This exhibition reflects the collaborative efforts of the Bryn Mawr 360º program Perspectives on Sustainability: Narratives of Disasters and Rebuilding in Japan. 360º programs are unique educational experiences designed to expand beyond the boundaries of the classroom and bridge between disciplines and communities. Usually taught in clusters of two or more courses, 360º programs cultivate in-depth and interdisciplinary scholarship, collaborative research, and creative community interaction. For Perspectives on Sustainability, participants enrolled in three course all focused on the history of disaster in Japan. Under the guidance of Bryn Mawr College Professor Carola Hein (Growth and Structures of Cities) and Swarthmore College Professors William Gardner (Japanese Modern Languages and Literatures) and Tomoko Sakomura (Art), the 360º students focused their research on four catastrophic events:
Students considered the historical impact of these disasters through their representation in Japanese art, literature and documentary film, and the effected changes and continuities in urban form and architecture. Additionally, the 360º participants grounded this larger history through primary research in the Tri-College archives and collections. This exhibition is the culmination of the students' joint efforts and explorations. Focusing on the time periods surrounding these four major disasters, the exhibit traces the lasting relationship between the Tri-College community and Japan. In three sections, the exhibit includes thematic panels addressing pertinent scholarship, a timeline of important bridges between Tri-Co and Japan, and a selection of objects from the college collections, all of which testify to the resilience of Japanese culture and the importance of remembrance, reflection, and the extension of communities beyond the boundaries of nation.
The Great Kanto Earthquake: September 1st, 1923
The Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 was one of the worst to ever hit Japan. It occurred between two world wars and at a time of growing Japanese Imperialism. The devastation in Tokyo and Yokohama was immense, and the effects of destruction, rebuilding and recovery were felt throughout Japan and in numerous areas from culture, urban planning, to national and international politics. Striking at midday when people were cooking, the earthquake caused numerous small fires to break out, which in turn developed into firestorms that engulfed large sections of Tokyo. In the tremors of the quake, Tokyo's water mains broke, compounding the difficulty of containing the fire, which burned for more than two days. An estimated 6,400 people were killed by fire alone and over 380,000 homes were destroyed. In the chaotic aftermath, rumors of arson incited the violent persecution, detainment, and massacre of many Koreans then living in Japan. The toll of this second calamity remains unknown.
The Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki: August 6th and 9th, 1945
On August 6th and August 9th, the atomic bombs Little Boy and Fat Man were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki causing an unprecedented level of instantaneous death and destruction. When the B-29 aircraft Enola Gay dropped the first bomb on Hiroshima, the immediate death toll was 70,000, a number that increased to 200,000 as victims succumbed to nuclear radiation. The mushroom cloud created by the nuclear explosion hung in the sky over Hiroshima for hours. Three days later, another American plane dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki causing the immediate death of 40,000 people. With the equivalent of 20,000 tons of TNT, the atomic bombs destroyed nearly every building within a 2.5 kilometer radius of their targets; 16 kilometers from the epicenter glass shattered, and the impact of the explosion could be felt as far away as 60 kilometers. The metal, stone and clay of the two cities melted in a matter of seconds. The shadows of objects completely incinerated in the blast were burnt onto the remaining rubble. On August 15th, the Second World War officially came to an end.
The Kobe Earthquake: January 17th, 1995
The Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake of 1995 struck the Kobe area in the morning. Unlike the areas surrounding Tokyo, which rest on multiple fault lines, the southern side of the island Honshu and the city of Kobe had not been considered prone to natural disaster. As a result, the architecture and infrastructure of the city were not designed to withstand the force of the 7.2 Richter scale earthquake. More than 5,500 people were killed and over 26,000 injured. Many were left homeless as almost 400,000 houses were completely destroyed. Wedged between mountains and sea, the elongated, horizontal shape of Kobe obstructed relief efforts as did the citywide electric, gas, water, and communication system failures. These difficulties were worsened by the insufficient response of the central government, which refused international aid. Seven months after the disaster, around 4,500 residents were still in temporary housing units, and Kobe's future as a major Japanese port city seemed uncertain as 178 out of 186 of its berths were destroyed. The rebuilding of the city was accomplished through unprecedented volunteer efforts; 1.2 million Japanese citizens travelled to the area to offer help.
The Triple Disaster: March 11th, 2011
On March 11, 2011, a massive 9.0 earthquake shook the east coast of Japan. It was the most powerful earthquake to have ever hit Japan and the fifth most powerful to ever be recorded. The quake triggered tsunami waves up to 130 feet high, many of which reached six miles inland. The impact of the tsunami was so intense that the main island of Japan (Honshu) shifted eastward. Over one million buildings were damaged or destroyed, and 20,000 people died. Adding to the devastation, the tsunami caused a nuclear crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi plant. A total of 315,000 people were evacuated from the area and became homeless. The resulting radiation leak left extensive areas uninhabitable and contaminated food supplies. Estimated by the World Bank to be the costliest disaster in human history, the 3.11 triple disaster has raised international debate and awareness of the dangers of nuclear energy.
