"A harrowing experience in Hiroshima remains deeply etched: a remembrance of the visit"
In the heart of Japan, two contrasting experiences await visitors: the serene tranquility of an onsen in Kyoto and the somber reminder of history at the city of Hiroshima.
The onsen, a communal bathing place fed by geothermal springs, offers a moment of relaxation and rejuvenation. It's a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, providing a unique cultural experience. During a visit, the author and their son Oisín enjoyed the warm waters of an onsen in Kyoto, making it a memorable part of their trip.
However, a stark contrast can be found in the city of Hiroshima. On August 6th, 1945, the first nuclear bomb was dropped, causing unimaginable death, pain, and misery. The A-Bomb Dome, a skeletal remains of a popular pre-war municipal building, stands as a chilling reminder of the devastating event. The Dome is fenced off and hosts the ghosts of those who were vaporized inside it at 8.15am on that fateful day.
The majority of the estimated 200,000 deaths were civilians, including thousands of children. Six years ago, Oisín remembers the tree that survived and the spot where the bomb was dropped during their visit to Hiroshima.
Despite the tragedy, Hiroshima has risen from the ashes and been rebuilt. Every year since 1946, the people of Hiroshima gather by the river near the Peace Bell to launch thousands of lanterns inscribed with the names of the dead and messages of peace. This annual event serves as a powerful symbol of hope and resilience.
Hiroshima has become synonymous with advocacy for nuclear disarmament. The city's commitment to peace is evident in its National Peace Memorial Hall, a Unesco world heritage site that houses an exhibition graphically depicting the aftermath of the bombing.
While Henry Stimson, the U.S. Secretary of War under Presidents Hoover and Roosevelt, is often associated with discussions about sparing Kyoto from atomic bombing, there is no verifiable evidence that his visits to Kyoto before the Second World War directly influenced the U.S. decision to preserve the city during WWII. However, broader historical research indicates that Kyoto was removed from the target list partly due to its cultural and historical significance, and advocacy by people within the U.S. government, including Stimson himself.
Another poignant stop on the author's Japanese journey was the Shinto shrine of Fushimi Inari, set on a sacred hill dotted with statues of foxes. The shrine, dedicated to Inari, the god of rice, features pathways lined with 10,000 vermilion gate posts. The author and their son walked through these iconic pathways, feeling a sense of peace and reverence.
The author's favorite visit to Japan was in the autumn. The vibrant colours of the leaves and the crisp autumn air created a picturesque backdrop for their exploration of Japan's rich culture and history. At home in Tramore, the author will think of the luminous river in Hiroshima and light a candle in the Lafcadio Hearn Japanese gardens, cursing the darkness of over 12,000 nuclear weapons in the world today.
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- As they traveled through Japan, the author and Oisín found a stark contrast between the peaceful and tranquil experience of the onsen in Kyoto and the somber reminder of history at the city of Hiroshima, which was devastated by war-and-conflicts.
- The author, reflecting on their journey, expressed concern about the current state of general-news, expressing their thoughts on the 12,000 nuclear weapons in the world today while lighting a candle in the Lafcadio Hearn Japanese gardens at home in Tramore.
