boom of the 'shrooms

a woman's kimono permanently burnt into her body

Today marks the 72nd anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima. In 2012 while I was visiting Japan, we had decided spontaneously to make a day trip to Hiroshima on July 1. The museum documenting one of the most disastrous civilian repercussions of wartime is the most impactful one I have visited. I have only learned about the event through the eyes of the American history books, and had not known that Project Manhattan had originally targeted Germany, but with the timing of Germany's surrender, the U.S. leaders made a decision to use the bombs that they had been developing on an alternative target.

There are different perspectives as to whether the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were even necessary for Japan's surrender. Despite its location, the museum did a wonderful effort in its attempts to portray the events as objective as possible. There were stories of the few individuals who were unfortunate to be at both Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the wrong times. The monument serves as a reminder of the outcomes of evil and the sacrifices for peace. 

Many cultures and/or ethnic or religious groups would normally use events such as this or the American internment camps for Japanese Americans as foundations for continued hatred, bitterness and evil; however, there is something special about the Japanese that results in a lot of order and collective society throughout its country (similar to the Incas in rock 'n roll), the high number of centenarians, and the low birth rate (face of the girl (part 4)). I had heard anecdotes of kindness from many who had lived and visited there, including drunk people passed out on the streets waking up to see their belongings in tact and lined up out of the way of being stomped on by unobservant walkers.

Yesterday the United Nations Security Council unanimously passed the strictest sanctions against any country as retaliation for North Korea's nuclear program and ballistic missiles tests, ultimately squeezing a third of its exports earnings, investments and overseas workers. Between mounting tensions with ISIS, hot-tempered POTUS, narcissistic dictator and aeons of history, one can hope that we have all learned from the decisions made from our past and evolve to not repeat the same mistakes on our road to enlightenment.

* * * * *

Sadako Sasaki was only 2 years-old when she was exposed to radiation from the bombing of Hiroshima. She spent most of her young life in and out hospitals, battling leukemia. When she was 12, she embarked on a journey to make a thousand cranes.

Stemming from an ancient Japanese legend, it is thought that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes would be granted a wish from the gods. Some believe that one would further have eternal good luck, happiness and long life or health. Cranes, like dragons, are mythical creatures that live for a thousand years.

It is rumored that Sadako did not complete her mission before her death on October 25, 1955; however, classmates contributed their own cranes to eventually complete her goal. According to her family and classmates though, she did complete her goal (plus some) on her own before her death. Unfortunately, her wish to live was not granted. The museum still houses these cranes along with a statue of her holding a crane in the Hiroshima Peace Park, serving as reminder of peace, hope and love. Perhaps her wish was for all of us to live and make the most of 'now'.