Friday November 29, 2013
Hiroshima, a bustling modern Japanese city like so many others, but with a terrible distinction. It's name is synonymous with that sunny morning on August 6th, 1945, that infamous split-second when the world unleashed it's evil.
This persons watch stopped at 8:15 am, the moment of the explosion.
His words;
Everything changed...
A model of what today is known as the Peace Memorial Park. Then it was a maze of narrow streets lined with timber framed shops and houses. The American B-29 bomber, Enola Gay, was directed to aim for the unusual "T" shaped bridge at the bottom right. Notice the green dome on the left? That's now known as the A-bomb Dome.
In a moment, at least 70,000 people were murdered including many thousands of Chinese and Korean slave laborers and some American POWs. Fires burned out of control, leaving behind a charred plain with a few scattered concrete structures.
An approximation of the hypocenter, 600 metres above the ground where the bomb detonated.
Hiroshima was one of the larger cities in Japan, and supply center for the military. The US airforce had intentionally spared it from bombing raids in order to accurately measure the devastating affects of the single nuclear bomb. Science at its lowest.
The aftermath.
The Peace Dome on left.
If you look closely you can see the vague outline of a person who was vaporized whilst sitting on the steps waiting for the bank to open.
That evening, radioactive materials in the atmosphere caused a poisonous "black rain" to fall.
The intense heat of the blast and the aftershocks left people staggering about naked with their burned skin and hanging off in strips. So thirsty, they threw themselves into rivers or pools of water. Many drank the black rain. Eventually, 140,000 people died because of the bomb and it's poisonous radioactive aftermath.
Post war reconstruction and a new architecture, the International Style of the HIROSHIMA PEACE MEMORIAL MUSEUM.
As it is today.
The park layout.
The Cenotaph for the A-Bomb Victims with the A-Bomb Dome visible in the distance.
Designed by architect Kenzo Tange and built in 1952. It's curious shape resembles an ancient Japanese arch representing shelter. It is inscribed with the words, "Let all the souls here rest in peace, for we shall not repeat the evil." A stone chest in the center holds the registry of the names of persons who died from the bombing.
But men do repeat the evil. Perhaps not the A-Bomb, but every other form of evil. Ironically, one of the prime motivators of the bombing is clearly seen fluttering in the breeze behind the monument. The scourge of Nationalism.
The Flame of Peace.
The symbol of Hiroshima, the so-called A-Bomb Dome across the river.
Why does the building look so European?
There is the answer.
The park and surroundings are full of peace themed memorials, monuments (67 to be exact) and statues such as this one. Behind the children you can see the "T" shaped bridge that was the target zone.
These vibrant samples of optimistic school children's art remind us of a previous blog we did at the Cambodian Killing Fields.
http://lloydandalex.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/11-quad-bikes-to-genocide.html
Children's Peace Monument.
Gingko trees shed their leaves.
Children vist the park to be taught about peace.
We never really know why all across Asia people make this sign. That's because they never seem to know what it means when we ask them... They just do it...
Once the scene of untold horror, carnage and death, the Peace Memorial Park is now a beautiful garden. It's purpose is to memorialize the victims and establish the memory of nuclear horrors and advocate world peace. But the world is no closer to peace. It reminds us that no matter how noble mankind's ambitions, humans are simply incapable of achieving the dream of global peace.
"I well know, O Jehovah, that man’s way does not belong to him. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step." (Jeremiah 10:23)
People like to think they can bring peace themselves.
"Whenever it is that they are saying, “Peace and security!” then sudden destruction is to be instantly on them, just like birth pains on a pregnant woman, and they will by no means escape." (1 Thessalonians 5:3)
But we know that universal peace is near. Just not by human hands.
"For a child has been born to us, A son has been given to us; And the rulership will rest on his shoulder. His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. To the increase of his rulership And to peace, there will be no end, On the throne of David and on his kingdom In order to establish it firmly and to sustain it. Through justice and righteousness, From now on and forever. The zeal of Jehovah of armies will do this." (Isaiah 9: 6 and 7)
Soon the whole earth will become a true paradise of peace.
"Let your Kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also on earth." (Matthew 6:10)
Lloydnalex
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