56 Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims

56 Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims

Date of completion August 1, 2002

Established by Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

Designed by Kenzo Tange Associates

Shape

One story above ground and two stories underground

Total floor area: 3,099 m2 

Motive for the foundation

The Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims is an effort by the Japanese government to remember and mourn the atomic bomb victims, to pray for eternal peace, to deepen world public understanding of the horrors of atomic bombs and to convey the A-bomb experience to later generations. 

Noteworthy characteristics 

1. Monument to 8:15 

In the center of the above-ground area is the Monument to 8:15 − the moment the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. The monument is surrounded by water, an offering for victims who died craving water, and A-bombed roof tiles unearthed from the premises during construction of the monument. 

2. The Hall of Remembrance

In the second basement of the building is the Hall of Remembrance, a cylindrical space with a high ceiling. Here is a place to quietly mourn A-bomb victims and reflect on peace. To show visitors the magnitude of the damage caused by the atomic bomb, the hall presents a panoramic view of the A-bombed city from Shima Hospital, located close to the atomic bomb hypocenter, with 140,000 roof tiles?equal to the number of people estimated to have died as a result of the atomic bomb by the end of 1945. 

From the first basement, which has an entrance to the building, a counterclockwise spiral slope leads to the Hall of Remembrance. This slope represents travel from the present to the past, when the atomic bomb was dropped. 

3. Various activities, including collecting and making public memoirs of A-bomb survivors, and names and photographs of A-bomb victims

As a means of conveying the reality of the damage caused by the atomic bombing, the Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims collects memoirs of A-bomb survivors and names and photographs of A-bomb victims, and makes them available in the Victims' Information Area (only names and photographs) and Library. Visitors can view the photographs of Hiroshima before and after the bombing, and videotapes in which survivors tell their stories.

In the Temporary Exhibition Area, theme exhibitions are held with collected memoirs of A-bomb survivors. In addition, volunteers give public readings of A-bomb survivors' memoirs inside this building.  

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.

56 Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims

56 Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims

Date of completion August 1, 2002

Established by Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

Designed by Kenzo Tange Associates

Shape

One story above ground and two stories underground

Total floor area: 3,099 m2 

Motive for the foundation

The Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims is an effort by the Japanese government to remember and mourn the atomic bomb victims, to pray for eternal peace, to deepen world public understanding of the horrors of atomic bombs and to convey the A-bomb experience to later generations. 

Noteworthy characteristics 

1. Monument to 8:15 

In the center of the above-ground area is the Monument to 8:15 − the moment the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. The monument is surrounded by water, an offering for victims who died craving water, and A-bombed roof tiles unearthed from the premises during construction of the monument. 

2. The Hall of Remembrance

In the second basement of the building is the Hall of Remembrance, a cylindrical space with a high ceiling. Here is a place to quietly mourn A-bomb victims and reflect on peace. To show visitors the magnitude of the damage caused by the atomic bomb, the hall presents a panoramic view of the A-bombed city from Shima Hospital, located close to the atomic bomb hypocenter, with 140,000 roof tiles?equal to the number of people estimated to have died as a result of the atomic bomb by the end of 1945. 

From the first basement, which has an entrance to the building, a counterclockwise spiral slope leads to the Hall of Remembrance. This slope represents travel from the present to the past, when the atomic bomb was dropped. 

3. Various activities, including collecting and making public memoirs of A-bomb survivors, and names and photographs of A-bomb victims

As a means of conveying the reality of the damage caused by the atomic bombing, the Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims collects memoirs of A-bomb survivors and names and photographs of A-bomb victims, and makes them available in the Victims' Information Area (only names and photographs) and Library. Visitors can view the photographs of Hiroshima before and after the bombing, and videotapes in which survivors tell their stories.

In the Temporary Exhibition Area, theme exhibitions are held with collected memoirs of A-bomb survivors. In addition, volunteers give public readings of A-bomb survivors' memoirs inside this building. 

55 Peace "Watch" Tower

55 Peace "Watch" Tower

Date of completion August 6, 2001

Established by Nonprofit Organization Peace Watch Club 

Designer : Atsuo Okamoto

Shape

The tower is made of granite (0.8 meters wide, 0.4 meters long and 3.1 meters high). Placed on atop of the tower is a round clock, showing the current time. Under the clock is a digital display indicating the number of days since the A-bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. Beneath that is another display showing the number of days since the last nuclear test was conducted. Installed on the bottom of the tower is a cogwheel device. 

