7-13 Peace Clock Tower

7-13 Peace Clock Tower 

Date of completion October 28, 1967

Established by Hiroshima Rijo Lions Club

Designer Shoji Ohata 

Shape

A tower made of 3 iron pillars each twisted by 60 degrees with a spherical clock facing three directions on top (height 20m).

Memorial Epigraph

"With the appearance of nuclear energy, mankind is standing at a crossroads between life or death, downfall or prosperity. Uniting the wide world with one heart, the role of Lions Club members in establishing peace is big. We have built this clock tower and donated it to the city in accord with the perennial preservation of the A-bomb Dome. The chime of the clock tower resounding everyday at 8.15, the time when mankind received its baptism of the atomic bomb for the first time, calls out to the world for "No more Hiroshima" and we pray that the day for lasting peace may soon come to mankind."

October 28, 1967 Celebrating 10 years since the transmission of the charter 

Hiroshima Rijo Lions Club 

Noteworthy characteristics 

1. Construction of the Peace Clock Tower

The plan to construct the Peace Clock Tower was deadlocked at first due to Kenzo Tange, designer of the Peace Park and professor at Tokyo University, saying, "the Peace Park is a holy place and it is not desirable that many things are built". In spite of that, the project could be completed with his agreement when representatives of the project went to Tokyo and explained the circumstances. 

2. Shape of the tower

The sphere with a diameter of 2m representing the people of the world is supported by three 20m high steel towers representing the hands of the citizens of the Peace City Hiroshima united in deep prayer and the hope for endless peace surpassing difficulties.

3. Japan's Soundscape − 100 Selected Sounds

It was selected in 1996 for the Environment Agency's "One Hundred Sounds the Japanese People Wish to Preserve." (The selection includes the sounds in the park on August 6, including the ringing of the Peace Clock Tower bell, the Peace Bell, and the bell displayed in Peace Memorial Museum that is used in the Peace Memorial Ceremony.)  

 

 

 

6 Aioi Bridge

6 Aioi Bridge

Date completed (bridge that stood at the time of the bombing) December 12, 1932 

Completion (rebuilt bridge)November 2, 1983

Constructor　Hiroshima City

Shape

Original bridge: total width - 15m

Rebuilt bridge: total length - 123.4m, total width - 40m 

(streetcar track, 6 traffic lanes, pedestrian lane)

Noteworthy characteristics 

1. T-shaped bridge

The bridge that had been built in 1932 as a bridge only for streetcars was extended in 1934 from its central section to Jisenji-no-hana (now the north end of Peace Memorial Park) and thus received its unique T-shape that was a rare sight in Japan. Besides, in the very south of the bridge there were two wooden bridges on the east and west that had been built in 1878 and in the short period until they were taken down, Aioi Bridge formed an H-shape and created a special scenery.

2. Target of the atomic bomb and damage from the bomb

The bridge is regarded to have been the target of the atomic bomb. The bomb missed slightly, exploding in the air over Shima Hospital located 300 meters away from the bridge. 

The fierce blast deformed the girders, the handrail on the northern side fell into the river and a part of the sidewalk was lifted up. 

3. Reconstruction

The bridge was reconstructed after the war but gradually deteriorated and a new bridge replaced the old one in 1983. Granite stones were used in the reconstruction for the handrails and the main pillars in order to harmonize with the area around Peace Memorial Park and A-bomb Dome.

4. A witness of history

Now old pillars bearing the marks of the bombing are still preserved at the foot of the bridge and some of the girders deformed by the blast are displayed in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. 

5 Memorial Monument for the Hiroshima Municipal Commercial

5 Memorial Monument for the Hiroshima Municipal Commercial 

and Shipbuilding Industry Schools

(Hiroshima Municipal Commercial School - 

today: Hiroshima Municipal Commercial Senior High School)

 

Date of completion: August 6, 1963

Established by Hiroshima Municipal Commercial School Alumni Association Bereaved Families of the Municipal Shipbuilding Industry School 

Shape

A big natural granite rock with an Epigraph (height 2m, width 3.5m).

Motive for the erection

To pray for the happiness in the next world for the students and employees who all died and to pledge never to repeat such a tragedy.

