28 May 2024

Immersed in art and culture in Ishinomaki

After a morning of fascinating lectures, we arrived at Ishinomaki and were greeted by music and a large contingent of flag-waving locals. To top off the experience, several samurai warriors were available for photographs at the bottom of the gangway. 

Those opting for the park option boarded coaches and drove by the empty spaces left by the devastation of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that claimed nearly 10,000 lives.

Our destination was Matsushima Bay, which is celebrated as one of the three most famous views in Japan. Some of us took the opportunity to visit Zuiganji Temple - one of the region's most famous and prominent Zen temples, well known for its beautifully gilded and painted sliding doors. The rest crossed the long red bridge touring Fukuurajima Island. The trail meandered through the lush forest past many outlooks into the bay.

Afterwards, we headed to the boat terminal for a scenic cruise for close-up views of the bay’s more than 200 islands. Each island is uniquely shaped and named for its distinct appearance or for the Japanese poetry that it has inspired.

Those who chose the art option were mostly unfamiliar with the Manga art form, and as we walked across the bridge towards the Ishinomori Manga Museum we were greeted by the sight of a building that looked like it was out of the 1970s TV show ‘The Jetson’s’. It was an enlightening experience as we were introduced to one of Japan’s most celebrated Manga Artists, Shotaro Ishinomori’s work, from ‘Kamen Rider’ and ‘Cyborg 009’ to the history of Manga art and its impact on parts of the Japanese culture and Ishinomori’s prolific input into this art form, which has earned him the Guinness Book of World Records Record for contributions to it. 

When then walked back across the bridge to the Kawaramachi Communication Centre where we were greeted by several volunteers who showed and talked about the famous Kokeshi dolls. These traditional wooden dolls have had a recent resurgence, and are now one of the most popular souvenirs sold around the city. Then, we all got the chance to paint our own dolls, with varying success.

Downstairs from the Centre is the newly formed Genki Market which has been created to promote local food and produce in this brand-new facility offering a range of local food and beverages, which we eagerly enjoyed.

Afterwards, our local guides Kenji and Umi organised a visit to the 2011 Tsunami Memorial Museum, which had a big impact on this small city. This was a sombering realisation of how big and destructive a Tsunami can be with the 39-metre wave travelling almost 5 kilometres inland. We also appreciated what an amazing job has been done to repair all the damage and rebuild this city all the while remembering those lives lost and those that still remain missing.    
          
Back ashore, we had time for some shopping with curried oysters and Kokeshi dolls only two of the many choices. Then it was back to Heritage Adventurer for complimentary sake tasting on the dock or a hot chocolate at the top of the gangway.

Images © E Bell, Heritage Expeditions