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From Hiroshima to New York: Survivors of the 1945 A-Bombing of Hiroshima Discuss Their Experiences, Paper Cranes & 9/11
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From Hiroshima to New York: Survivors of the 1945 A-Bombing of Hiroshima Discuss Their Experiences, Paper Cranes & 9/11
On June 13, 2009, Masahiro Sasaki and Tsugio Ito discussed their memories of the bombing of Hiroshima and its meaning and impact on their lives with a group of teachers visiting from New York.
Mr. Sasaki, who was four years old when the bomb was dropped on August 6, 1945, did not suffer any injuries. However, his sister, Sadako, developed leukemia and passed away 10 years later at the age of 12. Sadako, who became one of the inspirations for the anti-nuclear movement in Japan, has had versions of her story chronicled in many books, including the popular children's picture book Sadako and 1000 Cranes. Mr. Sasaki tells the story of his sister and its meaning, and shares one of the cranes his sister made, in this lecture.
Mr. Ito, who was ten years old at the time of the bombing, lost his older brother shortly after the bomb fell. Tragically, on September 11, 2001, Mr. Ito lost his oldest son in the attacks on the World Trade Center. Speaking publicly about these events for only the second time in his life, Mr. Ito shares these stories and their meaning to him.
Thought Questions:
1. How have Mr. Sasaki and Mr. Ito dealt with tragedy and loss?
2. What do you think their motivation is for sharing these stories? What do you think their messges are?
3. How might the ages of Mr. Sasaki and Mr. Ito influence their memories of Hiroshima and its aftermath?
4. If you could ask Mr. Sasaki or Mr. Ito a question, what would it be? Why? (Please share it below.)
We would like to acknowledge the Tribute WTC Visitor Center for their cooperation in making these resources available.
Additional Resources
Hibakusha Testimony as Oral History: Thoughts for Teachers by James Orr.
Essay providing insight into ways to approach and discuss atomic bomb survivors' testimonies in the classroom.
"Hiroshima: History, City, Event" by Scott O'Bryan
Brief article placing the bombing of Hiroshima within the larger context of the history of the city.
Globablizing Peace Teachers Toolkit
Interviews with Mr. Sasaki and Mr. Ito with associated teaching materials from the Tibute WTC Vistor Center Website.
Orr, James. The Victim as Hero: Ideologies of Peace and National Identity in Postwar Japan. University of Hawaii Press, 2001.
This book analyzes the development of the anti-nuclear movement in Japan, placing the story of Sadako and the thousand paper cranes within a broader historical context.
Coerr, Eleanor. Sadako and the thousand paper cranes. Putnam Juvenile, 1999.
Picture book depicting a slightly fictionalized account of the story of Sadako that is very popular with elementary school students.
Education Programs are made possible by generous funding from The Freeman Foundation.
Additional support is provided by The Norinchukin Foundation, Inc., Chris A. Wachenheim, Joshua N. Solomon, Jon T. Hutcheson, Lesley Nan Haberman, Joshua S. Levine and Nozomi Terao.
About Japan: A Teacher’s Resource is generously funded, in part, by a three-year grant from the International Research and Studies (IRS) Program in the Office of Postsecondary Education, U.S. Department of Education (P017A100018).
Student and Family Programs are supported by the New York City
Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.
