March was Made of Yarn Writers Respond to Japan's Earthquake, Tsunami and Nuclear Meltdown

11th March 2011. An earthquake occurring off the northeastern coast of Japan - magnitude 9.0, duration six minutes - triggers a 50-foot tsunami that within fifteen minutes has slammed its way ashore, rushing inland six miles, tossing and crushing all in its path - roads, airports, villages, trains, and buses - leaving a trail of death and destruction and causing the slow, inexorable leak of radiation from five nuclear plants. The aftershocks, literal and metaphorical, from this disaster are still reverberating in Japan, and around the globe. The complex elements of this tragic and horrifying event raise questions for all of us who live in the modern world. The writers in this collection seek to explore the impact of this catastrophe through a variety of different means. Their reactions range from stories by young Japanese writers to pieces by more established commentators and authors. This book stands as a record of artistic response from across cultures and generations, even as it contributes in small measure to the charities that are on the ground in Japan, helping the people and communities trying to rebuild their lives.