On the day of the atomic bomb -Atomic bombing target point Aioi Bridge-

This time, it is about the atomic bombing target point.

相生橋 -Aioi Bridge-

As you may know, at 08:15 am on August 6, 1945, an atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima by a B-29 bomber (commonly known as Enola Gay). This is the first time nuclear weapons have been used in war since history.It is said that this single bomb killed nearly half of Hiroshima's population, 140,000 people.

The U.S. military operations at that time were:

1) Attack date August 6
2) Attack target Central Hiroshima and industrial area
3) Preliminary 2nd target Kokura Arsenal and the city center
4) Preliminary 3rd target Nagasaki city center
5) Special Directive Limited to visual drop

It was so.

* At first, on August 9, the atomic bomb was to be dropped on Kokura, the second target, but it was changed to Nagasaki , the third target, couse of poor visibility due to bad weather.

The sky above Hiroshima city at 8:15 am on August 6 was sunny. Therefore, the atomic bomb was dropped as planned.

The fifth point of the strategy, "Special Order Visual Drop", was marked by the unique shape of the T-shaped "Aioi Bridge".

Hiroshima city from the height of 9,600m where Enola Gay actually dropped the atomic bomb.It is located almost at the center and you can see the T-shaped "Aioi Bridge" (red circle).

The positional relationship between the “A-bomb Dome” and the “Aioi Bridge” (1,000m above the sky).The actual hypocenter is said to be slightly southeast of the A-Bomb Dome, offset from Aioi Bridge.

Photos near the hypocenter before and after the atomic bombing.Needless to say, the left is before the drop and the right is after the drop.Looking at the photos after the drop, you can see that everything had been erased.

The surface temperature of the fireball generated by fission is tens of thousands of degrees.The thermal energy received by the hypocenter was thousands of times the solar irradiation energy.The surface temperature became 3,000 ~ 6,000 ℃.The blast seemed to have a terrible destructive power about 10 times the central wind speed of a strong typhoon.

At that time, wooden houses were mainly used. Houses within a radius of about 3 km from the hypocenter were destroyed by heat rays and blasts.At the hypocenter, the houses collapsed and burned due to the shock wave and heat of the blast that exceeded the speed of sound in an instant, and all lives died.

If you've read "Barefoot Gen", you probably know it. People exposed to heat rays that exceed the human wisdom were evaporated and carbonized.It also depicts a free-running city train with a carbonized body holding a railing.

Another story, but the Great East Japan Earthquake has caused an accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.The accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant seems to have yet to be resolved.
Alpinist Ken Noguchi reports on livestock victims in the area entitled "The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, a World Within 20km". The misery is a terrible sight reminiscent of Barefoot Gen.

アルピニストの野口健さんのブログ「福島第一原発、２０キロ圏内の世界」※かなり衝撃的な写真が掲載されています。ご留意ください。


Chernobyl, Three Mile, Fukushima Daiichi.
Chernobyl prepares a sarcophagus that further envelops the existing sarcophagus and deals with radioactive leaks.The destructive power of atomic bombs (nuclear weapons) that exceeds human knowledge.

Humans tend to be illusioned that they can freely manipulate nuclear energy, but I don't think it's a human-controlled thing.


Now that the myth of nuclear power has collapsed, nuclear power is an extremely uneasy (dangerous) factor for Japan, where earthquakes frequently occur. It is impossible to decommission all of the nuclear power plants in Japan right now, but it may be necessary to rely on nuclear power plants.



⇒原爆の日 その他関連記事はこちら

　

On the day of the atomic bomb -Children's Peace Monument-

In this issue, I will introduce the “Children's Peace Monument”.

原爆の子の像 -Children's Peace Monument-

It is also known as "Senba Crane Tower" and "Sadako Sasaki's Monument" and is one of the statues symbolizing Peace Memorial Park.

Sadako Sasaki was exposed to "black rain" at the age of two.About 10 years later, she was hospitalized with leukemia by Aftereffects of exposure.Sadako prayed for a recovery on the bed and made a thousand paper cranes, but she died at the age of 12.

After Sadako's death, her classmates became the founders, and fund-raising activities were conducted nationwide and around the world, and "Children's Peace Monument" was erected.

Every year, many thousands of paper cranes are set aside "Children's Peace Monument" by visitors from all over the country.

