What do you choose on the verge of "death"?

March 18, 15:35

Many people may say that the spread of the new corona and the military invasion of Ukraine have increased the chances of thinking about death.

Akita City is making efforts to have people reconsider what they really value in anticipation of a situation facing death.

Is "family" the last choice in life?

"dreams"?

Or ...

(Akita Broadcasting Station reporter Akiko Tateishi)

"Experience trip of death"

The deputy chief priest slowly opened his mouth in the temple grounds surrounded by silence.

"Each person will face you."

This is a temple in Akita City, and what is being held is a workshop with a strange name, "Experience Trip to Death".

Eleven people of various ages and occupations, such as college students and housewives, gathered.

Some say they have experienced a serious illness, while others want to think about life again with the corona sickness.

Participants will first be dealt 20 cards.

Five sheets are color-coded for each of the four themes.

Pink: "Dream"

Blue: "Place of memories"

White: "What you cherish"

Yellow: "Name of your loved one"

Participants think carefully and write on 20 cards.

And when the room lights are turned off, he closes his eyes and listens to the priest.

Deputy Chief Abbot Saito

: "You weren't feeling well and had a medical examination at the hospital. Until the results came out, I was worried and my chest was almost crushed. How long I felt waiting in the lobby of the hospital. At last your name was called. When I entered the examination room, the teacher said, "Maybe I'm not worried, but let's do a detailed examination." "A detailed examination?" Please choose one, roll it up and throw it on the floor. "

Participants assume that they have severe cancer and will reduce the number of cards as the scenario progresses toward death.

The last one left is the most important person or thing.

At first it can be reduced without hesitation, but ...

One of the participants is Hinako Ishikawa (23), who attends a university in Akita City.

The triggers were "corona sickness" and "high suicide rate in Akita prefecture".

Mr. Ishikawa

"Akita Prefecture has a large number of suicides nationwide, and I am from an area with a large number of suicides. I participated because I wanted to face the" death "that I had been familiar with since I was a child."

I asked them to reproduce the 20 cards written by Mr. Ishikawa.

(* Some names are simplified.)

In addition to "house" and "car", I wrote "Forest" in my favorite place, and Yume studied abroad and "go to graduate school".

And the names of close people such as family members.

At the beginning, Mr. Ishikawa said that he was able to reduce the number of cards without hesitation.

Since I wasn't obsessed with things, I rolled up cards such as "cars" and "PCs" and threw them away.

However, as the scenario progressed, I gradually began to worry.

It is said that the illness progressed quickly and there was no way to deal with it, and that he began to feel severe pain.

Deputy Chief Abbot Saito

"Hair, eyebrows, and even eyelashes have fallen off, cheek meat is thin, and the skin is cracked and darkened. Every action becomes difficult, and I feel that my body is no longer my own. …. Open your eyes, pick two sheets of paper and throw them away. "

At this point, Mr. Ishikawa gave up his dream of studying abroad.

Mr. Ishikawa

"I think my hands were shaking because of the sadness of giving up my dream and the fear that I'm really sick now. I've always thought that I wouldn't die if I couldn't fulfill this dream. "

Other participants are now taking longer to choose their cards.

Some people return the cards they have thrown away, and some people cannot choose the card until the last minute.

The venue became quieter, and I could hear the participants sobbing.

The choice on the verge of "death"

And the time of fate.

Mr. Ishikawa had two cards, "Mother" and "Father", left in his hand.

Deputy Chief Abbot Saito

"I don't know if I'm alive or dead, real or dream. I see someone holding your hand and calling your name, but I don't have the power to reply. I can only hold my hand back. I instinctively think that today will be my last day ... Open your eyes and let go of a piece of paper. "

What Mr. Ishikawa left to the end was his "mother."

Mr. Ishikawa

"I thought it was my mother who wanted me to hold my hand at the end. My mother feels like my best friend, and I love and respect him. I like my father, but he is my condition. I thought that I might be shocked to see his bad appearance. When I had to select the important person at the end, my heart was pounding and I felt very heavy. "

Participants who made the selection confided with each other what they left for the last one, along with the reason.

The woman who participated

"Honestly, I thought I was a" child ". However, the last thing I had left was my" husband ", and I was most surprised. It was great to know that it was important.

Another woman said,

"

I left a card that says,'Being me as it is.' I wanted to end the end of the magic lantern with'fun', and I wanted to live toward it in the future. "

What I got from facing "death"

There was also a woman who said that her pet "cat" remained on the last one.

This is Mari Kaneko (35).

She had been an English teacher for 12 years, but she took a leave of absence due to her illness and she retired last year.

She said she wanted to sort out what she really wanted to do.

Kaneko:

"I felt that something really unexpected remained. I absolutely want to protect myself, and I love and accept myself unconditionally."

Actually, Kaneko, I was surprised that there was no "husband" left on the card.

She later told her husband honestly, talked seriously with the couple, and revealed each other's hearts, which made her feel more connected to the couple than before.

On the other hand, Mr. Ishikawa who left his "mother".

It is said that thinking about "death" inspired her to study abroad, which was her dream.

Mr. Ishikawa:

"I used to draw it as a distant future, but when I think that there is a good chance that anyone will die right now, I've come to think that it's okay to step forward now. I think I'm living now by imagining

Deputy Chief Abbot Saito

"By holding this event because of the Corona disaster, we can stop and think about what our lives are. I think that thinking about death leads to thinking about living."

Being surrounded by important people and things

This workshop is said to have started in Western hospice.

It is said that doctors and nurses engaged in end-of-life care will be able to deeply understand the feelings of patients and their families facing death by imagining their own death.

Assistant Professor Naoto Yoshikawa of Kyoto Women's University, who is studying the significance of the dialogue on the view of life and death, points out that this workshop is an effective way to reconsider oneself.

Assistant Professor Yoshikawa

"By facing one's death and disclosing it to others and sharing it, it will also be an opportunity for people with negative thoughts to realize what is important. Also," Other people do the same. It creates a connection and healing that says, "I was thinking about it." It may lead to thinking positively about my "life."

In the "Death Experience Trip", you will also let go of the last card you left behind, and you will reach "death".

And it is said like this.

"You are alive now, and you have not let go of your loved ones and things. You are surrounded by your loved ones and things."

Akita Broadcasting Station Reporter

Akiko Tateishi Reiwa

2nd year in

charge of Akita Municipal Administration

The last remaining card was "younger sister"