I am a Kite - Fukushima child and mother

Shusei is 4 and lives in Fukushima City, north west of Fukushima Daichi. He really liked a kite from Aomori, so I painted his face into the kite. Shusei painted the wind blowing the kite.See below for an image and words by his mother

His situation The levels of radiation are so high in Fukushima City that some parents and schools are not allowing children to play outside at all. They usually wear long sleeves and face masks when outside, and avoid the rain. They try to be careful about food and water. 

 

Drawing solely by Shusei's mother

 

 

 

This picture is by Shusei's mother Kaori. It shows Fukushima Daichi, radiation and the tsunami at the top. She has drawn the whole family below. Scroll down for her words

 

 

 

By Kaori, Shusei's mother
3.11　福島市で被災
3.14　原発事故があった日、
私たちは放射線が舞っているとは知らずに、水をもらうための行列に並んだり、食料を買うために店に何時間も並んだり、自転車で出かけたりしていました。原発から1.5kmに自宅がある大熊町の友人は、一晩だけの避難と思って出て3.11に家を出て以来、戻れていません。

私たち親子は避難生活はしていませんが、休日の度に、身体を休めるよう環境放射能の低い地域に行っています。 福島のお母さんは、そのような方が多いと思います。

原発事故以来、家族が遠く離れ離れになり、子どもは外遊びを控え、土は汚く危険なものと教えざるを得なくなりました。祖母の育てた野菜を子どもが口にすることはできません。子どもを外で遊ばせることができる暮らし。畑で採れたものを食べられる暮らし。私がしたいのはふつうの暮らし。

でも運命に、屈してはならないと思います。立ち上がる希望が明日を切り開くのだと思います。 世界中のみなさん、福島を応援してください。 そして、原発なんかいらない世の中を作りましょう。

"3.11: We experienced the earthquake disaster in Fukushima-city.
3.14: The nuclear accident followed.

We did not know about the radioactive fallout. We were standing outside in queues to get water, queuing outside the shops for hours and going around by bicycle.

My friend from Okuma-machi (which is 1.5km away from the plant) left their home. At the time the friend thought it would be for one night, but they have been unable to return home since March 11th.

Since the nuclear accident, our family has become separated, with some going away to live. My child has to avoid playing outside, and I have to teach him that soils are dirty and dangerous. He cannot eat the vegetables that are grown by his grandma.

We have not evacuated, but we go to places where the radiation is low each holiday to rest. I think that many Fukushima mothers are doing the same thing as us.

I just want to live an ordinary life where he can play outside and where we can eat vegetables from the allotment.

However we should not give up. Standing up with hope will open up tomorrow.

Everybody in the world, please support Fukushima.
We will make a world without any nuclear power plants."

Live cheerfully, like sunflowers - Fukushima

ヒマワリの中心が自分の顔で、笑顔でいる。それを見て、みんなが笑顔になればいいと思う。　
"There is a smile in the middle of sunflowers. I think everyone smiles when they see them."

Yamato is 13 and lives in Fukushima

The writing on the picture is a haiku about the importance of living cheerfully, like sunflowers. Sunflowers have been planted in high radiation areas of Fukushima in an attempt to remove radiation from the soil, so they are becoming a symbol of regeneration.

Flying with dogs, Fukushima

空を飛んで雲に乗っている絵を描いた。犬も一緒に飛んでるよ。空を飛びたいなあ。　
"I painted a picture of flying on clouds. I am flying with dogs. I wish I could fly."

Kurumi is 7and lives in Koriyama, Fukushima, Japan.

Her situation
The levels of radiation in Koriyama are so high that most parents and schools are not allowing children to play outside at all, even though soil has been removed from many school grounds. They wear long sleeves and face masks when outside, and avoid the rain. They try to be careful about food and water. Koriyama is a city of 340,000 people 60km west of Fukushima Daiichi.

