Ryokyu Endo's Post from September 2011: 3 Live shows !!!

（DAY１）

2011/09/13

For a while I had an idea about giving volunteer Shiatsu in the Touhoku area and also giving some live performances with the Sangha band, Lamani. And this plan manifested in a very interesting way. Let me explain: Firstly, Lamani registered to perform at Teizen-ji Jazz festival in Sendai City  http://www.j-streetjazz.com/, and also at Dou-Gen-In in Ishino-maki city, through a friend of mine, Clive.  A journalist from the UK, Clive lives in Tokyo, and came for one of our live shows at Earth Garden, in Yoyogi,Tokyo.   He was so excited at the show, that he helped set up live performances for us in the Touhoku disaster areas.

Photo of Clive

Another live show we decided to do was at a live house in Karakuwa Town, which is where GUC has been supporting people in shelters since March 2011, sending washing machines, refrigerators, fresh vegetables and other things.  It is the place with which we have Go-En (An invisible connection, a karmic connection—in Buddhist terms). 

So here it was: our wish suddenly materialized into three live shows at three different places!

It took 12 hours for the band members to get here from Kyoto.  Next day, it took us 3 and a-half hours to get to Kesen-numa city, and we did volunteer Shiatsu all day long. It was great that everyone in the band could give volunteer Shiatsu treatments; how great it was….. But it was an intensive schedule.

We gave Shiatsu treatments till night had fallen, and then performed at the live house.  Then we moved to Ishino-maki city late into the night, and played again in the afternoon next day, finally going to Sendai with  lightning speed again.

We had decided, prior to the shows, that, if we all went together, we would not be able to have as much time for volunteer Shiatsu, so, we decided that I would just go to Ishino-maki alone first. This way, I ended up at a temporary residence in Ishino-maki, with people who were evacuated to a temple called Do-Gen-In following the tsunami and earthquake. I treated a few people including elderly people that the afternoon. They were happy, like the one who couldn’t bend his knee before the shiatsu treatment. By the way, Do- Gen-In is not that huge, but at some time, there were 400 people staying there! I wondered how it was possible!. It must have been intense. However, now, all of them had moved to temporary residences. Unfortunatel,y Ishino-maki city is still not recovered fully from the huge damage they experienced.

（２）

2011/09/14

 After Ishinomaki, all six band members, left toward Karakuwa town, spread into 2 teams, and gave Shiatsu treatments for the whole day at 2 locations. A leader of one of the residences kindly suggested to us to take a break sometimes, but we actually couldn’t take any.  Below is a picture of a girl who goes to kindergarten there.  She had asked for a treatment for her dislocated joint.  Her name is Kokoro (meaning  ‘heart’). After the treatment, I told her to take it easy for a few days, but right away she started enjoying riding her bike, saying, “I’m Cured !”

Miss. Kokoro after treatment showing her leg

（３）

2011/09/16

On the 3^rd day, we did volunteer Shiatsu till the sun went down, and then a performance at a live house.

The young 17 year old boy sitting in a wheel chair in front, is called Yuta. He is the son of the owner of the live house, and he is a strict critic for performers here, but it turned out we passed his test. The place rocked, and we were asked for an encore!

As a matter of fact, I don’t really know what is going on around me when I am playing music. I guess because I concentrate so deeply to my inner self, just like a Nembutsu practitioner who is really ‘into his wishes and prayers’. 

We took off after performing and supper to Ishino-maki city, arrived at this hotel around 11:30pm. Most of Ishino-maki’s hotel have not yet recovered fully since the disaster, and the hotel we stayed in was no exception, as the bathrooms didn’t work. We had to go to a park nearby to use the bathrooms there, but having a bed and roof is better than no bed and roof, so we couldn’t complain!

（４）

2011/09/17

I called Mr. Onozaki, the head priest of Dou-Gen-In Temple, in Ishino-maki city. Do-gen-In used to be a shelter and there were 400 refugees staying there at one point. Today, Sep/11, exactly 6 months after the disaster, there was a special ceremony at the Temple.  Mr. Onozaki asked me to do a memorial performance before the ceremony.

I had heard about this Temple as it is well known through the mass media. The whole event and ceremony was broadcasted on National TV. We first started to set up in the morning, and began to play with an indescribable heartrending feeling. I could feel the music was penetrating to people’s hearts. There apparently were some elderly people who could not hold back their tears. After performing, an organization from Taiwan that was delivering their fundraised money to the area asked me for a meeting, and they told me the performance was excellent and they asked us to play again when they organized another memorial ceremony for the whole Touhoku area.

