Junior Writers Reporting: Hiroshima high school students create paintings of A-bomb survivors’ experiences
Jun. 7, 2016
by Nanase Shode, Junior Writer, 16
Students of the Creative Expression Course at Motomachi High School in Naka Ward, Hiroshima, have been creating paintings on the theme of the atomic bombing by listening to the accounts of A-bomb survivors. The first round of paintings were made in 2007, organized at the request of the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation. The ninth group of paintings is now underway, begun last July with 27 students and graduates, and 12 A-bomb survivors. The students hope to complete their paintings by the end of June.
Keiko Ogura, 78, an A-bomb survivor and resident of Naka Ward, experienced the atomic bombing when she was eight years old. She was on a road near her home, about 2.4 kilometers from the hypocenter. She shared her A-bomb experience with five students. She told them, “Art is very important for appealing to people not to involve children in war. So I hope you’ll make paintings that show what I saw and how I felt at that time.”
Five paintings based on Ms. Ogura’s story are being made, images which depict the charred ruins of the city center and the black rain that fell in the aftermath of the A-bomb blast. Ms. Ogura said she will make use of the paintings when she shares her A-bomb account. She commented, “These young people have a terrific imagination. They have made paintings with an aching heart as they imagined how frightened I was at the time of the bombing. Paintings like this can move people’s hearts.” Saya Kutsuma, 18, a third-year student at the school, said, “As I was making my painting, I talked with Ms. Ogura many times and I think this helped me experience feelings that were similar to hers.”
Kazunuki Hashimoto, 57, the teacher at the school who oversees the art project, pointed out, “The fact that students are working on art like this during a time in their lives when they’re especially sensitive is quite meaningful. Because the paintings are being made by high school students who have spoken face-to-face with the A-bomb survivors and were shocked by their experiences, the viewers of their art are very moved.” This summer, the total number of paintings made by students over the years will reach 100, including some made on request by parties other than the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation.
(Originally published on June 6, 2016)
Students of the Creative Expression Course at Motomachi High School in Naka Ward, Hiroshima, have been creating paintings on the theme of the atomic bombing by listening to the accounts of A-bomb survivors. The first round of paintings were made in 2007, organized at the request of the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation. The ninth group of paintings is now underway, begun last July with 27 students and graduates, and 12 A-bomb survivors. The students hope to complete their paintings by the end of June.
Keiko Ogura, 78, an A-bomb survivor and resident of Naka Ward, experienced the atomic bombing when she was eight years old. She was on a road near her home, about 2.4 kilometers from the hypocenter. She shared her A-bomb experience with five students. She told them, “Art is very important for appealing to people not to involve children in war. So I hope you’ll make paintings that show what I saw and how I felt at that time.”
Five paintings based on Ms. Ogura’s story are being made, images which depict the charred ruins of the city center and the black rain that fell in the aftermath of the A-bomb blast. Ms. Ogura said she will make use of the paintings when she shares her A-bomb account. She commented, “These young people have a terrific imagination. They have made paintings with an aching heart as they imagined how frightened I was at the time of the bombing. Paintings like this can move people’s hearts.” Saya Kutsuma, 18, a third-year student at the school, said, “As I was making my painting, I talked with Ms. Ogura many times and I think this helped me experience feelings that were similar to hers.”
Kazunuki Hashimoto, 57, the teacher at the school who oversees the art project, pointed out, “The fact that students are working on art like this during a time in their lives when they’re especially sensitive is quite meaningful. Because the paintings are being made by high school students who have spoken face-to-face with the A-bomb survivors and were shocked by their experiences, the viewers of their art are very moved.” This summer, the total number of paintings made by students over the years will reach 100, including some made on request by parties other than the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation.
(Originally published on June 6, 2016)
