I was born and raised in Hiroshima, Japan, where I spent 22 years of my life.
People in Hiroshima always visit the Atomic Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Park once a year.
Kindergarten and primary school children learn about history on field trips.
Libraries have all the volumes of Barefoot Gen.
When I was in primary school, I had the opportunity to listen to the grandchildren of atomic bomb survivors.
I don’t remember what he said, but it is still in my memory even though I was so small.
The A-bomb Dome is located in Hiroshima City, which is rather far from my hometown, and I have not visited it since I became a working adult.
This article is about what I noticed when I happened to stay at a hotel nearby and took a walk first thing in the morning to take some photos.
Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima.
Hiroshima is home to the Atomic Bomb Dome.
It was the first time in human history that nuclear weapons were used in World War II and is the only building that remains intact from that time.
6 August 1945, 8:15:17 am.
This is the date and time the atomic bomb was dropped.
The day is widely reported on the news and most people observe a moment of silence, for example when they are travelling or attending school.
Living in Tokyo, I felt that only people in Hiroshima pray silently.
I feel that there are more people praying for peace in Hiroshima when I go outside.
Well, I came to Hiroshima on 1 January 1945.
For the first time in decades, the A-bomb Dome is decorated with origami cranes made by Hiroshima citizens and other peace-prayers.
When I was a child, I too used to chase paper cranes every year.
It is said that all citizens of Hiroshima can make origami cranes.
As I look at them over the years, I am filled with gratitude for the peace that exists.
It must have been somewhat of a mystery in the past, but it’s strange.
1 January. I thought I would be the only one who would come to the A-bomb Dome on a day when it wasn’t tourist season, but there were several people there.
People who were organising a “Let’s arrange flowers and pray for peace.”
What was particularly surprising was the number of foreign nationals.
The fact that each person was making a gesture of prayer made me feel a great sense of peace, not only in Hiroshima but also in the world.
Walking by the A-bomb Dome, the guide was explaining to the foreigners with passion.
I really like Hiroshima.
I really like Hiroshima, and I hope you will talk to the guides as they are walking around there.
I read the history of the A-bomb Dome.
I was very surprised.
The official name of the A-bomb Dome is the Hiroshima Prefectural Products Exhibition Hall, and it was designed by the Czech architect Jan Letzel.
When I learnt this, I felt an indescribable connection.
Czech connection.
Unfortunately, few of Jan Retzl’s structures are still in existence. For this reason, I feel more connected to the Czech Republic whenever I see the Atomic Bomb Dome.
Then I visited the Czech Republic in February.
When I saw the building of the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade, it looked exactly like the Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima.
It seems that the person who designed the architecture was not Jan Retzl, but I was happy to have come such a long way and found a connection between Hiroshima and the Czech Republic.
Recently, the resident Czech embassy tweeted.
Through the country, the will and history are passed on.
Zúčastnil jsem se otevření nového komunitního domu v krásném městě Náchod. Představuje odkaz významného architekta a náchodského rodáka Jana Letzela, který navrhl průmyslovou propagační halu hirošimské prefektury, z níž se později stal Dóm hirošimské atomové bomby. pic.twitter.com/yh3NYOC1BY
— NAGAOKA kansuke (@NagaokaKansuke) May 3, 2024
Continual change is a good thing.
IT has developed and the information society is about to change with AI.
However, I believe that important intentions and history from the past need to remain unchanged.
Summary
I was born in a wonderful land. It was an event that made me feel that way.
At the same time, it was something I could understand only because I went outside.
If you value your hometown, I think the most important thing is to act on your own and see and touch various places.
