Motomachi High School students’ A-bombing paintings convey horror
Jun. 29, 2024
by Michio Shimotaka, Staff Writer
Paintings of the atomic bombing created by students of Motomachi High School in Naka Ward, Hiroshima, were unveiled inside the school June 28. Students had previously listened to the memories and thoughts of atomic bomb survivors and translated them into paintings, creating works to pass down survivors’ memories and thoughts to future generations.
Since last October, sixteen students from the school’s Creative Expression Course had worked on this project with seven A-bomb survivors. The paintings show a mother and sister taking their last breath about a month after the bombing, and a mountain of bodies being cremated.
Anju Mochida, 18, a third-year student, created a painting of children getting excited about the sudden rain that fell after the A-bombing, not knowing what the black rain was. The painting is based on the experience of Isao Sakoda, 86, a resident of Asakita Ward, who was caught in the rain in the village of Ogauchi (part of today’s Asakita Ward) and was recognized as an A-bomb survivor two years ago under new national standards.
Ms. Mochida, who was involved in the creation of an A-bomb painting for the second time, recalls, “Last time, I tried to think of August 6 from my own personal experience, but this time it made me think about the effects that continue to this day.” Mr. Sakoda said, “If I only have memory, nothing will remain. I hope people see the paintings and feel the horror of the A-bombing.”
At the request of the Peace Memorial Museum, located in Naka Ward, former students of the school have been creating paintings since 2007, totaling 207 pieces. Approximately 60 pieces, including the latest 16 pieces, will be exhibited at the International Conference Center Hiroshima, located in Naka Ward, from August 10 to 28.
(Originally published on June 29, 2024)
Paintings of the atomic bombing created by students of Motomachi High School in Naka Ward, Hiroshima, were unveiled inside the school June 28. Students had previously listened to the memories and thoughts of atomic bomb survivors and translated them into paintings, creating works to pass down survivors’ memories and thoughts to future generations.
Since last October, sixteen students from the school’s Creative Expression Course had worked on this project with seven A-bomb survivors. The paintings show a mother and sister taking their last breath about a month after the bombing, and a mountain of bodies being cremated.
Anju Mochida, 18, a third-year student, created a painting of children getting excited about the sudden rain that fell after the A-bombing, not knowing what the black rain was. The painting is based on the experience of Isao Sakoda, 86, a resident of Asakita Ward, who was caught in the rain in the village of Ogauchi (part of today’s Asakita Ward) and was recognized as an A-bomb survivor two years ago under new national standards.
Ms. Mochida, who was involved in the creation of an A-bomb painting for the second time, recalls, “Last time, I tried to think of August 6 from my own personal experience, but this time it made me think about the effects that continue to this day.” Mr. Sakoda said, “If I only have memory, nothing will remain. I hope people see the paintings and feel the horror of the A-bombing.”
At the request of the Peace Memorial Museum, located in Naka Ward, former students of the school have been creating paintings since 2007, totaling 207 pieces. Approximately 60 pieces, including the latest 16 pieces, will be exhibited at the International Conference Center Hiroshima, located in Naka Ward, from August 10 to 28.
(Originally published on June 29, 2024)
