It has been exactly one year since the July 2018 torrential rains.
In Mabi, Kurashiki City, the loud “bang, boom” of heavy machinery demolishing damaged buildings echoes during the day. More and more houses are being torn down, leaving vacant lots behind.
In August 2018, two men from Kanagawa visited Mabi as volunteers. They have continued supporting the community through music, performing live in flooded areas and at temporary housing sites.
They are the vocal duo imim (Imu Imu).
The music unit consists of two members: Kohei, or Miyawaki Kohei, and Ken, or Ikeda Ken.
The event on June 30, 2019, was for people who had left Mabi after the disaster, those hesitant to return to Mabi, and those who found it difficult to attend because their homes had not been damaged.
They wanted everyone to come and enjoy themselves.
And they wanted to bring a little color to Mabi, which had become more desolate as vacant lots increased.
They wanted people to listen to cheerful music and leave with a smile.
With these hopes in mind, imim planned the event.
“Mabi Fest” was held at Kurashiki Municipal Sono Elementary School on June 30, 2019, about a year after the July 2018 torrential rains.
Here’s a look at this event filled with smiles!
The information presented was current when this article was published in July 2019. Please note that it may differ from current information.
How “Mabi Fest” came to be planned
“Mabi Fest” is a music-centered event planned by imim, a male vocal duo from Kanagawa Prefecture.
Since April 2018, imim had been traveling around Japan and planning “Imu Travels.”
During their travels, prompted by the July 2018 torrential rains, they volunteered in the Kurese district of Mabi, helping remove water-damaged household belongings.
As they continued volunteering, the two members of imim increasingly wanted to bring smiles and renewed energy to the people of Mabi, many of whom looked distressed.
They began giving free performances at places serving meals and at temporary housing sites.
When people in Mabi told them directly that the performances had “given them energy,” the two said they in turn gained confidence that they could make a difference.
A year of learning many things from the people of Mabi, through volunteer work that began with the thought, “We’d like to do something.”
They wanted to give something back, even in a small way, to the people of Mabi who had taught them what matters.
With that in mind, they planned “Mabi Fest.”
The event
Heavy rain was forecast for the day of “Mabi Fest,” and the event might have been canceled depending on the weather. As forecast, it rained in the morning, but the rain stopped before the event began, and the event was successfully held at Kurashiki City Sono Elementary School.
Food stalls around the gymnasium served curry, flowing ramen, frankfurters, cotton candy, shaved ice, and more, drawing crowds of children.
Stage performances took place in the gymnasium.
Upon entering the gymnasium, we received flyers for “Mabi Fest” and its sponsoring companies, as well as a numbered ticket for the “Lucky Draw.”
At the “Lucky Draw,” prizes provided by sponsoring companies, such as beer and a microwave oven, were awarded by lottery. Cheers went up each time a number was called, and people of all ages joined in the excitement.
About BRIDGE OKAYAMA
“BRIDGE OKAYAMA” is a recovery-support initiative for the July 2018 torrential rain disaster, led by the social welfare corporation Sesshu Fukushikai.
After the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake, blue tarps used in the disaster area were collected and repurposed as tote bags.
Along with using part of the proceeds to support recovery, they planned the “Blue Seed Project” (blue seeds = seeds of recovery), a symbol to keep the disaster from fading from memory.
“BRIDGE OKAYAMA” was launched with the aim of carrying out the “Blue Seed Project” in Okayama as well.
The project involves washing and cutting up blue tarps used during the July 2018 torrential rains, then donating the proceeds from selling bags to Soja City and Mabi, Kurashiki City.
By transforming the image of blue tarps used in disasters into something positive and encouraging many people to use them, the project aims to prevent interest in disaster-stricken areas from fading and to support recovery.
At the event, a workshop was held, with proceeds donated to disaster-stricken areas.
- Making a corsage: 500 yen
- Making a badge: 200 yen
I tried making a corsage!
We folded a long strip of blue tarp, wrapped wire around it, and shaped it.
Even though I’m not very dexterous, the instructions were so careful that I was able to make a corsage easily and enjoyably.
It took about 10 minutes to make one corsage.
Once you get the hang of it, you could probably make more in less time. Some people were making them together with their children!
A total of 24,200 yen was raised for donation during the event.
The stage performances
The triangular flags decorating the gymnasium and the sign on the stage were made from denim fabric printed with colorful handprints by children from Mabi.
The stage was decorated with creations made together by everyone!
There was also a performance where imim sang alongside the brass bands from Mabi Junior High School and Mabi Higashi Junior High School, whose school buildings had been damaged.
The students who performed on stage, along with the audience’s friends and family, all clapped along and got caught up in the excitement. It’s enough to make you smile.
Finally, the two members of imim put on a passionate performance.
People raised their arms and swayed their shoulders to the music, singing along.
The two voices blended together, their gentle singing resonating warmly in our hearts.
At one point, the four people who had energized the stage that day stood together and sang.
The “la la la…” singing that echoed through the gymnasium started quietly, but gradually grew louder, and everyone sang along with smiles on their faces.
Bringing smiles through music.
It was truly a moment when everyone in the venue came together.
“Let’s keep going, Mabi!”
Everyone took a commemorative photo together, and the day’s stage came to a close.
From the Writer
Messages for imim were posted on a board displayed in the gymnasium.
The messages were filled with gratitude for the group, who had stayed by the side of Mabi for a year after the July 2018 torrential rains, continuing to volunteer and provide support through their songs.
One person from Mabi told us, “Through music, I’ve made new connections.”
They sang, hoping to do something for someone; their songs lifted people’s spirits, and those people in turn supported the group that had encouraged them.
The support gave them strength, and they too were moved to give something back.
At “Mabi Fest,” I felt that the moment had come when everyone’s care for one another connected, forming a great circle that brought more smiles.
In Mabi, the homes damaged by the disaster have been torn down, vacant lots have multiplied, and the landscape has changed.
From here, I hoped that, one by one, we could build up happy memories again and gradually shape a new Mabi.
Mabi Fest Information
| Name | Mabi Fest |
|---|---|
| Date | June 30, 2019 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| Location | Kurashiki Municipal Son Elementary School |
| Admission (tax included) | Free |
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