Fukushima, the Land of Good News

July 26, 2011 - Bandaiatami, Fukushima


Midori sounded a bit hesitant to my idea when I asked her if it was OK to translate Fukushima(福島) to ‘Land of Blessing,’ a little poetic use of the name instead of the literary translation of ‘Island of happiness.’ It probably did not seem to her quite fitting for the situation in Fukushima right now as we were putting the second prayer guide together a few weeks ago.

As I was preparing for my second trip to Fukushima, one thing that captured my attention for more than a month was the meaning of the word, Fukushima. The Chinese character, 福, 'fuku' (in Japanese pronunciation) has many different meanings like happiness, fortune, blessing and so on in the oriental culture (Chinese, Japanese and Korean). And this concept of 'fuku' or 福 has complex connotations when it comes to Christianity in the second half of the 20th century in this part of world as it is also intertwined with the notorious 'health and wealth gospel' or prosperity gospel. (I will write a separate piece on this widely misunderstood term, prosperity, another day). Context is everything that determines the meaning of 福. Any way, I first thought it seemed a bit too irony to connect the concept of 'fuku' or 福 with what has been happening in Fukushima since March 11, but I wanted to send out a positive message and hope with the work we are involved in Fukushima. Thus my prayer guide was named, Fukushima, the Land of Blessings.

Today is the second day of the Fukushima Future Forum. The topic Midori facilitated was around understanding God’s big story, especially focused on the 3000 years of world history and Japanese history leading up to the March 11 Disasters and reflecting on God’s action in that history. As the participants were going through each big chunk of time periods chronologically, the first European missionary to Japan, Xavier’s name came up in the 16th century. One participant, Rev. Kida from Fukushima city, said that the name of Fukushima came in the late 16th century. Midori looked at me in the audience and spoke to the group about our previous conversation around the name. After the session was over, I had Midori and Rev. Kida speak about the subject again and we captured that in the video file! (this technology thing is all part of the experiment I am doing with my visit here.)

The Meaning of Fukushima




Midori: Reverend Kida, What’s the reason for which you started researching the meaning of Fukushima?

Kida: I found that there were quite a few martyrs around Inawashiro Lake [near Fukushima city in the early 17 century, not far from where we are having the conference]. Before the martyrdom, more than 80% of people became Christian in that village. Because of this connection, I also discovered more about the history of Inawashiro, the city next to Fukushima city. I imagined that there might be a similar story in Fukushima that we didn’t know before but may need some searching.

Midori: Could you kindly explain the meaning of Fukushima that you found?

Kida: In the end of 1500s, this area was ruled by a feudal lord named, Yoshikiyo Kimura. He was a very strong, committed Christian and he changed the name of this place to Fukushima. Because he was such a committed Christian, [I assumed] ‘Fuku’ must mean “the Good news,” as in the Good News, the Gospel. So I gathered that Fukushima means the Island of the Good News, or the Land of the Gospel.

Midori: Because Fuku[or fukuin] means Good News in Japanese, the original meaning of Fukushima must mean the Good News. And it became “the Land of Good News!” Thank you!

After the interview, Midori explained to me that Japanese word for the gospel is 'fukuin' (福音; good sound in literal translation, or good news as the meaning of gospel) is often used by a short form, 'fuku' (福) only.

There is still a chance that Rev. Kida may not be able to find all the accurate historical facts to prove the reason behind the name. But we know well enough that there was a Christian leader with a vision for his community nearly 500 years ago and the church in Fukushima stands on the strong faith tradition of Christian leadership and unwavering faith of martyrdom.

The Good News of Jesus Christ still stands firmly on this land. What else do we need to ask for a spiritual source of hope than this good news to rebuild a new destiny of Fukushima?