The inscription on the Cenotaph reads, “Let all the souls here rest in peace for we shall not repeat the evil.” Because Japanese grammar does not necessarily call for a subject, each person who stands in front of the Cenotaph must decide who is making that pledge. Majority of us interpreted the inscription to read, “We, the human race, shall not repeat the evil.” This interpretation implies an emerging understanding that unless the entire human race works collectively toward this goal, it cannot be achieved. We cannot solve the problem of nuclear weapons within a context of animosity.

So far, it has been A-bomb survivors who had directly conveyed the meaning, since the words and gestures and the very presence of a survivor has been so powerful and extremely effective in conveying the tragedy of the bombings. Therefore, we have relied too heavily on our survivors, sending them to classes, meetings, exhibitions, conferences and symposia.

However, now that their average age is already over 70, we realize that we will not be able to rely on them much longer. Therefore, it is time for us to organize the meaning and significance of their message and the tragic facts of the atomic bombings without the A-bomb survivors.



　　　　　　 　 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　| back |