Emily Chan
Another tsunami stone in Kesennuma, a city in the Miyagi Prefecture, says, “Always be prepared for unexpected tsunamis. Choose life over your possessions and valuables.”
The tsunami stone in Aneyoshi is the only one that specifically describes where to build houses, but some places in the region have been named according to how safe they are from tsunamis.
For instance, there are places with names such as “Valley of the Survivors” and “Wave’s Edge,” which suggest they are high enough to escape the reach of a tsunami. However, places like “Octopus Grounds” won’t withstand the destructive waves.
Over the years, as coastal towns boomed around the country, these historical warnings faded from memory.
Today, some people think the tsunami stones are outdated. Japan now has high-tech warning systems, massive seawalls, and well-marked evacuation routes.
Still, there have been calls to preserve the tsunami stones as memorials. Even with the advanced technology of the modern world, they are powerful reminders of the dangers of tsunamis that can serve as a message for future generations.
