[:it]Hiroshima e Nagasaki, per non dimenticare[:en]Hiroshima and Nagasaki, not to forget[:ja]Hiroshima and Nagasaki, not to forget[:]
[:it]Hiroshima e Nagasaki, due città simbolo del Giappone che ci ricordano del più grande errore che l’umanità abbia fatto.
La triste eredità di Hiroshima e Nagasaki
Situata a ovest di Honshū e rivolta verso il mare, sorge Hiroshima (広島市) la città portuale più grande del Chugoku.
photo credits: viaggi-lowcost.info
Hiroshima
Fondata dal daimyō Mōri Terumoto nel 1589, Hiroshima passò in mano a varie amministrazioni. Nel 1938 diventò una sede bellica di importanza strategica e militare per tutta la seconda guerra mondiale. Nessun bombardamento si abbattè sulla città, fino a quel tragico 6 agosto 1945, alle 08:16:08. “Little Boy”, la prima bomba atomica mai usata in un conflitto, fu lanciata dagli Stati uniti sulla città causando migliaia di vittime all’istante. Tuttavia, queste aumentarono nei mesi successivi a cause del fallout radioattivo. Nonostante la radioattività, la città venne ricostruita nel 1949 riacquistando la propria importanza industriale.
I danni causati dalla bomba atomica perdurarono negli anni successivi e nel 1955 fu istituito il centro medico Hijiyama, dove accogliere, studiare e curare i malati. Nei primi anni 70 nacque la “Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission” per il controllo del terreno e dell’aria.
photo credits: focus.it
Nonostante la città fu rasa al suolo in quel tragico giorno, un solo edificio resistette portando per sempre con sé i tristi segni di ciò che avvenne. Stiamo parlando del Genbaku Dome (原爆ドーム, la cupola della bomba atomica). Tuttavia, prima della guerra Il palazzo era la sede dell’antica camera di commercio, oggi è classificato patrimonio mondiale dall’Unesco come testimonianza delle devastazioni delle armi nucleari.
photo credits: agrpress.it
Visitare Hiroshima
Ciò che la storia ci ha lasciato deve essere un monito per il futuro e sia Hiroshima che Nagasaki ne sono un esempio vivente. A questo proposito, se avete intenzione di visitare Hiroshima, una delle tappe fondamentali è il Parco della Pace. Esso comprende il Museo della Pace e il Cenotafio del memoriale per le vittime della bomba atomica. Quest’ultimo, costruito dall’architetto Kenzo Tange, elenca le vittime della bomba il cui epitaffio recita: “Possano le anime qui riposare in pace, perché l’inferno non sia ripetuto”. Non possiamo poi dimenticare la Cupola della bomba.
Per qualunque informazione riguardante l’Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum potete visitare il sito web ufficiale in inglese.
photo credits: visithiroshima.net
In città possiamo trovare altri interessanti musei, come l’Hiroshima Museum of Art. Qui il museo espone una vastissima collezione di arte moderna europea, dal romanticismo all’impressionismo. Inoltre, l’Hiroshima MOCA (museum of contemporary art) espone le opere di artisti giapponesi e stranieri posteriori alla Seconda Guerra Mondiale.
photo credits: maitreyoda
Il giardino Shukkei-en ed Castello di Hiroshima
Il giardino Shukkei-en fu costruito nel 1620 durante da Shigeyasu Ueda su ordine di Asano Nagaakira, daimyo del Hiroshima han (feudo). Utilizzato come residenza della famiglia Asano nel 1940, e dato poi alla prefettura di Hiroshima. Situato vicinissimo al punto zero dell’attacco nucleare, lo Shukkei-en subì ingenti danni e successivamente diventò un rifugio per le vittime della guerra. Dopo i lavori di ristrutturazione, riaprì al pubblico nel 1951.
photo credits: thetruejapan.com
Strettamente collegato a questo meraviglioso giardino è il Castello. 広島城 Hiroshima-jō, chiamato anche 鯉城 Rijō letteralmente Castello-Carpa. Infatti, l’esterno completamente dipinto di nero, rimanderebbe all’immagine di una carpa nera. Costruito nel 1590, e divenne la dimora del signore del feudo, Mori Terumoto. Distrutto dal bombardamento atomico, fu ricostruito fedelmente nel 1958.
Attualmente è la sede del museo sulla storia e la cultura di Hiroshima circondato da un parco pubblico. Dalla cima del castello, si può godere di una splendida vista sul porto di Hiroshima e l’isola di Miyajima.
photo credits: fr.japantravel.com
Per scoprire tutte le attrazioni e i meravigliosi templi che sorgono ad Hiroshima, potete visitare il sito ufficiale della città (in inglese).
