Those familiar with Kamitori know well the Kappa statue which has welcomed guests to the Marubun book store since 1970. Though constructed of fragile bronze, light enough to be lifted by a single person, and not affixed to its base, the statue fared far better during the quakes than did the store itself, which has suffered severe structural damage and is not expected to reopen until August at earliest. In the meantime, the Kappa statue has become a symbol of the resilience of Kumamoto, with fans affixing notes to the lowered store shutters encouraging the store’s revival.
Kappa are known Anglophiles, so notes written in English would also be welcome.
