Umbrellas with kids' smiles mark 20th anniv. of Kobe quake

Umbrellas with kids' smiles mark 20th anniv. of Kobe quake

KOBE, Japan - Umbrellas printed with photos of smiling children are displayed at the "Merry in Kobe" event in Kobe, western Japan, on Jan. 17, 2015, the 20th anniversary of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake. In the background is the statue of Gigantor, the "Ironman No.28" featured in a comic series. The smiling photos were taken in Kobe in 2001 and 2002 by Tokyo-based art director Koji Mizutani to document the city's reconstruction after the disaster.

Smiles on umbrellas

Smiles on umbrellas

KOBE, Japan - Participants hold umbrellas with photos of smiling children printed on them in an art event in Kobe on Jan. 9, 2011. Art director Koji Mizutani organized the ''Merry Umbrella Project,'' mainly using photos of children he has taken in quake-stricken areas around the world including Kobe, which was hit by the Jan. 17, 1995, Great Hanshin Earthquake.

Smiles on umbrellas

Smiles on umbrellas

KOBE, Japan - Participants hold umbrellas with photos of smiling children printed on them in an art event in Kobe on Jan. 9, 2011. Art director Koji Mizutani organized the ''Merry Umbrella Project,'' mainly using photos of children he has taken in quake-stricken areas around the world including Kobe, which was hit by the Jan. 17, 1995, Great Hanshin Earthquake.

Smiles on umbrellas

Smiles on umbrellas

KOBE, Japan - Participants hold umbrellas with photos of smiling children printed on them in an art event in Kobe on Jan. 9, 2011. Art director Koji Mizutani organized the ''Merry Umbrella Project,'' mainly using photos of children he has taken in quake-stricken areas around the world including Kobe, which was hit by the Jan. 17, 1995, Great Hanshin Earthquake. (Kyodo)

Umbrellas with kids' smiles mark 20th anniv. of Kobe quake

Umbrellas with kids' smiles mark 20th anniv. of Kobe quake

KOBE, Japan - Umbrellas printed with photos of smiling children are displayed at the "Merry in Kobe" event in Kobe, western Japan, on Jan. 17, 2015, the 20th anniversary of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake. In the background is the statue of Gigantor, the "Ironman No.28" featured in a comic series. The smiling photos were taken in Kobe in 2001 and 2002 by Tokyo-based art director Koji Mizutani to document the city's reconstruction after the disaster. (Kyodo)

Smiles on umbrellas

Smiles on umbrellas

KOBE, Japan - Participants hold umbrellas with photos of smiling children printed on them in an art event in Kobe on Jan. 9, 2011. Art director Koji Mizutani organized the ''Merry Umbrella Project,'' mainly using photos of children he has taken in quake-stricken areas around the world including Kobe, which was hit by the Jan. 17, 1995, Great Hanshin Earthquake. (Kyodo)