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First “memory keepers” of A-bomb experience make their debut in Hiroshima

by Masanori Wada, Staff Writer

“Memory keepers” of the A-bomb experience, who were trained by the City of Hiroshima to inherit memories of A-bomb survivors and their desire to realize a peaceful world, made their debut on April 20. Two memory keepers from the first group of 50 trainees spoke at the Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims, in Naka Ward. The memory keepers will take part in talks and other activities on a daily basis, in turns, to share survivors’ experiences of the atomic bombing.

Keiko Aoki, 62, a new memory keeper from Asakita Ward and a volunteer guide at Peace Memorial Park, spoke about the experience of Yoshiko Kajimoto, 84, an A-bomb survivor who was in a factory about 2.3 kilometers from the hypocenter at the time of the bombing. Without referring to any notes, Ms. Aoki spoke for about 40 minutes, with gestures and body language, and concluded the story by saying, “Ms. Kajimoto wants to say strongly that she hopes the hellish scenes she witnessed at the time of the atomic bombing will never be repeated.”

Ms. Kajimoto listened to Ms. Aoki’s presentation from the audience. “Thank you so much. You handed down my experience just as it was,” she said in tears, conveying her appreciation to Ms. Aoki. A professor, 57, visiting Hiroshima from Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, shared her impressions, saying, “The story sounded so real that I felt as if the survivor herself was speaking in person in the middle of it.”

Mieko Ozaki, 60, a memory keeper from Higashi Ward and a volunteer guide, “took over” the A-bomb experience of Katsufumi Shintaku, 89, a survivor in Naka Ward who experienced the atomic bombing while at home, about 1.5 kilometers from the hypocenter. Showing photos taken in the aftermath of the bombing and documents written in English, she spoke in English to relate Mr. Shintaku’s story. International visitors listened keenly to her talk.

The City of Hiroshima began this initiative to develop memory keepers of the A-bomb experience in 2012. Among the 108 people who enrolled in the first group of trainees, 50 men and women from their 30s to their 70s, who completed the three-year training, were certified as the first memory keepers on April 9. They will take part in presentations or events in schools on a daily basis.

(Originally published on April 21, 2015)

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