Hiroshima: Cenotaph, Stone Chest

Hiroshima: Cenotaph, Stone Chest

Atomic bomb--Hiroshima; Atomic bomb victims

The cenotaph at the heart of the Peace Memorial Park contains this stone chest. The stone chest contains a registry of the names of the known victims of the A-bomb blast. At each annual memorial service, the names of those who have passed away in the preceding year from the effects of the blast or from radiation-caused disease are added to the registry. On August 6, 2001, the list included the names of 221,893 victims who had been identified by relatives. Including other victims who were never identified, it is estimated that the death toll from the A-bomb at Hiroshima now stands at about 240,000 persons. - The cenotaph was designed by architect Kenzo Tange, then a professor at the University of Tokyo. The form of the cenotaph suggests the form of the roof of an ancient form of a house (see image ecasia000870), providing symbolic shelter for the souls of the victims. The inscription on the monument reads, "Let all the souls here rest in peace, for we shall not repeat the evil."

Collection Librarian: Amy Bryant. Please send comments or content corrections to Michael Thiedeman, Professor of Art, Earlham College, Richmond, IN 47374 USA. email address: thiedmi@earlham.edu

Thiedeman, Michael

Earlham College

Material may be used for educational, non-commercial purposes only, in accordance with Fair Use policies. Acknowledgement to be given to the IDEAS Project, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, and Earlham College. Photographer retains copyright.

Image/jpeg

Still Image

ecasia000859

ecasia_a_000859

Japan

Japan - Showa 1926 - 1989

6-Aug-45

Chugoku (region), Hiroshima (prefecture), Hiroshima (inhabited place)

7004499

1200 w x 782 h, 150ppi