An early morning phone call awoke me to the heartbreaking news of Japan being struck by the largest earthquake in recorded history. Measuring 8.9 on the Richter scale, the temblor produced a tsunami, which devastated Sendai, a beautiful city on the northeast coast. It was known by the Japanese as the "City of Trees" (杜の都,Mori no Miyako), on account of the stately zelkova trees, lining Jōzenji (定禅寺通 ) and Aoba Streets (青葉通). The miniaturized version of these trees have been immortalized in bonsai plantings.
Last time I visited Sendai, the city looked like this.
The video footage below was taken this morning, shortly after the tsunami struck
I am still trying to contact friends and loved-ones in the affected areas. My heart embraces all those who have suffered losses in this cataclysmic natural disaster.
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