Motive for the erection

To prevent memories of the atomic bombing from fading away and to warn against repeated nuclear testing, the Peace "Watch" Tower was created and donated to Hiroshima City. 

Noteworthy characteristics 

1. Number of days displayed

Of the two digital displays on the tower, the upper one indicates the number of days since the A-bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, while the lower one shows the number of days since the last nuclear test was conducted. Every time a nuclear test is conducted, "the number of days since the last nuclear test was conducted" is reset to zero. 

2. Cogwheel device 

The cogwheel device under the digital displays implicitly warns that human history continues to tick toward its end if nothing is done. 

The device consists of 15 cogwheels lined up from top to bottom. 

The concept is: the cogwheel at the top rotates 100 times per minute, but it will spin faster if the earth shows signs of being in danger. If it reaches the immovable cogwheel at the bottom, the clock will automatically self-destruct.

In order to stop the cogwheel from spinning, we must work toward abolishing all nuclear weapons and seek for an age of coexistence among humankind without dependence on military force.

The Peace "Watch" Tower reminds us to stop these cogwheels from rotating — reminds us to put our heads together to eliminate nuclear weapons, and reminds us to put an end to our dependence on military force, to live in an age of peaceful coexistence. 

54 Monument Commemorating

54 Monument Commemorating 

Pope John Paul II's Appeal for Peace

Date of completion February 25, 1983

Established by Committee for Monument Commemorating Pope John Paul II's Appeal for Peace

Designer Itto Kuetani (Hiroshima-born sculptor living in Italy) 

Shape

The monument, made of white marble from Carrara, Italy, is engraved with words selected from Pope John Paul II's Appeal for Peace, in both Japanese and English. The monument consists of two joined rectangular stones underneath and an abstract sculpture above. The sculpture, symbolizing the world aspiring to work together for future harmony, stability and coexistence, represents humankind's hope for peace. (1.8 meters wide, 0.9 meters long and 3 meters high) 

Motive for the erection

To transform the Pope's Appeal for Peace into a sculpture that can serve as a source of peace 

Epigraph

War is the work of man.

War is destruction of human life.

War is death.

To remember the past is to commit oneself to the future.

To remember Hiroshima is to abhor nuclear war.

To remember Hiroshima is to commit oneself to peace.

10:30 a.m., 25 February 1981

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park His Holiness Pope John Paul II 

Noteworthy characteristics 

1. ○ Pope John Paul II's visit to Hiroshima and his Appeal for Peace

On February 25, 1981, Pope John Paul II made his Appeal for Peace in front of the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. The Appeal for Peace, calling for the elimination of nuclear weapons, greatly impressed people all around the world.

In response to a request by many people, including A-bomb survivor Yoshie Fujieda, to create a monument based on the Pope's Appeal for Peace that would serve as a source of peace inspiration, the Committee for Monument Commemorating Pope John Paul II's Appeal for Peace was organized. On February 25, 1983, two years after the Appeal for Peace, an unveiling ceremony for the monument was held in the lobby on the first floor of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. 

53 Monument to Mr. Norman Cousins

53 Monument to Mr. Norman Cousins 

Date of completion August 2, 2003

Established by Committee for Monument to Mr. Norman Cousins 

Designer Masanami Yoshida (then a teacher at Hijiyama Women Junior College)

Shape

The monument consists of two fieldstones — one about 120 centimeters high, the other about 80 centimeters high. Placed on the front side of the larger fieldstone are a portrait in relief of Mr. Norman Cousins and a bronze plate engraved with words in both English and Japanese, quoted from his book Human Option. Embedded in the front of the smaller fieldstone is a green copperplate indicating his contributions to Hiroshima, lettered in gold Japanese characters. 

