Today marks the fourth anniversary of the 2011 Tōhoku Earthquake and Tsunami, also known as the Great East Japan Earthquake, the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in Japan and the fourth most powerful earthquake in the world, since 1900 when earthquake measures were first recorded. The earthquake triggered a tsunami that struck Sendai and caused an accident at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant. More than 15,000 people died and millions of Japanese households were left without water and power. The World Bank believes that the losses resulting from the earthquake and tsunami reach US$235 billion, making it the most expensive disaster in history.
Among the projects to provide ongoing community support are the handcrafted linens produced by T. Kawabe & Co., Ltd., a well-known maker of towels in Japan. This photograph shows the “Charity Bear” made from a Kawabe cotton towel featuring a heart design licensed from the French company Ladurée and folded in the shape of a bear. Kawabe started this project two years ago and the towels are made and folded by fifty or so people who are living in temporary shelter since being placed by disaster. Kawabe hopes that this project will support joy and hope for renewal and rebuilding. You can support their efforts by purchasing these items on various online sites. I bought mine on eBay.