Epigraph(epitaph)

"It was indeed a thunderbolt out of the blue when on August 6, 1945 at 8:15AM our hometown Hiroshima was turned into hell on earth and distroyed in one moment by only one atomic bomb (...)" (opening)

Noteworthy characteristics 

1. The school's transition

The Hiroshima Municipal Commercial School was turned into the Municipal Shipbuilding Industry School by governmental decision during the last stages of the war. After the war, the Shipbuilding Industry School was closed. Later, it became the Hiroshima Municipal First Commercial School, and in 1948, it became the Hiroshima Municipal Commercial High School.

2. Victims of the Municipal Shipbuilding Industry School

When the bomb dropped, 195 first year students and 5 employees of the Municipal Shipbuilding Industry School students were working on building demolition 500 meters from the hypocenter in the vicinity of Seiganji Temple in Zaimoku-cho. Except for a student who felt ill while working and went to a hospital, all perished. Because of the proximity to the hypocenter, their remains were virtually unidentifiable. Nothing was found except for lunch boxes or burnt clothing fragments here and there.

The school lost a total of 270 people, including those working at other mobilization sites and those exposed on their way to school. 

4 Hiroshima Second Middle School A-bomb Memorial Monument

4 Hiroshima Second Middle School A-bomb Memorial Monument

(Hiroshima Prefecture Hiroshima Second Middle School, Today: 

Hiroshima Prefecture Hiroshima Kannon Senior High School)

 

Date of completion: August 6,1961

Established by  Bereaved Family Committee, Hiroshima Prefecture Hiroshima Second Middle School

Shape

Natural rock with "ireihi" (monument for the dead) engraved in large letters on the front and the names of the students and employees who died engraved on the back (height: 1m, width: 4m).

Motive for the erection

To mourn and repose the souls of the students and employees who died in war and through the atomic bomb.

Epigraph

"By inscribing the dear names of the 352 former employees and students of Hiroshima Second Middle School who died in war and by the atomic bomb we want to maintain their memory and repose their souls in eternity. (August 6, 1964, Bereaved Families)"

Noteworthy characteristics 

1. Victims of Hiroshima Second Middle School

At the time of the bombing, students and staff were working on building demolition at Nakajima-honmachi, 600 meters from the hypocenter. When the bomb dropped, they were lined up and receiving instructions at the Honkawa riverside. Most died instantly and were so thoroughly burned that their remains could not be identified or collected.

Through a survey by a newspaper company conducted in 1999, 306 persons could be identified to have died in the atomic bombing. 

2. Epitaph next to the monument

A monument with an epitaph was erected on August 6 1953 next to the monument. It says: "As we think of your faces and deeds, there are no words. We can only weep" (by Sadae Furuta, a former principal of the school). 

3 Monument for the Volunteer Army Corps

3 Monument for the Volunteer Army Corps

Date of completion: August 6, 1964

Established by　Bereaved families in the Nukui area of Kawauchi Village, Sato City, Asa-gun

Shape

Monument made from natural rock. Engravings: "Monument for the Volunteer Army Corps" (front), victims' names (back)

Motive for the erection

To transmit the cruel situation of the atomic bombing and the precious sacrifice of the members of the Volunteer Army Corps and appeal for the preciousness of peace.

Epigraph(epitaph)

"Devoted with reverence to the souls of the members of the Volunteer Army Corps, we will never forget that day of horrible scenes and outmost grief. After suffering in anguish in the pandemonium when the atomic bomb was dropped on these grounds on August 6, 1945 at 8.15, our brothers and sisters are resting here..."

Noteworthy characteristics 

1. Civilian Volunteer Army Corps

In 1945, the government issued the "Civilian Volunteer Conscription Act" in preparation for a decisive battle on the Japaneses mainland. Volunteer Army Corps units formed in various regions of Japan organized around workplaces, schools and regions. All males between 15 and 60 years of age and all females between 17 and 40 years of age were eligible. 

2. The victims of the Nukui area of Kawauchi Village

On August 6, 250 Volunteer Army Corps members from Kawauchi Village were working on building demolition in the vicinity of Nakajima-shin-machi, around 600 meters from the hypocenter. All perished. The Nukui area suffered a particularly great loss as a single area with 180 of the total number of victims coming from here. 

3. Families left behind

As the dead corps members had been their family's bread-winners, the elderly, children, and women they left behind had trouble surviving. 

4. Memorial tower for the souls of the A-bomb victims

In the Mitaki cemetery in Hiroshima's Nishi-ku, there is a memorial tower the people of Kawauchi village had built as a common memorial before the "Monument for the Volunteer Army Corps" was erected. 

