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MORISHITA Ittetsu

 

His photographs include victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Taking these photos over a period of many years has been one of the starting points for his own life. In 1981, his work “Hibakusha” was awarded the Grand Prize at the international Recording Art Photo Contest, entitled “People and Peace” which was held to mark the sixtieth anniversary of the founding of the Soviet Union.

 

第五福龍丸 The Fukuryu Maru No.5 Lucky Dragon
第五福龍丸 The Fukuryu Maru No.5 Lucky Dragon

This is a view of the Fukuryu Maru No.5 before it was placed in the memorial hall. On March 1, 1954, the United States conducted the hydrogen bomb test at Bikini Atoll. Nearby, a fishing boat named the Fukuryu Maru No.5 was showered by the fallout.

This third nuclear -related disaster (following the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings) shocked the entire nation of Japan. On a positive note, it also helped the “Movement against A & H Bombs” spread throughout the world.

The hull of the Fukuryu Maru No.5 was discovered in 1968, practically abandoned, in Yumeno-shima, and a campaign was launched to preserve it. The boat is now being preserved by the Tokyo metropolitan government.

Every year, many people, including students on school excursions, visit the boat.

 (1976,Yumenoshima,Tokyo)

 

被爆者:富永初子 1914年~2002年 TOMINAGA Hatsuko 1914-2002/Hiroshima Hibakusha
被爆者:富永初子 1914年~2002年 TOMINAGA Hatsuko 1914-2002/Hiroshima Hibakusha

The white specks in her eyes are atomic cataracts.

A sharp pain runs through her body constantly, causing her to distort her eyebrows.

 (1977, Eba, Hiroshima MORISHITA Ittesu)

 

被爆者:藤原モトヨ 1894~1989/95歳 FUJIWARA Motoyo 1894-1989/Hiroshima Hibakusha
被爆者:藤原モトヨ 1894~1989/95歳 FUJIWARA Motoyo 1894-1989/Hiroshima Hibakusha

FUJIWARA Motoyo 1894-1989/Hiroshima Hibakusha When the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Ms.FUJIWARA, who was helping to evacuate the city, was working near the Fukuya department store, 600 meters from the hypocenter.  Her five-year-old daughter and seventeen-year-old son died one month after the bombing. After that, she was alone and working hard, until becoming ill at the age of 91.  In this photo, you can see scars and burns on her arms and hands; they caused her much pain, especially in winter. (1977,Hakushima,Hiroshima MORISHITA Ittetsu)

 

被曝米兵:ジョン・スミザーマン 1929~1983 54歳 John Smitherman 1929-1983/Atomic Veteran
被曝米兵:ジョン・スミザーマン 1929~1983 54歳 John Smitherman 1929-1983/Atomic Veteran

In July 1956, John Smitherman participated in the American hydrogen bomb test on Bikini Atoll in the Pacific, as a U.S. Navy sailor. Ten hours after the explosion, he landed by boat on an island not far from the hypocenter. He stayed on the island for 20 days putting out fires, without any mask or protective suit. He ate food, drank water, and washed his clothes. One month later, he developed malignant lymphomas on both of his lower legs, and was moved from hospital to hospital, but was discharged from service without being cured. The condition of his legs only worsened. In 1976, his left leg had to be amputated, a year later he lost his right leg, and in 1982 he was told that his left arm would have to be amputated as well. Smitherman then decided to come to Japan, where the treatment of victims of radiation was advanced. He continued to call for the U.S. government to recognize that his illness was caused by the nuclear test. (1982,Saitama Kyodo Hospital MORISHITA Ittesu)