I have visited Hiroshima city for research, and I saw three places: the Atomic Bomb Dome, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and Orizuru Tower.
Atomic Bomb Dome
The Atomic Bomb Dome is also known as the A-bomb Dome. The building was once the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall. It opened in 1915 and was designed by a Czech architect named Jan Letzel. It was used to display and sell products in Hiroshima Prefecture. It was also used for art exhibitions and other art events.
The atomic bomb exploded almost directly above it. The buildings, therefore, suffered less damage from wind blasts and remained standing. However, it is said that about 30 people were in the building at that time, and all of them were killed.
In 1966, the City of Hiroshima decided to preserve the A-bomb Dome. Then, the building became a World Heritage site and tell people about the tragedy of the atomic bomb.
Although inappropriate, I found the building beautiful. There is a quiet but very pure energy flowing through the sad atmosphere, which made me want to paint a picture of this building.
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
I’m looking forward to visiting there because I heard that the museum has been newly reopened. This museum features a variety of exhibits such as belongings left by the victims and photos that portray the horror of the nuclear devastation.
What impressed me most was the clothing of the children who were exposed to the bomb. The clothes with bloodstains and burn marks were the items that made me feel the misery of the atomic bombing most realistically, as I had no experience of the bombing.
There was an exhibit of 1,000 paper cranes. The paper cranes were made by Sadako who was exposed to the atomic bomb at age of two and developed leukaemia ten years later. She heard about the old saying, “Fold 1,000 paper cranes and your wish will come true.” She began folding paper cranes using the small papers her medicine came in, and ay other paper available.
It was very beautiful.
Hiroshima Orizuru Tower
It was built near the bombed city and offers a panoramic view of the city of Hiroshima. Visitors can also fold origami cranes and offer prayers for peace. Looking down on the A-bomb Dome from above, I was a little surprised to see that the building was not as much left standing as I had expected. I was amazed that such a huge building had been blown up, and I was afraid of the destructive power of a nuclear bomb.
Visiting the site made me realise once again the tragedy of the atomic bombing. I am more and more confused as to why mankind continues to fight. I wonder very much why humanity does not learn more from the past. People are creatures who make mistakes. That is why each and every one of us needs to think about things from a higher perspective, so that we do not make the same mistakes by indulging our self-interests. And there is one thing we must not forget. That is that the effects of war and the atomic bomb will continue for 100 years after the war is over. As a Japanese born and raised in Japan 77 years after the war, I can assure you. Most people of our generation do not have physical scars, but have psychological scars and attachment disorders. I want many people to know the horror of the atomic bombings. In fact, it would be best if the world did not need nuclear weapons, but we can have nuclear weapons at 100 steps, so please do not use them anymore.