Recapturing Happiness: The Enduring Spirit of Ishinomaki, featuring photographs by Mr. Keisuke Hirai, is an exhibition that conveys the resilience of the human spirit, the joy of community, and the moments of happiness that persisted in Ishinomaki following the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011. The exhibition will be held from January 31 to March 13, 2024 at the Japan Information & Culture Center, and admission is free of charge.
In April 2011, Mr. Hirai traveled to Ishinomaki to begin documenting the disaster-struck area. What began as a trip to archive recovery efforts taking place in Ishinomaki turned into a photo project capturing moments of joy within the city’s community despite the incomprehensible adversities that confronted them. This exhibition reminds us of the longing for happiness that shines through even in unimaginably dark times when we come together, be it as family, friends, or neighbors.
A backdrop to this remarkable story of the enduring nature of the human spirit is the disaster relief operation and humanitarian assistance extended to local Japanese citizens in the Tohoku region by U.S. military personnel. Operation TOMODACHI has continued the enduring friendship between Japan and the U.S.
Come and join us on February 1st from 11:30AM to 1:30PM at the JICC for a Meet & Greet with Keisuke Hirai the photographer of Recapturing Happiness.
The exhibition is free and open to the public. The exhibition will run from January 31 through March 13 and will be open to the public during regular JICC hours, 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday. The JICC will be closed on February 19 for Washington's Birthday and February 23 in observance of The Emperor's Birthday.