Nagasaki
Come Hiroshima, anche Nagasaki (長崎市) oggi è un importante centro portuale e di scambi commerciali internazionali.
photo credits: getyourguide.it
Questa cittadina moderna con una florida economia marittima si sviluppò nell XI secolo, espandendosi rapidamente. Nel 1568 il daimyō Ōmura Sumitada, convertitosi al cristianesimo, rese Nagasaki un porto internazionale, aprendola così all’influenza europa. Quando però salì al potere il capo dell’esercito Toyotomi Hideyoshi, la città si trasformò in un incubo per i cristiani. Infatti, il 5 febbraio 1597, 26 persone che professavano la religione cristiana vennero crocifisse. Il cristianesimo fu bandito e si diffusero i kakure kirishitan (隠れキリシタン), i cristiani che professavano la propria fede in gran segreto e clandestinità. Fu solo con la Restaurazione Meiji a metà dell’800 che la libertà di religione fece di Nagasaki il centro del cattolicesimo giapponese. Nagasaki divenne ancora più forte sotto il punto di vista industriale.
Tuttavia, questo segnò anche la condanna di Nagasaki. Il 9 agosto 1945, a tre giorni dal bombardamento di Hiroshima, l’ormai famosa “Operazione Manhattan” da parte degli USA fu attuata. “Fat Man”, la seconda bomba atomica, cadde sulla città.
Trattandosi prettamente di una zona industriale ed essendo la bomba meno potente di quella di Hiroshima, le vittime dell’attacco furono sensibilmente inferiori. Nel 1949 Nagasaki venne rapidamente ricostruita e recuperò tutto il suo prestigio economico.
photo credits: bbc.com
Le ferite di Nagasaki
Simbolo della storia del Cristianesimo in Giappone è il Twenty Six Martyrs Museum che pepertua la memoria dei 26 martiri uccisi nel 1597.
photo credits: tropki.com, tripadvisor.it
Naturalmente, come ad Hiroshima anche il Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum è una tappa fondamentale di questo viaggio. Un memoriale che mostra la città prima e dopo il bombardamento con l’intento di spingere le persone a riflettere su ciò che significa veramente pace e denuclearizzazione. Inoltre esattamente nel luogo dove scoppiò la bomba, sorge il Parco della Pace.
photo credits: welcomekyushu.com, wantabi.info
A 20 km dal porto, si trova Gunkanjima (Isola Hashima, l’isola corazzata), la piccola isola più popolata al mondo, o almeno così era fino agli anni 70. Affinchè potesse accogliere più popolazione possibile, l’isola assunse l’aspetto di una massiccia corazzata. Successivamente, è stata completamente abbandonata diventando un esempio di archeologia industriale che attira gli appassionati di rovine!
photo credits: japan-guide.com
Visitare Nagasaki
Se siete amanti delle viste mozzafiato delle città, imperdibile è la vetta del monte Inasa (稲佐山, Inasayama) che con i suoi 333 metri sorge vicino al centro di Nagasaki. Oltra all’auto e il bus, è possibile utilizzare la funivia per apprezzare appieno le bellezze della natura circostante!
photo credits: travel.gaijinpot.com
Naturalmente il Giappone ci ha abituati a splendidi angoli di paradiso come i giardini. Infatti, a Nagasaki troviamo il Glover Garden. Situato sulla collina dove i mercanti occidentali si stabilirono dal 1850, è un vero e proprio museo dove è possibile visitare i palazzi dell’epoca.
photo credits: japanmeetings.org
Tra i numerosi templi, spicca qualcosa che non è facile trovare in Giappone. Stiamo parlando della basilica dei Ventisei Santi Martiri del Giappone (日本二十六聖殉教者堂) o Chiesa di Ōura (大浦天主堂 Ōura Tenshudō). Si tratta di una chiesa cattolica, risalente al periodo Edo. Per molti anni è stata l’unico edificio in stile occidentale iscritto nel Tesoro nazionale del Giappone ed è considerata la più antica chiesa del Giappone.
photo credits: yitubao.com
Dietro la triste storia che accomuna queste due città, c’è la grande forza di un popolo che ha sempre saputo rialzarsi. Hiroshima e Nagasaki sono testimonianze storiche che abbiamo voluto ricordarvi e che troppo spesso vengono considerate come realtà lontane, ma che invece devono fare profondamente riflettere, per non dimenticare ciò che è successo.[:en]Hiroshima and Nagasaki, two symbolic cities of Japan that remind us of the greatest mistake humanity has ever made.
