Nagasaki

Life is all about perspective. I am currently sitting in the Fukuoka airport waiting for our flight back to Seoul and I am still amazed at the people I have the privilege of seeing. One reason for that is because I am sitting on the ground, not the seats. This was the nearest plug that we could find. It also happens to be next to the trashcan that screams, “Yes!” and “No!” at us to ensure we do not throw away our trash in the wrong container. One side is for burnable trash; the other is for cans or bottles. If I mess this one up who knows what could happen! In the last 15 minutes a man has walked past twice at a range so close that I could kick him, a boy was amazed that I was using a computer, and the same man that was staring at me (Ashley thought he was in love) has passed us by twice. The invasion of personal space and the constant staring has become a normal thing for me since I have been in Asia. In order to be comfortable with all of this you must come with the right perspective. The first time I came to Japan, I failed. This second trip turned out to be a much better experience.

I am not sure if I can describe the moment when Ashley and I discovered it was a national holiday in Japan on Monday morning. We were 30 minutes into our second journey to Japan when the guard at the Korean consulate pointed to a sign that told us the consulate was closed. Our reaction was not frustration, but joy! I still remember coming back to the hotel excited that we would get to spend one more day in Japan. I am not sure if I would have reacted the same way when we came a month ago. This time, I knew that Japan was going to be expensive, so I prepared mentally for that. Although the school had not researched the Japanese holidays very well, they did take care of us. They rebooked the flight and extended the hotel stay another night. I am very thankful to have a school that would watch after us.

Most people might think that we have bad luck or have a curse because all of this stuff keeps happening while we are trying to get our visas. Well guess what- I have my visa and I got a three day vacation with my wife! With all of the schoolwork we have to do, the extension of our trip to Japan was a gift from God.

Since we had a day to kill, we took advantage of our time and took a trip south to Nagasaki. Yes, this is the same city that the U.S. dropped an atomic bomb on. The bomb was dropped only 66 years ago. How do you recover from something that completely leveled 1/3 of a city destroying steel factories, schools, hospitals, businesses and most importantly people? It was hard to swallow the fact that the country I was from was responsible for so much destruction. After touring the Atomic Bomb Museum, walking through the Peace Park and seeing this beautiful city many of my thoughts about Japan, Korea, and the U.S. have changed.

Many of my students seem to express their anger for all things relating to Japan because from 1910-1945 Japan invaded and colonized Korea. While living here in Korea, I have heard claims by the Korean people that the Japanese forced Korean men and women to learn the Japanese language, to work in labor camps, and many women were forced to sleep with Japanese men. Many of these claims are true and I read a news article that discussed how just recently (within the last 10 years) Japanese comic books were permitted to be sold in Seoul. I was also shocked to learn that a large number of Koreans had been moved to Japan for labor purposes and many thousand of them died in Nagasaki when the atomic bomb went off. Many Koreans ask for an apology from Japan and claim that no apology has been given for the 35 years of colonization. After finding a monument made for the Korean people with an apology written I thought I would show it to my class. They have told me they just want an apology, but would that really satisfy them?

After showing them the monument constructed for the Koreans who died in the blast, they said it was not enough. I knew this would be the case, but maybe this helped them realize something. Would an apology from Japan really heal their family wounds? Would they ever truly forgive the Japanese people for what they have done? Being a white American I have not had to experience another country oppressing my race. Maybe I don’t understand, but can we justify hate? Do two wrongs make something right? We can try and justify hate, but if we do, the the cycle will never end. With each new experience that I encounter I feel that I am learning more and more about the love and forgiveness that God shows us. When Jesus died on the cross at the hands of men, he had every right to show hate to those that put him on the cross. Instead he chose to forgive their sins and love them. I want to live my life like this.

At 11:02 am on 8/9/1945 the atomic bomb exploded 500 meters above this spot. The black stone monolith marks the hypocenter. This is located in the International Peace Park.

The child in this sculpture is supposed to represent Japan on the day of the atomic bombing, while the mother represents the support provided by the countries of the world in Japan's efforts to rebuild the nation into a peaceful nation.

This is the size of the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki, nicknamed "Fatman."

The fountain is in the shape of a pair of wings, meant to evoke the dove of peace and the crane after which Nagasaki harbor has been named, because of its similarity to the shape of the harbor.

Words from the Sculptor:

After experiencing that nightmarish war,
that blood-curdling carnage,
that unendurable horror,
Who could walk away without praying for peace?
This statue was created as a signpost in the struggle for global harmony.
Standing 10 m tall, it conveys the profundity of knowledge and the beauty of health and virility.
The right hand points to the atomic bomb, the left hand points to peace,
and the face prays deeply for the victims of war.
Transcending the barriers of race and evoking the qualities of both Buddha and God,
it is a symbol of the greatest determination
ever known in the history of Nagasaki
and of the highest hope of all mankind.
-Seibo Kitamura
Spring 1955