In 2002, a case was installed to store a thousand paper cranes to keep out the rain.On the other hand, I am deplored that it is a measure against repeated arson.

In addition to the so-called thousand paper cranes, message boards made with cranes are also served around the country.

Inscription "This is our cry. This is our prayer. To bring peace to the world."

⇒原爆の日 その他関連記事はこちら

　

On the day of the atomic bomb -Give Back the Human-

This time, I will introduce the Sankichi Toge Monument and several memorial monuments.

峠三吉碑 -Toge Sankichi Monument-

　Give back my father Give back my mother.
　Give grandpa back, Grandma back.
   Give my sons and daughter back. 

　Give me back myself.
　Give back the human race.

　As long as this life lasts, this life, 
   Give back peace.
   That will never end.　

It is a poem in which the misery brought by the atomic bomb and the feeling of Sankichi Toge moves me.

This poem is included in the beginning of Sankichi Toge's “A-Bomb Poems”.In addition, Sankichi Toge left the following words at the beginning of "A-Bomb Poems".

"On August 6, 1945, the atomic bomb dropped On Hiroshima, and on the 9th on Nagasaki. I dedicate to those who were killed and suffering from the fear and pain of death, those who have no choice but to erase their agony and grief as long as they live, and those who hate the atomic bombs of the whole world. "

原爆供養塔 -Atomic bomb memorial tower-

After the bombing, countless bodies were scattered around this area and cremated near the memorial tower.It is said that the atomic bomb memorial tower contains 70,000 that cannot be identified.These include US POWs, Koreans, and Chinese.

Every August 6, a joint memorial service is held across religious barriers.

韓国人原爆犠牲者慰霊碑
-Korean Atomic Bomb Victims Memorial-

At that time, Hiroshima was a military industrial city.

Many Koreans were recruited from the Korean Peninsula as labor. The number is about 100,000.It is said that about 20,000 of them were victims of the atomic bomb.Initially, the Korean Atomic Bomb Victims Memorial was outside of the Peace Park and was said to be a symbol of discrimination.

Even now, the word "resident in Japan" has not disappeared, and it is certain that Japanese people still have a sense of discrimination against Koreans.

Recently, the memorial was relocated to the site of the Peace Park, but there have been cases where somebody paints the memorial..

At present, the Korean wave is prevalent in Japan, and it is easy to imagine that Japan and Korea have a close relationship.

"Racial (ethnic) discrimination", which may be more difficult to resolve than "nuclear weapon abolition", still persists.

平和の鐘 -Bell of peace-

It was established by the atomic bomb survivors Hiroshima wishing crystal society, with the hope of realizing a world in which there is no nuclear war and peace can coexist.

It has been selected as one of the 100 Best Japanese Soundscapes to Keep.
Please ring when you visit Peace Memorial Park. A sound that calms your mind.

⇒原爆の日 その他関連記事はこちら



　

On the day of the atomic bomb -Mother and Child in the Storm-

The day of the atomic bomb in Hiroshima is approaching this year.


I myself would like to visit and learn the memorials, statues and heritage related to Peace Memorial Park again.

嵐の中の母子像 -Mother and Child in the Storm-

The mother is holding her baby with her right arm to protect her.

I wonder she is holding another child with her left arm so that she can not come off, or carry him?They hold on to their mother not to stay away from her.And the mother is leaning forward.It's a blast from the atomic bomb, a storm, but that can tell you the desperation of going forward, against the tragic cruelty of the war.

I think...,
Is this mother-child statue applicable only to the atomic bomb?
Even in places where Japan invaded in the war, Isn't the mother and child looking similar?Isn't the mother and child in war and conflict in the world still looking the same?

When I look up at this mother-child , I feel sorrowful.

The creator is Hongo Shin.In 1959, at the time of the 5th Atomic Bomb Ban World Congress, it was donated by the Atomic Bomb Ban Japan Council. At that time it was a plaster statue.Later, the Hiroshima City Women's Association allegedly raised money and donated the current bronze statue.

広島平和記念資料館(原爆資料館)
-Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum-

A museum that conveys the misery of the atomic bomb. There is behind the "Mother and Child in the Storm".It consists of the main building (designated as an important cultural property) and the east building.

In the "East Building", panels that explain the history of the war with photographs etc. are displayed.Basically, you can confirm the history, so you can visit with ease, but you should consider it as a preparation for visiting the "Main Building".

