Artwork returning from U.S. exhibited at Hiroshima elementary school
Aug. 3, 2010
by Rie Nii, Staff Writer
On July 31, pictures and works of calligraphy sent from former students of a Hiroshima elementary school to a church in the U.S. as a token of gratitude for a donation of goods, including pencils and notebooks that they received in 1947 when the scars of the atomic bombing still remained, were shown to participants in the project at the Honkawa Elementary School Peace Museum. The former students who created the pieces were pleased to see their work for the first time in more than 60 years.
The artwork displayed on July 31 totaled the 29 pieces for which the whereabouts of the creators are known. Such scenes as playing sports and having fun with friends are drawn with crayons and pencils.
Kaeko Kadota, visiting the exhibition from Yamato City in Kanagawa Prefecture, recalled the old days and said, "I was happy to see my picture again. I remember how I felt it was wasteful seeing my crayons get shorter and shorter as I made it."
The school supplies were collected by children in the United States to send to their counterparts in Japan. At the opening ceremony of the exhibition, a panel discussion with those from the American church and the former elementary school students was held. They expressed such thoughts as "The love of mankind, which was broken by war, was rekindled by children" and "Next time, we would like to go to America to continue this exchange."
The exhibition opens to the public on August 1 with 48 works of art. It will run until August 9. Admission is free.
(Originally published on August 1, 2010)
Related article
Artwork returning from the U.S. to be exhibited at Honkawa Elementary School in Hiroshima (July 30, 2010)
On July 31, pictures and works of calligraphy sent from former students of a Hiroshima elementary school to a church in the U.S. as a token of gratitude for a donation of goods, including pencils and notebooks that they received in 1947 when the scars of the atomic bombing still remained, were shown to participants in the project at the Honkawa Elementary School Peace Museum. The former students who created the pieces were pleased to see their work for the first time in more than 60 years.
The artwork displayed on July 31 totaled the 29 pieces for which the whereabouts of the creators are known. Such scenes as playing sports and having fun with friends are drawn with crayons and pencils.
Kaeko Kadota, visiting the exhibition from Yamato City in Kanagawa Prefecture, recalled the old days and said, "I was happy to see my picture again. I remember how I felt it was wasteful seeing my crayons get shorter and shorter as I made it."
The school supplies were collected by children in the United States to send to their counterparts in Japan. At the opening ceremony of the exhibition, a panel discussion with those from the American church and the former elementary school students was held. They expressed such thoughts as "The love of mankind, which was broken by war, was rekindled by children" and "Next time, we would like to go to America to continue this exchange."
The exhibition opens to the public on August 1 with 48 works of art. It will run until August 9. Admission is free.
(Originally published on August 1, 2010)
Related article
Artwork returning from the U.S. to be exhibited at Honkawa Elementary School in Hiroshima (July 30, 2010)
