Key Facts
• January 2024: Noto Peninsula hit by a magnitude 7 earthquake, devastating the mikoshi.
• The mikoshi, a 280-year-old symbol of Wajima’s Kurosima district, was crushed in a shrine collapse.
• Over 1,000 parts were scattered, with only one pre-earthquake photo as a reference.
• Master carpenter Yoshitsugu Fukuda, 73, from Himeji, volunteered to restore it for free.
• Fukuda, with 50+ years of experience, completed the restoration in 8 months.
• The mikoshi was returned to Kurosima for the annual “Kurosima Tenryo Festival” in August 2025.
• Residents, including those displaced or living in temporary housing, gathered to celebrate.
• Shizue Hikida, 81, decided to demolish her home but attended the festival, expressing hope.
• Fukuda described the emotional moment of seeing locals pray to the restored mikoshi.
• The festival symbolized resilience and a step forward for the earthquake-affected community.
Summary
After the Noto Peninsula earthquake in January 2024, which destroyed a 280-year-old mikoshi, master carpenter Yoshitsugu Fukuda dedicated eight months to its restoration. The mikoshi, a cherished symbol of Wajima’s Kurosima district, was painstakingly rebuilt from over 1,000 scattered parts using only a single photo as a guide. Fukuda, who volunteered his expertise, returned the mikoshi in time for the Kurosima Tenryo Festival in August 2025. The event brought together displaced residents and those living in temporary housing, offering a moment of unity and hope. Shizue Hikida, 81, who decided to demolish her damaged home, expressed gratitude and optimism during the festival. Fukuda was deeply moved by the sight of locals praying to the restored mikoshi, which now stands as a testament to the community’s resilience and determination to move forward.