Motive for the erection

To honor Mr. Norman Cousins' great achievements, including promotion of the moral adoption project for A-bomb and war orphans, his efforts in helping female A-bomb survivors receive keloid treatment in the U.S. and his continued appeal to the world for elimination of nuclear weapons treatment in the U.S. and his continued appeal to the world for elimination of nuclear weapons 

Epigraph

"World peace will not be achieved by drift or default. The goal must be defined, the approaches must be accepted, the responsibilities must be fixed. (Norman Cousins)"

Noteworthy characteristics 

1. Mr. Norman Cousins (1915 - 1990)

Mr. Norman Cousins visited Hiroshima in August 1949 as the editor-in-chief of the New York literary journal Saturday Review of Literature, and published a report titled "Hiroshima — Four Years Later." In this report he introduced the idea of "moral adoption," a system that could help nurture A-bomb and war orphans without recourse to legal adoption. Through this "moral adoption" system, Americans of goodwill could contribute to the well-being of overseas children through financial support. Financial support for orphans in Hiroshima through the system amounted to ¥20 million; some 500 children received assistance.

Moreover, in 1955, Cousins took 25 female A-bomb survivors to the U.S. to have their keloids treated at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York by Dr. Arthur Barsky and other world-renowned plastic surgeons. 

To honor his achievements, he was awarded the title Honorary Citizen of Hiroshima in 1964. 

52 Gates of Peace

52 Gates of Peace

Date of construction July 30, 2005

Creators and donors

Clara Halter (French artist) 

Jean-Michel Wilmotte (French architect) 

Shape

Ten glass gates (2.6 meters wide, 1.6 meters long and 9 meters high) stretch 75 meters east to west in parallel with the columns of the main building of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum on the north side of Peace Boulevard.

The word "Peace," translated in 18 alphabets and 49 languages, is inscribed on the steel-framed gates covered with tempered glass, and on the flagstone underneath. During the night the words on each gate shine in the light. 

Noteworthy characteristics 

1. Wall for Peace Project 

In prayer for world peace, the gates were created in 2005, the 60th anniversary of the atomic bombing, by French artist Clara Halter and French architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte, who have been working on the Wall for Peace Project under the auspices of the French government.

The aim of Wall for Peace Project is to erect and donate walls engraved with the word "Peace" in world cities, in hope of world peace. As part of this project, the Gates of Peace were donated to Hiroshima City. The Gates of Peace were so named because of their structure.

History of Wall for Peace Project

Year 2000: Millennium Event in Paris, France : Shape: Cube

Year 2003: Tercentenary celebration of Saint Petersburg, Russia : Shape: Tower 

2. Ten Gates of Peace

The idea of ten gates represents the Italian poet Dante's nine circles of Hell, plus one - the living hell of Hiroshima caused by the atomic bombing, a hell unimaginable in the poet's day. The Gates of Peace symbolize the wish for human beings to overcome past traumatic experience and open the doors to a peaceful future.  

51 Merciful Consoling Kannon for Mobilized A-bomb Victim Students

51 Merciful Consoling Kannon for Mobilized A-bomb Victim Students

Date of completion July 31, 1966

Established by Bereaved families of students at 21 middle schools and girls' high schools (under Japan's old education system) 

Designer : Hoko Sunahara

Shape

The 2-meter high bronze Kannon (Goddess of Mercy) statue stands on an artificial hill comprising layers of stone. 

Motive for the erection

To console the spirits of mobilized students who tragically fell victim to the atomic bomb

Epigraph

"Precious are the spirits of the young student victims, who continue to protect peace through Kannon. (Yasuo Yamamoto)" 

"We can feel at peace when we imagine you sleeping in the arms of Jibo Kannon. (Reisuke Masuda)" 

Noteworthy characteristics 

1. Statue for students at middle schools and girls' high schools 

(under Japan's old education system)

This statue was erected to console the spirits of the dead students at 21 middle schools and girls' high schools (under Japan's old education system) in Hiroshima City. A plate engraved with the names of 4,000 student victims at these schools is placed inside the artificial hill, which is made of layers of stone.

2. From the old education system, including middle schools and girls' high schools, 

to the new education system (6-3-3 system) 

In 1947 the school system was revised to equalize educational opportunities. The new system stipulated 6 years of elementary school, 3 years of junior high school and 3 years of high school. Under the new system, 3 years of junior high school were required in addition to 6 years of elementary school, and coeducation was introduced in public schools. Under the old education system, most of the students who had completed the elementary course in national schools (6-year compulsory education) would go on to attend a 2-year advanced course in national schools, 5 years of middle school (for boys) or 4 (or 5) years of girls' high school. 

3. A Student Labor Order

Under the A Student Labor Order enacted in August 1944, students in middle schools and girls' high schools (under the old school system) or students in higher education institutions were required to provide labor service in the munition industries office.