The value of the Atomic Bomb Museum is condensed in the Main Building.
I think it is meaningful to visit the Main Building, and the East Building is a　supplement.* In fact, at the beginning it was only the main building. The East Building has been added recently (although more than 20 years ago).

The main building displays photographs, dioramas, and actual objects that will make you look away.On display are photographs of people who was burned in their entire body, "Black Lunch Box", a relic of a student who was killed by the atomic bomb, and "Shadow Stone", in which the shadow of a person is stuck on the stairs with the heat rays of the atomic bomb.

In addition, life-size dolls wandering in the devastated land with the skin of the limbs melted and drooped by the high heat are also exhibited.

Before the East Building was established, the Atomic Bomb Museum seemed to have a strange atmosphere.In front of the doll, little childlen were crying and screaming in awe.I also remember the fear of my childhood.

Some of the exhibits are introduced on the following site.
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum(East)

被爆したアオギリ -A-bombed Aogiri-

In the past, three Aogiri plants were planted at a communication station (currently China Post Office) about 1.5 km away from the hypocenter.At the time of the bombing, the blast and hot air of the atomic bomb burned and destroyed half of the trunk as well as the leaves.At the time of the atomic bombing, it was said that plants would not grow in Hiroshima for the next 75 years, but in the spring of the following year, sprout came out from these three deadly trees.

Aogiri, which survives the atomic bomb, geve hopes to people in despair.It was moved to the Peace Memorial Park site in 1973, but one has died and only two survive.

In the photo below, you can see that three bluebirds are planted.The left two Aogiri were bombed. The rightmost Aogiri is “A-bombed Aogiri II”.It seems that Aogiri II is now being sent nationwide as a "messenger of peace" and is being cherished.

You can see the new trunk covering the burnt trunk skin.

“A-bombed Aogiri” keeps to convey the terribleness of war and the preciousness of living.


⇒原爆の日 その他関連記事はこちら

　

原爆ドームの夕暮れ ～写真を撮るならブルーアワーがおすすめ～

夕暮れ時の原爆ドームは美しい

世界遺産として有名な原爆ドーム。

戦争の凄惨さ伝える一方で、世界平和を希求するシンボルでもあり、日本国内のみならず世界各地から多くの人々が訪れる人気スポットです。

お昼の明るい時間帯に訪れる方が多いかとと思いますが、夕暮れ時の青と橙の中に、凛とたたずむ原爆ドームは、厳かな雰囲気をまとい非常に美しいです。

完全に日が沈み真っ暗になる直前の、空が濃い青に染まるわずかな時間が狙い目です。

この昼と夜の境目のわずかな時間を「ブルーアワー」といいます。
濃い青が静けさを強調しわずかに差し込む橙が美しく、この時間に撮る写真はなんでも雰囲気よく写ります。

原爆ドームのライトアップ

日が沈むと、原爆ドームはライトアップされます。

ライトアップされた原爆ドームもいいのですが、ブルーアワーの原爆ドームのほうがいい雰囲気だと個人的には思います。

原爆投下目標の目印になった相生橋からの夜景です。
相生橋についてはこちらで詳しく書いております。

原爆の日を前に 　原爆投下目標地点 相生橋

今回は、原爆投下目標地点についてです。 【相生橋】 みなさんご存知かと思われますが、1945年(昭和20年)8月6日午前8時15分、、B-29爆撃機(通称:エノラ・ゲイ)によって、ヒロシマに原子爆弾が投下されました。核兵器が有史以来初めて実戦使用された瞬間です。 こ...

この日は水位が低かったので、きれいに原爆ドームやほかの建物が水面に反射していませんが、元安川を挟んで輝く町並みがきれいな夜景スポットです。

元安川に架かる元安橋。
橋を渡った先のひと際明るい場所は、カフェ「Ponte」。

平和公園周辺のおすすめカフェ ~Caffe Ponte~

平和公園に行ったことがある方は見かけたことがあるのではないでしょうか。 『Caffe Ponte (カフェ ポンテ) 』 さんをご紹介。 平和公園周辺でぶらぶら散歩をするとき、いつも目に入って気になっていたお店です。 店先にはいつもオレンジなどが並べてあり、映画などに...

