US artist crafts replacement for stolen Sadako statueーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS

Key Concepts

• Children’s Peace Monument: A memorial in Hiroshima dedicated to the children who died due to the atomic bombing.
• Sasaki Sadako: A victim of the Hiroshima atomic bombing who died of leukemia at age 12; she became a global symbol of peace through her effort to fold 1,000 paper cranes.
• Radiation Exposure: The long-term health impact on survivors (hibakusha) and their families, including the father of the artist, Saya Moriyasu.
• Symbolism of Peace: The use of paper cranes and resilient nature (ginkgo trees) as icons of hope and recovery.
• Restorative Art: The process of recreating a stolen public monument to restore community healing and historical memory.

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1. The Mission of Saya Moriyasu

Saya Moriyasu, a Seattle-based artist of Japanese descent, traveled to Hiroshima to undertake a significant project: recreating the bronze statue of Sasaki Sadako that was stolen from a park in Seattle in July 2024. The original statue had been cut off above the ankles. Moriyasu’s personal connection to the city is rooted in her father’s history; he was exposed to radiation while searching for family members in Hiroshima shortly after the 1945 bombing. Her goal is to complete the new statue by August 6, 2025, marking the 82nd anniversary of the bombing.

2. Historical Context and Research

To prepare for the sculpture, Moriyasu engaged in deep research to understand the reality of the children affected by the bomb:

• Primary Sources: She visited a local elementary school’s Peace Museum, where she viewed handwritten messages from people searching for loved ones and artifacts—such as pottery and glass—melted by the intense heat of the blast.
• Technical Perspective: As an artist working with ceramics and glass, Moriyasu noted the visceral horror of seeing materials melted by the bomb, stating, "I know how hot that is to make things melt. We should never bomb people."

3. Personalizing the Subject: The Memory of Sadako

Moriyasu met with Kawano Tomiko, an 83-year-old former classmate of Sadako, to capture the essence of the girl behind the symbol.

• Characterization: Tomiko described Sadako as a "cheerful, lively, and incredibly energetic" child who excelled in foot races and wore her hair in braids.
• Artistic Intent: Moriyasu aims to move beyond the image of a sick child. She intends to depict a "happy, free, and no-war Sadako," imagining a life where the bombing never occurred.

4. Design and Methodology of the New Statue

The new monument is designed to be a site of reflection and joy rather than just tragedy:

• Visual Elements: The statue will feature Sadako in a kimono with her hair in braids, smiling with arms spread wide, holding paper cranes.
• Environmental Integration: Moriyasu plans to surround the statue with sculptures modeled after the leaves of ginkgo trees—a species known for its rapid regrowth after the war—to symbolize resilience and brightness.
• Inclusion: The design will incorporate remaining pieces of the original stolen statue, bridging the past with the new creation.
• Public Space: The installation will include benches to encourage visitors to sit and reflect, transforming the site into a "warm, beautiful park."

5. Key Arguments and Perspectives

• The Universal Need for Peace: Moriyasu argues that the monument should represent the fundamental right of all children to be "free and happy."
• Cross-Cultural Solidarity: Tomiko expressed deep gratitude that individuals outside of Japan are actively working to preserve the memory of Sadako, highlighting the global reach of the peace movement.
• Art as Witness: By recreating the statue, Moriyasu is not merely replacing a stolen object; she is actively participating in the ongoing work of peace-building in Hiroshima, ensuring that the narrative of the victims remains focused on their humanity rather than just their suffering.

Synthesis

The project led by Saya Moriyasu serves as a powerful intersection of personal heritage, historical trauma, and restorative art. By shifting the focus from the tragedy of Sadako’s death to the vibrancy of her life, Moriyasu aims to create a monument that fosters hope. The integration of natural symbols like the ginkgo tree and the collaborative effort with survivors like Kawano Tomiko underscore a commitment to ensuring that the memory of the atomic bombing serves as a catalyst for global peace and the protection of children’s futures.