Hiroshima - A story of survival, loss and forgiveness after the atomic bomb | DW Documentary

Key Concepts:

• Hiroshima bombing: The atomic bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945.
• Resilience: The ability to recover quickly from difficulties.
• Forgiveness: The act of pardoning someone for an offense.
• Hibakusha: Japanese term for the survivors of the atomic bombings.
• Family Legacy: The history and traditions of a family passed down through generations.
• Loss and Gain: The idea that loss can lead to unexpected gains or opportunities.

The Story of Ako Mikamo's Father: A Hiroshima Survivor

Early Life and the Bombing:

• Ako Mikamo recounts the story of his father, a survivor of the Hiroshima bombing, emphasizing themes of resilience and forgiveness.
• On August 6, 1945, Ako's father, then a young boy named Shinji, was helping his father prepare their house for demolition as mandated by the government to create firebreaks.
• At 8:15 a.m., the atomic bomb detonated. Shinji was exposed to a "gigantic fireball," experiencing searing pain and being thrown into darkness.
• He describes the immediate aftermath: skin hanging off, people shrieking, and Hiroshima transformed into "a gigantic pit of ash and rubble."
• Shinji and his father sought refuge in the river to escape the approaching fire, witnessing horrific scenes of people dying.
• They experienced "black rain," radioactive fallout that contaminated the area.

Survival and the Search for Help:

• The next day, Shinji and his father sought medical help at the East Army Drill Ground, encountering countless injured and dying people.
• Shinji describes the excruciating pain and his wish for death, his only concern being his father's survival.
• At the drill ground, a soldier poured cleansing liquid over Shinji's burns, offering a moment of relief.
• Shinji became separated from his father and experienced intense despair before finding him again.
• They spent the night amidst the groans and moans of the injured, with Shinji's father offering silent comfort.

Aftermath and Separation:

• Shinji and his father were taken to a broken warehouse, where a family offered them shelter and miso soup, which sparked a realization in Shinji that he was still alive.
• They were then transported to Kango Bank, hoping for medical attention, but found only more suffering.
• Shinji's best friend, Tero, found them and arranged for transportation to an elementary school outside the city.
• Shinji was later transferred to a military facility for treatment, while his father had to stay behind. This separation was difficult for Shinji, who felt his father had carried him through the ordeal.

Recovery and Illness:

• Shinji was moved between temporary shelters, suffering from bedsores and unable to move on his own.
• A kind woman provided him with pillows, an act of kindness that felt like salvation.
• Shinji developed a sickness related to the bombing, with high white blood cell counts and a constant fever.
• He witnessed nurses giving shots to terminally ill patients, who would die the next morning, and feared he would receive the same treatment.
• One evening, a nurse approached him with a syringe, but he survived the night and his fever broke.

The Search for Family and Identity:

• After being discharged from the hospital, Shinji returned to the site of his former home, searching for any sign of his family.
• He found his father's pocket watch, rusted and burned, with the hands fused at 8:15 a.m., marking the moment of the explosion.
• The discovery confirmed his father's death and brought a wave of grief.
• The loss of his family left Shinji feeling like "a street rat without family ties," facing social and economic discrimination.
• He was denied housing and loans due to his lack of family connections.

The Stolen Watch and Unexpected Gains:

• Years later, the pocket watch was stolen from a peace exhibit, causing Ako Mikamo to feel enraged.
• His father advised him not to be angry or hateful, stating that "when you lose something, you gain something."
• Following media coverage of the stolen watch, distant relatives and old acquaintances of Shinji's grandfather contacted him.
• They provided old photos and documents, allowing him to reconstruct his family tree 15 generations back.
• This rediscovery of his family legacy restored his sense of identity and belonging.

"You lose something, you gain something."

• Shinji's father's words proved true, as the loss of the watch led to the recovery of his family history.
• The story emphasizes the importance of resilience, forgiveness, and the unexpected opportunities that can arise from loss.

Conclusion:

Ako Mikamo's father's story is a testament to the human spirit's ability to endure unimaginable suffering and find hope in the face of despair. It highlights the importance of family, forgiveness, and the idea that even in the darkest of times, unexpected gains can emerge from loss. The story serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of war and the enduring power of resilience.