Hiroshima Peace Memorial

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Hiroshima Peace Memorial
(Genbaku Dome) *
Gambaku Dome of Hiroshima.jpg
Ruin of Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall
Country Japan
Type Cultural
Criteria vi
Reference 775
Region ** Asia-Pacific
Inscription history
Inscription 1996 (20th Session)
* Name as inscribed on World Heritage List
** Region as classified by UNESCO

Hiroshima Peace Memorial, commonly called the Atomic Bomb Dome or A-Bomb Dome (原爆ドーム Genbaku Dōmu?), in Hiroshima, Japan, is part of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. The ruin serves as a memorial to the people who were killed in the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. Over 70,000 people were killed instantly, and another 70,000 suffered fatal injuries from the radiation.

Contents

[edit] History

The building was designed by the Czech architect, Jan Letzel. It was completed in April 1915 and was named the Hiroshima Prefectural Commercial Exhibition (HMI). It was opened formally to the public in August that year. In 1921 the name was changed to the Hiroshima Prefectural Products Exhibition Hall, and again in 1933, to the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall. The dome atop the building had an elliptical planform.

[edit] Atomic bombing

The Genbaku Dome amidst the devastation in October 1945. Photograph by Shigeo Hayashi, one of two photographers attached to the academic survey teams.[1]

At 8:15 on August 6, 1945, Little Boy — the first atomic bomb to be used in war — detonated almost directly above the dome. Because of the downward force of the blast at least some of the building managed to stay intact. The center of the blast was displaced 490 feet (150 m) horizontally and 1,968 feet (600 m) vertically from the dome, having slightly missed the original target (the distinctive "T"-shaped Aioi Bridge),[citation needed]. Everyone inside the building was killed instantly.[2]

The Genbaku Dome, originally close to Shima Surgical Clinic was initially scheduled to be demolished with the rest of the ruins, but the fact that it mostly was intact delayed these plans. As Hiroshima was rebuilt around the dome, it became a subject of controversy — some locals wanted it torn down, while others wanted to preserve it as a memorial of the bombing.[3]

In 1966 Hiroshima City declared that it intended to preserve the structure — now termed "A-Bomb Dome" — indefinitely.[citation needed] Funds were sought locally and internationally. As of July 2011, the A-Bomb Dome has undergone two minor preservation projects to stabilize the ruin.

In December 1996 the A-Bomb Dome was registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List based on the Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. China had reservations regarding the confirmation of the memorial as a World Heritage Site and the delegate of the United States to the World Heritage Committee dissociated himself from the decision. China cited the possibility that the monument could be used to downplay the fact that the victim countries of Japan's aggression suffered the greatest losses of life during the war, while the United States asserted that having a memorial to a war site would omit the necessary historical context.[4]

[edit] Panorama

180° view of Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. The Genbaku Dome can be seen in the center left of the image. The original target for the bomb was the "T"-shaped Aioi Bridge seen in the left of the image.

[edit] Gallery

  • Products Exhibition Hall in its original condition (ca. 1921–1933)

  • Hall, taken from Motoyasu Bridge (ca. 1921–1933)

  • Nighttime photograph, 1921

  • Citizens of the city pass by the Hiroshima Peace Memorial on their way to a memorial ceremony on August 6, 2004

  • The dome, photo taken from the southwest side

  • Distant view of the dome; shot is taken from the Aioi bridge

  • Side view of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial

  • Close up of the dome

  • Dome with plaque

  • Peace Dome, then and now

  • A-Bomb Dome in 2007

  • A-Bomb Dome at night

  • A-Bomb Dome at night

  • Origami cranes

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Let's look at the Special Exhibit : Hiroshima on October 5,1945". Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. http://www.pcf.city.hiroshima.jp/virtual/VirtualMuseum_e/exhibit_e/exh0702_e/exh070201_e.html#01. Retrieved 15 August 2010. 
  2. ^ Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall Memorial Plaque
  3. ^ Hiroshima Peace Museum
  4. ^ WH Committee: Report of the 20th Session, Merida 1996

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome)

Coordinates: 34°23′43.7″N 132°27′12.7″E / 34.395472°N 132.453528°E / 34.395472; 132.453528
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