Kobe Luminarie

On January 17, 1995 a great earth quake hit the southern part of Hyogo prefecture, which caused numerous numbers of casualties. At that time I lived in the eastern part of Hyogo prefecture, my parents’ wooden house was heavily shaken. A loudspeaker and a music box fell from the top of the bookshelf in my bedroom. I pulled up the bed quilt, shivering with scare in the bed. My parents’ house was not damaged at all. Only supply of gas had stopped for the time being in my city. On the contrary, the house of my friend in Kobe was destroyed, but all the family members were fortunately safe.
Nineteen years have passed since the Great Hanshin Awaji Earthquake. We have moved forward without forgetting a hope to revival and reproduction even if we lost our important persons or even if we received great damages. Life is not only right but also duty. I feel the strong human power and determination not to feel discouraged in hardships.
Kobe Luminarie began in December of the same year that the great earth quake occurred, in the requiem of late people and for the memorial service in the catastrophic natural disaster and with the hope for the beginning of the next year.
Colorful illuminations designed as various buildings are seen in the former foreign residential area. The art of their solemn lights is overwhelming, which moves us deeply and gives us a serene mind. The number of the visitors or prayers is over 100,000 people a day and may be more than 500,000 people on the weekend.
As the area was jam-​packed like sardines, I grasped my husband’s hand firmly not to get lost.
If you come to see the illumination for prayer with your important person, grasp his or her hand firmly not to get separated.