The sad legacy of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Located west of Honshū and facing the sea, Hiroshima (広島市) is the largest port city in Chugoku.
photo credits: viaggi-lowcost.info
Hiroshima
Founded by the daimyo Mōri Terumoto in 1589, Hiroshima passed into the hands of various administrations. In 1938 it became a military centre of strategic and military importance throughout the Second World War. No bombing struck the city until that tragic August 6, 1945, at 08:16:08. “Little Boy”, the first atomic bomb ever used in a conflict, was launched by the United States over the city causing thousands of victims instantly. However, these increased in the months following the causes of radioactive fallout. Despite the radioactivity, the city was rebuilt in 1949 regaining its industrial importance.
The damage caused by the atomic bomb persisted in the following years and in 1955 the Hijiyama medical centre was established, where to welcome, study and treat the sick. In the early 70’s the “Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission” was born to control the land and the air.
photo credits: focus.it
Although the city was razed to the ground on that tragic day, only one building resisted bringing with it the sad signs of what happened. We are talking about the Genbaku Dome (原爆ドーム, the dome of the atomic bomb). However, before the war, the palace was the seat of the ancient chamber of commerce, today it is classified world heritage by UNESCO as a testimony to the devastation of nuclear weapons.
photo credits: agrpress.it
Visit Hiroshima
What history has left us must be a warning to the future and both Hiroshima and Nagasaki are a living example. In this regard, if you plan to visit Hiroshima, one of the milestones is the Peace Park. It includes the Peace Museum and the Cenotaph of the memorial for the victims of the atomic bomb. The latter, built by the architect Kenzo Tange, lists the victims of the bomb whose epitaph reads: “May souls rest here in peace so that hell is not repeated”. We cannot then forget the dome of the bomb.
For any information regarding the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum you can visit the official website in English.
photo credits: visithiroshima.net
In the city, we can find other interesting museums, such as the Hiroshima Museum of Art. Here the museum displays a vast collection of modern European art, from romanticism to impressionism. Moreover, the Hiroshima MOCA (museum of contemporary art) exhibits the works of Japanese and foreign artists after the Second World War.
photo credits: maitreyoda
The Shukkei-en garden and Hiroshima Castle
The Shukkei-en garden was built in 1620 during Shigeyasu Ueda on the orders of Asano Nagaakira, daimyo of Hiroshima han (fief). Used as a residence of the Asano family in 1940, and then given to the prefecture of Hiroshima. Located very close to the zero point of the nuclear attack, the Shukkei-en suffered extensive damage and later became a refuge for war victims. After renovations, it reopened to the public in 1951.
photo credits: thetruejapan.com
A Castle is closely connected to this wonderful garden, it’s the (広島城) Hiroshima-jō also called (鯉城) Rijō literally Carp-Castle. In fact, the exterior, completely painted in black, would refer to the image of a black carp. Built in 1590, it became the residence of the lord of the feud, Mori Terumoto. Destroyed by atomic bombing, it was faithfully rebuilt in 1958.
It is currently the home of the Hiroshima history and culture museum surrounded by a public park. From the top of the castle, you can enjoy a splendid view of the port of Hiroshima and the island of Miyajima.
photo credits: fr.japantravel.com
To discover all the attractions and wonderful temples that rise in Hiroshima, you can visit the official site of the city (in English).
Nagasaki
Like Hiroshima, Nagasaki (長崎市) is today an important international trading and port centre.
photo credits: getyourguide.it
This modern town with a thriving maritime economy developed in the 11th century, expanding rapidly. In 1568 the daimyo Ōmura Sumitada converted to Christianity and made Nagasaki an international port, thus opening it to the influence of Europe. However, when the army chief Toyotomi Hideyoshi came to power, the city turned into a nightmare for Christians. In fact, on February 5, 1597, 26 people who professed the Christian religion were crucified. Christianity was banned and the kakure kirishitan (隠れキリシタン), Christians who professed their faith in great secrecy and clandestinity, spread. It was only with the Meiji Restoration in the mid-800s that religious freedom made Nagasaki the centre of Japanese Catholicism. The city became even stronger from the industrial point of view.
However, this also marked the condemnation of Nagasaki. On 9 August 1945, three days after the bombing of Hiroshima, the now-famous “Operation Manhattan” by the USA was implemented. “Fat Man”, the second atomic bomb, fell on the city.