2 Honkawa Bridge

2 Honkawa Bridge

Date completed: November 1897

Date collapsed: April 1988

Date rebuilt: 1949

Constructor　Hiroshima City

Shape　Steel plate truss bridge (length 73.2m, width 6.6m) 

Noteworthy characteristics 

1. Nekoya Bridge

The bridge was located 250m away from the center of the explosion center. The strong blast from the explosion caused the bridge beams to move and break off the piers which made the bridge partially collapse. Water pipes also broke off from the bridge and water supply was stopped. Immediately afterwards the bridge was urgently repaired by laying out boards but through the Makurazaki Typhoon in September it finally collapsed and only the piers remained. 

2. Steel plate truss bridge

The bridge was rebuilt as a solid steel truss bridge in 1897. This steel bridge was the newest model at that time. It connected Nakajima-Honmachi, Hiroshima's number one shopping and amusement district and the business area Sakai-machi-suji and became a new famous spot in Hiroshima.

3. Damage from the A-bomb and collapse due to the Makurazaki Typhoon

The bridge was located 250m away from the center of the explosion center. The strong blast from the explosion caused the bridge beams to move and break off the piers which made the bridge partially collapse. Water pipes also broke off from the bridge and water supply was stopped. Immediately afterwards the bridge was urgently repaired by laying out boards but through the Makurazaki Typhoon in September it finally collapsed and only the piers remained. 

4. Reconstruction

The bridge was rebuilt in 1949 with the remaining piers by reusing steel materials from the Hikari Navy Arsenal in Hikari City (Yamaguchi Prefecture). 

01 Honkawa Elementary School Peace Museum

01　Honkawa Elementary School Peace Museum

 

Date of completion of the old school building

July 1928

Date of completion of the new school building and Peace Museum

April 1988

Shape

Part of an L-shaped three story re-inforced concrete school building (first school buidling in Hiroshima made of re-inforced concrete)

Noteworthy characteristics 

1. School closest to the hypocenter

As the closest school to the hypocenter (about 410 meters away), Honkawa National School (today Honkawa Elemtary School) received great damage. The interior of the building was totally gutted and destroyed, and of the principal, ten staff members, and around 400 first and second graders, only one student and one teacher miraculously survived.

2. Temporary first-aid station

The school that had been burnt down to its outer walls from the following day became a temporary first-aid station soon crowded with many wounded. Also, on the school grounds many corpses were cremated.

3. Resuming classes and rebuilding the school

Classes resumed in February the following year in a minimally repaired school building.

In later years the A-bombed school building was repeatedly repaired and remodeled, but in April 1988, a new school building was constructed and the old one removed except for one section above ground and another underground. 

4. Preservation of the A-bombed school building and the Peace Museum

A part of the school building and an underground section were maintained and preserved as the "Peace Museum" which opened in May 1988. It is preserved as a "witness" to the damage caused by the atomic bombing by leaving the burnt remains centered around the underground rooms as they were. Most of the artifacts on display were gathered by former Honkawa School teachers from A-bombed districts.

- Exhibitied materials -

Framed document: Epitaph of the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims "Rest in peace..."

(Original handwriting of Tadayoshi Saika)

Photo panels: 30 pieces (Depicting the damage of the A-bomb caused to Hiroshima City and Honkawa Elementary School)

A-bomb materials: 30 items (melted glass, burnt work trousers) 

5. "Barefoot Gen"

Honkawa Elementary School is the school appearing in Keiji Nakazawa's "Barefoot Gen" (Hadashi no Gen)

57 Memorial Monument for Barbara Reynolds

57 Memorial Monument for Barbara Reynolds 

 

Date of dedication: Unveiled on June 12, 2011

Established by

World Friendship Center (specified non-profit corporation)

Shape

0.8m2 ceramic plate is mounted on the black granite pedestal of approximately 1.3m (height) x 1m (width) x 0.4m (thickness)

Motive for the erection

After more than 60 years since the atomic bombing, amidst the concerns over the fading atomic bombing memory, the monument was erected to commemorate the achievement of Ms. Barbara Reynolds in making the experience of Hiroshima bombing globally known in her conviction that “My heart is always with Hiroshima”, and to pass on her wish for the nuclear abolition to many people, including citizens, students on school trip, and tourists from across the world. 

