Metaphorical Thinking on Boundary Crossings in Disaster Revitalization

Action Research on 10 Years of Activity at Shiodani Village, Ojiya, in Niigata, Japan

Abstract

Action research on 10 years of disaster revitalization indicated that metaphors facilitated crossing the boundaries of dialogues between survivors and outside supporters. Based on linguistic theories, we have discussed the effectiveness of metaphors for changing modes of practice and research as a boundary crossing. In this action research, the metaphor of sowing contributed to developing relationships between residents that had decided to rebuild their homes in their hometown and those that had decided not to do so. Moreover, the metaphor of schools contributed to building relationships between residents that rebuilt their homes in their hometown and outside supporters. We treated metaphors from the perspective of interpreters and confirmed the following pattern of boundary crossing dialogues. A metaphor first brings a civilization of activities to the field, then formulations, and finally the community becomes full of living words, ready for continuous boundary crossing dialogues. After these discussions, we suggested that the researchers seek and introduce "polyphonic words" rather than "catchy words" to enhance the possibility of developing relationships in the community.