A Disaster For The Future - By Vidhun Purandhar

 

A DISASTER FOR THE FUTURE

I initially was astonished by Hamaguchi Goryo's valiant act of burning his rice sheaves to save his community from an incoming tsunami. What a brave thing to do! However, my admiration evolved beyond that heroic moment as I reread the anecdote, from a singular act of courage to the long-term commitment to a village's safety and hope.

A tsunami showed signs of striking on a stormy day, and villagers quickly evacuated, coming back later to see no damage. I feel them; their initial fear dropping to relief. The next line, however, the anecdote tells us that their relief was shattered by the shock of how all wells had run dry. The sudden jolt of contrast gave me a feeling of pity, that they wouldn’t have slept that night with the dawning dread creeping upon them. Action must be taken.

That evening, a furious earthquake obliterated and punished the innocent villagers, followed by a grey wall of water speeding to the coast. The hopeless villagers responded to this with frantic running and restlessness. Goryo urged the people to evacuate to the Hirohachiman shrine. I can imagine their panic, hopelessness surging within them as the roofs of their homes tore apart. The faint hope they held would've been washed away by the tempestuous waves, being taken aback by this catastrophe.

Although this incident happened 200 years back, it makes me feel immensely sorry even now. But I want to express empathy rather than sympathy. What would I have done in their place? Would I be as brave as Hamaguchi Goryo? I would fear the tsunami, having never experienced one, running frenziedly and maybe even having panic attacks!

His command to evacuate the place isn't the best part about his fortitude. The tsunami returned to the sea at "frightening speed", and Goryo noticed how hope had drained out of the villagers’ weary bodies, unsure where to evade. The genius set to work, and lit his rice sheaves on fire. The flames enlarged; the tsunami would now have to pick on someone its own size. But the fire, not fighting the tsunami, transformed into a guiding beacon for the villagers on a hill, obviously safe from the water. People gradually showed up, and the anecdote recounts a relieved one saying, “Oh, I was saved because of the fire.”

The tsunami resurged, diminishing the village, but lives were saved because of Goryo’s thinking.

Goryo used an elemental trick. He used fire, a destructive tool, to save the lives of people. I am awestruck by his talented heroism. Even though 'talented' might be an odd adjective, I feel that it is the right one. Goryo had summoned the fire to bring the villagers towards it, for safety, which is not what fire usually does. If it weren't for the tsunami on the opposite side, I would be running from the sweltering flames to save myself. In this case, if I did that, I'd die a dumb death. How the villagers understood the purpose of the fire astounded me; they didn't see it as an attacker but as a lifesaver. I now see that Goryo was a shining light, figuratively and literally blazing a light to attract attention, changing my perspective of the “hopeless” villagers.

Sadly, not all families survived. Goryo realised the tsunami had lost the battle but would fight the war. He told himself why not build an embankment! Look at his perseverance! His steadfast dedication to protect the village from disaster is incredible to imagine, and I’m sure the villagers thought that too.

Goryo's ideas were deeply appreciated by the villagers, who decorated the seaside and embankment with nature. They played a crucial role in the making of the embankment and Goryo wouldn’t have done it without their aid and support.

I am amazed by the resilience of a small village in overcoming a massive tsunami, highlighting the importance of quick, critical and creative thinking in tough times. Goryo's story serves as a reminder that ingenuity, responsibility, and action can lead to hope and happiness, even in terrifying situations. Through the villagers’ eyes, he is seen as an inspirational saviour whose unwavering commitment to their security used the disaster to carve a future.