Hiroshima History

When I got off the shinkansen in Hiroshima last Monday, I had no idea what to expect. Like most people, all I knew of the city was that it was the site of the 1st ever atomic bomb. A bomb dropped by my home country no less. I debated whether or not I should be Canadian for these 4 days. Through a bit of research beforehand (and common sense), I knew the city itself would be a memorial to that fateful August 6, 1945. My travel buddy, Jeff, and I were there to see Peace Memorial Park, Peace Memorial Museum, the A-Dome and a few other attractions centered around peace. Hiroshima had a totally different vibe than Tokyo. It was more laid back, in a sense more free thinking, and I felt like I saw more opinions and individualism than I do in Tokyo. The city was definitely peace themed. And can we blame them? If you had an atomic bomb dropped on you, you'd no doubt be pushin peace too. 

Travelers.

[The A-Dome]

a.k.a. The Atomic Dome

Before.

“This building was complete in April of 1915 under the design and super vision of Czech architect Jan Letzel, 

capturing the fancy of the citizens of Hiroshima with its characteristic green dome. The atomic bomb exploded at an 

altitude of 580 meters, approximately 160 meters southeast of the Industrial Promotion Hall, instantly killing everyone

inside the building which was seriously damaged and completely burned out. In December 1996 the structure was added to 

the UNESCO World Heritage List as a reminder to the entire world of the horrors of the atomic bomb and a symbol of 

global peace.”

-taken from the placard outside the dome

After.

                                                              

                                                                     [Sadako Sasaki Memorial]

                                                                             Sadako Sasaki

January 7, 1943 – October 25, 1955 

“Sadako Sasaki was a Japanese girl who was two years old when the atomic bomb was dropped on August 6, 1945, near her home by Misasa Bridge in Hiroshima, Japan. Sadako is remembered through the story of attempting to fold a thousand origami cranes before her death, and is to this day a symbol of innocent victims of war.”

-from Wikipedia.

Sadako Sasaki`s wiki page is worth reading.

The memorial consists of a statue of Sadako and sets and sets of 1,000 paper cranes folded by kids from all over the world. It was powerful to say the least.

[Peace Memorial Park]

That is the A-Dome in the background.
That flame represents the presence of nuclear weapons.
It will be extinguished once they are eradicated.

[Hypnocenter] 

“Carried to Hiroshima from Tinian Island by the Enola Gay, a U.S. Army B-29 bomber, the first atomic bomb used in the history of humankind exploded approximately 580 meters above this spot. The city below was hit by heat rays of approximately 3,000 to 4,000 degrees Celsius along with a blast wind and radiation. Most people in the area lost their lives instantly. The time was 8:15am, August 6, 1945.” 

-taken from the placard at the Hypnocenter

“View from the devastation looking north from the hypocenter,
November 1945. ” 
* It was raining the day we visited site, adds a unique element to this photo I think.

[Peace Memorial Museum]

Wise words from Pope John Paul II.

Before.

After.
The A-Dome is the building still standing next to the river, and
the white card on the left hand side shows the hypnocenter.

Letters of Protest.
Every time their is any sort of nuclear testing done anywhere in the world,
the mayor of Hiroshima writes a letter of protest. The museum had the hundreds
of letters covering 4 or 5 walls, top to bottom.

Letter of Protest to the U.S.
This one is from 1991, but I did see one to Obama.

Before.

After.
The little red dot on the white paper is where the museum is located.

Something to think about.

Annual Peace Memorial Ceremony.

Mayors for Peace.
Mayors around the world that have vowed to end nuclear war.

Appalled and thought provoked, 

Kate

[The Latest]

Dusk at Peace Park.
Modern day Hiroshima in the foreground. History in the background.

Tunes

Last Sunday I met up with a few friends and friends of friends, to travel the two or so hours to a music festival. It was a last minute decision on my part, but turned out to me one of the best ones I made all weekend. 

The festival was hosted in the beach town of Oiso, a bit past Yokohama. It turned out to be pleasantly warm that day, and it was the first time I had felt hot in about 6 months. 

Such a treat!

Always good to be next to the water.

Debs & Kate.

Debs & a visiting Morgan.

Entertainment Enhancers.

