Japanese stories
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The atomic bomb never defined Nagasaki
This poem doesn’t need explanation, at least if you have visited Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Outside Japan you may only know these names because of the atomic bomb. This single reductive moment does not define Nagasaki, nor Hiroshima. Nagasaki is not the bomb Nagasaki non è la bomba Nagasaki is not the bomb, not future nullified No present, obliterated past. Nagasaki non è la bomba Senza presente, passato svanito. Not the mere shadowed imprint Of a flash of falling fire Not just the runner up In Hiroshima’s winning race. Non solo stampa di ombra Del bagliore del fuoco fatale Non solo secondo premio Dopo Hiroshima, la prima. Hiroshima, where one brilliant…
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Leo’s Letter, the Atomic Bomb and Sadako’s Cranes
The following short story “Leo’s Letter” is written as a “fairytale” about the dropping of the atomic bomb. Although it is fictional, it is closely based on history. “Leo” is Leo Szilard, one of the founders of the Manhattan Project that created the first atomic bomb. Albert is, of course, Albert Einstein. Edward is Edward Teller, a scientist involved in the project. The President is first, President Franklin Roosevelt, and then, President Harry. S. Truman. Robert is Robert Oppenheimer. The doctor is Dr. Hiroshi Sawachika. Sadako is Sadako Sasaki, a girl who eventually succumbed to radiation poisoning after the dropping of the bomb over Hiroshima. Minimal ‘artistic’ licence has been…
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Hiroshima
An old eucalyptus tree grows in the ruins of Hiroshima Castle. Although only 750 metres from ground zero when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima at 8.15 am on 6 August 1945, the eucalyptus tree survived and still lives. All around it for miles about was destroyed. Warfare has not been central to the discussion that has unfolded on this site, but it cannot be ignored. It is only foreigners or rebels that we kill in war. To label someone a foreigner is potentiality or in reality a licence to deprive them of life in “the national interest”. Moreover the logic of war provides a licence to deprive our…
