Hiroshima was the first military target of a nuclear weapon in history, on August 6, 1945. Most of Hiroshima was destroyed, and by the end of the year, between 90,000 and 166,000 people had died as a result of the blast and its effects.
We first went to the top floor of Hiroshima Orizuru Tower, overlooking the hypocenter of the atomic blast. From the building’s observation deck, we could see the Genbaku Dome (sometimes called the A-Bomb Dome), the only structure left standing in the area after the blast. The building’s construction, including its concrete walls and steel frame, as well as its location directly below the blast, are believed to explain why part of the structure survived.
The Genbaku Dome is part of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) that serves as a memorial of the bombing.
Orizuru is a Japanese term referring to a folded paper crane. It is considered the most classic design in Japanese origami and has cultural significance, often symbolizing hope, peace, and healing. Orizuru origami became a symbol of Hiroshima’s recovery after the bombing. On the top floor of the Hiroshima Orizuru Tower, we made Orizuru which we placed in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial.
Tens (hundreds?) of thousands of Orizuru have been made for the Hiroshima Peace Memorial.
The Peace Memorial was impressive, inspiring, and peaceful.
At the far end of the Peace Memorial Park is the Peace Memorial Museum, which was unbelievable.
We spent more than two hours in the museum, using headphones and an English-language audio guide. I emerged from the museum emotionally drained. I did not take any pictures inside the museum.
I hope we never again see the use of a nuclear weapon.
Wow. That must have been amazing. I have often thought about that memorial when I visit the 9/11 memorial in New York. Did you get the sense that Americans are deemed the villains in Hiroshima? Is there any sense of Japanese accountability? The Germans accept accountability for what happened in Auschwitz at their memorial site. I have really enjoyed seeing all your photos of Japan. It’s almost like a visit to Disneyland—so culturally unlike anything in the USA. I am so glad you finally made it there after all the delays you had in the past trying to visit.
Joann, Your questions about the villains of Hiroshima and Japanese accountability made me stop and think.
Did you get the sense that Americans are deemed the villains in Hiroshima? No, I did not get this sense. But Japanese people are exceedingly polite, culturally, and I think individuals would not state that publicly, even if it were believed.
Is there any sense of Japanese accountability? At first, I thought that our guide’s remarks had implied accountability, but as I thought about our tour guide more carefully, I realized that I was overinterpreting her comments.
Again, Japanese people are exceedingly polite, and they would not say anything that would make foreign visitors uncomfortable.
I did some research on the web, and found a good summary: “Japanese perspectives on World War II are complex and multifaceted, with a range of views on the war’s causes, conduct, and consequences. While the war was initially supported by many Japanese citizens, particularly due to effective wartime propaganda and a strong sense of nationalism, the devastating impact of the war, especially the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, led to a shift in public opinion. Modern Japan generally acknowledges the war’s atrocities and recognizes the country’s role as an aggressor, while also grappling with the experience of being both victim and perpetrator.”
The historical record shows that Japan was an imperialist nation, that committed significant war crimes, including massacres and rapes of civilians, the use of comfort women, and the mistreatment and execution of prisoners of war. I read several discussions on Reddit, and the consensus is that while WWII history is in the Japanese textbook, it is not emphasized in the same way as Vergangenheitsbewältigung in Germany. It is suggested that the Japanese are focused on the present and the future.
Of course, one cannot ignore the current effort in the US to whitewash our history.
David, the photos are beautiful and moving. I can relate to your feeling drained after visiting the Hiroshima Museum. I was utterly drained and devastated for days after touring Auschwitz-Birkenau. It’s hard to witness the consequences of unfathomable atrocities. We do carry it with us.
Di