Woke up this morning at 7 PM. Birds singing outside of my window woke me up. Beautiful day - crisp and while slightly cloudy, bright. We're heading to Peace Memorial Park today - site of where the atomic bomb detonated over Hiroshima. After some pushups and some slight work on the webpage, shower, eat and head off.
We arrive in Peace Memorial Park - the train station is just in front of the Atomic Bomb Dome, very near the hypocenter (the place on the ground where the bomb detonated). We then proceed through the park to various memorials, such as Children of Hiroshima memorial and the Eternal Flame, before heading to the Peace Museum.
Once inside, we are shown thousands of everyday items and everyday people transformed by the atomic bomb into something monstrous. I am struck by a desperate need to apologize, to make better, to heal - yet there is no one to whom I could apologize and have it have meaning. Nor am I able to apologize in general: I was born there, yet I had no hand in the A-Bomb. An emptiness inside, a deep sorrow.
This osoroshii (horrible) feeling lasts until we have okonomiyaki - a type of Japanese pancake, a specialty of Hiroshima. It is delicious and incredibly filling. Also, for the first time, I have the opportunity to joke with the man who cooks the food - in Japanese, no less - a smile and belly of laughter to go with the meal.
After lunch, we headed to Shukkeien, a beautiful Japanese garden. I am struck deeply by the dichotomy in Japan - this beautiful land they once had, still majestic, yet marred - and these amazing, tightly designed garden spaces hidden inside the city. We literally walked through the gates, back one hundred years and into unspoiled wilderness. The giant koi were truly giant, some longer than my arm. The kame (turtles) were abundant. This garden, literally named "shrink-scenery garden", is supposedly a miniturized landscape of Xihu (West Lake) in Hangzhou, China. There are indeed many tiny versions of giant structures - beaches, mountains, islands, and vast forests.
After visiting Shukkeien, we go to Hiroshimajo - Hiroshima Castle. Throughly modern inside, it is a nice museum showcasing Hiroshima's history. The largest attraction for myself is both the view from the top and the collection of weapons inside. The have a fine collection of katana, yari, naginata, and other blades, along with the history of each. There is a stunning ceremonial yari tip as well.
From Hiroshimajo, we went to the (mall). I purchased a few gifts for friends at home, things you can't find in the states. I also purchased a yukata, a thin cotton robe, excellent for general daily activities. After having a quick cup of coffee, we came home.
The HIT students made dinner for us tonight, somen noodles. It was delicious! In fact, it was a great party. We then hung out for a while, and then headed to bed.