Tsunami Violin

Spreading a message of peace and unity

Muneyuki Nakazawa, a veteran violin craftsman and restorer, and supporters launched a group on December 1, 2012 named "Inochi o Tsunagu Kodama no Kai" (roughly translated as "Wood Spirit Association to Link Lives") to contribute to the recovery of communities that suffered from the March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. In this project, the wood used to make violins is taken from trees that grew in the areas affected by the earthquake and then played in honor of the victims. Through these activities, the association aims to convey to future generations the impact of the earthquake by reminding people of what happened.

A violin made almost entirely from the debris left by the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami will arrive at your venue for a concert commemorating the 12th anniversary of the disaster. The debris used to make the violin was collected on the seashore of Rikuzen Takata, one of the areas devastated by the tsunami. Artwork featured on the violin represents the instrument’s sound post, which is made of timber from the almost 280-year-old kisekino ipponmatsu, or the miraculous lone pine tree, the only survivor out of 70 000 pine trees on a two kilometre coastal line.

Violins Made from Pine Trees Damaged in Japan's 2011 Earthquake Disaster Tell Stories to Future Generations through Music