Moreover, in November 1944, to prevent the spread of fires due to air raids, over 8,000 students from advanced courses in national schools, middle schools and girls' high schools were mobilized to clean up 133 locations in Hiroshima City where buildings had been demolished to provide fire roads and firebreaks; about 6,300 of those students were killed in the atomic bombing.  

50 Monument for the A-bomb Victims from the Hiroshima Agricultural Association

50 Monument for the A-bomb Victims from the Hiroshima Agricultural Association

Date of completion August 6, 1971

Established by JA Hiroshima Chuou Kai, JA Hiroshima Shinren, JA Hiroshima Keizairen, Hiroshima Doeisha Kyosairen and JA Hiroshima Kouseiren 

Shape

The cenotaph is made of black granite (1-meter high, 2-meters wide).

Motive for the erection

To console the spirits of 83 A-bomb victims of the Hiroshima Agricultural Association (including those who died of atomic bomb-related diseases) 

Epigraph

"Monument for the A-bomb Victims from the Hiroshima Agricultural Association" (Words written by Noboru Okuhisa, President of the Hiroshima Agricultural Association)

"The atomic bomb that exploded over Hiroshima at 8:15 a.m. on August 6, 1945 devastated the entire city in an instant, turning it into hell on earth. The inferno reduced the towns in Hiroshima to ruins and victimized some 80 of the executives and employees of the Hiroshima Agricultural Association. To console the spirits of the victims, this cenotaph has been erected close to where the Hiroshima Branch was located. (August 6, 1971)"

(Words composed by Mamoru Yukihiro, President of Hiroshima Doeisha Kyosairen) 

(Words written by Jitsuo Ito, President of JA Hiroshima Chuou Kai) 

Noteworthy characteristics 

1. The Hiroshima Agricultural Association 

Each day, some 200 staff members commuted to the association's head office, a modern two-story wooden building built in September 1942 on the south side of Hiroshima City Hall (near where the Hiroshima National Building stands today).

Immediately after the atomic bombing, 71 staff members were confirmed dead and 72 were seriously injured. Many more died later. 

2. Hiroshima Branch of The Hiroshima Agricultural Association

The Hiroshima Branch of the Hiroshima Agricultural Association was located where this cenotaph stands today.

From the former Hiroshima Agricultural and Industrial Bank, the Hiroshima Agricultural Association received title to a four-story, six-columned brick building that the association used as its head office. After the head office had moved to a new location in Kokutaiji-machi, the original building was used as the association's Hiroshima Branch. The atomic bomb completely devastated the building; only some portions of the exterior walls remained standing. Since thick bricks had been used in constructing the building, the wreckage was too hot to touch for some time after the bombing. After about a week, survivors broke up the bricks to collect the remains of the dead underneath.

All staff, including the branch manager, who were inside the building on that day were victimized by the atomic bomb. 

49 Cenotaph for A-bomb Victims in the Coal Industry

49 Cenotaph for A-bomb Victims in the Coal Industry

Date of completion August 6, 1957

Established by People in the coal industry all over Japan

Designer : Konan Hanami

Shape

A 1.5-meter high stone guardian deity stands atop a lotus-shaped base placed on a 1.2-meter high stone pedestal. A stone called honkomatsu-ishi, quarried from Mt. Ashigara in Soshu (present-day Kanagawa Prefecture), is used for the cenotaph. 

Motive for the erection

In prayer for the souls of the employees of coal control organizations who were victimized by the atomic bomb 

Epigraph

"To console the spirits of A-bomb victims" 

Noteworthy characteristics 

1. Coal control organizations

Former Japan Coal Co., Ltd., former Chugoku Coal Distribution Control Co., Ltd. and former West Japan Coal Transportation Co., Ltd were located in the same building. 

2. A-bomb Jizo (guardian deity of children) 

Commonly known as "A-bomb Jizo," this cenotaph is located where stood the building housing the three coal control organizations when the atomic bomb was dropped. Inside the cenotaph is a copperplate engraved with the names of 76 victims. 

3. Background for erecting the cenotaph

Of the 77 employees who were inside the building, all but one woman died as a result of the atomic bomb. In prayer for the souls of the victims, the surviving employees of the three organizations erected the cenotaph by collecting contributions from people in the coal industry in areas ranging from Kitakyushu to Hokkaido.