Unauthorized duplication, reprinting, or use of the photos and other materials on this site is
prohibited.
MORISHITA Ittetsu
His photographs include victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Taking these photos over a period of many years has been one of the starting points for his own life. In 1981, his work “Hibakusha” was awarded the Grand Prize at the international Recording Art Photo Contest, entitled “People and Peace” which was held to mark the sixtieth anniversary of the founding of the Soviet Union.
This is a view of the Fukuryu Maru No.5 before it was placed in the memorial hall. On March 1, 1954, the United States conducted the hydrogen bomb test at Bikini Atoll. Nearby, a fishing boat named the Fukuryu Maru No.5 was showered by the fallout.
This third nuclear -related disaster (following the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings) shocked the entire nation of Japan. On a positive note, it also helped the “Movement against A & H Bombs” spread throughout the world.
The hull of the Fukuryu Maru No.5 was discovered in 1968, practically abandoned, in Yumeno-shima, and a campaign was launched to preserve it. The boat is now being preserved by the Tokyo metropolitan government.
Every year, many people, including students on school excursions, visit the boat.
(1976,Yumenoshima,Tokyo)
The white specks in her eyes are atomic cataracts.
A sharp pain runs through her body constantly, causing her to distort her eyebrows.
(1977, Eba, Hiroshima MORISHITA Ittesu)
FUJIWARA Motoyo 1894-1989/Hiroshima Hibakusha When the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Ms.FUJIWARA, who was helping to evacuate the city, was working near the Fukuya department store, 600 meters from the hypocenter. Her five-year-old daughter and seventeen-year-old son died one month after the bombing. After that, she was alone and working hard, until becoming ill at the age of 91. In this photo, you can see scars and burns on her arms and hands; they caused her much pain, especially in winter. (1977,Hakushima,Hiroshima MORISHITA Ittetsu)
In July 1956, John Smitherman participated in the American hydrogen bomb test on Bikini Atoll in the Pacific, as a U.S. Navy sailor. Ten hours after the explosion, he landed by boat on an island not far from the hypocenter. He stayed on the island for 20 days putting out fires, without any mask or protective suit. He ate food, drank water, and washed his clothes. One month later, he developed malignant lymphomas on both of his lower legs, and was moved from hospital to hospital, but was discharged from service without being cured. The condition of his legs only worsened. In 1976, his left leg had to be amputated, a year later he lost his right leg, and in 1982 he was told that his left arm would have to be amputated as well. Smitherman then decided to come to Japan, where the treatment of victims of radiation was advanced. He continued to call for the U.S. government to recognize that his illness was caused by the nuclear test. (1982,Saitama Kyodo Hospital MORISHITA Ittesu)
"Hibakusha around the World" in Hiroshima
The photo exhibition "Not Only Hiroshima and Nagasaki: Hibakusha around the World" at the former Bank of Japan Hiroshima Branch, an A-bombed building, was visited by approximately 3,500 people from Hiroshima and those who visited Hiroshima during Golden Week during the exhibition period from April 26 to May 8, 2024.
We were impressed by the high level of interest shown by visitors, many of whom eagerly looked at the approximately 130 photos, including those of the special exhibit "Abandoned Hibakusha" (photo by Takashi Ito), while reading the explanations of each photo.
In addition, "Prayer Songs - Songs of the Expanse and the Abyss of the Heart," which was held during the period as a project of the co-sponsor, MIZUNOTE General Foundation, featured wonderful performances and music by artists and the Hiroshima Chorus who participated from various parts of the country, as a requiem for those who died and a prayer for peace. It was a wonderful time to share our thoughts and feelings for peace.
Through this photo exhibition, We realized that even in Hiroshima, where the atomic bomb was dropped, hibakusha around the world are surprisingly little known. We realized that even in peace education, people learn about Hiroshima and Nagasaki, but not so much about the Hibakusha around the world, and I felt once again the importance of conveying the message of "Hibakusha around the world".
We would like to take this opportunity to further promote our efforts to make the photos from the World Hibakusha Exhibition come to life.
Thank you all for your continued support.
You can use photos of A-bomb survivors in messages related to Ukraine
We know that the Russian attack on nuclear power plants in Ukraine and nuclear threats are causing many of you to feel an unprecedented sense of urgency.
Although we, too, feel helpless, we have been thinking about what we can do as a non-profit organization, the World Hibakusha Exhibition, and have decided to provide you with a symbolic photographs.
These photographs, titled "Hibakusha: Hatsuko Tominaga" and "Hibakusha: Motoyo Fujiwara," are the work of Ittetsu Morishita, a photographer who took photographs of Hibakusha in Hiroshima and Nagasaki for nearly half a century and died last year. Ittetsu Morishita founded the World Hibakusha Exhibition 20 years ago with the aim of raising public opinion for a nuclear-free world.
The following two photographs are provided.
Photo 1: TOMINAGA Hatsuko
1914-2002/Hiroshima Hibakusha
The white specks in her eyes are atomic cataracts.
A sharp pain runs through her body constantly, causing her to distort her eyebrows.
(1977, Eba, Hiroshima MORISHITA Ittetsu)
Photo 2: FUJIWARA Motoyo
1894-1989/Hiroshima Hibakusha
When the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Ms.FUJIWARA, who was helping to evacuate the city, was working near the Fukuya department store, 600 meters from the hypocenter.
Her five-year-old daughter and seventeen-year-old son died one month after the bombing. After that, she was alone and working hard, until becoming ill at the age of 91.
In this photo, you can see scars and burns on her arms and hands; they caused her much pain, especially in winter.
(1977, Hakushima, Hiroshima MORISHITA Ittetsu)
These photos, along with "Stop attacks on nuclear power plants!", "Don't use nuclear weapons!", "Don't threaten with nuclear weapons.", and "Peace in We thought that by having messages such as "Ukraine!" used together, we could contribute to sending a strong message around the world.
These photos are representative of a series of photos of A-bomb survivors that won the Grand Prix for the Peace and Nationality Award in the International Documentary Art Photo Contest "Humanity and Peace" to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the USSR.
I would like to think that it was some kind of mistake to use works that were appreciated by the Russian people on these occasions, but I am sure that many of the Russian people never wanted war either.
We, with all people, would like to overcome the nuclear crisis and see peace return to Ukraine.
If you wish to use them, please download the photos below.
We hope that these photos, which are filled with the thoughts and feelings of the Hibakusha, will be of some help to you.