The Charlatans. 

Great friends, music, food, drinks and weather made for a great day. 

Skirts, dresses and shorts are upon us!

Tuned Out,
Kate

[The Latest]

Must Read: Can Tokyo Learn from the American Political `Matsuri`?...from CNN.

Google Search: Beate Sirota

Tune: The Only One I Know By The Charlatans. 

Accomplishment: Getting back into blogging.
Obsessions: The Girl Who Played With Fire.

Moonshine

Hello all! I apologize for the lack of blogging, but it has been golden week over here, which means a few national holidays in a row. I had off work for the last week and took a mini vacation to Hiroshima (more to come), and spent the remainder of my time in and around Tokyo, playing and exploring.

I have so much to share, but until I can get my pictures organized, I thought I would leave you with one of my favorites from the other night at Ueno Park. 

The moon was stunning to say the least. 

Shining Bright in the Night,
Kate

[The Latest]

Must Read: Japan Shuts Down Last Nuclear Reactor...from CNN.

Google Search: Matchstick Men movie.

Tune: What Makes You Beautiful By One Direction. 

Accomplishment: A successful trip to Hiroshima.
Obsessions: Skirts. Its finally gotten warm enough for skirts and sandals and I am loving every minute of it.

IKEA Mishap

This past weekend I had big Sunday plans to head to one of my all time favorite stores, IKEA. My friend Debs wanted new sheets and I wanted a \100 hot dog. 

We had a date.

Though we live only a few minutes away, we live on different train lines, meaning our routes to IKEA would different. So, we opted to meet there. What seemed like a smart decision at the time, turned out to be the most detrimental one we made all day. 

I got there first and headed to get coffee and wait for Debs, finishing a chapter of my book in the process. When she arrived, I made my way over to IKEA, calling her when I got there. 

 “I'm in bedding,” she reported.

I went to bedding. 

Didn't see her. Called her.

“Nooooo, I'm in bedding in the market place,” she clarified via text.

Went downstairs to the marketplace.

Again, didn't see her. Called.

“Oh, I wandered a bit, let me back track. Stay put.”

I did as I was told. 

We had about 20 minutes more of back and forths trying to find each other. 

Next to lights, under the yellow sign, next to the wall stickers, in mirrors.

She stated once that she was next to the bathroom in home furnishings. 

I looked around and didn't see one, then asked if she had built it herself while she was waiting for me.

I was starting hate IKEA.

Finally, I asked what station she got off at. 

She reported a different one than I had used, though was quick to clarify that it was next 

to LaLaPort (a big mall) and on the same Musashino Line I had used.

Carts, Carts, Carts.

“Ok, then lets try this again, head to check out,” I said.

She did. Where she called to report that she was under a yellow sign.

I didn't have a yellow sign.

I exhaled in frustration.

“I give up,” she said.

“Are we at different IKEAs?” I offered.

Though thinking that wasn't possible. The others in the country are hours away. 

I pulled up IKEAs Japan locations and saw that their was one alternative possibility she could 

have gone too, though it was on the other side of Tokyo. I used her location via the app we were 

chatting through, and brought it up on MAPS.

I laughed out loud right there in patio furniture.

We were at different IKEAs.

Worst hang out session we've ever had.

Kate-Green
Debs-Red

IKEA Failed,
Kate

Rain Proof

It appears, that before we can make the full transition into sunny spring days, we need to get through a few wet ones first. Seemingly every other day or so, we're getting dumped on. Heavy rain. ALL day. I am a big fan of rainy nights with a candle and a movie, but it's the getting up in the morning that's a killer. Why would I want to get up when it's raining and I'm all snugly?? 

But I do. Making coffee, while I get my stuff together and wash my face. I get dressed, trying my best to look remotely sophisticated. When it is finally time to walk out the door, I slip into my knee high rain-boots and pull over my rockin, pink, rain-proof onezie.
Thus, completely negating any sophistication.
I may not be sophisticated but I'm ready for the bike ride to work. 

Bring it on rain.

Rained On, 

Kate

[The Latest]

Must Read: Chernobyl Expert Takes A Look At Tohoku`s Trees...from The Japan Times.

Google Search: The Artist movie..

