In the first moments after I heard Japan had been struck by an earthquake last March, I wasn’t worried. Japan has plenty of earthquakes. I’ve felt them myself, and I know they are more prepared to weather such things there than in any other country on earth. This was before I saw the footage that showed an earthquake and aftermath unlike any we have ever seen.
I did what I imagine most of us did. I watched with horror as waves engulfed homes, businesses, entire towns. I wept. I donated money to the Red Cross, I encouraged others to give. I hugged my loved ones a little closer, I updated my earthquake kit, I looked at each moment a little differently. We are so lucky to be here.
Then, because I am a writer, I started writing.
The experience is a little different for me, because I’ve lived in Japan, it’s part of my life. When I saw pictures of displaced people housed in school gymnasiums I felt sick—I’ve been in those gyms. It didn’t matter that no one I know personally had been in the disaster area, that I’ve never even visited that part of Japan. Every picture I saw reminded me of someone I did know. Little old grandmothers in tracksuits, children in school uniforms, city workers and housewives. I was surprised that I felt so strongly: These are my people.
Because I didn’t know what else to do, I wrote.
When the earthquake came and the waters rose up, I started writing about Japan. It was the only thing I could do. I put my angst onto the page, along with my love of this unique place. I wrote about the festivals in my town, and the special meals we prepared for holidays, and how there is nothing—and I mean nothing—so wonderfully restorative at the end of a day as a Japanese bath.
I had an idea I might put these stories into a small book and sell it as a fundraiser to help the people whose lives have been torn apart. Most of the camera crews have left northern Japan, but the disaster continues. There are suicides we don’t hear much about, like this dairy farmer who survived the earthquake and the tsunami, only to lose hope later on. There are families displaced from communities they’ve lived in for centuries. There is fear and fallout of radiation that terrifies us all. And the aftershocks keep coming. The Japanese are the most stoic and persevering people I know, and yet there are some things too hard, even for them.
I am particularly concerned with the children. Many of them have lost family, some of them both parents. Because I spent my time in Japan working within the education system, my heart aches especially for them. I know I can’t take away what has happened, I can’t rebuild their lives, but I want them to know that the world still thinks of them. That we haven’t forgotten.
I’m sending the little book I’ve written out into the world. It’s not the full story of my five years in Japan—just the first part (if there is interest, I will continue it). I’m selling it as a fundraiser, to raise money to continue supporting people who have had their lives shattered. A portion of the money will be donated directly to organizations doing work in the earthquake zone, a portion I may use to put in place some morale boosting efforts. There will be more information about that in the next month or so, along with some creative ways you may be able to participate (this could be fun!). They have to do the hard work of rebuilding, but we can cheer them along, remind them of hope and kindness.
Along with raising money, I’m hoping this little book takes you into a world you’d never know about otherwise. A world of deep traditions, ritual, and reverence for family. It might help you understand why relocation from the earthquake zone is so traumatic (home has a very different meaning in Japan). And it will feed you too, because I’ve included ten of my favorite Japanese food recipes. I’ve tried to give you the flavor of my Japanese home.
To give you a preview: this is the street I lived on in Japan. One of those very old houses was my home for a time. That street is wide enough for a rickshaw. Can you even imagine? The image of the red bridge on the book cover was two blocks away from where I lived. It’s a beautiful old place, this Japan of mine. I hope you will come there with me.
This isn’t a paper book, but a digital download (ebook, if you will). The PDF version available here is 57 pages and contains photos. The Kindle version is available on Amazon, without photos. If you buy it here more money goes to Japan (Amazon takes a 30% royalty on their Kindle books, and the interface is not kind to photos).
Mostly, I just hope you buy it and enjoy it, and I’d be honored if you would consider spreading the word. I’ve intentionally set the price low—$3.99. If you want to pay a higher amount, to donate more money to Japan, you can set your own price at checkout for the PDF. I would love nothing more than to raise enough money to really make a difference.
And if you are a Nook user, please speak up. If there is enough interest I will list it there too.
Eighteen years ago I had the great fortune to end up in an amazing and confusing place—living with a Japanese family in an old town high in the mountains. They took me in and gave me a home and taught me all I know about community, connection, tradition, how to come together in good times and in bad, and to celebrate the rice harvest (read the book, you’ll see what I mean). My life was forever changed by my time there, and by the great kindness shown me.
It’s my turn to give something back. I’m hoping you can help me.
Purchase Tales from High Mountain here (PDF version)
Purchase Tales from High Mountain on Amazon (Kindle version)
With grateful thanks, and in a pretty pink graduation day kimono,
—Tara
(which means “codfish” in Japanese, if you really must know)
I would be remiss in not mentioning that others volunteered to help me with this project. Jules Clancy designed the gorgeous cover I love so much. Tara O’Brady did the layout for the photo collages in the book. And several friends helped with editing and proofreading. Thank you Tamiko, Sian, Michelle, and Ken. It takes a village, and I feel very lucky to have a great one. Now, let’s see if we can do some good.
