The Koyasan Shingon Sect and the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake Reconstruction Assistance : Spiritual Care by the Koyasan Footbath Team

ヒガシニホン　ダイシンサイ　ゴ　ノ　フッコウ　シエン　ト　コウヤサン　シンゴンシュウ　コウヤサン　アシユタイ　ニ　ヨル　ココロ　ノ　ケア

イカワ, ユウガク

Ikawa, Yugaku

東日本大震災

高野山真言宗

高野山足湯隊

心のケア

disaster and religion

the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake

Koyasan Shingon sect

Koyasan footbath team

spiritual care

This paper explains how the Koyasan Shingon Sect has provided spiritual care to disaster victims of the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake as an important element of its reconstruction assistance. Following the Tohoku Earthquake, the Koyasan Ashiyu (footbath) team not only supported the distribution of supplies and food but also extended spiritual care to victims. By listening to their needs while giving them footbaths, the Ashiyu team attempted to help victims maintain their independence. It became clear that the practice played a role in bringing together local people who had lost their community due to the disaster.