Musician reaches out to disaster victims via airwaves

A weekly radio program hosted by singer-songwriter Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi, featuring musical performances, poetry recitals and call-in segments, has built up a devoted following among victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake.

Nagabuchi, 54, said Run for Tomorrow allows him "to be with disaster victims and talk directly to them via radio." He and his staff have been producing the FM radio show voluntarily since early April.

Nagabuchi, whose long career has featured such hits as "Tombo" (Dragonfly) and "Kampai" (Cheers), said he has received more than 5,000 responses from listeners saying they have been encouraged by his songs and recitals.

One listener wrote, "I wept as I listened to the show with my friends." Another message came from a listener in Iwate Prefecture, the child of a fisherman: "My father was uplifted by the program. He told us, 'I won't let the disaster get me down!'"

On May 30, an 18-year-old woman called in to the program and asked Nagabuchi: "Why have I been allowed to live? I'd like to search for the answer. I want to live for a dream."

The woman and her mother managed to survive the March 11 tsunami by climbing on to the roof of a house in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture. However, her younger brother and grandmother were washed away. Their bodies were later found, holding hands.

Her great-grandmother also perished in the disaster, dying in her grandfather's arms, she said.

Nagabuchi tried to comfort the young woman. "I think the energy of teenagers is precious. I'm powerless to help, but I'd like to dedicate a song to you," he said.

The woman requested Kyu Sakamoto's song "Ue o Muite Aruko" (known in other countries as "The Sukiyaki Song"), which her mother had often sung to her brother as a lullaby. Nagabuchi played his own recording of the song.

Nagabuchi was in his office in Meguro Ward, Tokyo, on the day of the disaster. Shortly after, anxious about aftershocks and the crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, Nagabuchi left the capital for his hometown in Kagoshima Prefecture.

As he watched TV from the devastated areas, his thoughts turned to the concert tours he had made of the Tohoku region in his 20s and the people he had encountered there. Determined to do something to support them, he decided to start the radio show. He thought radio would be easily accessed by disaster victims, and the familiarity of the medium would be a comfort.

The program's first show went to air in early April, via 10 radio stations that broadcast to areas including Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures. Other stations soon began to add it to their schedules, and by mid-June the program is expected to be broadcast by 23 stations and reach listeners from Hokkaido to Okinawa Prefecture.

Granny 360 - Grandmother Funeral Poem

You can easily find a sample of a floral themed funeral service program that can contain poetry for a grandmother. Funeral programs can have many special selected poems for the deceased. Families generally utilize Funeral program templates to complete the task of creation more efficiently.

A woman who has cared for you, given valuable advice, and helped you through some major times in your life would be a grandmother. If you haven’t been raised by your mother or parents, some grandmothers will have filled that position.

A special bond develops between grandmothers and their grandchildren. A grandmother’s love seems to always be there. They play a vital role in the life of a grandchild and can be very nurturing to them.

Most everyone has a fond memory of their grandmother so when her life ends, you want to selecting poetry that honors her to the fullest.

You will want look for poetry that best highlights this amazing woman. Poetry about grandmothers should show her personality and character by containing all or some of her attributes.

Encouragement, laughter, love, warmth and kindness are all good themes in a poem.

Poetry that contains words of resting in peace and being in eternal comfort can bring comfort to you and facilitate the healing process. Another form of healing may be to write the poem yourself.

Just follow this simple outline and you can be on your way to an original finished work that properly pays tribute to her.

Begin by noting three things or objects that come to your mind when you think of your grandmother. Write down what your grandmother always says. Next, take note of her strengths, skills, and what she has taught you in life.

Remember, poetry does not necessarily have to rhyme. Personalizing your grandmother’s poetry is a good idea because it can become a great keepsake of her for future generations.

Grandmothers Are Special

Poet's choice

Poems for grandmothers

Selected poems II, poems selected & new 1976-1986

New outlook