High school students in Hiroshima have completed artworks based on accounts given by atomic-bomb survivors in an effort to pass on the victims’ memories to future generations.
The works were shown to a group of atomic bomb survivors, known as hibakusha, on Friday.
Each year, students of Motomachi High School in the city create artworks inspired by the experiences of the hibakusha. This year, 15 works were completed based on accounts of six atomic-bomb survivors.
Hashimoto Ichigo, a third-year student at the school, made a painting inspired by the experience of Naito Shingo, an 86-year-old hibakusha.
Naito was 6 years old when he was exposed to the atomic bomb radiation. He lost his father and four siblings shortly after the bombing. His mother also died eight years later.
The work depicts Naito and his family members walking toward a first-aid station after the bombing. Naito is shown guiding his father, who was blinded by the blast, by pulling on a wooden stick they both are holding. His father’s palms were the only parts of him that were not burned. It also depicts Naito’s mother carrying his younger brother and sister under both her arms.
Naito said the painting well described how desperate he was to bring his father to the first-aid center as soon as he could.
Hashimoto said she hopes her work will help people realize that atomic-bomb victims tried hard to survive.
The works will be on display at the International Conference Center Hiroshima in the Peace Memorial Park in the city from August 6 to 20.