Hiroshima (広島市, Hiroshima-shi) is
a modern city with a symbolic mission.
I recently visited this modern Hiroshima, perhaps two weeks shy of
President Obama’s visit on May 27, 2016. His visit was the first visit of a
sitting U.S. president.
The city of about 400,000 was devastated by the atomic bomb
in 1945, losing about 80,000 people immediately and tens of thousands more as a
result of radiation. Seventy percent of its buildings were destroyed. I was surprised to learn that radiation from the atomic bomb is no longer measurable and has not been for many years.
Now, the city has more than 1 million, rebuilt with a
forward looking attitude. Both Hiroshima and Nagasaki see themselves as modern peace cities.
If the
President were allowed to walk freely, I would have told him to go to Hondori Street and
walk the covered street with its dynamic bustle and many, many shops and
restaurants.
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| Hondori Street, Hiroshima |
Since he was focused on the symbolism that Hiroshima represents, there were still several alternative perspectives he might have considered.
Atop the Hotel Sunroute is an expansive view of the city that is centered on the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and museum. This bird’s eye view reveals the central importance of city’s self-knowledge of what occurred there seventy years ago.
Atop the Hotel Sunroute is an expansive view of the city that is centered on the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and museum. This bird’s eye view reveals the central importance of city’s self-knowledge of what occurred there seventy years ago.
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| View of Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and museum from the 15th floor of the Hotel Sunroute |
Listen to the story of Kiyomi Kohno, a hibakusha(a bomb affected person), as told by her daughter Nobuko Morikawa. Spared
from the bomb blast, Kiyomi walked into and around the city the next day. Her
images picture what she saw the day after the bomb blast.
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| From the basis of Picking Up The Pieces, drawings of Kiyomi Kohno |
Or make an origami paper crane as thousands of others do in
honor of Sadako Sasaki, also a hibakusha – who had folded 644 paper cranes before she died of leukemia in 1955.
The Children’s Peace Monument is dedicated to her.
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The
Memorial Cenotaph in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park (visual interpretation
by Joe Nalven)
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Or simply stand in front of the Atomic Bomb Dome (Hiroshima Peace Memorial) or The Memorial
Cenotaph in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.
Whether one is an optimist or a pessimist about the future of nuclear weapons or the unintended destruction of nuclear plants, such as occurred in Fukushima, Japan, it is worth reflecting on this moment in human history and where we are headed.
“Living in a world such as this is like
dancing on a live volcano.” ― Kentetsu
Takamori
The Memorial Cenotaph image is probably my favorite from all the things you have done. -- I really like it
ReplyDeleteComment by Yoon Jung Shin (as emailed)
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this blog and the pictures as well. I think it's amazing how Hiroshima, being one of Japan's symbolic cities, was rebuilt to a city of peace after the atomic bombing. Looking at the picture of the Memorial Cenotaph in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, I would have never imagined that park to be a place of where a tragic event had taken place. It's beautiful! Although historic, the park was built not in the memory of the victims who suffered from this nuclear attack, but to symbolize nuclear weapons and world peace. The park symbolizes that even after such a catastrophe, the city was rebuilt and was able to move forward. As the saying goes.. "Make history, not memory."
Yoon Jung Shin
I want to start off by saying they the quote by Kentetsu Takamori is very true. Serving in the Marine Corps has definitely brought our capabilities to my attention and I hope that there will be no more use of nuclear warfare. Hiroshima has rebuilt as a symbol of peace and I think that it is amazing. I hope that the Commander in Chief did more than just visit and took in all of Hiroshima as a whole.
ReplyDeleteCarl Matt
Thriving after such devastation nearly 70 years ago, Hiroshima has truly built itself back from ashes. It is difficult to imagine how it once stood, and the impact of any living survivor and families. Even through the rebuilt of Hiroshima, these people will still be the scars of the history which took place. This consequence should never repeat, and we have to look back as a world into the memory of what happened, who it happened and know what is at stake. Hiroshima is a symbolism of strength by showing dedication to continue to rebuild itself, but never forgetting to pay tribute to the lives lost.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the sentiment that President Obama should visit some of the more everyday parts of Japan and get a sense of what everyday life is like for the people he is addressing. When I think of the terrible, tragic events that occurred around that time period such as dropping the A-Bombs on Hiroshima/Nagasaki, the Holocaust, the Firebombing of Dresden, and the Rape of Nanking, I can't help but wonder if these events would never have happened if the people responsible were more familiar with the victim's way of life and thus not as easily able to demonize them. Perhaps it's just wishful thinking on my part but hopefully with globalization and the internet, people will be less ignorant of others and hopefully these tragedies will occur less in the future.
ReplyDeleteGavin Lampton
I really like the quote in the end because its true. In the world we live in right there are so many bad things happening that we don't know what is going to happen. I find it sad because it looks like we haven't learn anything about what happened in the past. Revenge, nuclear weapons, guns, violence, is not going to solve our problems. We need to look back at past events and learn to become better in this world because if we don't than who will.
ReplyDeleteit's amazing to see that after a horrible event, Hiroshima is now a modern peace city. This is very inspiring because it truly shows that no devastating event or situation can tear something down, It makes it stronger. I think if President Obama visited these places it would've helped him when speaking to the people of Hiroshima because the empathy would've been stronger.
ReplyDeleteRosa Martinez.
it's amazing to see that after a horrible event, Hiroshima is now a modern peace city. This is very inspiring because it truly shows that no devastating event or situation can tear something down, It makes it stronger. I think if President Obama visited these places it would've helped him when speaking to the people of Hiroshima because the empathy would've been stronger.
ReplyDeleteRosa Martinez.