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Dear Tara: I purchased your book yesterday. Thank you! I’m saving it for the flight to Honolulu in a few hours. I can not wait. xo
You are a freaking rockstar. Cannot wait to read! xxxxxxxx
What Luisa said. Way to go, you! Can’t wait to read it. What a brilliant idea-to do what you can, and use what you know.
You are my inspiration there, Julie! I’m just following in your big footsteps. xox
The university my boyfriend works at, University of California at Riverside, is sister universities with Sendai, very close to where the damage was greatest. I think everyone he knows is ok (the university is up in the hills so escaped most of the flood damage), it was a shock to hear about, especially because he just visited there last fall. If the visit had been scheduled for the spring teaching quarter, he might have been there when the quake hit. I will definitely be looking into this book, we’d like to do what we can to help. Thank you.
@The Hungry Traveler – I worked at UCR’s IEP up until the end of March! I wonder if we know each other. I’m glad all the students were able to contact friends and family back then. I am currently working at one of UCR’s sister universities in Japan. I left to come here at the end of March, despite everyone’s horror that I was going into “such a dangerous place”
Lovely, Tea! Looking forward to reading about your Japan and sharing it with others.
SO happy to see this in its final state. Congratulations, dear friend!
I don’t have a kindle.. can I down load it and read it on this computer? from you? c
Absolutely, Cecilia. If you click on the link you can buy the PDF version, which will download onto your computer. I don’t have a Kindle either!
Congrats Tara! I will spread the word here on FB and otherwise! Loved visiting you in that little town, so I will read it with fond memories!
Thank you for sharing your experience and for doing this. Great idea. Going to download it now. Can’t wait to read and see the photos too. Will look forward to part 2.
Arigatou gozaimasu
I set this afternoon aside to get a jump on my deadlines this week, but then I saw your tweet. Couldn’t resist downloading the book. Just finished it and now I want part two, and three and four. Lovely writing and I love that you’re giving back to the country that helped shape who you are. Bravo, Tara.
Great idea! I will buy this e-book very soon – can’t wait to read your stories from Japan and magnificent that I can donate to the wonderful Japanese people at the same time!
Congratulations, Tara!!!! Looks fantastic.
I got your blog name from The Plum Palate blog and I’m intrigued by you food entries and your insights into Japan. I just read The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet so Japan is on my radar. Congrats on your book…I look forward to reading more!
Thanks so much for doing this. I hope that your fundraising goes well. I look forward to reading your journey.
This is so inspiring. Thank you for doing what you can and encouraging us to do what we can as well. I, along with so many others I’m sure, felt so helpless as I watched the coverage on television. It felt like all I could do was cry. Thanks for reminding us that there is still much recovery work to be done, and for giving us a way to help a little as well. I can’t wait to read your book!
This is an amazing idea – to use your skills to help out in anyway you can, even if it is a different way than collecting and sending supplies. Love it.
So seriously purchased. If I send you an extra $3.99 about once a week, can I get Part II sooner? Congrats, T!
Wonderful initiative, Tea, and I am very eager to read about the Japanese chapter of your life.
I am about to purchase the pdf version and transfer it to my kindle for reading — I prefer that the purchasing price go directly to your Japan fund. I’ll report back on how well the format displays on the kindle, if anybody’s in the same situation.
Tara, what a generous act of love and creativity. Inspiration and creation is an inspiring way to deal with such tragedy and loss. Thank you for your efforts.
Xxxoo
Brooke
I’m a nook user – woudl love to buy in that format! I was born in Japan and would love to hear your stories.
Thanks for speaking up, Julie. If I get enough requests I will do that (it costs additional to format it for another reader, so I need to make sure there’s enough interest to make it worthwhile). You can of course purchase the PDF version, which includes pictures the others do not, and I’ll make an announcement if it looks like the Nook version is going to happen.
Many thanks!
it is FABULOUS — am so enjoying reading. And such a wonderful idea. Now … when can we expect the next installment??
Just bought my copy! So glad you did this. I always love reading the stories of others who have lived in Japan! Can’t wait to dig in!
Will definitely purchase as soon as I have the funds. Great idea!
I’m a Nook user too, but I’ll buy it on my iPad Kindle app. So looking forward to reading it. And you look BEAUTIFUL in that last kimono picture…
Reading it already! PDF on ipad, in case you’re counting. Such a lovely project.
