“Hermit” of Fukushima

A number of articles about Naoto Matsumura have appeared in the media, variously describing him as loner, solitary, farmer — and this one as “hermit.”

Naoto Matsumura has elected to remain within the 12 mile/20 kilometer exclusion zone around the failed Fukushima nuclear plant to feed and care for animals (cows, dogs, cats, etc.) abandoned by people fleeing the zone.

Surely he understands the health risks, and his motive is never clearly described (he smokes, eats what he admits is bad food, canned). But he is not a martyr or an activist. Matsumura says he does not want to see the abandoned and contaminated towns revitalized — he wants them to disappear.

URL: http://www.terradaily.com/reports/The_hermit_of_Fukushima_staying_put_despite_risks_999.html

Broeder Hugo, Netherlands hermit

Brother (Broeder) Hugo is a Dutch Catholic hermit, born in Drendts, Netherlands, in 1976, a convert. He lives in the vault of an old church in Warfhuizen, in northeastern Netherlands. The church itself is open to the public, attracted by Broeder Hugo’s Marian devotion. His growing popularity is due in part to his embrace of social media (using a web site, Facebook page, and Twitter) for spiritual counseling, his practical advice and recommended readings, and his youthful and friendly manner.

The website (titled “Kluizenarij OLV van de Besloten Tuin” or Hermit of Our Lady’s Enclosed Garden”) is all in Dutch. Includes a video (“Kluizenaar de Film” – “The Hermit on Film”) that follows Broeder Hugo on a typical day.

URL: http://www.beslotentuin.nl/
More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_the_Garden_Enclosed