Peace Statue — Attraction in Nagasaki

It is a symbol of those who died in war wishing for peace.

Born in Japan, I have been taught about the war since I was little.

Summer is the special season for me, in addition to enjoying long vacation, also I go to my grandparents' house and our family clean our ancestors graves. I’m here today because of our ancestors, which is a miracle.

Aug 6th, am 08:15 Hiroshima Aug 9th, am 11:02 Nagasaki

The atomic bomb and the war is robbed many people of their futures. I’m relearning the horrors of war every summer.

Below is my opinion on the war, I apologize for poor English.

Whose fault the atomic bomb made. Scientist? Developer? I think it's not anyone’s fault, but they have responsible not only to create and drop the atomic bomb, but also to properly face what happened afterward, and putting themselves in the victim's shoes.

Then you'll realize that it's strange to see images of the atomic bomb and clap and praise. If Japan dropped it on another country, I wouldn't applaud. I don’t feel, how painful was it, It hurts just thinking about it.

Why the atomic bomb exists. The atomic bomb exists is connected to protect each country’s leaders’ and rich mans’ status, pride and dignity. They fear those are broken by others attacks, and they have desire becomes more stronger. The war are waged for the benefit of a few people, other one's lives are used in war.

Human have kindly warm heart, but those are broken by the war and brainwashing. Why people succumb to peer pressure. Please don't want the war.

Pearl Harbor, Manchurian Incident and unit 731…. I'm sad as to why Japan's leaders prioritized profit. Did they prioritize profit over the lives of many people, healthy lifestyles, and hatred and anger? Why politicians and commanders were living luxury elegant when innocent civilians were killing each other. Why is such a person a leader? I’m scary to think that Japan would have won and that would have continued.

A bomb survivors suffered from leukemia and cancer. I heard their cremated bones are tattered fragile from writer of the comic “Hadashi no Gen”. I saw my great-grandfather had nightmares many times. I heard to grandma why he is tormented, she said that he dreams of war. Even if survive, the war continues.

I want to eliminate a world where innocent citizens continue to suffer.

I want to live in peace. Please...

平和祈念像 〒852-8118 長崎県長崎市松山町9

訪問日は2025年1月25日です。この日は、午前中、バスガイドさんと廻る市内観光で立ち寄りました。 案内板はバスガイドさんの説明にあった内容が書かれています。これから訪問される方のために、文字起こししましたが、英文の記載のほうがあっさりとしている感じをうけました。 写真は、平和祈念像をぐるっとまわり、平和の大事さを感じながら撮影しましたが、1枚だけ「平和の泉」から見た平和祈念像があります。

平和祈念像 この平和祈念像は、史上最大の惨禍によって瞬時に数多くの 同胞市民を失い、筆舌につくし得ない悲惨苦に当面した長崎市民が、 世界恒久平和の実現を広く世に訴えこの惨禍を再現せしめてはならないという切なる念願により、世界恒久平和のシンボルとして昭和30年(1955年)8月の原爆10周年記念日に建立されたものであります。 平和祈念像は、国内はもとより、海外からも拠出された浄財によって、彫刻界の権威、北村西望氏製作による全長約10mの青銅男神像であり、上方を指した右手は原爆の脅威を示し、水平に伸ばした左手は平けく安らけくと平和のすすめる姿であり、頑丈な体躯は絶者の神威を示し、柔和な顔は「神の愛」または「仏の慈悲」を表し、また軽く閉じた目は戦争犠牲者のめい福を祈っている姿であります。 なお、 折り曲げた右足はめい想即ち静、立った左足は救済即ち動、何れも神仏の特性を表現したものであり本像はその規模において、またその思想において、この種の彫刻としては、世界にもその類を見ない雄大な芸術作品であります。 長崎市

The Peace Statue This statue was erected by the citizens of Nagasaki in August, 1955, on the 10th anniversary of the devastation of this city by the atomic bomb. Thanks to contributions from Japan and abroad, the ten meter bronze statue, which was designed by Seibo Kitamura, was dedicated as an appeal for lasting world peace and as a prayer that such a tragedy would never be repeated. The elevated right hand points to the threat of nuclear weapons, while the outstretched left hand symbolizes tranquility and world peace. Divine omnipotence and love are embodied in the sturdy physique and gentle countenance of the statue, and a prayer for the repose of the souls of all war victims is expressed in the closed eyes. Furthermore, the folded right leg symbolizes quiet meditation, while the left leg is poised for action in assisting humanity. Nagasaki City

【英文の機械翻訳】 平和祈念像 この銅像は、1955年8月、原爆による長崎の惨状から10年目の節目に、長崎市民によって建立された。国内外からの寄進により、北村西望が設計した10メートルのブロンズ像は、世界の恒久平和を訴え、このような悲劇が二度と繰り返されないことを祈念して奉納された。 高く掲げられた右手は核兵器の脅威を指し示し、伸ばした左手は静けさと世界平和を象徴している。神の全能と愛は、像の頑丈な体躯と穏やかな表情に体現され、閉じた目にはすべての戦争犠牲者の冥福を祈る祈りが込められている。さらに、折り畳まれた右足は静かな瞑想を象徴し、左足は人類を助けるための行動に備えている。 長崎市

平和祈念像作者の言葉

あの悪夢のような戦争 身の毛もよだつ凄絶悲惨 肉親を人の子を かえり見るさえ堪えがたい真情 誰か平和を祈らずにいられよう 慈に全世界平和運動の先駆として この平和祈念像が誕生した 山の如き聖哲 それは逞しい男性の健康美 全長三十二尺余 右手は原爆を示し左は平和を 顔は戦争犠牲者の冥福を祈る 是人種を超越した人間 時に仏　時に神 長崎始まって最大の英断と情熱 今や人類最高の希望の象徴

昭和三十年春日　北村西望

A Word from the Sculptor After 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 herald for 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 is in solemn prayer for the victims of the war. Transcending the barriers of race and evoking the qualities of both Buddha and God, it is a symbol of the greatest determination ever known in the history of Nagasaki and of the highest hope of all mankind. Seibo Kitamura Spring...

An imposing statue that is a focal point of the Peace Park. "This statue was erected by the citizens of Nagasaki in August, 1955, on the 10th anniversary of the devastation of this city by the atomic bomb. Thanks to contributions from Japan and abroad, the ten meter bronze statue, which was designed by Seibo Kitamura, was dedicated as an appeal for lasting world peace and as a prayer that such a tragedy would never be repeated The elevated right hand points to the threat of nuclear weapons while the outstretched left hand symbolizes tranquility and world peace Divine omnipotence and love are embodied in the sturdy physique and gentle countenance of the statue, and a prayer for the repose of the souls of all war victims is expressed in the closed eyes. Furthermore, the folded right leg symbolizés quiet meditation, while the left leg is poised for action in...