Toshiko Tanaka, A-bomb survivor and enamel artist, to embark on fifth voyage, advocating for nuclear abolition; will visit 18 countries after 7-year hiatus, vowing to share her account sincerely
Apr. 7, 2024
by Minami Yamashita, Staff Writer
On April 13, Toshiko Tanaka, 85, an enamel artist and atomic bomb survivor living in Hiroshima’s Higashi Ward, will embark on a voyage to tell everyone about the atomic bombing for the first time in seven years on a cruise ship organized by the NGO Peace Boat, Tokyo. She said, “I have a feeling this is the last time.” Prior to the next year’s 80th anniversary of the A-bombing, she will convey the reality of the A-bombing around the world.
Ms. Tanaka was exposed to the A-bombing about 2.3 kilometers from the hypocenter in the Ushita area at the age of six. In 2007, following the passing of her husband, who had suffered from cancer, she embarked on a voyage sailing around the world to alleviate her loneliness. During this journey, she began to speak of her experiences in the A-bombing. This time, she was invited by Peace Boat and decided to postpone surgery on her injured leg to embark on the voyage for a fifth time.
The voyage is scheduled to last 105 days and will call at 21 ports in 18 countries. Inside the ship, items such as a cloth bag that was used by her husband’s grandmother when searching for her eldest son’s family who died in the A-bombing will be displayed. She said, “As the world faces the growing crisis of the use of nuclear weapons, I’d like to emphasize the horror of nuclear weapons as an A-bomb survivor.” She looks forward to speaking with young Ukrainians who will be boarding the ship.
Ms. Tanaka also intends to convey the stories of her classmates of A-bomb survivors who committed suicide after the war or who faced rejection in marriage offers. “I saw many A-bomb survivors left behind in the reconstruction efforts. It is the responsibility of A-bomb survivors to talk about this reality,” she vowed.
She has continued to communicate her A-bombing experience to the public in Japan and overseas, and says the basis for this is her memory of the bright blue sky she saw immediately after the A-bombing, while crying over her burns. She said, “I felt hope for tomorrow when I looked at the same blue sky as yesterday. My effort may be a small one, but I’ll continue to sincerely talk about my A-bomb experience.” She hopes the desire to abolish nuclear weapons will spread throughout the world.
Terumi Tanaka, 91, a survivor of the Nagasaki A-bombing and co-chair of the Japan Confederation of A- and H- Bomb Sufferers Organization (Nihon Hidankyo) living in Niiza City, Saitama Prefecture and Tadayoshi Ogawa, 80, a resident of Nagasaki City, will also join the voyage.
(Originally published on April 7, 2024)
On April 13, Toshiko Tanaka, 85, an enamel artist and atomic bomb survivor living in Hiroshima’s Higashi Ward, will embark on a voyage to tell everyone about the atomic bombing for the first time in seven years on a cruise ship organized by the NGO Peace Boat, Tokyo. She said, “I have a feeling this is the last time.” Prior to the next year’s 80th anniversary of the A-bombing, she will convey the reality of the A-bombing around the world.
Ms. Tanaka was exposed to the A-bombing about 2.3 kilometers from the hypocenter in the Ushita area at the age of six. In 2007, following the passing of her husband, who had suffered from cancer, she embarked on a voyage sailing around the world to alleviate her loneliness. During this journey, she began to speak of her experiences in the A-bombing. This time, she was invited by Peace Boat and decided to postpone surgery on her injured leg to embark on the voyage for a fifth time.
The voyage is scheduled to last 105 days and will call at 21 ports in 18 countries. Inside the ship, items such as a cloth bag that was used by her husband’s grandmother when searching for her eldest son’s family who died in the A-bombing will be displayed. She said, “As the world faces the growing crisis of the use of nuclear weapons, I’d like to emphasize the horror of nuclear weapons as an A-bomb survivor.” She looks forward to speaking with young Ukrainians who will be boarding the ship.
Ms. Tanaka also intends to convey the stories of her classmates of A-bomb survivors who committed suicide after the war or who faced rejection in marriage offers. “I saw many A-bomb survivors left behind in the reconstruction efforts. It is the responsibility of A-bomb survivors to talk about this reality,” she vowed.
She has continued to communicate her A-bombing experience to the public in Japan and overseas, and says the basis for this is her memory of the bright blue sky she saw immediately after the A-bombing, while crying over her burns. She said, “I felt hope for tomorrow when I looked at the same blue sky as yesterday. My effort may be a small one, but I’ll continue to sincerely talk about my A-bomb experience.” She hopes the desire to abolish nuclear weapons will spread throughout the world.
Terumi Tanaka, 91, a survivor of the Nagasaki A-bombing and co-chair of the Japan Confederation of A- and H- Bomb Sufferers Organization (Nihon Hidankyo) living in Niiza City, Saitama Prefecture and Tadayoshi Ogawa, 80, a resident of Nagasaki City, will also join the voyage.
(Originally published on April 7, 2024)
