Part 4/8:
Following Bird’s path northward, the landscape offers a poignant reminder of the destruction wrought during Japan’s Civil War. Once rich distribution hubs for agricultural produce, towns like Masa Mai transformed through conflict but emerged anew in peacetime, reclaiming their historical vibrancy.
Maria Branman’s exploration provides parallels to Bird’s experiences. The remarkable Kura storehouses, standing resilient against heavy winters, are a highlight of the surviving architecture that embodies both historical significance and contemporary life.