Kabutomushi and rhinocerous beetles, Fukushima

 カブトムシを捕まえたかったから絵で描いたよ。１匹はヘラクレスオオカブト、もう１匹はグラントオオカブトだよ。　　

Yu is aged 5 and lives in Koriyama, Fukushima, Japan

His situation
The levels of radiation in Koriyama are so high that most parents and schools are not allowing children to play outside at all, even though soil has been removed from many school grounds. They wear long sleeves and face masks when outside, and avoid the rain. They try to be careful about food and water. Koriyama is a city of 340,000 people 60km west of Fukushima Daiichi.

The island of honey, Fukushima

 ハチミツをいっぱい舐めたくて、ハチミツの島を描いた。前はクマさんにハチミツをとられっちゃったから、今回はいっぱいハチミツがとれたらいいなあと思った。

Mizuki is 7 and lives in Sukagawa-shi, Fukushima, about 60km west of the nuclear disaster site.

Her situation
The levels of radiation are so high that some parents and schools are not allowing children to play outside at all. They usually wear long sleeves and face masks when outside, and avoid the rain. They try to be careful about food and water.

Using the roped off swing, Fukushima

 

ブランコに乗って外で元気に遊びたいなあって思った。ブランコに乗るのは楽しいから好きだけど、今は外で遊べないから、ブランコの絵を描いた。ブランコに乗ると、風景がいつもと違ってキレイに見えるよ。

Hanako is 6 years old and lives in Fukushima City, Fukushima. She felt very intensely about her picture and was very upset when she thought she had run out of time to finish it. Her friend helped her to finish it later.

Hanako's mother wrote these words (Japanese below):

"I live in Fukushima with my husband, 6 year old daughter and 1 year old son. The earthquake on March 11 caused the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident and high levels of radiation have been leaking since then. We can still detect cesium in many areas around Fukushima.

Every morning, when my children leave home for school, I remind them to carry tissues, a handkerchief and a face mask. In the nursery school yard there are lots of sunflowers*. And there is a rope barrier around the climbing frames and slide to prevent the children playing with them.

Our family have decided to keep living in Fukushima even under these conditions. When people say "All mothers in Fukushima, be brave and evacuate from there!" I feel pain.  I just cannot make that decision because I read about Fukushima residents who evacuated to somewhere else and the children got bullied by local children. Also,
I can't help being concerned about work, money, and the stress that might be  caused by starting life in completely new place as a stranger.

However, there is a good side to remaining in Fukushima too.
I received 2 dozen bottles of water with the message "Please use it to make milk for your baby."  I also had a chance to meet people who really care about children in Fukushima. I am touched by the warm-heartedness of many people.

We all have no idea how Fukushima children’s health will be in the future. However, Fukushima children have infinite possibilities. We all believe that. My wish is that we adults lead children towards a great future shining with hope.

*grown to try and remove radiation from soil

今、私は福島市に住んでいます。
主人と６歳の女の子、１歳の男の子と住んでいます。
３月１１日の地震で、福島原発から高い放射能が漏れ、
いまだに福島市の多くの土地からセシュウムが検出されています。

朝、子どもが小学校に出かける時、
「ハンカチ、ティッシュ、マスク、持った〜」と言って送り出します。
保育所の庭では、ジャングルジム、滑り台にロープが張ってあり、
たくさんのヒマワリが咲いています。

我が家は、避難する事なく福島市に住み続ける事に決めました。
「福島のお母さん、勇気をだして避難して」と言われると
苦しくなります。
転校をした学校でいじめにあった記事を読んだり、
仕事の事、お金の事、新しい土地でのストレスを考えると、
どうしても．．．

でも、悪い事ばかりではありません。
「赤ちゃんのミルクに使ってね。」と２ダースの水が届いたり、
福島の子どもたちの事を真剣に考えてくれる人たちと出会えたり、
人の温かさに触れる事ができました。

これから、福島の子どもたちの健康がどうなるかは誰もわかりません。
けれども、福島の子どもたちの可能性は無限です。
それはみんな、わかっています。
子どもたちの未来がキラキラと輝けるものとなるように
私たち大人が導いていけたらと思っています。

The blue pool, Fukushima

もっと遊びたい。
"I want to play more."

Hiyato is 8 and lives in Fukushima City, Fukushima

His situation
The levels of radiation are so high that some parents and schools are not allowing children to play outside at all. They usually wear long sleeves and face masks when outside, and avoid the rain. They try to be careful about food and water.