Tune: That's Entertainment By The Jam. 

Accomplishment: Finishing A Visit From the Goon Squad.
Obsessions: Candle from Anthropologie.

Pick Me Up

I had few sad moments this weekend, missing my Dad.

 I swear it happens at the most random times...folding laundry?? watching a Will Ferrell movie??

After reminiscing and shedding a few tears, I felt a lot better. 

On that note, here are a few things that consistently make me smile. 

This Quote...

This FREINDS Clip...

Joey's answer has me on the floor every time.

This Richard Avedon photo...

I have it in postcard form.

This Song...

Real Girl By Mutya Buena

Glass half-full, 

Kate

[The Latest]

Must Read: Inside China's Murder Mystery Hotel...from CNN.

Google Search: IKEA Japan Locations.

Tune: You Got Me By Colbie Caillat. 

Accomplishment: A sparkling clean apartment.
Obsessions: The Artist Movie.

Dinner And A Kimono

A few nights ago I was invited over to Kyoko's home for dinner. Kyoko is in the English conversation class I lead. She had invited myself and fellow ALT Kyle over, excited for us to meet her daughter Nori, and share in her cooking and some general conversation. 

 Kyle and I were greeted at the door by 30 year old Nori, currently living in Australia, just home for a bit to visit Mom and Dad. Kyle and I smiled trying to put our best face forward, as the rest of us look rather pathetic. We had biked 20 minutes, uphill, in a sudden downpour, accessorized by thunder and lightening, to get to their home.
The storm of course stopped minutes after we arrived.

We dried off a bit and started chatting. Talking to Nori about her boyfriend in Australia, and the fact that she went to the elementary school where Kyle is now teaching. While we waited for Nori's father to come home from work so we could eat, Kyoko asked if I wanted to put on a kimono. I wasn't completely dry, nor did I feel remotely attractive biking in a downpour will humble anyone, real fast but I was here and she was ready, so why the hell not.

She took me to an adjoining room with the different parts of the kimono laid out. I looked at the 10 or so different pieces and wondered if anyone could ever put this on, on their own. Kyoko chatted with me during the roughly 20 minutes it took to get me dressed. I watched her as she picked up each piece with care, then thought, tied, adjusted, thought, and tightened the various clothing items. I asked if people were able to do this on their own, or if they needed to have help. She explained that professionals could probably dress themselves, but the average person needed at least one extra pair of hands. I completely understood why. 

When we were finally done, I stepped in front of a full length mirror and stared back at myself. Despite my wet hair, and make-up less face, I felt surprisingly beautiful. The kimono, though not entirely comfortable, was extremely flattering. While I usually slouch in my standard jeans and a t-shirt, I was now standing stick straight with the best posture I'd had in years. I was aware of every move I made as I glided around the house, taking pictures in various poses. 

Kyoko explained that the kimono had been her mother's who had purchased it in Hokkaido, the northernmost island in Japan. Apparently, her mother, herself and her daughter Nori, had worn it on their Coming of Age Day. Coming of Age Day is an annual holiday in January, where anyone who has turned 20 in the past year gets dressed in traditional Japanese garments and visits a shrine or prefectual office for a ceremony, celebrating adulthood. 

Kyoko went to the bookshelf, then came over and handed me a picture. 

It was a picture of herself taken on her Coming of Age Day.

She was striking.

Kyoko.
circa 1970

Kate.
2012

Kyoko & Kate
Can you see Kyoko in the background?
We did take a picture together, but I don't have a copy of it. 

 Then it was time for dinner. I went back where my jeans and t-shirt were thrown on the floor. What took 20 minutes to put on, took 2 to take off. In a second I was back to Kate from California. I sat down at the table and did my best to sit up straight as I reached for my chopsticks.

Standing tall in jeans and a t-shirt, 

Kate

[The Latest]

Must Read: The Story of Obama`s Kenyan Sister...from The Root via Slate.com.

Google Search: Jackson Pollock in Tokyo.

Tune: Call Me Maybe By Carly Rae Jepson. I'm obsessed with this song, even though it makes me feel 13.

Accomplishment: Sticking with, A Visit From the Goon Squad.
Obsessions: Vanilla Tea.