A-bomb victim’s lives told by their artifacts: Photographer Hiromi Tsuchida holding photo exhibition of A-bomb victims’ artifacts.
Aug. 2, 2022
by Yohei Yamamoto, Staff Writer
Amid Russia’s threats to use nuclear weapons after its invasion of Ukraine, a photographer argues for the significance of conveying “HIROSHIMA” once again. His name is Hiromi Tsuchida, 82, a resident in Tokyo. His technique has been acknowledged with a Domon Ken Award. He has taken photos of A-bomb victims’ artifacts kept at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, and is displaying the photos at a gallery in Tokyo.
The exhibition, titled “Hiroshima Collection,” has on display 43 photographs at JCII photo salon in Chiyoda City. Mr. Tsuchida’s photos depict items such as a clock stopped at 8:15, the time when U.S. military dropped the atomic bomb, human hair that had fallen from a person’s head due to bomb radiation exposure, and a child’s tattered clothing. The artifacts show characteristics unique to monochrome pictures.
The photographer said, “I want viewers to imagine each A-bomb victim’s life. It shouldn’t be regarded as fading into history but a real issue to us.” With that message in mind, he has spent nearly half a century featuring aspects of damage in the A-bombed city.
Russia’s foolish act now makes Mr. Tsuchida recall the meaning of passing down memories of HIROSHIMA to the next generation. He said, “Destruction caused by the atomic bombing is a catastrophe which left its mark on human history. I hope many people would feel the atomic bombing as if it were something which could happen to them.”
The exhibition of his works will continue until August 28. Admission is free. From September until April next year, its venue will be changed to Carnegie Museum of Art in Pennsylvania, the United States. His photos will be on display in the U.S. for the first time since 2005.
Mr. Tsuchida said, “I hope my exhibit will provide an opportunity for people broadly to understand the inhumane characteristics of nuclear weapons.” He added, “That is also the exact reason why I continue to take photos of HIROSHIMA.”
(Originally published on August 2, 2022)
Amid Russia’s threats to use nuclear weapons after its invasion of Ukraine, a photographer argues for the significance of conveying “HIROSHIMA” once again. His name is Hiromi Tsuchida, 82, a resident in Tokyo. His technique has been acknowledged with a Domon Ken Award. He has taken photos of A-bomb victims’ artifacts kept at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, and is displaying the photos at a gallery in Tokyo.
The exhibition, titled “Hiroshima Collection,” has on display 43 photographs at JCII photo salon in Chiyoda City. Mr. Tsuchida’s photos depict items such as a clock stopped at 8:15, the time when U.S. military dropped the atomic bomb, human hair that had fallen from a person’s head due to bomb radiation exposure, and a child’s tattered clothing. The artifacts show characteristics unique to monochrome pictures.
The photographer said, “I want viewers to imagine each A-bomb victim’s life. It shouldn’t be regarded as fading into history but a real issue to us.” With that message in mind, he has spent nearly half a century featuring aspects of damage in the A-bombed city.
Russia’s foolish act now makes Mr. Tsuchida recall the meaning of passing down memories of HIROSHIMA to the next generation. He said, “Destruction caused by the atomic bombing is a catastrophe which left its mark on human history. I hope many people would feel the atomic bombing as if it were something which could happen to them.”
The exhibition of his works will continue until August 28. Admission is free. From September until April next year, its venue will be changed to Carnegie Museum of Art in Pennsylvania, the United States. His photos will be on display in the U.S. for the first time since 2005.
Mr. Tsuchida said, “I hope my exhibit will provide an opportunity for people broadly to understand the inhumane characteristics of nuclear weapons.” He added, “That is also the exact reason why I continue to take photos of HIROSHIMA.”
(Originally published on August 2, 2022)
