Help Enmeiji Temple Recover From Typhoon Hagibis

Enmeiji is a small Buddhist temple on the outskirts of the city of Sukagawa, Japan, that has stood there for 350 years. This temple is very near and dear to me as it has been my home away from home whenever I would come to Japan to visit my mother's side of the family. After the previous priest died of old age in 1983, my uncle became the successor of Enmeiji and has run it ever since. For the elderly farming community that surrounds the temple, Enmeiji has provided valuable religious and ceremonial services as well as a place for social gathering and bonding. Along with this, the temple has been a good home for my uncle and his wife, two children, and 87-year-old mother.

On October 12, 2019, Typhoon Hagibis hit across large areas of Japan, including Sukagawa, causing unprecedented flooding in the area. My uncle and his family were forced to evacuate the temple and take cover in a nearby shelter. With the water almost entirely submerging the first floor, the damage to the temple and the attached house has been substantial. My uncle and his family have been forced to split up and stay with friends and family as they attempt to deal with this disaster. Considering the significance of the temple to the community and my family, we hope to recover as soon as possible. Any donations will go to my uncle to help relieve the financial burden of the restoration as well as show appreciation to the members of the community who have stepped in to lend a hand. Any amount of help would be greatly appreciated.