What Does “Hometown” Mean to Me?

Since the 2011 tsunami engulfed my hometown, this question has lingered in my mind. As the third generation of a photography studio, I have observed the evolving landscapes of Onagawa from above, overlaying them with memories of the past. The records of the 1933 Showa Sanriku Tsunami, the 1960 Chilean Tsunami, and the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake reveal generations of residents who endured and rebuilt after each disaster. Reconstructed homes, the former Onagawa Bay, family photos taken in front of temporary housing, and wedding portraits captured by my grandfather—all of these are fragments that shape my idea of home.

The reconstruction plan, which began after 2011, took eight years to complete. During this time, I continuously documented the town and its people. While my previous project, The Restoration Will, focused on my own family, this project broadened the perspective to encompass the entire town. By utilizing archival materials such as old maps and photographs of the town, portraits taken at the family photography studio, and aerial views captured with drones, I sought to document the changes and the narratives behind them. Additionally, I employed salt printing using seawater from Onagawa, creating a photographic expression that connects the town and the sea. These combined approaches allow me to capture and reflect on the multifaceted memories of the town.

​

Images of people standing in their newly rebuilt homes, snapshots damaged by the tsunami, or ancestors’ portraits held in someone’s hands—these moments bring together the past and the present. They also connect me to the perspectives of my grandfather and father, who observed and documented the town through the lens of the family studio. These photographs are not merely records; they tell stories of the town that I feel compelled to share. As the town moves forward with its recovery, I sought to explore how people envision their future, redefine family, and find reasons to continue living in Onagawa. Through these reflections and photographs, I hope to quietly weave the story of Onagawa’s resilience into the fabric of the future, embracing the intersection of uncertainty and hope.​

Mayumi Suzuki