The picture play by the Okuma Town Traditional Arts Association
is a performance using images projected on a screen, music,
and voices through a microphone.

The first-year junior high school students were born in 2011.
Although they had heard about the earthquake from their families, they had no memories of experiencing it themselves. Some of the teachers and staff seemed to be deeply moved as they remembered what happened at the time.

In an essay written by a third-year girl at Okuma Junior High School, she honestly described the story of her family who evacuated to Miharu and the events that occurred at the evacuation site.

The warmth of people, volunteering

Anxiety about evacuation, fundraising activities

The reality that is not broadcast on TV

"No refugees allowed"

I wondered why there was discrimination.

Even in a difficult situation, the bank employee was kind to me, and I wanted to create a future where everyone can help each other.

It is precisely because of difficult situations that the warmth and kindness of people really hits home.

Before the earthquake, the mountain opening ceremony was held on a grand scale at Mt. Hikakure.

You could see the ocean from the summit.

Preparing for the mountain opening was hard work, but it was fun.

The narrator begins the story of "The Legend of Tengu from Long Ago," with his memories.

This is a story about a police officer who died in the line of duty. Written by a 4th grade boy

"The policeman who became a star"

It was a picture play with the boy who wrote the composition and his mother.

When the earthquake occurred, the "policeman" guided people to evacuate from the tsunami

Tsunami warning and evacuation instructions. It changed to a large tsunami warning

He called for people to abandon their cars and evacuate to higher ground, but was caught in the tsunami...

He was swept away with his patrol car and has not been found to this day

He was a man with a strong sense of justice

I thought he was a hero

He seems to treasure the photo of the "policeman" and his keepsake hat. The boy who wrote the composition is currently in 6th grade.

I was moved by the play, which was filled with the message he was trying to convey.

Singer-songwriter Masakazu Sato sang "Letters from Heaven" live, and some children were moved to tears by the lyrics.

During the disaster, kerosene was not delivered to the evacuation centres and even if there was a stove, it could only be used at night. During the temporary return home, there were restrictions on the amount of luggage that could be taken out, and the song "Furusato" (Hometown) played as the narrator brought out the manuscript along with photos of Okuma town from that time... It was the story of a mother living in evacuation centres and her son who was by her side.

After the picture play, there was time for reflection and interaction. The students were divided into each grade and shared their impressions.

"I cried when I heard the song. Some people discriminate, but some are kind. I want to become a kind person."

"I learned what happened on March 11, 2011."

"We evacuated after the earthquake, and were anxious about not knowing where to go. I think I overcame that and am here now. I think I worked hard and got through it."

"I was surprised by the sound of the earthquake. I was told what it actually sounded like."

Okuma Town has experienced many hardships since the earthquake.
They have experienced life as evacuees and have been touched by the kindness and warmth of the people.
"The care we received in Aizu was the starting point."
I think the children were able to understand the desire to pass on Okuma Town's folk tales and the events of the time of the earthquake. It was a valuable time. Thank you very much.