Here are some of the messages of hope for Tohoku and the thoughts behind the chosen times, shared at the Time Setting Workshop.
* In cases where the original text is lengthy, parts may be excerpted and edited for publication.
* While the original phrasing is respected, typos and similar errors have been corrected.
58 seconds
May 8, 2012 – 5/8. That was the day my second life began, when I returned to Kamaishi from Tokyo because of the earthquake. My family home was gone, and I had to find a job. All I felt was anxiety. The sight of Kamaishi being destroyed, a place I had left for the city because I disliked the countryside, broke my heart. I made the decision to return after seeing my mother's joyful smile when I told her, "I'm coming back."
Born in 1958, female
60 seconds
I wanted to confront the earthquake through art.
Born 1979, Male
11 seconds
Both before and after the earthquake, I've always loved the sea. I think many people feel the same way. I'm sure I'll cry with emotion when the work is finished.
Born 1983, Female
103.1 seconds
Rikuzentakata City, where I was born and raised, suffered immense damage from the earthquake. I saw many people who, despite losing loved ones, homes, and their town, continued to live (and are living) with all their might. When I actually saw the work "Toki no Umi," I remember being moved by the sense that the lives of those who perished would continue to circulate and endure forever, and by the feelings of those who are bravely living despite the damage, as well as those who hold Tohoku in their thoughts.
Born 1991, Female
73.1 seconds
Namie no Na-mi-i. From and currently residing in Namie Town. I was involved in the search for bodies and the removal of debris in this area, and I have witnessed the recovery process from the disaster to the present day. I participated because I am curious about how the history of the disaster and art relate to and are expressed through each other.
Born 1982, Male
16 seconds
This is the number that immediately came to mind when I heard the words "time" and "eternity." To be honest, after experiencing 3.11, while I felt a great sense of powerlessness, I also had an expectation that "the world would change significantly because of this." However, I feel that the actual world, even after the COVID-19 pandemic, has seen people's hearts become even more turbulent, and they have started behaving more selfishly. Nevertheless, I chose this number because I still want to believe in the eternal nature of humanity and its manifestation.
Born 1985, Male
25 seconds
The count speed is "25" to represent the 25 years I spent in my disaster-stricken hometown. While my hometown of Ogatsu in Ishinomaki City is no longer there, the scent of the sea remains as it was then. I want to slowly look back on those 25 years with my eyes closed.
Born 1985, Male
56 seconds
My life changed after the Great East Japan Earthquake. It wasn't all negative; there were positive aspects as well. I hope this work continues to document the positive aspects of the changing disaster-stricken areas.
Born 1985, Male
1.5 seconds
I chose this in honor of my only daughter's birthday. I was reminded of the firm sensation I had when I heard the news of her birth, that "my life had expanded into the future."
Born 1961, Male
82.7 seconds
The anniversary of my dear best friend's death. He was the only friend who ever got angry and scolded me when I was floundering in college. I wish I could have continued to walk alongside him through his life.
Born 1989, Male
12 seconds
When I was in 6th grade, I was affected by the 3/11 disaster and moved to Saitama Prefecture due to the nuclear power plant accident. I'm 24 now, so this year marks the exact halfway point of my life spent in Fukushima and Saitama. So, 12 seconds. Thinking that Fukushima is my hometown, but from now on, the time I spend in a place that isn't my hometown will make up more than half of my life, fills me with an indescribable sadness and a feeling like an invisible someone is telling me to "look forward."
Female, born 1999
114 seconds
The earthquake left a devastating mark even in Tokyo, far from the Tohoku region. I am still filled with fear. This number is my child's birthday. I pray that this child will never experience sadness.
Female, born 1984
58 seconds
May 8, 2012 – 5/8. That was the day my second life began, when I returned to Kamaishi from Tokyo because of the earthquake. My family home was gone, and I had to find a job. All I felt was anxiety. The sight of Kamaishi being destroyed, a place I had left for the city because I disliked the countryside, broke my heart. I made the decision to return after seeing my mother's joyful smile when I told her, "I'm coming back."
Born in 1958, female
11 seconds
Both before and after the earthquake, I've always loved the sea. I think many people feel the same way. I'm sure I'll cry with emotion when the work is finished.
Born 1983, Female
73.1 seconds
Namie no Na-mi-i. From and currently residing in Namie Town. I was involved in the search for bodies and the removal of debris in this area, and I have witnessed the recovery process from the disaster to the present day. I participated because I am curious about how the history of the disaster and art relate to and are expressed through each other.
Born 1982, Male
25 seconds
The count speed is "25" to represent the 25 years I spent in my disaster-stricken hometown. While my hometown of Ogatsu in Ishinomaki City is no longer there, the scent of the sea remains as it was then. I want to slowly look back on those 25 years with my eyes closed.
Born 1985, Male
1.5 seconds
I chose this in honor of my only daughter's birthday. I was reminded of the firm sensation I had when I heard the news of her birth, that "my life had expanded into the future."
Born 1961, Male
12 seconds
When I was in 6th grade, I was affected by the 3/11 disaster and moved to Saitama Prefecture due to the nuclear power plant accident. I'm 24 now, so this year marks the exact halfway point of my life spent in Fukushima and Saitama. So, 12 seconds. Thinking that Fukushima is my hometown, but from now on, the time I spend in a place that isn't my hometown will make up more than half of my life, fills me with an indescribable sadness and a feeling like an invisible someone is telling me to "look forward."
Female, born 1999
60 seconds
I wanted to confront the earthquake through art.
Born 1979, Male
103.1 seconds
Rikuzentakata City, where I was born and raised, suffered immense damage from the earthquake. I saw many people who, despite losing loved ones, homes, and their town, continued to live (and are living) with all their might. When I actually saw the work "Toki no Umi," I remember being moved by the sense that the lives of those who perished would continue to circulate and endure forever, and by the feelings of those who are bravely living despite the damage, as well as those who hold Tohoku in their thoughts.
Born 1991, Female
16 seconds
This is the number that immediately came to mind when I heard the words "time" and "eternity." To be honest, after experiencing 3.11, while I felt a great sense of powerlessness, I also had an expectation that "the world would change significantly because of this." However, I feel that the actual world, even after the COVID-19 pandemic, has seen people's hearts become even more turbulent, and they have started behaving more selfishly. Nevertheless, I chose this number because I still want to believe in the eternal nature of humanity and its manifestation.
Born 1985, Male
56 seconds
My life changed after the Great East Japan Earthquake. It wasn't all negative; there were positive aspects as well. I hope this work continues to document the positive aspects of the changing disaster-stricken areas.
Born 1985, Male
82.7 seconds
The anniversary of my dear best friend's death. He was the only friend who ever got angry and scolded me when I was floundering in college. I wish I could have continued to walk alongside him through his life.
Born 1989, Male
114 seconds
The earthquake left a devastating mark even in Tokyo, far from the Tohoku region. I am still filled with fear. This number is my child's birthday. I pray that this child will never experience sadness.
Female, born 1984