Witnessing the atomic bombing of Hiroshima

Mother's immigration to U.S. as a treaty merchant Ransacking of family home by FBI following the bombing of Pearl Harbor Witnessing father's arrest through a child's eyes Memories of trip to Japan on the exchange ships Living in Japan during the war, preparing for U.S. bombings Witnessing the atomic bombing of Hiroshima Participating in military drills in school in Japan during the war Hearing anti-American war propaganda from a teacher The hardships of life in Japan during World War II

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And it was soon after that that Hiroshima was bombed. And, but that was the time that we didn't know what it was. But it was the most beautiful -- in the morning; it was the most beautiful orangey, pinkie, red. I mean, there was... I don't know what you call it. The whole sight was beautiful. Only to hear that it was a atomic bomb, all the buildings burning. Now we didn't see the cloud, but it was the skyline that was all red. But it was after you... hearing what had happened, it makes you choke to think that... and we didn't have any relatives living in Hiroshima so it didn't touch you to that degree, but however, the enormity of it all, we didn't know.

Date: August 3 & 4, 2003
Location: Washington, US
Interviewer: Alice Ito
Contributed by: Denshō: The Japanese American Legacy Project.

atomic bomb bombing hiroshima