A Tribute

Hiroshima, Japan

 

Arriving here I really was not sure what to expect.  Having learned about all of the death and destruction in school that was caused by the dropping of the atomic bomb after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor; I really didn’t know how I would feel being here.  Being an American, in a Japanese city that was brought to ruins by my own kind; I wasn’t sure how I would be treated.  I thought for sure there would be harsh feelings or something of that sort.  However, there was nothing of this nature.  I know that this happened so long ago and I was not directly involved, but I had family members that were and for some reason though, I couldn’t help but feel a little guilty and hurt at the same time. It also made me realize that World Peace really is a thing that needs to be brought into practice.  There are too many innocent lives that are lost when nations go to battle.  Somehow, some way, everyone needs to find a way to get along to not only better the lives of their people, but to better the lives of everyone around the world.  

 

This is also the very goal that young Sadako Sasaki had in mind when she began actively believing in the old motto folding 1000 paper cranes in hopes that a wish would be granted.  Even though she was not affected by explosion of the Atomic Bomb, the Black Rain that followed was filled with its’ own disastrous aftermath. Sadako developed leukemia and became bedridden, however, she was still folding paper cranes; some so small that she had to use a needle and others on wrapping paper because the crane paper was too expensive, but that didn’t stop her wish for World Peace.  

 

Even after her death, the people in her community didn’t stop believing and in order to commemorate her and the lives of all the other young children the Peace Monument was constructed.  Even today, the monument as well as the paper crane, and Sadako’s story live on as a symbol of peace between nations hoping that one day all nuclear weapons will be abolished.   

 

Being a witness to some of the sights and seeing what not only the explosion can to do to a person, but the after affects and side affects were absolutely terrible.  And what was more so horrifying was that the ones affected were young, innocent children that woke up that day to go to work instead of school and had no idea that it was going to be their last.  The images and materials recovered from the Atomic Bomb detonation were heartbreaking.  The children’s stories were so frightening and yet there I stood, an American on Japanese soil.  

 

However, in contribution to show our respect, we folded 1000 paper cranes of our own to hang at the memorial that will remain there at the memorial across the river from the building that became known as the “A-Bomb” building.  It is the only building that still stands to this day, that was left in its natural state as a constant reminder of the death and destruction that nuclear weapons associate themselves with.  

 

After seeing so many eye opening sights that only can be talked about in history books and in school, it was time to lighten the mood.  

 

Aside from being the sight of the first Atomic Bomb detonation, Hiroshima has recovered and thrived.  Numerous shops line the streets, beautiful river walks are in every direction, and numerous places to sight see are all around.  

 

The Hiroshima Castle and gardens weren’t too far down the road, which could overlook the entire city and a short streetcar, train ride, and ferry ride away laid the island of Miyajima where the deer roamed freely and even tried to walk into the stores and restaurants.  

 

This island was not only home to the Itsukushima Shrine which was deemed as a National Treasure, but also the Daiganji Temple and the Grand Torii Gate deemed a National Important Cultural Property and was also known as the floating gate. 

 

The gate in the morning can only be reached by swimming, but by mid afternoon you can make your way out by foot.  It’s really crazy what this world is capable of and the wonders of what Mother Nature can do.  Being in Japan has really opened my eyes to things that I have never been exposed to ever before as well as appreciate the things that have been taken for granted in the past.  Only three more cities and we will finish our time here in Japan.  For now, we are off to Shizuoka.