This blog was really interesting , it was nice to see how this city recuperated from the horrific atomic bombs event. It is nice to see how this city made something good out of something horrible. Who would imagine that this beautiful and peaceful place , once was the stage were millions and millions of people were dying. As I read this blog I couldn't stop thinking and comparing the 9/11 events , just like Hiroshima New York built a memorial and a peaceful place to remember all those who died. Both this memorial have way more to them and that is to serve as an example of what happened , so it may be prevented in the future. I hope the world understands the danger and pain this weapons bring to others and their use can be stopped.
ReplyDeleteGrecia Montes
This blog was really interesting , it was nice to see how this city recuperated from the horrific atomic bombs event. It is nice to see how this city made something good out of something horrible. Who would imagine that this beautiful and peaceful place , once was the stage were millions and millions of people were dying. As I read this blog I couldn't stop thinking and comparing the 9/11 events , just like Hiroshima New York built a memorial and a peaceful place to remember all those who died. Both this memorial have way more to them and that is to serve as an example of what happened , so it may be prevented in the future. I hope the world understands the danger and pain this weapons bring to others and their use can be stopped.
ReplyDeleteGrecia Montes
To see that both cities rebuilt and thrive is amazing. They serve as a reminder of the horrors that nuclear warfare causes. I hope that the President did go out and see the memorials and experience the culture. One of the important ways to prevent terrible events like this is being able to understand each other's cultures and learning from our history.
ReplyDeleteFowsia Abdi
I honestly think that Obama would visit a lot more of the city if he could. Eventhough he was not able to, I am sure that he knows how hiroshima has been rebuilding it self throughoutthe years. It is so nice to see how after all this city has been recovering from the past but never forgeting it.
ReplyDeleteOMAR SOTO
I would of recommend Obama to visit Kiyomi Kohno a” hibakusha”, a person who was affected by the bomb attack. I would recommend him to visit this person because, he is going to see and maybe understand what all this people like Kiyomi suffer and some are still suffering and he can maybe do something about this.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to see the difference of a city devastated by a nuclear weapon rebuilt from the ground up. It reminded me of the current US/Russia agreement towards disarmament and reduction of nuclear weapons which was signed by President Obama and Dmitry Medvedev some years ago. To me both serve as a positive outlook in the world looking to move forward from nuclear arms.
ReplyDeleteFirst off this is a great page, good job professor. Secondly, I would like to let you know that it was an enjoyable blog to read. Starting of this blog with the comic con definitely captures the reader's attention which is great because once it transfers to the atomic bomb incident the reader is already intrigued and the rest of the blog just tops it off.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that this city had the power to get back up on its feet, it’s a really empowering thing to see throughout the years. I love how despite everything the U.S did to them, they set everything aside and welcomed President Obama with respect and not hate.
-Leticia Gonzalez-Leyva
I find it honorable that President Obama visited the historical site. This serves as a role model for future preisdents to visit this historical sit. It's crucial to understand the past conflict to ensure this nuclear bomb disaster doesn't occur in the future. I find it amazing how Hiroshima has been rebuilt and will continue expand to be known as a peaceful city. Lastly, I was quite shocked at reading that there's no more radiation measured at the site. I thought radiation would persist for a long time. Hopefully the radiation is completely gone.
ReplyDelete-Alexis Garcia
It was interesting to see some of the pictures of modern day Hiroshima after being devastated by an atomic bomb, I think it is a great accomplishment for Japan for the city to be rebuilt and to show there is always hope for a better future. It did remind of the treaty between the US and Russia that happened back in 2010, the treaty called for reduction of nuclear arms for both countries.
ReplyDelete-Emilio Jimenez
I too, was surprised to learn that the city was no longer affected by radiation and am quite impressed to see it in its new and beautiful state. It is true that Obama would need to visit at least one of these places in order to see another perspective on the city, whether it be a physical perspective from the bird's eye view of the memorial park, or a new personal perspective created by gaining a deeper understanding of the city itself, I feel that the best way to gain perspective would be to see them all. Hondori Street would allow one access to a deeper cultural understanding of food, city dynamic, traditions, mannerisms, etc. But seeing the memorials, the peace statues, and the pictures covering then and now would allow him (or any individual) to sit back and truly reflect on the city's darker history and the importance of the peace it has achieved today.
ReplyDeleteJordan Oliver
I too, was surprised to learn that the city was no longer affected by radiation and am quite impressed to see it in its new and beautiful state. It is true that Obama would need to visit at least one of these places in order to see another perspective on the city, whether it be a physical perspective from the bird's eye view of the memorial park, or a new personal perspective created by gaining a deeper understanding of the city itself, I feel that the best way to gain perspective would be to see them all. Hondori Street would allow one access to a deeper cultural understanding of food, city dynamic, traditions, mannerisms, etc. But seeing the memorials, the peace statues, and the pictures covering then and now would allow him (or any individual) to sit back and truly reflect on the city's darker history and the importance of the peace it has achieved today.
ReplyDeleteJordan Oliver
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeletethese little acts of respect from any president is what makes me proud of our country.
ReplyDeleteand find hope for us. who would think Our generation in seat president would break the chain and visit Hiroshima Japan. This city went through a lot 71 years ago and to see how advanced and modern this city has grown is amazing and very touching. no country and city should go through this ever again. A big example to other countrys and to ourselfs. humanity is the most beautiful and intellectual of its kind. this beautiful city of japan has generously welcomed what was the enemy back then. LOVe WINS.AND WE MAY NOT FORGET THOSE WHO HAVE FALLEN OVER THIS TRAGEDY
-STEPAHNIE TORRES