Interview with tsunami survivor, Ms Sakuma Ikuko

We had the opportunity to speak with Ms. Ikuko Sakuma, 7th generation
manager at the 'Shunchinrou' restaurant in Ishinomaki. Steeped in
history, this restaurant has been a purveyor of fine Japanese cuisine
since its establishment in 1855.

Located in the center of Ishinomaki, the first floor of this historic
establishment suffered extensive damage from the tsunami. Thankfully,
the second floor of the building was left largely intact. The 80 'tatami
matt' main dining hall was unharmed ('tatami matt' is a traditional
Japanese unit of measurement - an 80 'tatami matt' is roughly 135 square
meters).

Ms Sakuma spoke about her fears. She still vividly recalls the tsunami
waves crashing in and destroying everything in its path. She was very
reticent to return to 'Shunchinrou' initially because of this dark memory.
However, it was the Peace Boat volunteers which gave her the strength to
return to 'Shunchinrou' and leave the evacuation center.

"I was one of the lucky ones to have not been killed. I owe a lot, and I
cannot ever take my life for granted now." she says. "I really
appreciate the work being carried out by Peace Boat, and I want them to
know that. So that's why we are letting the volunteers stay in our main
dining hall!" (42 volunteers from the 6th dispatch team to Ishinomaki
used the 'Shunchinrou' main dining hall for sleeping.)

When the first tsunami hit, Ms. Sakuma evacuated to the third floor roof
of the restaurant. She recalls seeing people being carried away by the
waves, and screaming for help.
Even over the horrific roar of the waves and high winds she could hear
the terrifying screams...
One person was miraculously able to climb their way up to the third
floor despite the torrents. Ms. Sakuma mustered up all her strength to
help this person over the threshold. She helped this person stay warm by
taking down one of the curtains in the restaurant and using it as a
blanket.

"I have nightmares about the tsunami every night. I get swallowed up by
the waves and the moment that I think I'm going to die, I wake up" she
says. "When I do wake up, all I see out of the window is the endless
mountains of debris. A darkness was beginning to consume me and I didn't
think I could make it through...but then, I saw the young Peace Boat
volunteers, with their boundless energy partaking in sludge and debris
removal. They gave me courage and a drive not to give up. That is what
Peace Boat gave me."

Thank you so much for the inspiring words Ms. Sakuma!

We had the opportunity to speak with Ms. Ikuko Sakuma, 7th generation
manager at the 'Shunchinrou' restaurant in Ishinomaki. Steeped in
history, this restaurant has been a purveyor of fine Japanese cuisine
since its establishment in 1855.

Located in the center of Ishinomaki, the first floor of this historic
establishment suffered extensive damage from the tsunami. Thankfully,
the second floor of the building was left largely intact. The 80 'tatami
matt' main dining hall was unharmed ('tatami matt' is a traditional
Japanese unit of measurement - an 80 'tatami matt' is roughly 135 square
meters).

Ms Sakuma spoke about her fears. She still vividly recalls the tsunami
waves crashing in and destroying everything in its path. She was very
reticent to return to 'Shunchinrou' initially because of this dark memory.
However, it was the Peace Boat volunteers which gave her the strength to
return to 'Shunchinrou' and leave the evacuation center.

"I was one of the lucky ones to have not been killed. I owe a lot, and I
cannot ever take my life for granted now." she says. "I really
appreciate the work being carried out by Peace Boat, and I want them to
know that. So that's why we are letting the volunteers stay in our main
dining hall!" (42 volunteers from the 6th dispatch team to Ishinomaki
used the 'Shunchinrou' main dining hall for sleeping.)

When the first tsunami hit, Ms. Sakuma evacuated to the third floor roof
of the restaurant. She recalls seeing people being carried away by the
waves, and screaming for help.
Even over the horrific roar of the waves and high winds she could hear
the terrifying screams...
One person was miraculously able to climb their way up to the third
floor despite the torrents. Ms. Sakuma mustered up all her strength to
help this person over the threshold. She helped this person stay warm by
taking down one of the curtains in the restaurant and using it as a
blanket.

"I have nightmares about the tsunami every night. I get swallowed up by
the waves and the moment that I think I'm going to die, I wake up" she
says. "When I do wake up, all I see out of the window is the endless
mountains of debris. A darkness was beginning to consume me and I didn't
think I could make it through...but then, I saw the young Peace Boat
volunteers, with their boundless energy partaking in sludge and debris
removal. They gave me courage and a drive not to give up. That is what
Peace Boat gave me."

Thank you so much for the inspiring words Ms. Sakuma!