Since 2011, JAGDA has held “Handkerchiefs for Tohoku” exhibitions as a part of its Tohoku revitalization efforts.
For the first round of the nationwide shows, JAGDA called for their member artists across Japan to design encouraging handkerchiefs for Tohoku children. Using the proceeds from the sales, 7,332 handkerchiefs were sent to elementary and middle school students in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima Prefectures. In the second round, they asked 232 children of the three prefectures to draw pictures, which were then turned into handkerchiefs by their designers. The proceeds from the sales were donated to the four participating elementary schools, where children discussed its usage for their communities, schools and families. They used the money for a marching band and signboards for a disaster prevention green zone.
This time, the designers created handkerchiefs from the workers’ “voices” at revitalization shopping streets in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima. The owners who had their shops destroyed in the disaster, young people who grew up in Tohoku, newcomers and NPO staff are striving to energize their streets and restore community network. At the exhibition venues, the voices of each participant and the stories behind them will be introduced and the proceeds will be donated to each shopping street.

Three years since the Tohoku earthquake, we hope this exhibition serves as an opportunity to care deeply about people and their communities in the affected area.

Participating shopping streets:
Iwate: Takata-Osumi Tsudoi-no-Oka Shopping Street and Rikuzentakata Mirai Shopping Street in Rikuzentakata City　
Miyagi: Shichi no Ichi Shopping Street in Shichigahama Town, Miyagi District
Fukushima: Yoake Market, Shirogane Shopping Street in Iwaki City

Outline of the exhibition:
Exhibits: Square handkerchiefs（450mm×450mm, 100% cotton, made in Japan by Yaezawa Co., Ltd.）
Exhibitors: 326 graphic designers (JAGDA members) based on messages by 201 persons from Tohoku shopping streets
Sales: 1,200 yen per handkerchief (tax-included/shipping cost excluded). *Orders will be taken JAGDA Online Shop

*The Nagoya exhibition will be held as Nagoya, UNESCO City of Design Promotion Event.