We took off again, to the next place, Sendai. We had another performance. People from the Temple saw us off with a song from a famous Japanese singer. I mentioned that we feel sorry for not attending the ceremony, and then they told us kindly our performance was good enough for that.   I had a little worry whether we can be on time for next performance, but it went well also, and we felt people were happy with the performance.

We had some comments like “I’ve never heard songs like this!” and “Somehow it <the music> penetrates into my heart”.  It was many hard days and nights, but I really think it was right to continue this way and also if we, as a band of a Pure Land Temple can transmit Buddha’s wishes through our performances, it would be so much appreciated.

Reports from June ~ October 2011…..

Kesen-numa now: June ~ October 2011…..

I would like to inform everyone of our on-going support to Kesen-numa Elementary and Secondary School shelters.

<June 2011>

After 3 months, the food condition of both schools shelters ws still not good enough, with a constant lack of vegetables. A welfare commissioner, Ms. Ono who had evacuated to Kesen-numa Secondary School shelter told me most of the food we had was stuffed bread, and/or instant food and only occasionally could have boiled radish and carrots from the beginning of May. “Until Tao Sangha began supporting here, we’ve never seen a whole tomato…. “

I also asked other people, and everyone expressed wanting to have some vegetables. So, GUC decided to send some vegetables regularly.

We were struggling to find a vege-supplier, but finally found ‘Tsukiji Sanchoku farm”, a whole seller in Tokyo Tsukiji market, and they thankfully promised us to not make any profits for this event.

That was the beginning.

The first delivery arrived, and everybody, included volunteers from all over the country helped to make 200 salads. We couldn’t use the kitchen, therefore we made them outside, in a little field in front of school building. It was hot, and salads easily get damaged, so, they were moving to the shade under the trees, and the whole process took about 3 hours. “ It was only a small portion for each person, but everyone was really grateful, and so happy to have even that.”--- comment from somebody staying in the shelter.

<August 2011>

We sent 2^nd, 3^rd deliveries, but the city complained to Ms. Ono, saying “ Making salads outside is not safe and you are taking a chance to get food poisoning.  Are you going to take responsibility if that happens? “ It was an unpredictable action from city.

Ms. Ono had tears in her eyes, but we had to stop sending the vegetables, because no one could take responsibility.  However, we could send root vegetables, and Ms.Ono shared them with everyone in the school shelter.  Another obstacle we were faced with was that of course, there was no cooking equipment available at the school.   Well, when some people with relatives in temporary homes would go there to take a bath, they would take some vegetables with them and cooked them there. In this way, the vegetables were shared with people in temporary homes as well as the shelters.

<September>

There were 500 people living in this school shelter at the peak period. Now, the number is down to two digits. Ms.Ono also decided to move to a temporary home finally even though she was not really happy about the decision. She said that she had to make a compromise, because those homes are built in an isolated area (especially hers is built in a valley), and some people even refuse to move there. The city asked her to move in because she‘s never been lucky in the draw so far. She had refused many times till now, but her health has been failing, ---she lost 25lb---, and finally she felt it maybe better to move there.

<October>

It has been a month since Ms. Ono moved into a temporary home, an area with another 56 people living there. It is a very isolated area.  For example, the nearest bus stop is a 20 minute walk away, and the road is too narrow, so she thinks no snow remover will be able to get in. So, she is negotiating with the city to have some snow removal supplies.

While visiting every home in the area door to door, she also realized that the majority of the people there are elderly.
She noticed the increase of depression and dementia among those elderly living alone. No wonder! They lost everything that meant anything to them, and with no hope for their future, they just spend day after day in this shelter, alone….

Then she was inspired by something. Her parents used to be tailors, and Ms. Ono can sew very well because she used to help her parents. And, she started to teach “patch work” using old Kimono to those elderly people in the area. It was from her ultimate wish that those people could regain a hope to live.

GUC also wishes her wish comes true, and asked to all of our members to donate any old Kimono, and then we sent them.

Also, she humbly asked us when I called her,“ If you don’t mind, please send one… maybe 3 sewing machines. Sorry for always asking, “ she said.