Being purely an industrial zone and being the bomb less powerful than that of Hiroshima, the victims of the attack were significantly lower. In 1949 Nagasaki was quickly rebuilt and all its economic prestige recovered.
photo credits: bbc.com
Nagasaki’s wounds
The symbol of the history of Christianity in Japan is the Twenty Six Martyrs Museum which commemorates the 26 martyrs killed in 1597.
photo credits: tropki.com, tripadvisor.it
Of course, as in Hiroshima, the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum is also a milestone in this journey. A memorial showing the city before and after the bombardment with the aim of pushing people to reflect on what truly means peace and denuclearization. Moreover, exactly in the place where the bomb broke out, stands the Peace Park.
photo credits: welcomekyushu.com, wantabi.info
At 20 km from the port, there is Gunkanjima (Hashima Island, the armoured island), the smallest most populated island in the world, or so it was until the 70s. In order to accommodate as many people as possible, the island took on the appearance of a massive battleship. Later, it was completely abandoned, becoming an example of industrial archaeology that attracts ruins enthusiasts!
photo credits: japan-guide.com
Visit Nagasaki
If you are a fan of breathtaking city views, a must is the summit of Mount Inasa (稲佐山, Inasayama) which, with its 333 meters, is located near the centre of Nagasaki. Besides the car and the bus, you can use the cable car to fully appreciate the beauty of the surrounding nature!
photo credits: travel.gaijinpot.com
Naturally, Japan has accustomed us to splendid corners of paradise-like gardens. In fact, in Nagasaki we find the Glover Garden. Located on the hill where Western merchants settled since 1850, it is a real museum where you can visit the buildings of the time.
photo credits: japanmeetings.org
Among the many temples, there is something that is not easy to find in Japan. We are talking about the Basilica of the Twenty-Six Holy Martyrs of Japan (日本二十六聖殉教者堂) or Ōura Church (大浦天主堂 Ōura Tenshudō). It is a Catholic church dating back to the Edo period. For many years it was the only Western-style building inscribed in Japan’s National Treasury and is considered the oldest church in Japan.
photo credits: yitubao.com
Behind the sad story that unites these two cities, there is the great strength of a Nation that has always known how to rise back up. Hiroshima and Nagasaki are historical testimonies that we wanted to remind you of and that too often are considered as distant realities, but which instead must make us reflect deeply, not to forget what happened.[:ja]Hiroshima and Nagasaki, two symbolic cities of Japan that remind us of the greatest mistake humanity has ever made.
The sad legacy of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Located west of Honshū and facing the sea, Hiroshima (広島市) is the largest port city in Chugoku.
photo credits: viaggi-lowcost.info
Hiroshima
Founded by the daimyo Mōri Terumoto in 1589, Hiroshima passed into the hands of various administrations. In 1938 it became a military centre of strategic and military importance throughout the Second World War. No bombing struck the city until that tragic August 6, 1945, at 08:16:08. “Little Boy”, the first atomic bomb ever used in a conflict, was launched by the United States over the city causing thousands of victims instantly. However, these increased in the months following the causes of radioactive fallout. Despite the radioactivity, the city was rebuilt in 1949 regaining its industrial importance.
The damage caused by the atomic bomb persisted in the following years and in 1955 the Hijiyama medical centre was established, where to welcome, study and treat the sick. In the early 70’s the “Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission” was born to control the land and the air.
photo credits: focus.it
Although the city was razed to the ground on that tragic day, only one building resisted bringing with it the sad signs of what happened. We are talking about the Genbaku Dome (原爆ドーム, the dome of the atomic bomb). However, before the war, the palace was the seat of the ancient chamber of commerce, today it is classified world heritage by UNESCO as a testimony to the devastation of nuclear weapons.
photo credits: agrpress.it
Visit Hiroshima
What history has left us must be a warning to the future and both Hiroshima and Nagasaki are a living example. In this regard, if you plan to visit Hiroshima, one of the milestones is the Peace Park. It includes the Peace Museum and the Cenotaph of the memorial for the victims of the atomic bomb. The latter, built by the architect Kenzo Tange, lists the victims of the bomb whose epitaph reads: “May souls rest here in peace so that hell is not repeated”. We cannot then forget the dome of the bomb.
