Love others as you love yourself

An eternal wish of Dr. Takashi Nagai, my grandfather

Dr. Takashi Nagai, my grandfather always wished that we all love others as we love ourselves and thought that was the sure way to build a permanent peace.

 Even though he deeply devoted himself to Catholicism I think this thought is a truth to go beyond a religious boundary.

 Now that a law of causation led me to live in Nagasaki I wish to practice my ideal through my own daily efforts.

 I tell myself “I shall always live with compassion and keep harmony and without fighting with others!” As a successor of Dr. Nagai’s wish I wish to continuously send messages of peace from Nagai Takashi Memorial Museum, the Nyokodo, and myself.

 Wishing “That Day” shall never ever be brought about again in this world.

 Tokusaburo Nagai, Curator of the Nagai Takashi Memorial Museum

Translation by Yoshio Hida

Contributions by A-bomb victims and those with a war experience

A documentary film “Hiroshima Nagasaki” directed by Steven Okazaki

and released in July 2007 depicts A-bomb victims as they are in a genuine

and pure way and is free from pushing of an antiwar message or a political

or religious doctrine seen in some other movies I saw in the past.

Immediately after I saw the film I had a marvelous sensation from the

bottom of my heart creating an inner dialogue, “We must never allow

nuclear weapons, wars are meaningless, and what can I do to stop

repeating such mistakes.”

Why can we blame those young people who do not know Japan’s active engagements in wars, the Atomic bombing in Japanese cities creating a hell

and misery to many citizens, and those young people who are ignorant of historically important dates of August 6 and 9, 1945? Why, because neither parents nor teachers teach about them.

I think we, A-bomb victims and those with a war experience, can make contributions by telling our own experiences as accurately as we can.

Scales dropped off from my eyes upon ending of the film “Hiroshima and Nagasaki” and I was awakened to the truth about the single most important

thing we could do to testify continuously on that abominable memory of

the past.

Our group, Suginami Koyu-kai (Suginami A-bomb victims association)

continues its peace campaign through conveying the experience of

A-bombing to inform people about the horrors, miseries, and

meaninglessness of it. We shall pass our stories of those incidences of

“deep sorrow of mankind” so that peace is handed over to our future

generations.

Please go without fail and see the film “Hiroshima and Nagasaki.” (White light/Brack rain)

Tsumoru Momikura

Chairperson

Suginami Koyu-kai

(A-bomb victims association)

Translation by Yoshio Hida

Records of the U.S. Strategic Bombing Survey

(Quoted from an article in Nagasaki Newspaper, 9 August 2001)

 

A half-century after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki a plan to translate a part of the survey report which had slept in the National Archive in Washington D.C. into the Japanese language was executed.

 

I was one of those who had been given a rare opportunity to work as a translator.

 

It took about one year to translate approx. 2,000 pages of English texts as well as tables and drawings in English into a typewritten Japanese translation work. The work was made into two thick books, the fruit of work done by a team of about ten translators and computer workers.

 

Immediately after the World-War II a large number of military personnel as well as more than 120 experts (engineers, architects, fire specialists, economists, medical doctors, photographers, draftsmen, etc.) came to Nagasaki and spent more than two months to thoroughly verify the outcome of atomic bombing in the city.

 

The study team members conducted interviews of some victims. The American interviewers took it for granted to face expressions of hate and anger by the Japanese and yet they were seemingly surprised to see a substantial number of interviewees who responded, “It could not have been helped (shikata-nai).” That shikata-nai expression has a link to the Buddhist sense of abandonment and was difficult to be translated into English. Thus, that expression remained in a Romanized as “shikatanai” with an annotation.

 

According to the Nagasaki Newspaper article a nearly 50% of the respondents to a recent questionnaire survey on the A-bombing chose the answer, “It could not have been helped (shikata-nakatta).”

 

I wonder if abandonment has become a sort of virtue for a Japanese.

