Monday morning, August 6th, 1945, was clear, bright and cloudless. The city of Hiroshima was the political and economic heart of the Chugoku Region. It was an educational center as well as a major military base. On that day, some 350,000 people, including over 40,000 military personnel, are thought to have been in the city.
An unusual T-shaped bridge (Aioi Bridge), is said to have been the target of the atomic bombing. From an altitude of over 31,000 feet, the Enola Gay B-29 plane released a uranium atomic bomb over the japanese city at 8.15 am.
Forty three seconds later the atomic bomb exploded inside Hiroshima. At the instant of detonation, temporary temperature of the air at the point of explosion exceeded a million degrees Celsius. Approximately 140,000 dead as of the end of December 1945.
View of the city center of Hiroshima, after the bombing. Picture was taken in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.
This is the famous landmark in Hiroshima - The Atomic Bomb Dome (Gembaku Domu) - the symbol of Hiroshima's pledge to abolish nuclear weapons and to seek lasting peace.
When the bomb exploded, thousands of badly burned residents threw themselves into the river to ease the pain. Many of them didn't survive, so there were hundreds of corpses in the river water. Three days later, at 11:02 a.m., a U.S. government plane dropped a plutonium atomic bomb on Nagasaki. One of the primary reasons given for the use of the bomb was that it would force Japan to surrender unconditionally during World War II.
Historians are still divided over whether it was necessary to drop the atomic bomb on Japan to end World War II. This monument is inscribed with "Rest in peace, for...will not repeat the mistake." Much of Hiroshima has been reconstructed since the 1945 atomic bombing.
"No one would be foolish enough to choose war over peace--in peace sons bury their fathers, but in war fathers bury their sons." -- Croesus of Lydia.
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More about Hiroshima - Miyajima with one of the three most beautiful scenery in Japan.
Standing in the sea, it is widely known for its grand and unique construction. The vermillion-colored O-Torii (Grand Gate), symbol of Miyajima Itsukushima Shrine is a precious asset of world heritage.
Itsukushima Shrine is a Shinto shrine on Itsukushima Island in the town of Miyajima. Construction of this famed 'floating' shrine started in the 6th century. (Note : This picture was taken during low tide). However, the shrine was badly damaged by the Typhoon No.18 Songda last year.
The five-storied pagoda, approximately 28 meters high, shows a splendid structural beauty that skillfully combines Japanese and Chinese styles.
Daisho-in is a temple situated at the foot of the wooded Mt Misen.
Koi fish are colourful members of the Carp fish family. Koi is the Japanese word for carp. Many visitors drop coins in the pond and make a wish in their visits.
9 comments:
Does Koi fish bring some kind of luck?? I realized most of the rich have a pond of Koi fish in their garden.
Hi Patrick,
I sent a little prayer to Hiroshima this morning.
I’m really furious about the terrible incidents that happened in the past couple of years … like someone burning the paper cranes sent from many people or damaging the monument.
I haven’t been to Miyajima yet. I would like to take my parents there someday.
elisa : thank you for visiting my site again and your nice comments. hiroshima and nagasaki is an awful lesson of history. let's hope that atomic bomb would never ever be used again. you live near santiago. i read abit about easter island - beautiful stone heads. have you been there ?
emotionalistic : the word koi is not japanese, but rather chinese. japanese call the fish nishikigo (coloured koi). you are right, the fish are regarded as symbols of strength, good luck and prosperity in japan.
sweepy : i am impressed with your left jumping front right kungfu kick ! as i have mentioned many times in my comment box to others as well, yes, japan is a beautiful country to visit. i am not bored yet. still more to see. hope you have the opportunity to visit this country. sure you will.
obachan : thats very thoughtful of you. i am surprised about the incident that happened in the memorial park. miyajima is beautiful, sort of romantic. a must go. i have been to two of the nihon sankei.
I overslept and din manage to take any photo at 8.15am. I tweaked the alarm to 5am so as to blog and witness the sunrise but failed~ Sometime i just wonder why war have to involved innocent civilians when it;s a matter between those leaders and the armies~ But anyway i;m deeply impressed with the spirit of KamiKaze squad~
Oh yah the atomic bomb dome is used for wat before the bombing? The pagoda is stunningly gorgeous :P Hope to see it with my own eyes one day :)
acrix : i overslept as well. i actually wonder what is the moral and ethical aspects of killing in war. can war be eliminated ? north korea's resumption of its nuclear weapons program has raised tension in japan the past one year. with each month that passes, it seems that the regime is using time to add to its nuclear capability.
a little information in regards to kamikaze, japanese suicide bombers. approximately 2,800 kamikaze attackers sunk 34 navy ships, damaged 368 others, killed 4,900 sailors, and wounded over 4,800. the spirit of kamikaze - patriotism - serve the emperor, bring honor to the family and prove themselves personally - a lot of courage. but lets opt for sandra bullock's campaign for the world to enjoy peace.
elisa : i hope i have the opportunity to see the easter island too. but it is very expensive to travel from here.
Patrick...War is good in terms of generating income for country like Russia, US.
War is good in order to tame those who do know how to compromise.
And without war, many people will lose their job, (the army, navi, scientist, reporter, TV station, newspaper, etc..)
and no historical site for us to visit in future..
wah i love the grand gate and also the pagoda..
breathtaking
oh yah...hiroshima and nagasaki really recovered very fast...
now it is back to be a huge metropolis
lovely city...with beautiful waterways, and rivers..
eddie : yala. clever la.
zbjernak : the view of the grand torii of the miyajima shrine is one of the three great sceneries in japan. i have never been to nagasaki. hopefully there is a chance to see that city.
amanda : well many asians suffered under the japanese imperial army as well. if you were to read books like : rape of nanking - the forgotten holocaust, you will know what i mean. let's just pray for a more peaceful world. less greed more compassion :P
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