●撮影場所
　　広島県　原爆ドーム

●撮影日
　　2019.04.12

●撮影機材
　　Canon EOS 6D
　　IRIX 15mm f/2.4 Blackstone

Canon デジタル一眼レフカメラ EOS 6Dボディ EOS6D 新品価格 ￥105,800から (2018/2/17 23:56時点)

Irix 15 mm f/2.4ブラックストーンレンズ (キヤノン) 新品価格 ￥101,000から (2018/2/18 23:37時点)

原爆の日を前に 嵐の中の母子像

今年も広島の原爆の日が近づいてまいりました。


戦争とは、平和とは、原爆とは、核とは。
私自身、今一度、平和記念公園を中心にゆかりのある慰霊碑、像、遺産を巡り、考え学び直したいと思います。



【嵐の中の母子像】

母親が、わが子を守ろうと、右腕で乳飲み子をしっかりと抱きかかえています。
左腕でもう一人の幼子をはぐれないように掴んでいるのでしょうか。それとも、背負おうとしているのでしょうか。
幼子も母親から離れまいと、ひしとしがみついています。


そして、母親は前かがみの姿勢です。
物理的には、原爆での爆風、嵐なのでしょうが、戦争が起こす悲惨さ残酷さに抗い、前に進もうとする必死さが伝わってきます。


個人的な拡大解釈をします。
この母子の像は原爆だけに当てはまるものでしょうか。
過去、日本が戦争で侵攻した場所でも、母子が同じような姿をしているのではないでしょうか？
今なお世界中で起こっている戦争、紛争下の母子も同じような姿をしているのではないでしょうか？
そう思いこの母子像を見上げると、胸が痛くなるのです。

製作者は本郷新さん。
1959(昭和34)年、第5回原水爆禁止世界大会開催の際、原水爆禁止日本協議会から寄贈されたそうです。当時は石膏像だったそうです。
その後、広島市婦人会連合会が募金活動を行い現在のブロンズ像を寄贈したそうです。



【広島平和記念資料館(原爆資料館)】

原爆の悲惨さを伝える資料館です。位置は「嵐の中の母子像」の真後ろになります。
「本館(重要文化財に指定されている)」と「東館」で構成されています。


「東館」では戦争の経緯を写真などで説明したパネルが展示されています。
基本的に歴史の確認のような内容なので、比較的ライトな感覚で見学できまが「本館」を見学するための予習と考えるべきです。
「原爆資料館」の価値は「本館」に凝縮されています。
「本館」の見学に意味があり、「東館」はおまけだと私は思っています。
※実際、当初は本館のみで最近(といっても20年以上前ですが)東館が追加されています。


「本館」には実際の惨状を物語る写真、ジオラマ、そして目をそむけたくなる現物が展示されています。
全身火傷をした人の写真、被爆死した学生の遺品である「黒こげの弁当箱」、原爆の熱線で階段に人の影が焼きついた「人影の石」などが展示されています。
また、高熱を浴び手足の皮膚が溶け垂れ下がった状態で荒廃した地を彷徨う等身大の人形も展示されています。

「東館」ができる以前の「原爆資料館」は異様な雰囲気に包まれていたように思います。
上記の人形の前では小さい子は恐怖で泣き叫び阿鼻叫喚の様相を呈していました。
私も、幼心に恐怖を感じたのを覚えています。


展示物の一部が下記サイトで紹介されています。
平和記念資料館（西館）



【被爆したアオギリ】

もともとは、爆心地から約1.5kｍ離れた逓信局(現在の中国郵政局)に３本植えられていたそうです。
被爆時、原爆の爆風・熱風により、葉はもちろんのこと、幹も半分が焼かれ消失したそうです。


被爆当時は、広島には向こう75年間は草木が生えないだろうと言われていましたそうですが、翌年の春に、この枯れ木同然だった3本のアオギリから新芽が出たそうです。
原爆に屈せず生き続けるアオギリの姿は、絶望の中にいた人々に希望を与えたといいます。


1973年に現在の平和記念公園の敷地内に移植されましたが、1本は枯れてしまい現存するのは2本になっています。
下の写真では、3本のアオギリが植えられているのを確認できると思います。
左の2本が被爆したアオギリ。一番右のアオギリは「被爆アオギリ2世」です。
アオギリ2世は、現在「平和の使者」として全国に送られ大切に育てられているようです。

焼けた幹肌を包み込むように新しい幹が覆っているのが分かります。

「被爆したアオギリ」は、今なお、戦争の凄惨さ、生きることの尊さを伝え続けてくれています。



⇒原爆の日 その他関連記事はこちら