Remembering Hiroshima

The deadly mushroom

I was deep into the intrigues and romance of an eighteenth century Malay syaer when I was called upon to participate in a ceremony in a building next door. At 0815 on 6^th of August 1945, just as the people of Hiroshima were starting their morning, the then newly created weapon of mass destruction, the atomic bomb, was dropped on the city by a US plane, ensuring that for at least 140,000 people, they never got to see another tomorrow. Thousands more suffered the after effects either physically or mentally. Many still carry the scars and one of them was Dr Sato of Three Wheels, who conducted the solemn ceremony at the Japanese Garden of the Brunei Gallery yesterday.

No more Hiroshima

60 years on

With 9/11,7/7, 21/7, Hiroshima seems a million years ago and so, so far away from what’s happening on my doorsteps, so I am very grateful to fellow blogger Lacrema for inviting me to this simple yet beautiful ceremony – lest we forget.

solemn ceremony

With the wailing of sirens in the background, Dr Sato, who was only 5 when it happened, urged that there should never be a repeat of Hiroshima and lets not forget, Nagasaki. He remembers a lost uncle, a grandmother and many more. Many Japanese who were present yesterday must know of someone who perished or suffered or continue to suffer.

lacrema

Lacrema, a member of the Shino Arisawa group, played traditional Japanese music to mark the occassion.
Indeed, here in the UK, ceremonies to remember the victims were held everywhere.
Whatever the politics, let’s take a minute to remember the innocent ones.

the group