A-bomb survivors’ organization publishes 6th volume of survivors’ experiences
Sep. 15, 2010
by Yumi Kanazaki, Staff Writer
The Hiroshima A-Bomb Survivors Relief Foundation has published the sixth volume of A-bomb experiences of those who have entered nursing homes for survivors run by the organization. The collection of A-bomb experiences that make up the series of volumes is entitled "Paper Monument." Since the time the first volume was published in 1981, a new set of A-bomb accounts has been compiled in the year of each milestone anniversary of the atomic bombing. This year marks the 65th anniversary of the bombing as well as the 40th anniversary of the opening of one of its facilities, a nursing home called "Funairi Mutsumien."
The sixth volume of the collection consists of the experiences of 53 A-bomb survivors associated with three nursing homes, including Funairi Mutsumien. Among the survivors, some wrote out their own A-bomb accounts while others related their stories to staff members who recorded the experiences.
Sumie Sasaki, 79, a resident of Funairi Mutsumien, wrote down her experience of the atomic bombing for the first time. On August 6, 1945, Ms. Sasaki managed to survive the blast because she was absent from the factory where she had been mobilized to work. She had a cold that day and stayed home in Minami-machi, some distance away from the hypocenter. "Though I didn't want to remember that time, I thought it was my duty, as someone who survived the bombing, to write down my experience," she said.
Satoko Ikeda, 59, a head caregiver at Funairi Mutsumien, was involved in recording the experiences of other survivors. She shared her hopes for the volume, saying, "I would like readers to feel that the survivors have lived their lives with all their might."
The sixth volume is 132 pages and 1,000 copies have been printed. Some copies have been donated to libraries and other locations. Those who wish to obtain a copy can contact the Hiroshima A-Bomb Survivors Relief Foundation at 082-845-5091. The volume itself is free, though a charge for shipping is expected.
(Originally published on September 14, 2010)
The Hiroshima A-Bomb Survivors Relief Foundation has published the sixth volume of A-bomb experiences of those who have entered nursing homes for survivors run by the organization. The collection of A-bomb experiences that make up the series of volumes is entitled "Paper Monument." Since the time the first volume was published in 1981, a new set of A-bomb accounts has been compiled in the year of each milestone anniversary of the atomic bombing. This year marks the 65th anniversary of the bombing as well as the 40th anniversary of the opening of one of its facilities, a nursing home called "Funairi Mutsumien."
The sixth volume of the collection consists of the experiences of 53 A-bomb survivors associated with three nursing homes, including Funairi Mutsumien. Among the survivors, some wrote out their own A-bomb accounts while others related their stories to staff members who recorded the experiences.
Sumie Sasaki, 79, a resident of Funairi Mutsumien, wrote down her experience of the atomic bombing for the first time. On August 6, 1945, Ms. Sasaki managed to survive the blast because she was absent from the factory where she had been mobilized to work. She had a cold that day and stayed home in Minami-machi, some distance away from the hypocenter. "Though I didn't want to remember that time, I thought it was my duty, as someone who survived the bombing, to write down my experience," she said.
Satoko Ikeda, 59, a head caregiver at Funairi Mutsumien, was involved in recording the experiences of other survivors. She shared her hopes for the volume, saying, "I would like readers to feel that the survivors have lived their lives with all their might."
The sixth volume is 132 pages and 1,000 copies have been printed. Some copies have been donated to libraries and other locations. Those who wish to obtain a copy can contact the Hiroshima A-Bomb Survivors Relief Foundation at 082-845-5091. The volume itself is free, though a charge for shipping is expected.
(Originally published on September 14, 2010)