Dark clouds of worry above the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear reactors

こおりやまでは、げんぱつがあってかなしいです。
"It’s sad for me that there are nuclear plants near Koriyama."

Naoya is 8 and lives in Koriyama, Fukushima. 

His situation
The levels of radiation in Koriyama are so high that most parents and schools are not allowing children to play outside at all, even though soil has been removed from many school grounds. They wear long sleeves and face masks when outside, and avoid the rain. They try to be careful about food and water. Koriyama is a city of 340,000 people 60km west of Fukushima Daiichi.

Waterfall discipline, Fukushima

 

たきにうたれて目をつぶって水をあびている所を書きました。きのう、川で低いたきでうたれていたから。ちょっといたかったけど気もちよかったです。
"I have drawn being hit by a water fall with my eyes closed. Yesterday I was hit by a small water fall in a river. I felt a little pain, but it was very refreshing for me."

Nouchi is 9 and lives in Motomiya, Fukushima. He experienced being under the waterfall in a summer respite camp.

His situation
The levels of radiation in his home area are so high that most parents and schools are not allowing children to play outside at all, even though soil has been removed from many school grounds. They wear long sleeves and face masks when outside, and avoid the rain. They try to be careful about food and water. Moriyama is 60km west of Fukushima Daiichi.

The moment of splitting

わたしは、まきわりがたのしかったからこのえをかきました。とくに空とふうけいをたいせつにしようと思いました。
"It was fun for me to cut wood, that’s why I draw this picture. Seeing the sky and the view are important in this picture."
Otoha is 8 and lives in Koriyama, Fukushima

Her situation
The levels of radiation in Koriyama are so high that most parents and schools are not allowing children to play outside at all, even though soil has been removed from many school grounds. They wear long sleeves and face masks when outside, and avoid the rain. They try to be careful about food and water. Koriyama is a city of 340,000 people 60km west of Fukushima Daiichi.

Fukushima child's flower shop dream

しょう来、お花屋さんになりたいから。ねがいたいゆめだから、えをかいた。こめらの森の近くのお花と、ルパンの家のまわりのさいているお花。
"I want to have my own flower shop in the future. This picture shows my dream. These flowers are growing near the children’s forest and Lupan’s house."
Hino, 8, Koriyama, Fukushima

Her situation
The levels of radiation in Koriyama are so high that most parents and schools are not allowing children to play outside at all, even though soil has been removed from many school grounds. They wear long sleeves and face masks when outside, and avoid the rain. They try to be careful about food and water. Koriyama is a city of 340,000 people 60km west of Fukushima Daiichi.

In the river, Fukushima

川は、たのしかったです。るぱんの川であそんだ、またいきたい　たのしかった。
"Yesterday we played in the river near Lupan’s house and had a good time. I want to go there again."
Mashiko, 7, Fukushima

Cutting the air: sword children

チャンバラで１かいあそんで見たら楽しかったから
"It was great fun for me to play with a wooden sword."
Itsuki, 7, Koriyama, Fukushima

Itsuki has drawn his friend playing at sword fighting with him during a summer camp designed to give children respite from high radiation areas

His situation
The levels of radiation in Koriyama are so high that most parents and schools are not allowing children to play outside at all, even though soil has been removed from many school grounds. They wear long sleeves and face masks when outside, and avoid the rain. They try to be careful about food and water. Koriyama is a city of 340,000 people 60km west of Fukushima Daiichi.

Escaping Fukushima on a white rabbit

"I want to be smaller, and fly and ride a rabbit, because everyday I can’t go out much, and I don’t have the chance to touch a rabbit."

ちいさくなってうさぎといっしょにとんでおさんぽへいきたい。いつもさんぽへあまりいかないから、そしてうさぎをあんまりさわったときがないから。

Mitsuki, 8, Koriyama, Fukushima.

Another picture with Mitsuki

Her situation
The levels of radiation in Koriyama are so high that most parents and schools are not allowing children to play outside at all, even though soil has been removed from many school grounds. They wear long sleeves and face masks when outside, and avoid the rain. They try to be careful about food and water. Koriyama is a city of 340,000 people 60km west of Fukushima Daiichi.

