Nagasaki, Japan

 

The Statue In memory of School Children and Teachers at Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, dedicated to children and teachers who died from the Nagasaki atomic bombing.  

50th anniversary sculpture by Naoki Tomenaga in Hypocenter Park   "Embodied in the monument is the sculptor's reminder that the child is like Japan on the day of the atomic bombing, while the mother represents the support provided by the countries of the world in Japan's efforts to build the peaceful nation that it has become today."  It also reminds us that approximately 70% of the victims of the bomb were children, women and senior citizens.  

Ground zero, where the bomb exploded nearly one thousand feet above this site, killing more than 70,000 people.  The museum shows the devastation, scorched earth and charred bodies.  

Man's inhumanity to man 

Makes countless thousands mourn! - Robert Burns

The museum and peace park remind us- Never Again!

Perhaps the scariest display in the museum was that which showed in what countries,  the approximately 15,000 nuclear weapons are currently stored.  U.S. and Russia have more than 5000 each stockpiled and ready to kill all of us.

The Peace Statue designed by Seibo Kitamura and erected by the citizens of Nagasaki in 1955 on the 10th anniversary of the bombing.  It was dedicated as an appeal to lasting world peace and as a prayer that such a tragedy would never be repeated.  The elevated right hand points to the threat of nuclear weapons, while the outstretched left hand symbolizes tranquility and world peace.  The folded right leg symbolizes quiet meditation, while the left leg is poised for action in assisting humanity.  A prayer for the souls of all war victims is expressed in the closed eyes.  

                           Please pray for peace, truth and justice in the world.

“You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us. And the world will live as one.” 
― John Lennon