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In this article, we delve into the historical background of Nagasaki Peace Park and its main memorials and monuments. More than 75 years after the atomic bombing, Nagasaki Peace Park continues to convey the horrors of war and the importance of peace to the world. Visit Nagasaki Peace Park to learn about the history of the bombing and to reflect on the importance of peace. I hope my article will serve as a catalyst for your visit and reflection.
Nagasaki Peace Park, located in Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture, was built to commemorate the victims of the atomic bomb dropped on August 9, 1945, during World War II, and to pray for lasting peace. Situated near the hypocenter, the park is dotted with various memorials and monuments symbolizing peace.
On August 9, 1945, an atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki towards the end of World War II. This was the second use of an atomic bomb in warfare, following Hiroshima.
Here are some details about the Nagasaki atomic bombing:
The atomic bomb devastated Nagasaki, killing many people instantly and causing extensive damage. This tragic event highlighted the inhumanity of nuclear weapons and the horrors of war to the world.
Today, Nagasaki is a declared peace city, advocating for the abolition of nuclear weapons and the realization of global, lasting peace. The experience of the Nagasaki bombing continues to be a lesson to prevent repeating the same mistake.
The Peace Fountain was created to honor those who perished from the atomic bomb, dying in agony while craving water. The fountain’s water symbolizes the cries for water from many victims in the aftermath of the bombing. Visitors often pray for peace in front of this fountain.
An inscription on a monument by the fountain recounts the words of a girl who was nine years old at the time of the bombing:
I was terribly thirsty.
There was something like oil floating on the water.
I wanted water so badly.
I finally drank the water with the oil.
The victims, scorched by the blast, desperately sought water. The Peace Fountain was built to offer water to the deceased and to pray for their souls. The fountain never runs dry, symbolizing the eternal remembrance of those who lost their lives to the bomb.
The “Nagasaki Bell” was built to mourn the victims of the atomic bomb and to symbolize prayers for peace. It is rung every year during the Peace Memorial Ceremony on August 9, sending a message of peace to the world.
Near the hypocenter were many munitions factories, and many people, including students working there, perished in the bombing. The Nagasaki Bell serves as a monument to these victims.
At the base of the bell, there is a monument with a bucket of water and a ladle, allowing visitors to offer water in remembrance of the victims. The accompanying message reads:
Without knowing it was an atomic bomb, 74,000 citizens of Nagasaki were incinerated, charred, and died crying for water. Please pour water on a single flower to remember them.
When you visit, please offer water in memory of the victims.
The Peace Statue, standing at the center of Nagasaki Peace Park, is a giant bronze statue symbolizing prayers for peace. At 9.7 meters tall and 18.6 meters wide, it points towards the hypocenter while expressing a prayer for peace. The statue’s right hand signifies the threat of the atomic bomb, and its left hand represents a prayer for peace.
The Peace Statue, with its right hand shielding from the atomic blast and its left hand praying for peace, embodies both the horrors of war and the hope for peace. The statue’s face is serene, as if offering a quiet prayer, expressing deep mourning for the victims and a strong determination to never repeat the tragedy of war.
There is also water in front of the Peace Statue, reminding us that water is a significant theme in the park. The atomic bomb’s destructive power emphasizes its terrifying impact.
The Peace Statue remains a crucial symbol conveying the horrors of war and the value of peace from Nagasaki. More than 75 years after the atomic bombing, this statue continues to remind us of the folly of war and the importance of peace. Standing before the statue, one cannot help but ponder what we can do to realize peace.
When I stood before this enormous Peace Statue, its overwhelming presence moved me deeply. The fear of the atomic bomb and the mourning for the victims gripped my heart. At the same time, the statue’s quiet prayer conveyed a powerful wish for peace. Through this experience, I realized the importance of each person considering and acting towards peace. The Peace Statue became an unforgettable symbol of peace for me.
The Ceremony Plaza, where the Peace Statue stands, serves as the venue for the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Victims Memorial Peace Ceremony held every year on August 9.
Next to the Ceremony Plaza is a map of the areas affected by the Nagasaki atomic bomb.
