Just for Fun No C&C will be given: Hiroshima, Japan

[Damien Paul]

I welcome critiques when I ask for them, but in this thread, critiques of the photos detract from what the story that the photo sequence is about - I don't necessarily want 'just nice comments' - I wished for, perhaps naively, a discussion of the subject of the photos (=Hiroshima and surrounds). This is why I chose the 'Just Sharing' prefix.

However, real-life is giving me the evil eye - got to get back into it.

 

[Asher Kelman]

I welcome critiques when I ask for them, but in this thread, critiques of the photos detract from what the story that the photo sequence is about - I don't necessarily want 'just nice comments' - I wished for, perhaps naively, a discussion of the subject of the photos (=Hiroshima and surrounds). This is why I chose the 'Just Sharing' prefix.

However, real-life is giving me the evil eye - got to get back into it.

Damien,

I kid you not, if you had asked for no discussion on the association of Hiroshima with the nuclear explosion, we'd have respected that. However, you chose to show a fired skeleton of a concrete dome of a building that's a memorial! Each of us is educated. All of us are trained to respond to conversations. Your conversation if obviously about "Hiroshima destroyed by an Atomic bomb" and the fact that it's now rebuilt and has a memorial to the thousands killed.

It's not that you merely show a picture of a rose garden!

Asher

 

[Damien Paul]

I chose the bombed out building as it is an iconic landmark to Hiroshima (as per many tourist brochures).

My conversation is about Hiroshima the city, the main drawcards (for better or worse) is the A-Bomb Dome, Museum and Peace Park. Also there is Hiroshima castle - which I did not get time to go to. My words are merely the reflections that come from seeing these places up close. Personal reflections, nothing more.

In no way am I supporting what Japan did during the war, as mentioned earlier in this thread - the Memorial Park - all elements of it - including the Children's memorial, including the shattered building, including the Cenotaph are an enduring lesson to the Japanese (and anyone else for that matter) of the consequences of a nation's atrocities as an aggressor in war and a devotion for WORLD PEACE - incidently, these are not my words, they are quoted from within the museum.

Also, if you had noticed that I have also posted images of 2 very distinct localities, Miyajima and Iwakuni - neither of which has anything to do with the Atomic bombing.

In fact, in the Miyajima set, there is a World Heritage Site - a part of Japan still as a primeval forest, and a temple from the 1200's...

Then there is Iwakuni, with an unsual bridge harking from the time of the samurai...

But I am just repeating myself.

Oh and I NEVER said I was leaving for good - don't assume that leaving for a while means anything other than 'for a while', I said and I quote:

However, real-life is giving me the evil eye - got to get back into it.

 

[Asher Kelman]

Damien,

I'm glad, albeit with some rockiness, we did enter into this area with you. I't's patchwork represents the beauty and civilized, the ancient and the new with the tragic and horrific sides of mankind. Here, as you demonstrate so vividly, it's all packed in to a relatively small area.

It's not you we argue with but the many open wounds which haven not yet healed. Your pictures were good enough to vividly being us with you on this fascinating and even gripping travelog.

Asher

 

[Asher Kelman]

Hi Damien,

I have tightened up the category of "Just sharing" so what's shared for fun is not the basis for surprisingly serious debate!

Asher

 

[Asher Kelman]

A change of pace occurred this afternoon, when I went to the ancient island of Miyajima.

Miyajima was founded by a monk around 1200AD and still has all of its pristine forest intact.

The island also boasts large populations of pamphlet eating fearless wild deer and lunch stealing monkeys - the monkeys were hiding, but the deer were out and about.. and well, being lazy like these two:

Some of these pictures have broken links!

One of the remarkable sites in Miyajima is the Oh-Torii Gate:

Damien Igoe: Oh-Torii Gates, Miyajima, Japan​

At high tide, these gates have the appearance of floating.

Damien,

This is a beautiful structure. To my untrained eye, it looks like a Japanese writing character. The color is magnificent so it's obviously well maintained. How old is it?

Asher

 

[Rachel Foster]

Yes, it is a beautiful structure.

 

[Doug Kerr]

Hi, Damien,

This is why I chose the 'Just Sharing' prefix.

Sure.

Note, however, that due to an anomaly in the forum software, when one goes to respond to a message. in the index shows that prefix, the prefix that is displayed is " Just for Fun No C&C will be given" (I think a superseded wording for the "same" prefix.)

I have called this to the attention of the forum proprietor, but I don't think there has been any follow up.

Best regards,

Doug

 

[Asher Kelman]

Hi, Damien,


Sure.

Note, however, that due to an anomaly in the forum software, when one goes to respond to a message. in the index shows that prefix, the prefix that is displayed is " Just for Fun No C&C will be given" (I think a superseded wording for the "same" prefix.)

I have called this to the attention of the forum proprietor, but I don't think there has been any follow up.

Best regards,

Doug

Mea Culpa!

The original prefixes have changed, Doug! So we're discussing labels that are no longer used. In OPF, we've always had freedom of discussion. That's our nature. The prefixes can be discussed elsewhere in the current open thread. This present thread is now just for for the fun of experiencing Damien's interesting picture which he is generously sharing.

Asher

 

[Asher Kelman]

Yes, it is a testament to the waste of lives, of culture, of potential from war.

One true story I read when I first moved to Japan, was the story about the schoolgirl Sadako Sasaki - who died t the age of 12 as a result of radiation induced leukhaemia when she was 12.

Before she died, she endeavoured to fold 1000 paper cranes following the ancient Japanese belief that if you do, your wish will be granted - she only made it to 644... her classmates made 1000 and buried them with her.

Every year, students and teachers (such as myself) fold as many paper cranes as we can - literally millions are folded from all over Japan and sent to the Children's Memorial in the Hiroshima Peace Park, in memory of Sadako and all the other children lost:
I'll admit, to stand there before the memorial was far more moving than I expected - I am not ashamed to admit that I shed a tear.

Damien Igoe: Forever Young - Fly free Sadako​

Damien,

This must be a powerful experience. I wonder what's at the base of this remarkable work. Are these hands of visitors or more of the sculpture? I was surprised by the crucifix shape behind her. Regardless of her religion it add a powerful idea of sacrifice for the future good of the community. I wish I could see the entire base too with the people.

Asher

 

[Doug Kerr]

Hi, Asher,

The prefixes can be discussed elsewhere in the current open thread.

Go ahead. I've said there what I think needs to be said. I'm just waiting to hear what will be done about it.

This present thread is now just for for the fun of experiencing Damien's interesting picture which he is generously sharing.

Excuse the hell out of me.

D