In 1967 I was in charge of the congress organizing of International Conference on Nuclear Structure in Tokyo. I heard Prof. Jerry Brown saying at his closing remark a very sincere apology, “After I came to Japan I was impressed by a good national character of its people. I am truly sorry for our A-bombings on such people.” (Translator’s Note: Back translated from a Japanese text. The original text is missing.)

“Records of the U.S. Strategic Bombing Survey, Entry 41: Pacific Survey Reports and Supporting Records 1928-1947, esp. Vol. 3: The Effects of Atomic Bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, IV-B-5 Conclusion” includes the following statement:

 

“In the pursuit of peace and for the purpose of constructing an international structure for peace there is nothing more persuasive than the dreadful destructions of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. As the developer and user of these abominable weapons the United States bears an unavoidable responsibility to play a leadership role to establish and implement an international system of security and control to prevent the use of A-bombs in future.

(Translator’s Note: Back translated from the Japanese text, as the original English text was not readily available.)

 

I hope the above becomes cherished as an expression to pass on between the outgoing Presidents and incoming Presidents of the United States.
 
Akiko Gono

President, Bilingual Group

Born and grown up in Nagasaki

(Quoted from an article in Nagasaki Newspaper, 9 August 2001)

Translation by Yoshio Hida

UNESCO and its Antiwar Spirit

 (Quoted from an article in Nagasaki Newspaper, 17 April 2003)

 

On March 20 the U.S. began its attacks against Iraq.

What a thing to happen when the beautiful spring season is just around the corner.

I was scheduled to give a congratulatory speech at my alma mater women’s college.

Although I had my speech draft finished I was caught by a thought that a high time had come to make an appeal on the UNESCO spirit to young people when the whole world is disturbed. So, I quickly gave a chance to the substance of my speech.

 

UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It was established in 1946, one year after the establishment of the UN with the objective of contributing to peace in the world through educational, scientific and cultural activities. At the outset of the UNESCO Charter the following words of Sir Julian Sorell Huxley, “That since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed;”

 

We learn in our history classes that the war X was triggered by incidence Y, etc. I think wars originate in the minds of men. Within whose mind has this war against Iraq been born? Wars are cruel, fearful and miserable.

Ordinary citizens don’t care about the cause or reason of a war. They want the war to be stopped by all means. However, they do not have means to stop it. Now, if all of us are dedicated to the above UNESCO spirit and pray “No More War” someday our prayers are heard and realized. Even though it may be a fragile wish I still wish people all over the world understand the spirit of UNESCO. Of course the real world is far from our ideals. I was once a civil servant working in the Ministry of Education and was in charge of UNESCO. I was shocked to know that even within UNESCO a political strife takes place.

I am quite sick of the stubborn ways human beings resist being saved. Political thoughts, philosophy, religion, and even arts often become filthy through handlings by men even though they are pure and idealistic originally. Am afraid that all these degradations are due to imperfection of human being. Even with such imperfection we humans must continue its endeavor toward peace with hope.

 

We can stop smoking or drinking. Why can’t we stop warring?

 

Akiko Gono

President, Bilingual Group

Born and grown up in Nagasaki

(Quoted from an article in Nagasaki Newspaper, 17 April 2003)

Translation by Yoshio Hida

 

 

Accumulation of Human Deeds

 

Present societal conditions are the results of accumulation of human deeds including good and bad for an extended period of time.

 

Causing wars,

Creating peace,

Inducing unhappiness,

Creating happiness…

These are all human deeds.

 

 

What should we do to our children and to children of our future generations to come?

 

We are responsible for making efforts to build a peaceful society for our children and for future generations.

 

That responsibility of us is grave.

 

Michihiko Komine

Chief Priest of Kanzoin

Jiunzan Mandaraji,

Chizan-sect, Shingon Buddhism

Translation by Yoshio Hida

A Prayer for Peace that translates to a Love of Mankind

The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are the most inhuman acts that stain the history of mankind and which we must never allow to be forgotten.

Those terrible acts of killing innocent civilians living in peace in a moment and their miserable outcomes are still continuous around the world.