Looking forward to reading your story and refreshing my own memories which are never far from my heart…
Hi Tara, had the great privilege of being in Takayama during the autumn matsuri, and your story brought it all back. You were so lucky to spend an extended time in that beautiful town.
Oh my goodness, you were there to see it! How wonderful. My Japanese family’s float is actually in the spring festival, so you didn’t see them, but isn’t it lovely? (though crowded!). I love that you got to experience it. I know I am biased, but I think it is such a special place.
Thanks for sharing your experience. So nice to come across someone else who was there.
A truly wonderful effort! As the mother of an exchange student (as well as being a reader with a personal love of Japan) I was thoroughly captivated by your story. Thank you so much for sharing your experience and reminding us of the tragedy that is still effecting so many lives in that part of the world.
I also lived in Japan for a time. It will always be a very special place to me. I just purchased the book and can’t wait to read it.
Tara, I bought two copies. My son reports to Yokosuka Naval Base September 28 and I wanted to send a copy to him to read on his long flight from Baltimore to Tokyo. I fell in love in Japan 25 years ago and look forward to reliving my time there.
Dear Tara,
One of my friends living in California recomended me your blog and now I read it. I was so impressed that you did write this message this month, more than five months after March 11. As you said, “Most of the camera crews have left northern Japan, but the disaster continues.” That’s really true. Thank you very much for your deep understanding and warm support. Some of my friends in northern Japan are still struggling with everyday life or working so hard to help each other, so I cannot forget them. I will buy your book and also share this message with my friends in different countries. Many thanks from Yokohama in Japan
Thank you so much for your message, Yukiko. Of course I still want to help! I know how strong the Japanese people are, but this is such a hard and awful disaster. I want them to know the world has not forgotten about them. Thank you for your support, and your kind words. I hope your friends–and all in that area–can have some relief. My heart aches for them, I had to try to help in some very small way.
Small is beautiful!! and please see some pictures of Kesennuma area which was damaged badly by tsunami. I visited there this month, 6-7 August. You can understand why I was so glad to read your blog this month…we still have a long way to go. Your support is most welcome. Again many thanks
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Having watched my own hometown (Christchurch, NZ) crumple to a shadow of its former self just a few short weeks prior to the March quake, I can still barely comprehend the massive scale of what happened in Japan. As soon as I’m able, I’ll be purchasing your book.
What a beautiful project. I would love to be able to download it on my nook.
Tara,
I just purchased and read your book. Thank you for giving us an opportunity to help the Japanese through your project and thank you for letting us learn about your life in Japan. I am fascinated by this story and hope to read more soon. Thank you!
Ordered my PDF and added a bit extra to the purchase price for good measure. Looking forward to reading it!
I think of Japan often and remind my kids that they are still recovering “over there”. Cole wears a Japan t-shirt proudly and Jake always asks what they are doing now and how bad is it still.
I’ll share your book with them so they can appreciate the country and it’s people from a real perspective.
Thanks for sharing!
xo
Jill
It will be a little while before I have time to read this, but wanted to purchase it. Thank you! What a wonderful thing you are doing.
I got your book for my Kindle as soon as I heard about this. Taking this afternoon off to play hooky and read your stories (and maybe even drink some sake). You are a kind heart. Thank you.
I’ll be happily buying your book in a few minutes. I visited lovely Takayama years ago. I recently lived in western Japan for six years with my family, and we miss it terribly. Thank you for doing this–I’m sure I will love reading your story! Incidentally, I will buy the pdf version but may try to download it to my Kindle, as Clotilde mentioned doing. Oh, and I’m here via Amanda’s link from Soulemama!
Just bought your pdf version–more goes to the Japanese people AND I get to see your photos. I’d also like to try transferring it to my Kindle, but if not, I’ll happily read it on my computer. We almost did a home exchange with Japan this past Spring as my son is fascinated with the country and culture. . Glad I found your blog today through “Chocolate and Zucchini” link regarding “Cooking on Vacation”. Thank you. Ciao from Italy, Diane
What a wonderful project! I just ordered my pdf copy. (I clicked here from Jama Rattigan’s delicious site.) Wishing you many blessings.
Hi Tea,
I think your work to raise money for this cause is worth applauding. I have just bought the pdf version – for the same reason as others, it gives more to the cause – but I also will be trying to download it onto Kindle to take with me to read. This is a wonderful way to give, both for you and for us who buy your book! Thank you for investing so much into it and sharing generously.
By the way, how do I access the book? Does an e-mail with pdf attachment come along?
Lisa.
Thanks so much, Lisa. You should get an email after payment with a download code. Please let me know if you have any problems, and thanks again.
Hi. I live in Croatia and have only visited Takayama. Still one magical month i’ve spent there was enough for me to remember Hida Takayama forever.