Epigraph

I, too, am a Hibakusha

Hibakusha – they are the inspiration for all my peace effort

My heart is always with Hiroshima

Barbara Reynolds (1915-1990)

Special Honorary Citizen of Hiroshima

Founder of World Friendship Center, Hiroshima 

Additional Facts

1. Barbara Reynolds (1915 – 90) 

Barbara Reynolds was an American peace activist. In 1951, she made her first visit to Hiroshima with her husband, a researcher working for the Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission (now the Radiation Effects Research Foundation), and learned the horrendous damage wrought by the atomic bombing. In 1958, she sailed into the restricted waters surrounding Enewetak Atoll in the Pacific Ocean in protest against the hydrogen-bomb testing by the United States. Since 1962, she had organized Hiroshima Peace Pilgrimage and, in 1964, launched Hiroshima Nagasaki World Peace Pilgrimage. The pilgrimages consisting of A-bomb survivors and scholars toured around the world, advocating peace.

In 1965, she founded the World Friendship Center in Minami-kannon as the "the world’s gateway to Hiroshima".

On October 15, 1975, the City of Hiroshima made her the Special Honorary Citizen for her achievements in her peace activities both in Japan and the world.

26 Peace Memorial Park

26 Peace Memorial Park

Date of completion

April 1,1954, established by　Hiroshima City 

Design

The Park, a joint work by 3 designers, including Kenzo Tange (then assistant professor at Tokyo Univ.), won first prize among 145 works in a design competition.

Shape

Area of the park: approx. 37,000 tsubo (approx. 122,100 m2) 

Noteworthy characteristics 

1. Before the A-bombing

The neighborhood district of the present-day Peace Memorial Park (Nakajima District) prospered as a point of both land and sea traffic, making it important in the Edo Era. During the Meiji Era, the district became the political, administrative and commercial center, as well as the physical distribution base of Hiroshima, when City Hall and the Prefectural Office were constructed here. The population of the district, with seven towns, was estimated at 6,500 persons at the time of the A-bombing. 

2. The Dropping of the A-bomb 

The A-bomb, dropped for the first time in the history of humankind on August 6, 1945, exploded over this district. Not only residents of the district, but also many National Militia Unit members and mobilized students, who were engaged in clearing abandoned buildings at the time of the A-bombing, died a violent death, and the cityscape instantly vanished. 

3. Becoming Peace Memorial Park

Following enactment of the "Hiroshima Peace Memorial City Construction Law" on August 6, 1949, it was decided that this district should be maintained as a peace memorial facility, and the district was reborn as the present-day Peace Memorial Park.

On February 6, 2007, the central axis of the district was designated a place of scenic beauty in Japan. The designated area was expanded to the entire park on March 28, 2008. It was then the first park of scenic beauty reborn in the post war period.

"Peace Memorial City Construction Law"

This law aims at reconstructing Hiroshima City as a peace memorial city, an ideal symbol in the effort to sincerely realize everlasting peace. 

26 平和記念公園: Peace Memorial Park

26　平和記念公園

 

公園設置日

1956（昭和31）年4月1日

建設　広島市 

設計

丹下健三（当時・東大助教授）ほか3名の共同作品（設計競技による145点の中から1等入選）

形状

公園面積：約122,100

　　（約37,000坪）

特記事項

1. 被爆前

現在の平和記念公園一帯（中島(なかじま)地区）は、江戸時代から陸海の交通の要衝として栄えていました。また、明治になると、市庁舎、県庁舎のほか、広島の物流の拠点となるなど、政治・行政・商業の中心となりました。被爆時のこの地区7町の住民は、合計で6,500人と推定されています。 

2. 原爆投下

1945（昭和20）年8月6日、人類史上初めて投下された原子爆弾は、この地区の頭上で炸裂しました。地区の住民はもとより、当時この付近で建物疎開作業に従事していた多くの国民義勇隊や動員学徒が非業の死を遂げ、街並みも一瞬のうちに消え去りました。 

3. 平和記念公園へ

1949（昭和24）年8月6日の「広島平和記念都市建設法」の制定に伴い、この地区一帯は平和記念施設として整備されることになり、現在の平和記念公園に生まれかわりました。

2007（平成19）年2月6日には、中央の軸線のエリアが国名勝に指定され、2008（平成20）年3月28日に公園内全体が名勝指定されました。戦後に整備された公園としては初めての国名勝となります。

『平和記念都市建設法』

この法律は、恒久の平和を誠実に実現しようとする理想の象徴として、広島市を平和記念都市として建設することを目的としています。