17.1

At 0546 on the morning of 17th January, 1995, the Great Hanshin Earthquake struck with a force of 7.2 on the Richter scale. This devastating event should never be forgotten. Last year on this date I blipped the snowmen that were part of the memorial on the plaza in front of Kobe City Hall. They were back again this year, so today I have blipped the bamboo which was also here last year. These bamboo stalks are arranged so that they write "17.1" which, with the candles floating inside of them, can be seen glowing at night when seen from above. I saw them last year from the top floor of the city hall. Bamboo symbolises endurance in Japan because it bends but doesn't snap. Bamboo seeds are the only food which a phoenix will eat. Fire, or ka, symbolises spirit, energy and the driving force which powers movement. Fitting imagery, then, for a city which has endured so much devastation and risen, phoenix-like, from the ashes.