Summer ghosts, Fukushima

福島、夏の幽霊達

サキは福島県郡山市に住む10歳の女の子。

彼女の置かれた状況
郡山市で検出された放射線レベルは非常に高く、学校のグラウンドの土を除去したとはいえ、ほとんどの親や学校は子供を外で遊ばせていない。子供達は外出時に長袖にマスク着用し、雨を避けている。そして食べ物や飲料水にも注意を払っている。郡山市は人口34万人、福島第一原発から60km西に位置している。

Saki is 10 and lives in Koriyama, Fukushima.

Her situation
The levels of radiation in Koriyama are so high that most parents and schools are not allowing children to play outside at all, even though soil has been removed from many school grounds. They wear long sleeves and face masks when outside, and avoid the rain. They try to be careful about food and water. Koriyama is a city of 340,000 people 60km west of Fukushima Daiichi.

The broken tree can grow again

倒れても再生する

この少年は、原子力発電所に近い福島県東部地域に暮らしている。

Taishi is 12 and lives in Koriyama, Fukushima

His situation
The levels of radiation in Koriyama are so high that most parents and schools are not allowing children to play outside at all, even though soil has been removed from many school grounds. They wear long sleeves and face masks when outside, and avoid the rain. They try to be careful about food and water. Koriyama is a city of 340,000 people 60km west of Fukushima Daiichi.

A prayer for my children 我が子らの為の祈り

3歳のハルトは三人兄弟の末っ子。家は福島第一原発から33km南の福島県いわき市にある。彼はお気に入りの色でオレンジと線を描いた（絵右側）。ハルトくんの母親は祈りを込めて自身の両手と、息子を包むように広がる宇宙を描いてくれた。
ハルトの母親は、3月11日の地震と原発事故の体験を以下のように綴ってくれた。

私は、福島県のいわき市に住んでいます。
３月１１日のあの日から生活は一変しました。
あの日、私は家にいました。とても大きな揺れを感じ
３歳の息子を抱え、急いで下校途中の娘のところへ走りました。
家を出てからも揺れはおさまるばかりか激しく揺れ続けました。
それは、歩けないほどでした。
５歳の息子を幼稚園に迎えにいき、家に戻ると雪が激しく降って
きました。不気味な天気でした。
いつでも逃げられるよう、荷造りをして家族みんなで同じ部屋で
余震におびえながら数日をすごしました。
ラジオやテレビからは、震災の被害が次々と映し出され、原発からは
信じられない状況が目に飛び込んできました。
私たちは混乱しました。ガソリンスタンドは長蛇の列。お店はどこも
開いていない。まちの広報車は、窓はもちろん換気扇、エアコンも
つけないよう、極力外に出ないように、路地野菜は食べないようにと
広報して走っています。水もでないのに、外にも出れない。ありえな
い状況でした。
放射能の事は全く知識がありませんでしたので、何が正しいのかも
判断できませんでした。
それから私は、いろいろな講演会に行ったり、インターネットで調べ
たりしましたが、どれがベストなのか、いまだにわかりません。
でもわかったこともあります。それは、原発はもういらないという
こと。原発の問題だけではなく、農薬、大気汚染などの問題。　　
私たちは生活を見直さなければならないということ。
いろいろな人に支えられて生きているということ。
私たちに、日本中、世界中のかたが温かい手を差し伸べてくれていま
す。本当に感謝でいっぱいです。
こどもの未来を思うとどれが正しいのかわかりませんが、私にでき
ることは地球がかがやきを失わないよう、祈り、自分に出来ることを
続けて行きたいと思います。

Haruto is 3 and lives in Iwaki, Fukushima, 33km south of Fukushima Daichi with his brother  and sister. He chose his colour and drew the orange and the lines on the right. His mother drew her hands in prayer and the universe around them.


