“Not Forgetting 3/11” – Works by Writers from Inside and Outside Hokkaido on Display at Sapporo Gallery

The Great East Japan Earthquake refers to the catastrophic magnitude 9.0 earthquake that struck off Japan’s northeast coast on March 11, 2011, triggering a massive tsunami and the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. It is remembered as one of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded and Japan’s worst post-war disaster, causing immense loss of life and long-term regional devastation. The event and its aftermath have profoundly shaped Japan’s disaster preparedness, energy policies, and collective memory, with numerous memorials and museums dedicated to preserving its history and lessons.

Hokkaido is Japan’s northernmost main island, historically the homeland of the indigenous Ainu people. Its modern development accelerated in the late 19th century during the Meiji era, when the Japanese government officially established it as a prefecture and promoted large-scale settlement and agricultural development. Today, it is renowned for its vast natural landscapes, major cities like Sapporo, and distinct seasonal attractions.

Sapporo is the capital city of Hokkaido, Japan, founded officially in 1868 during the Meiji period as a planned modern settlement. It is now internationally famous for hosting the 1972 Winter Olympics and its annual Sapporo Snow Festival, which began in 1950. The city’s history is closely tied to its development as the political and economic center of Hokkaido, with its iconic grid layout and landmarks like the Sapporo Clock Tower symbolizing its early Western-influenced planning.

Chuo Ward is one of Tokyo’s 23 special wards, located at the heart of the city and serving as a major commercial and financial hub. Historically, it encompasses areas like Nihonbashi, which was the starting point of Japan’s historic Five Routes in the Edo period, and Ginza, a district that became a symbol of modernization after the Meiji Restoration. Today, it blends historic sites such as the Nihonbashi bridge with modern skyscrapers and luxury shopping districts.

“Minami 6, Nishi 24” refers to a specific address in the grid-pattern layout of Sapporo, Japan, which was systematically planned in the late 19th century during the country’s modernization. While not a single famous site, this central district is home to landmarks like the historic Hokkaido University and the Sapporo Clock Tower, reflecting the city’s development as a pioneer settlement on Japan’s northern island.

“Pompiye House” is a historic building in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada, built in 1899 for a merchant. It is a notable example of Second Empire