Yumeji Takehisa: Depicting the Great Kanto Earthquake 4

~The Great Kanto Earthquake depicted by Yumeji Takehisa 4~

"Tokyo Disaster Picture Letter" 3, published in the Miyako Shimbun on September 16, 1923

As soon as the city hall charity car pulled up at a crossroads in Eirakucho, perhaps because it had given a signal or because it knew the time and was waiting, a group of men and women with blood on their hands came running out from behind a nearby fence and from the back gate of the company housing.

The man on board shouted the command, "Please line up in two rows," and two lines of people quickly formed. I stared at these two mysterious black lines for a while.

As I aimed my lens in that direction, I saw some young men, some with stern expressions of disapproval upon discovering what was going on, and some with slightly embarrassed expressions. I also saw an elderly woman, barely wearing anything but her waist, pushing people aside with a plate held high.

I felt sorry for him and couldn't bear to stay there for long.
Is it so that those who give kindness do not forget to be gracious?
Is it because those who receive charity are too conscious of the fact that they are being given charity? I don't know.

....

I read Yumeji's last three lines over and over again, looking at the picture.

Someone holding a large city hall flag and holding it up from the top of a car.

Looking down from there, the people gathered there would appear tiny.

Ah, that's it, I realized.

Even if it is something you do because of your role or job,

People try to experience the emotions that come from that position.

In my life, I have given and received

Which side have I mostly felt?

If anyone were to ask themselves that question, the answer would likely come immediately.

 

Ever since I was born

It's become either one depending on the situation...

 

And even in times of disaster like this, the truth within us

If I can't stand in the middle,

I can't stand to stay in that place (life) for long.

 

Yumeji explains such a difficult scene:

He is truly a genius.

- Kyoko