His mother wrote the following about the family's experiences of March 11ths earthquake and nuclear disaster:

"I live in Iwaki, Fukushima. Our life has completely changed since March 11th.  I was at home that day. When I felt the massive tremour, I hurriedly took my 3 years old son in my arms and dashed to meet my daughter who was on her way back home from her school. The shaking became even bigger after I left home, so that I could hardly walk properly. Then I went to fetch my 5 year old son from kindergarten. When I returned home, snow started to fall heavily. It was disquieting weather. I packed essential things so that we could run if something happened. We gathered together as a family in one room and slept together for several days, scared by the continuous after shocks.

Dreadful scenes kept being reported by the media every day and the nuclear power plant was in an unbelievable state. We were panicked. People made long lines for petrol and no stores were working. A car with a loudspeaker was going around telling residents not to open windows, not to use ventilation fans or air-conditioners, and also not to go out or eat garden-grown vegetables. We were not able to go out, even though the water supply had stopped. It was an impossible situation. Since we didn’t have accurate information about radiation, we had no idea how to make the right decision about what to do.

Since the 3.11 disasters, I have been attending many different lectures to try to learn about the nuclear issue and radiation, and also through the internet, but I still don’t know what is correct. What I learned from the disaster is that we do not want nuclear power plants any more. We do not want pesticides or air pollution too. I learned that we all have to reconsider our life style. I learned that we are supported by many others. Many people in Japan and people from all over the world have given us help and warmth. I am overwhelmed with gratitude.

I still don’t know what the best decision is when I consider my children’s future. However, I would like to keep praying for the earth to stay clean and do what I can towards that."

Leaping with a dolphin under a red cloud いるかに乗って赤い雲の下を跳ねる

 

タイキくんは福島県いわき市に住む5歳。彼はこの絵を描く際、長い間じっと集中してデザインを練っていた。

彼の置かれた状況
タイキくんのご両親は、すぐにでもどこか放射能の危険が少ない場所へ引っ越したいと考えている。彼らの居住地域で検出された放射線レベルは非常に高く、多くの親や学校は子供を外で遊ばせていない。外出時には長袖とマスクを着用し、雨を避けている。そして食べ物や飲料水にも注意を払っている。

Taiki is 5 and lives in Iwaki, Fukushima. He concentrated for a long time to design and paint his picture.

His situation
His parents hope they can leave for somewhere with low radiation soon. The levels of radiation are so high that some parents and schools are not allowing children to play outside at all. They usually wear long sleeves and face masks when outside, and avoid the rain. They try to be careful about food and water.

Picking wild mushrooms キノコ狩り

アイちゃんは7歳。福島第一原発から33キロ南のいわき市に住んでいる。
カゴを片手にキノコ狩りをしている様子を想像し、自画像の背景を飾ってくれた。

彼女の置かれた状況
アイちゃんのご両親は、すぐにでもどこか放射能の危険が少ない場所へ引っ越したいと考えている。彼らの居住地域で検出された放射線レベルは非常に高く、多くの親や学校は子供を外で遊ばせていない。外出時には長袖とマスクを着用し、雨を避けている。そして食べ物や飲料水にも注意を払っている。

Ai is 7 and lives in Iwaki, Fukushima, 33km south of Fukushima Daiichi

In her picture she is holding a basket of wild mushrooms that she has imagined picking.

Her situation
Her parents hope they can leave for somewhere with low radiation soon. The levels of radiation are so high that some parents and schools are not allowing children to play outside at all. They usually wear long sleeves and face masks when outside, and avoid the rain. They try to be careful about food and water.

Me and the birds

リサちゃんは5歳、福島県郡山市に住んでいる。

彼女の置かれた状況
アイちゃんのご両親は、すぐにでもどこか放射能の危険が少ない場所へ引っ越したいと考えている。彼らの居住地域で検出された放射線レベルは非常に高く、多くの親や学校は子供を外で遊ばせていない。外出時には長袖とマスクを着用し、雨を避けている。そして食べ物や飲料水にも注意を払っている。

Risa is 5 and lives in Koriyama, Fukushima

Her situation
The levels of radiation in Koriyama are so high that most parents and schools are not allowing children to play outside at all, even though soil has been removed from many school grounds. They wear long sleeves and face masks when outside, and avoid the rain. They try to be careful about food and water. Koriyama is a city of 340,000 people 60km west of Fukushima Daiichi.