In March of 2011, when the ground shook in Japan and the tsunami waters rose up, I did what most of us did. I watched with horror as waves engulfed homes, businesses, entire towns. I donated money to the Red Cross. I wept. 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.

My experience is a little different 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. Every picture reminded me of someone I knew. Little old grandmothers in tracksuits, children in school uniforms, city workers and housewives. I was surprised how strongly I felt—these are my people.

In the days after the earthquake I started writing about Japan. I put my angst onto the page, along with my love of this unique place. I wrote about the family I lived with, the festivals in my town, the special meals we prepared to celebrate the holidays, and how there is nothing—and I mean nothing—so wonderfully restorative at the end of a day as a hot Japanese bath.

I’ve put these stories into a small book to as a fundraiser to help the people whose lives have been torn apart. The camera crews have left northern Japan, but the disaster continues. There are suicides we don’t hear much about. There are families displaced from communities they’ve lived in for centuries. There is fear of radiation that terrifies us all. The Japanese are the most stoic and persevering people I know, yet some things too hard, even for them.

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 tradition, 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.

This isn’t a paper book, it’s 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 hope you read 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.

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’d be grateful for your help.

Purchase Tales from High Mountain here (PDF version)

Purchase Tales from High Mountain on Amazon (Kindle version)

Many thanks,

–Tara