1. A-bombed Nettle Tree
Now, we are standing at the place
Where everything starts.
“We shall not repeat the evil three times.”
This is the starting point of the promise.
The place of the warning to human beings:
Hiroshima.
Explanation
The nettle tree is 1.1 km. from the hypocenter. As it stood on the grounds of the Hiroshima Army Hospital, it has a huge hollow caused by the A-bombing. The tree once revived and grew, but it eventually died in 1988. Then a chemical treatment was applied to the tree and preserved it.
Beside the tree stands an explanatory board made by Motomachi Elementary School children. It reads as follows:
In 1988 fresh green did not come out of this nettle tree, and the following year, regrettably, it was recognized to be dead. However, a new life was found growing by the dead tree. Now the second-generation tree was planted in our school grounds, too, and we are observing its growth. Then, in November 1993, the A-bombed nettle tree was cut down, leaving only its bottom part.
The nettle tree, that taught us the preciousness of life and peace at the cost of its own life, is now sleeping in peace.
The tree is dead now, but we are still observing it and keep the surrounding clean. We took over the spirit of our seniors' activities. On our peace studies day, the first graders study about Hiroshima' s Nettle Tree and make a trip to this place. We will keep our wish for peace and continue to pass on what the tree taught us.
Kurotaro Kurosaka, a kocarina performer, once had a concert in Hiroshima. At that time a high school student gave a piece of wood to him and said, “The A-bomb nettle tree died. I would like you to make a kocarina out of this and play peace songs with it.” Mr. Kurosaka is now actively giving peace concerts with his hand-made, A-bombed kocarina.
Location : Former Army Hospital Site, Motomachi, Naka-ku