Six months after an earthquake devastated Japan’s Noto Peninsula on January 1, 2024, many damaged shrines and temples are being repaired.
To assist in historical preservation, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated funds to help with demolition and repair costs of sacred religious shrines and temples.
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Assistance for Demolition and Repair Costs of Collapsed Buildings
Because there are safety concerns about secondary disasters at dangerous sites, like tilting buildings, demolition and repair work is outsourced to specialized contractors rather than volunteers. The Church aids with the demolition and repair costs of such buildings.
By the end of June 2024, two shrines received financial support: Mishima Kintohira Shrine (Mishima Town) and Nishinomiya Shrine (Tomioka Town).
Four Buddhist temples are also supported: Nichiren Buddhist Temple, the Kuonzan Chojuji Temple (Kojima Town), Jodo Shinshu Otani Shoganji Temple (Noto Island), and Jodo Shinshu Honganji Sect Phoenix Mountain Kokenji Temple (Noto Island).
The Sect Phoenix Mountain Kokenji Temple will be the next sacred building to receive assistance.
Financial support has been provided to repair the roof of the main hall of the Kokenji Temple and reconstruction on the Shoganji Temple.
The Mishima Kintohira Shrine was on the verge of collapse because of the earthquake. Known for its huge tengu surfaces on the left and right sides of the main shrine, it was a source of faith and vitality for many residents.
Although the severely damaged shrine required demolition, many historically valuable documents and materials that are local treasures for Nanao City and the Mishima Town Council were rescued. The residents of Mishima wanted to rebuild, but the cost of demolition was an obstacle. The Church aided financially to assist with demolition costs.
Debris Removal Work Support by Helping Hands
On June 15, a large-scale Helping Hands activity was held at Jodo Sosainenji Temple (Kojima Town) for the Kanazawa and Kanagawa stakes (a group of congregations) to clear rubble.
The historical significance of the Sainenji Temple is embedded in the hearts of the people in Japan. The temple is one of the 29 that Maeda Toshiie, the first lord of the Kaga Domain. It is one of the 16 temples that remain today. (The Chojuji Temple is another.)
The roof of the temple collapsed because of the earthquake. Since the interior is exposed to the elements, there were concerns that mold would grow and worsen the situation when the rainy season began. Since it was difficult for on-site work vehicles to enter, many volunteers were needed to remove the vast amounts of waste by hand.
During the service project held on June 15, 2024, more than nine truckloads of rubble were removed. The work was meticulously carried out to salvage and preserve roof tiles and other historical artifacts for future generations. The Church donated a truck to assist clean-up efforts.
At Sainenji, the Kanazawa Stake’s Helping Hands volunteers participated in the debris disposal held on June 29. Helping Hands joined with the volunteer group Sweat Together and volunteer groups of Jodo Buddhists who came from Tokyo and joined the relief efforts.
“It seems that this group is taking care of the poor, and they were talking about each other’s charitable activities while working on their charitable activities,” said Mitsuru Takase, who participated in the event.
Various interfaith and community volunteers worked together in a friendly, respectful atmosphere.
Many shrines and temples, including Sainenji, are still in a tremendous and difficult situation, and urgent emergency response and support are required. It will take time for professional contractors to complete reconstruction with the help of volunteers and financial aid of organizations like the Church of Jesus Christ.