Unauthorized duplication, reprinting, or use of the photos and other materials on this site is prohibited.
TOYOSAKI Hiromitsu
He has photographed victims of nuclear fallout from a number of test sites, including Nevada and Australia. He has taken photographs of people, landscapes, animals and plants affected by radiation released from uranium mining, nuclear weapons tests, and nuclear power plant accidents.He was the first recipient of the Peace and Cooperation Journalist Fund for his book Atomic Age.
Following the “Bravo” explosion, a high incidence of miscarriages occurred among the inhabitants of Rongelap Atoll. Many of the islanders also developed cancer and others suffered thyroid disorders.
The inhabitants had no choice but to leave their home island for the future of their children.
In May 1985, as they left the island, the residents tried not to look back at their native island from the boat taking them away.
(May 1985, Rongelap Atoll, Marshall Islands )
In 1975 a large high-quality uranium lode was discovered beneath Roxby Downs in mid-South Australia. Roxby Downs is a sacred site for the Australian Kokada Aborigines, who together with environmental protection advocates opposed the start of mining there.
In August 1983, six Kokada representatives staged a sit-in for one month at their sacred site in the midst of a vast desert to express their firm opposition. In 1988, however, the Australian government gave permission for mining to begin. Roxby Downs was then renamed Olympic Dam and the mining and milling of uranium got underway.
(August 1983, Roxby Downs, Australia )
In 1942 uranium mining began at Red Valley on the Navajo Reservation in Arizona. Many native American Navajo residents worked in the mine with no knowledge about the hazard to their health. The uranium mine was suddenly closed in 1969 with a large amount of uranium ore debris left behind. In 1978, almost ten years after the closure, it was revealed that out of some 400 former mine workers, approximately 70 had died of lung cancer. Toxic radon gas had kept leaking from the unsealed mine, affecting the health of the Navajo residents in the region. (June 1980, Red Valley, Arizona, U.S.A TOYOSAKI Hiromitsu)
You can use photos of A-bomb survivors in messages related to Ukraine
We know that the Russian attack on nuclear power plants in Ukraine and nuclear threats are causing many of you to feel an unprecedented sense of urgency.
Although we, too, feel helpless, we have been thinking about what we can do as a non-profit organization, the World Hibakusha Exhibition, and have decided to provide you with a symbolic photographs.
These photographs, titled "Hibakusha: Hatsuko Tominaga" and "Hibakusha: Motoyo Fujiwara," are the work of Ittetsu Morishita, a photographer who took photographs of Hibakusha in Hiroshima and Nagasaki for nearly half a century and died last year. Ittetsu Morishita founded the World Hibakusha Exhibition 20 years ago with the aim of raising public opinion for a nuclear-free world.
The following two photographs are provided.
Photo 1: 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 Ittetsu)
Photo 2: 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)
These photos, along with "Stop attacks on nuclear power plants!", "Don't use nuclear weapons!", "Don't threaten with nuclear weapons.", and "Peace in We thought that by having messages such as "Ukraine!" used together, we could contribute to sending a strong message around the world.
These photos are representative of a series of photos of A-bomb survivors that won the Grand Prix for the Peace and Nationality Award in the International Documentary Art Photo Contest "Humanity and Peace" to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the USSR.
I would like to think that it was some kind of mistake to use works that were appreciated by the Russian people on these occasions, but I am sure that many of the Russian people never wanted war either.
We, with all people, would like to overcome the nuclear crisis and see peace return to Ukraine.
If you wish to use them, please download the photos below.
We hope that these photos, which are filled with the thoughts and feelings of the Hibakusha, will be of some help to you.