For any information regarding the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum you can visit the official website in English.
photo credits: visithiroshima.net
In the city, we can find other interesting museums, such as the Hiroshima Museum of Art. Here the museum displays a vast collection of modern European art, from romanticism to impressionism. Moreover, the Hiroshima MOCA (museum of contemporary art) exhibits the works of Japanese and foreign artists after the Second World War.
photo credits: maitreyoda
The Shukkei-en garden and Hiroshima Castle
The Shukkei-en garden was built in 1620 during Shigeyasu Ueda on the orders of Asano Nagaakira, daimyo of Hiroshima han (fief). Used as a residence of the Asano family in 1940, and then given to the prefecture of Hiroshima. Located very close to the zero point of the nuclear attack, the Shukkei-en suffered extensive damage and later became a refuge for war victims. After renovations, it reopened to the public in 1951.
photo credits: thetruejapan.com
A Castle is closely connected to this wonderful garden, it’s the (広島城) Hiroshima-jō also called (鯉城) Rijō literally Carp-Castle. In fact, the exterior, completely painted in black, would refer to the image of a black carp. Built in 1590, it became the residence of the lord of the feud, Mori Terumoto. Destroyed by atomic bombing, it was faithfully rebuilt in 1958.
It is currently the home of the Hiroshima history and culture museum surrounded by a public park. From the top of the castle, you can enjoy a splendid view of the port of Hiroshima and the island of Miyajima.
photo credits: fr.japantravel.com
To discover all the attractions and wonderful temples that rise in Hiroshima, you can visit the official site of the city (in English).
Nagasaki
Like Hiroshima, Nagasaki (長崎市) is today an important international trading and port centre.
photo credits: getyourguide.it
This modern town with a thriving maritime economy developed in the 11th century, expanding rapidly. In 1568 the daimyo Ōmura Sumitada converted to Christianity and made Nagasaki an international port, thus opening it to the influence of Europe. However, when the army chief Toyotomi Hideyoshi came to power, the city turned into a nightmare for Christians. In fact, on February 5, 1597, 26 people who professed the Christian religion were crucified. Christianity was banned and the kakure kirishitan (隠れキリシタン), Christians who professed their faith in great secrecy and clandestinity, spread. It was only with the Meiji Restoration in the mid-800s that religious freedom made Nagasaki the centre of Japanese Catholicism. The city became even stronger from the industrial point of view.
However, this also marked the condemnation of Nagasaki. On 9 August 1945, three days after the bombing of Hiroshima, the now-famous “Operation Manhattan” by the USA was implemented. “Fat Man”, the second atomic bomb, fell on the city.
Being purely an industrial zone and being the bomb less powerful than that of Hiroshima, the victims of the attack were significantly lower. In 1949 Nagasaki was quickly rebuilt and all its economic prestige recovered.
photo credits: bbc.com
Nagasaki’s wounds
The symbol of the history of Christianity in Japan is the Twenty Six Martyrs Museum which commemorates the 26 martyrs killed in 1597.
photo credits: tropki.com, tripadvisor.it
Of course, as in Hiroshima, the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum is also a milestone in this journey. A memorial showing the city before and after the bombardment with the aim of pushing people to reflect on what truly means peace and denuclearization. Moreover, exactly in the place where the bomb broke out, stands the Peace Park.
photo credits: welcomekyushu.com, wantabi.info
At 20 km from the port, there is Gunkanjima (Hashima Island, the armoured island), the smallest most populated island in the world, or so it was until the 70s. In order to accommodate as many people as possible, the island took on the appearance of a massive battleship. Later, it was completely abandoned, becoming an example of industrial archaeology that attracts ruins enthusiasts!
photo credits: japan-guide.com
Visit Nagasaki
If you are a fan of breathtaking city views, a must is the summit of Mount Inasa (稲佐山, Inasayama) which, with its 333 meters, is located near the centre of Nagasaki. Besides the car and the bus, you can use the cable car to fully appreciate the beauty of the surrounding nature!
photo credits: travel.gaijinpot.com
Naturally, Japan has accustomed us to splendid corners of paradise-like gardens. In fact, in Nagasaki we find the Glover Garden. Located on the hill where Western merchants settled since 1850, it is a real museum where you can visit the buildings of the time.
photo credits: japanmeetings.org
Among the many temples, there is something that is not easy to find in Japan. We are talking about the Basilica of the Twenty-Six Holy Martyrs of Japan (日本二十六聖殉教者堂) or Ōura Church (大浦天主堂 Ōura Tenshudō). It is a Catholic church dating back to the Edo period. For many years it was the only Western-style building inscribed in Japan’s National Treasury and is considered the oldest church in Japan.
photo credits: yitubao.com
Behind the sad story that unites these two cities, there is the great strength of a Nation that has always known how to rise back up. Hiroshima and Nagasaki are historical testimonies that we wanted to remind you of and that too often are considered as distant realities, but which instead must make us reflect deeply, not to forget what happened.[:]