 

We must make appeals to all the people in the world to eliminate the tragedies of every single war. A “prayer for peace” which transforms human greed and self-interests to a love of mankind is the single most important act that every one of us can do.

Ryokichi Hirono

Professor Emeritus

Seikei University

Translation by Yoshio Hida

”A New Drawing of the Six Realms” includes Mushroom Clouds

Rokudozu (a drawing of the Six Realms) is a graphical depiction of a Buddhist teaching that we will have a rebirth into six different realms depending on one’s behaviors in the current life.

 

Presently, I am in the process of creating a 7 meter wide Rokudozu with a new perspective that the drawing has a common appeal going beyond race, religion, age, and gender of the viewer.

 

As symbols of the realm of assures (the realm of evil filled with anger) where war-loving people are destined to I have depicted two Mushroom Clouds, the collapse of the World Trade Center Building, etc…with my prayer for peace in the world and happiness of mankind.

 

Eisuke Somekawa

Japanese Traditional Painter

Buddhist Painter

Translation by Yoshio Hida

Like Trees and Plants that shine in the Morning Sunlight

 

The blue Planet Earth nurturing life and shining in the pitch-dark space

The Solar System with its exquisite planetary motions

Galaxies with gigantic swirls

Ever expanding macrocosm

 

Why did this endlessly extending universe start to exist?

For what reason are we humans allowed to live in this space?

Why is the mankind who knows beauty and even possessing language

and wisdom unable to stop hating and fighting with each other?

 

Like trees and plants that shine in the morning sun

Like birds that sing and chirp

Like dolphins playing in the sea

I wish we pray with this planet Earth and live on

 

Yutaka Takahashi

Composer, Conductor

"Hitotsu"   At the Peace Concert in Tokyo held by Breeze of Hope(Kaze no Fune), Nov 7, 2008.

"Cantare"  At the Peace Concert in Tokyo held by Breeze of Hope(Kaze no Fune), Nov 7, 2008.

Traslation by Yoshio Hida

Oneness Someday

For nations to unite as one…

Not coming from a grandiose approach

 

But instead begins with a love of only one individual existing near you

That is to love that one human all the way through

 

Someday this beautiful planet Earth will be filled with love

We see no national boarders, no strife any more

 

May the entire mankind be one and the Oneness be realized someday.

 

Harumi Takahashi

Writer-Composer of "Hitotsu" (Oneness)

"Hitotsu" at the Grand finale of the Five colore Peace Concert, Nov 7, 2008.

Translation by Yoshio Hida

A wish for the arrival of a nuclear weapon-free peaceful society

(At the occasion of “Hiroshima-Nagasaki Peace Prayer: 5-color Concert” (1 Nov.’07) the following message by Mr. Hiroshi Yamada, Mayor of Suginami Ward, Tokyo, was given.)

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

At the occasion of this peace concert I would like to express our heartfelt congratulations and respect for all who have made this event possible.

 

In 1988 Suginami Ward established the Suginami Ward Peace Declaration to express its wish to eradicate nuclear weapons.

 

Here and now again I share with you in our powerful prayer to realize a nuclear weapon-free society of peace so that our future generations can also convey their happiness based on peace.

Hiroshi Yamada

Suginami Ward Mayor

Taranslation by Yoshio Hida

 

We cannot die while keeping silence

Substantial A-bomb victim-survivors like us say, “I don’t want to remember the A-bombing hell on that day, I would rather forget about it. That’s why I don’t want to talk about it.”

In remembering the incidence of that day, even today some of us have tightness in the chest, shivering, abnormal heartbeat, and end up calling an ambulance for hospitalization.

With different degrees of severity all A-bomb victim-survivors live with PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder).

There are more than a few who keep remembering the things about “that day” and “that moment” who just cannot forget however hard they try to do it.

Then, there are many who feel they cannot die while keeping their mouths shut.

A-bomb victim-survivors talk not because they want sympathy but because they want justice as human beings.