                                                                                                               Report : Shin Hasegawa

Total funds raised for Japan

As of July 25th, a total of $7120 has been donated to the people of Japan through Tao Sangha fundraising in Montreal, Toronto, Madison, Chicago and Portland. Thank you everyone for your generosity and efforts and for remembering those suffering and in great need.

Shiatsu and Dinner for Japan in Madison

On Saturday evening July 16th, 20 adults and 4 children came together at the Tao Sangha Madison Center to support Japan. Short shiatsu treatments were given by Alex Pereklita who was visiting from the Toronto Center and myself to most attending the event. At 7:oopm an authentic Indian dinner was served, that was made by a neighbor woman from India.

Because of the heat of the day most of us ate outside. After dinner we enjoyed hula hooping, games, telling stories, and kids caught fireflies. Inside, slideshows and videos of Japan were continuously shown and some made cards to send to those in shelters in Japan. Over $300 was raised and will be wired to Japan to continue to support people in shelters in the Tohoku area.

Charity Shiatsu fundarising for Japan in Chicago

The Pacific College of Oriental Medicine (PCOM) in Chicago hosted a Charity Shiatsu event to raise awareness and $100 in funds for Japan. Two Tao Shiatsu practitioners from Toronto and Madison came together to create this impromptu event. For the PCOM students participating it was unique to experience the personal relief through Tao Shiatsu treatment and at the same time with donation support and enrich the lives of people in need on the other side of the planet.

Sending some Vegetables to a shelter in Kesen-numa (Report #3)

Every Saturday, we hold fund raising at Nakano train station (in Tokyo).  Last Saturday we collected 16188yen ( about $200CAN). Lately, some people donate repeatedly. We are so grateful for everyone who participated.  

We get supplies from Tsukiji central market in Tokyo. This supplier doesn’t charge us extra to make a profit,  and is even considerate enough to pack everything neatly to make our transportation costs down. Much appreciated !!

We send raw vegetables instead of root vegetables, since the shelters where we send the food still have no cooking facilities.

When I visited some shelters in the beginning of June, there were 380 people in Kesen-numa shelters. I was there during lunchtime, so, I asked a few people about the food situation, even though I thought it maybe a little rude to do so.  One lady answered that she had a simple rice ball, a half portion of tofu (about 200g) and some miso soup with a piece of daikon and carrot for lunch.  Her breakfast was a readymade sweet bread, a pack of milk and vegetable juice.  She had yet to finish some of her breakfast, as I could see some remains at her bed side. She told me meat and potatoes are served for supper, but she did not look happy about it. “I just came like this…just could survive, and I can’t complain if I think about all those victims <who died>. So yes, the food situation is poor, but it is the same for everyone,” said she.

 Mr. Uji-ie said, “I used to weigh 67 kg when I came here, now I’m 59 kg.  Our diet right now is not well balanced, not enough vegetables, and my joints hurt.”

Mr. Satou told me he’d hardly had any vegetables till May, only some boiled daikon and carrots from a can give out by the army. Ms. Ono, who is a welfare commissioner told me for her, it was a rice ball and some sweet confectionary, and a man beside her said, “ yes, yes, it was also a rice ball and a yo-kan “(a sweet red bean).

A boxed lunch was served for lunch and supper when June came. “there were some fried vegetables and deep fried stuff。We felt so happy. But raw vegetables were a mouth full of fine chopped cabbage… wanna have some lettuce…” said Mr. Satou. And Ms. Ono said “I’ve never seen a whole tomato since I‘ve been here.”

 I went back to Tokyo and called Ms. Ono, asking, “Will everyone be happier if I send some raw vegetables?” She quickly replied, “we can have some salad, that would be great!”

We sent : 40kg of Tomatoes, 20kg of cucumbers,  20kg of lettuce, 25kg of onions, and 5kg of celery.

Ms. Ono called on the 21^st, saying, “It’s arrived!”

On the 22^nd, I talked with Ms. Ono and she said, “Everybody was so happy to have some salad! We divided the vegetables into 300 meals! Thank you very much!”

Dinner Fundraiser in Portland, OR

On June 12^th The Global Uni Community of Tao Sangha Portland held a benefit dinner for Japan. We prepared and served a 5 course “Japanese Style” meal, held a raffle, made cards to send to the shelters and had a belly dance performance!

It truly was a delicious evening of community, heartfelt generosity, and inspiration. We raised over $1700 for the people of Japan. This brings such a wonderful feeling!