A Chicago-based commemoration project for the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, remembering the victims of disaster and documenting the region's recovery.
The Osaka Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International (CSSI), the Japan American Society of Chicago (JASC), the Consulate General of Japan at Chicago, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Chicago (JCCC) and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) are proud to present 絆 Kizuna 3: Unbroken Circle, a commemorative and multidimensional photography exhibit of the March 11, 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, the ongoing recovery efforts and stories of hope and friendship. 絆 Kizuna and 絆 Kizuna 2: The Bonds of Emotion were the first two installments, touring venues throughout Chicago in 2012 and 2013.
This special photo exhibition, curated by Jamason Chen and honorarily co-chaired by Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, contains three parts. “Memory: Things We Should Never Forget” are photos from Nikkei's collection capturing the current state of the affected Tohoku region’s recovery. Youth Exchanges brings this recovery to life, presenting a personal look into the Kakehashi Project and the JET program, exchange programs fostering friendship and mutual understanding between the people of Tohoku and the Chicagoland area. The Kakehashi Project brings Japanese and American students together for exchanges and homestays. The JET program immerses native English speakers into classrooms and communities across Japan. Unbroken Circle introduces Yarn Alive, a group of women in Tohoku who are extending a helping hand to the Philippines following the tsunami in 2013.
The special collection invites the viewer to understand that while recovery is not over, the people and communities of Tohoku continue to persevere. The exhibition's title, 絆 Kizuna 3: Unbroken Circle, uses the Japanese character for Kizuna to express the bonds of caring and the outreach from every end of the globe. The “Unbroken Circle” is the message of continued support and connection to the Tohoku region even three years after the disaster. We have not forgotten.
Special thanks to: Chicago Sister Cities International (CSCI), the Japan American Society of Chicago (JASC), the Consulate General of Japan at Chicago, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Chicago (JCCC) and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO).
And kind thanks to these sponsors: Barnes & Thornburg LLP | Calumet Photographic | Chicago Kalbi | Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago | Grant Thorton LLP | Hana to Yoko Florist | Hekiun Oda | Loyola University Chicago School of Communication | Matsutani American Inc. | Masuda, Funai, Eifert & Mitchell, Ltd. | Mayumi Lake | Nagle Photography | Office of Mayor Emanuel | Office of Governor Quinn | State of Illinois Governor’s Office
Made possible in part by the generous cooperation of Nikkei Inc.
Dedicated to Nikkei’s collection - Memory: Things We Should Never Forget
Everyone involved with making this photo exhibition possible also wishes to express grateful thanks to the people of Chicago who have created an unbroken circle of friendship and hope with the Japanese people whose lives were forever changed by the earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011. This, too, will never be forgotten.