Abstract
It is necessary that the existence of tsunami monuments is recognized by residents in order to reduce casualties in the tsunami disaster. In this paper, we evaluated the characteristics of awareness for tsunami monuments by questionnaire survey in Rikuzentakata city. Consequently we drew the following four main conclusions: 1) Degree of recognition of the tsunami monuments is 35.0% in Rikuzentakata city, and degrees of recognition were different according to each region. 2) It was found that location and shape are more important than inscription of the tsunami monuments to be highly recognized. 3) Residents who recognize the inscription are less than 40% out of residents who recognize the existence of tsunami monuments. It indicates that it is difficult to transfer the memories and lessons of past tsunami disasters to next generations through the tsunami monuments. 4) It is difficult for children below elementary school age to know that tsunami monuments were made by past tsunami disasters. Additionally, it was clarified that younger residents have the thin relations with tsunami monuments. These knowledges indicate that some support for young generations is essential in order to transfer tsunami traditions through the tsunami monuments.
