The special exhibition
"Children of Hiroshima : Testament of the Boys and Girls of Hiroshima"
Period: January 1 － December 28, 2015
Place: Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims B1F
Admission free
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At the Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims, each year a special exhibition is held on a specific theme, displaying testimonies and memorial writings, with the aim of communicating the truth of the atomic bombing.
In 2015, following on from 2014, we are presenting 38 essays about atomic bomb experiences authored by children who were in the fourth and higher grades of elementary school at the time of the bombing, from the book
"Children of Hiroshima : Testament of the Boys and Girls of Hiroshima" which was edited by Osada Arata, Professor at Hiroshima University, and published 6 years after the bombing.
On August 6, 1945, one atomic bomb destroyed the city of Hiroshima in an instant, indiscriminately taking the precious lives of hundreds of thousands of people.
Children became the victims of atomic bomb, too.
In these testimonies, children who lost their family in the bombing write about sorrow, hardship and brave and positive thoughts to grow up.
Here we have selected two excerpts of the exhibited testimonies to share with you: those of Ms. Naoko Masuoka and Mr. Kenji Takeuchi.
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First edition of "Children of Hiroshima: Testament of the Boys and Girls of Hiroshima" (1951)
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Ms. Masuoka was a junior high school student at the time.
On August 6, 1945, she went out to help the building demolition work as a part of student mobilization.
･･･ When I came to, the neighborhood was pitch dark and I had been knocked over onto the ground.
I could not breathe for the dense cloud of dust.
Sobbing voices cried out, "Mother, mother, help me!" I too was sobbing.
･･･ It got a little brighter in front of me, and I was astonished on seeing the appearance of my friends.
Some had brood all over them, some had been burned and their skin was bright red.
My hands were hideously burned, and fat was flowing from them like sweat. ･･･
Mr. Takeuchi was an elementary school boy at the time.
Since he had evacuated from Hiroshima city to the home of relatives, he heard the situation of his family at the time of bombing from an older sister.
･･･ My father made my sister escape ahead, and tried to move the pillars, but they wouldn't budge.
The flames were spreading steadily out, and a powdery fire rained down on my father.
My mother put her hand out through a gap and said: "I can't be saved any more. So you must escape."
Father said: "What are you saying? I can't escape leaving you behind. If I can't save you, I'll die here together with you."
You can read the full texts of the testimonies in the Special Exhibition Area and the Library at the Memorial Hall.
In addition to the testimonies, the displays at the Memorial Hall also include photographs taken immediately after the bombing, A-bomb Drawings by Survivors, and atomic bombing artifacts such as clothes of children who experienced the bombing.
The testimonies are also presented in audio and video format, using related photographs and pictures.
All videos, including those made for previous special exhibitions, may be viewed in the Library.
DVDs of the videos are also available for rental as peace study materials.
Please listen to their hearts and words.
【Inquiries】 Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims
TEL: 81-82-543-6271 / FAX: 81-82-543-6273
E-mail: info@hiro-tsuitokinenkan.go.jp
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Prof. Osada (Editor) handed each children (Authors) a book "Children of Hiroshima". (1952)
Photograph provided by: Ms. Yuriko Hayashi
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