Yoshinori Yokokawa

Ex-Chairman

Tokyo Metropolitan A-bomb Victims Groups Liaison Council

(Tokyo-to Genbaku Higaisha-dantai Renraku Kyogikai)

You Tube

[Watch it to belive it] Hiroshima

Translation by Yoshio Hida

White Light / Black Rain

From left):Director Steven Okazaki, Shigeko Sasamori, and Theodore Van Kirk

 (An extract from Yuming’s blog in New York)

 

Am only painfully aware that their war still continues 62 years after the WWII.

Those born after the end of the war now occupy 75% of the population of Japan.

Number of Japanese who know what August 6, 7, and 15 mean become less and less.

Some oversea dwellers send messages as a warning signal about the situation and yet people in Japan do not seem to notice.

 

I was invited to a premium preview of the documentary movie “White Light / Black Rain” directed by Steven Okazaki, a third generation Japanese American. I understand that the film received a good attention and had a fine review in this year’s Sundance Film Festival.

 

There was a reception before the preview and I saw mass media people, UN people, journalists, Ms. Yuki Hyodo active in Japan and in New York, and Seitaro Kuroda who is a painter-illustrator. Kuroda-san told me about his launch of “Pika Don Project” and trips around the world doing collaborations with artists. I had no prior knowledge of that and had a rather lengthy conversation. Kuroda-san was also acting in the preview movie.

 

An A-bomb victim whom I met at the U.N. with whom I started to exchange e-mails for some reason had triggered my work concerning Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It was timely for that person to be in New York City in this summer when I had a plan to have an event. I asked him to participate and he accepted. He recommended “White Light / Black Rain” as the best movie he had ever seen.

 

Another A-bomb victim whom I met briefly when I visited Nagasaki in April this year was also acting in the film.

 

Am only painfully aware that their war still continues 62 years after the WWII.

Those born after the end of the war now occupy 75% of the population of Japan.

Number of Japanese who know what August 6, 7, and 15 mean become less and less.

Some oversea dwellers send messages as a warning signal about the situation and yet people in Japan do not seem to notice.

 

I was born in Yokohama and felt so ignorant when I started studying about Hiroshima and Nagasaki. I’m ashamed of my ignorance. Recently, I encountered the story of 25 women called “Maidens of A-bomb”. Within 10 years after the end of the war 25 women with keloids went to the U.S. to receive orthopedic surgeries. Norman Cousins, a journalist, author held a fund raising campaign and made those treatments possible.

Surgical operations of the maidens respectively counted more than 30, I hear. A member of the group was Ms. Shigeko Sasamori, later became adopted daughter of Cousins, and still later acted in that film and also participated in the discussion after the premium preview as a panelist.

Ms Shigeko Sasamori, A-bomb victim, Resident in the U.S.

 

At that panel discussion sat Mr. Theodore Van Kirk, ex-navigator of B29 bomber Enola Gay next to Ms. Sasamori. He strongly asserted to the effect that the A-bombing contributed to the ending of the war and therefore saved lives of many and that this idea of him had not changed from the day of bombing till now. Ms. Sasamori kept shaking her head next to him showing her negation.

 

I had seen Mr. Kirk on a Japanese TV program before saying similar things and thought that he might have been a man of spirit of the U.S. military. He, at that panel also said that he had been referring to the Chinese and Cambodian people when he had spoke of saving the lives of many as Japan had been invading and killing those people.

 

Mr. Kirk said he had no nightmare in his life after that bombing and asserted that war itself should have been blamed.

 

From among the audience a question was raised concerning Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution indicating a high level of interest about the subject among American intellectuals. The new North Korean nuclear issue may raise American interest.

It may be even more salient than in Japan, which is within the DPRK missile range.

 

When I visited the Uragami Tenshudo (a Catholic Church in Nagasaki) I say three women giving a prayer to the Virgin Mary. I think two of those women are also acting in this film.

 

“White Light / Black Rain” will be shown in the U.S. on August 6 through HBO.

In Japan it will be released as “Hiroshima Nagasaki” in the end of July.

http://www.zaziefilms.com/hiroshimanagasaki/

Translation by Yoshio Hida