- Atomic Bomb Carrier Towards Nagasaki
Nagasaki, a beautiful port city with a complex terrain surrounded by mountains on three sides (east, west, and north), has over 370 years of history from the arrival of Portuguese ships to the dropping of the atomic bomb.
In the late Pacific War, on the early morning of August 9, 1945, the B29 “Bockscar” carrying the atomic bomb took off from Tinian Island in the Western Pacific. The primary target was the industrial area of Kokura, but due to poor visibility over Kokura, it diverted to its secondary target, Nagasaki.
The “Bockscar” entered Nagasaki’s airspace, spotted the massive Mitsubishi Nagasaki Armaments Factory through a break in the clouds, and dropped the atomic bomb from an altitude of 30,000 feet (about 9,000 meters). At 11:02 AM, the bomb exploded with a fierce flash over the Matsuyama area in the northern part of Nagasaki.
- Damage from the Atomic Bomb
- Deaths: 73,884
- Injured: 74,909 (out of an estimated population of 240,000 at the time)
- Victims: 120,820 (number of households destroyed within a 4-kilometer radius)
- Destroyed houses: 18,409 (about 36% of the total houses in the city)
- Completely burned houses: 11,574 (about one-third of the city within a 4-kilometer radius)
- Completely collapsed houses: 1,326 (within a 1-kilometer radius)
- Partially collapsed houses: 5,509 (within a 4-kilometer radius)
- Burned land area: 6.7 km²
The Crane Tower is a place where cranes sent from around the world are housed. Located on both sides of the Peace Statue, it contains numerous cranes dedicated by people from all over the world, symbolizing their prayers for peace.
The Crane Tower is filled with colorful cranes, each folded with a prayer for a peaceful world without war. Many people dedicate cranes with wishes for peace, inspired by the belief that folding a thousand cranes will make one’s wish come true.
When I visited the Crane Tower, I was moved by its beauty and the strong message of peace it conveyed. The countless cranes fluttering in the wind seemed almost alive, symbolizing the connection of each person’s hope for peace. This experience made me realize the importance of everyone’s thoughts and actions towards achieving peace. The Crane Tower continuously sends a message of peace to all who visit.
The Urakami Prison ruins are the remains of the building used as a prison at the time of the atomic bombing. The remains of the prison, which was blown away by the explosion, have been preserved. Many prisoners and guards became victims of the atomic bomb here. Today, a monument stands at the site, conveying the tragedy to visitors.
The high concrete facility was completely destroyed by the bomb, demonstrating the tremendous destructive power of the atomic bomb. Considering the bomb exploded almost directly above at 500 meters, the horror of the atomic bomb is strikingly apparent.
Just being there tells the story of the time. It is a very precious site.
Peace Park is easily accessible by tram. After getting off at the Peace Park tram stop, cross the main street (Route 206) to reach the park.
From the entrance of Peace Park, there are stairs to climb, but an escalator is available, making it accessible for those with mobility issues.
Nagasaki Peace Park is a place of mourning for the countless lives lost to the atomic bomb, but it also embodies a strong determination never to repeat the mistake of war and a wish for peace.
The park’s monuments, such as the Peace Fountain, Nagasaki Bell, Peace Statue, and Crane Tower, express the prayers of those who died from the bombing and the hopes for a world without war. The remains of Urakami Prison remind us of the horror and inhumanity of war.
Visiting Nagasaki Peace Park provides a valuable opportunity to learn about the tragedy of the atomic bomb and reflect on the importance of peace. Holding onto the feelings experienced at this site, each person’s actions towards peace are crucial to honoring the victims and preventing the recurrence of such a tragedy.
More than 75 years after the tragedy, Nagasaki Peace Park continues to communicate the folly of war and the value of peace to the world. The park’s presence encourages each of us to think about and act towards peace. Receiving the message of peace from Nagasaki and passing it on to the future is our mission.
We must learn from past tragedies and pass on the importance of peace to future generations. May this visit to the Peace Park inspire you to take small steps towards realizing peace.
I hope this article serves as a catalyst for your visit to the Peace Park and helps you share the desire for peace.
