Established in 1955, and near to the hypocenter of the explosion, remnants of a concrete wall of Urakami Cathedral can still be seen. Urakami Cathedral was the grandest church in east Asia at the time. At the park's north end is the 10-meter-tall Peace Statue created by sculptor Seibo Kitamura of Nagasaki Prefecture. The statue's right hand points to the threat of nuclear weapons while the extended left hand symbolizes eternal peace. The mild face symbolizes divine grace and the gently closed eyes offer a prayer for the repose of the bomb victims' souls. The folded right leg and extended left leg signify both meditation and the initiative to stand up and rescue the people of the world. The statue represents a mixture of western and eastern art, religion, and ideology. Installed in front of the statue is a black marble vault containing the names of the atomic bomb victims and survivors who died in...
Read moreHypocenter Park is not just a park; it's a profound testament to the devastating power of nuclear weapons and the resilience of the human spirit. Standing at the very epicenter of the atomic bomb explosion, one can't help but feel the weight of history and the immense loss suffered on that fateful day.
It's a place for reflection, remembrance, and a renewed commitment to peace. The monuments, particularly the Cenotaph with the names of the victims, are deeply moving.
While the experience is undeniably somber, there's also a sense of hope. The park itself, with its greenery and signs of life, symbolizes Nagasaki's recovery and the enduring human spirit.
It's a stark reminder of the consequences of war and a powerful...
Read moreAfter experiencing that nightmarish war, that blood-curdling carnage, that unendurable horror, Who could walk away without praying for peace? This statue was created as a signpost in the struggle for global harmony. Standing ten meters tall, it conveys the profundity of knowledge and the beauty of health and virility. The right hand points to the atomic bomb, the left hand points to peace, and the face prays deeply for the victims of war. Transcending the barriers of race and evoking the qualities of Buddha and God, it is a symbol of the greatest determination ever known in the history of Nagasaki and the highest hope of all...
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