Sadako Fujiwara: "What the screening of 'Ikireu' in Zushi taught me"

The 80-year-old author, who dedicated her entire career to teaching from university graduation to retirement, was deeply moved by the film "Ikuru: The People Who Fought the Okawa Elementary School Tsunami Lawsuit." This led her to organize a screening herself, filling a hall with over 500 seats.

The author had no prior experience organizing film screenings. She was extremely analog, completely unskilled with digital devices like computers and smartphones. Her only conceivable method of promotion was word-of-mouth. Yet, with a strong desire to share this film with many people, she began her efforts. Her passion spread to those around her, attracting various collaborators, and leading to an outcome nobody anticipated. At the root of her seemingly reckless actions were the painful memories of a school accident she experienced in her youth, the continued presence of former students with whom she still had a connection, and especially a strong feeling for one particular student.

This two-volume set includes the main text, which chronicles her activities over approximately two years before and after the screening, and a separate volume containing comments from collaborators and audience questionnaires. In this milestone year, 15 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake, this work re-examines the significant event from the perspective of a former teacher. Structured to allow the voices of various people to resonate multiply, it offers content suitable for reflecting on the past 15 years.