Key Facts
• January 1, 2024: Noto Peninsula earthquake destroyed the couple’s lacquerware shop.
• September 21, 2024: Heavy rains claimed the life of their 14-year-old granddaughter, Hanon Kiso.
• July 6, 2025: Couple participated in a support event in Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture.
• Hanon co-designed an owl-patterned cup, now a key product displayed with her photo.
• The cup’s back features “Hanon♡” to honor her memory and promote disaster awareness.
• Message cards in the cup boxes encourage preparedness, like keeping helmets nearby.
• The couple travels to cities like Sendai and Osaka to sell their lacquerware.
• A Nagahama-based NPO found Hanon’s graduation DVD in the rubble and restored it.
• A 29-year-old buyer expressed hope to aid Wajima’s recovery through her purchase.
• NPO leader emphasized supporting local livelihoods by purchasing products.
Summary
A lacquerware artisan couple from Noto, Japan, who lost their shop in the 2024 earthquake and their granddaughter Hanon in the September floods, participated in a support event in Nagahama City on July 6, 2025. Hanon, who co-designed an owl-patterned cup, inspired the couple to honor her memory by making it a centerpiece of their sales. The cup, featuring “Hanon♡” on its back, comes with a message card promoting disaster preparedness. A local NPO, which restored Hanon’s graduation DVD found in the rubble, invited the couple to the event. Buyers and organizers alike expressed their support for Wajima’s recovery through these efforts.
