered in the coastal city of Ishinomaki, where the ASU School of Art photography major captured images of devastation and hope, with her grandfather's Minolta 35mm camera. In this photograph, a fusuma (sliding door panels) has been set outside to dry.

Two elderly locals survey the destruction. They were "talking about where everything used to be before the tsunami," Katsuta says.

A car, washed away by the tsunami, now sits in the graveyard.

An elementary school that had caught on fire by way of burning houses carried in by waves.

Ribbons and Teru Teru bo-zu, which is a "traditional handmade amulet that is supposed to bring good weather and stop a rainy day," Katsuta says.

In an area completely devastated lies a family photograph.

The remaining salt water takes its toll on trees and wildlife.

A waterline depicts the point on a window where the water had risen to.

Tombstones among the wreckage.

A cemetery overlooks the coast of Ishinomaki.

Arizona State University.
ASU News

Contact ASU News

Manage subscriptions

ASU News
Media Relations Science and Technology Arts, Humanities and Education Business and Entrepreneurship Health and Medicine Environment and Sustainability Law, Journalism and Politics Local, National and Global Affairs Sun Devil Community University News
University
Admissions Financial Aid President's Office About ASU ASU Home Emergency
Events
ASU Events Athletics
Maps and Locations Jobs Directory Contact ASU My ASU
Repeatedly ranked #1 on 20+ lists in the last 3 years
Copyright and Trademark Accessibility Privacy Terms of Use Emergency