Nagasaki: Peace Park

Saturday, 5th April, 2014.

Junko took us by streetcar to the Nagasaki Peace Park.

 

Some facts about the bombing of Nagasaki, from a plaque in the park.

 

The park could be approached by a large escalator …..

 

….. or floral staircase.

 

At the base of the escalator were some of the 193 bomb shelters which were in existence in Nagasaki during WW2.

 

Looking down the staircase.

 

Frances reads about the Fountain of Peace.

 

From the sign.

 

The Fountain of Peace, shaped like the wings of a dove.  Through the wings, you can see the Nagasaki Peace Sculpture.

 

Fountain of Peace from the side.

 

Looking back through the fountain towards the entrance.

 

The Nagasaki Peace Park is presided over by the 10 tonne bronze Nagasaki Peace Statue designed in 1955 by Kitamura Seibo. 

 

 

“Words from the Sculptor” of the Nagasaki Peace Sculpture.

 

 

Foundations of the nearest public building to the atomic explosion.  The building was completely destroyed.

 

The Peace Park includes the Peace Symbol Zone, a sculpture Garden with contributions on the theme of peace from around the world:

 

 

 

 

“The Triumph of Life over Death.”

 

 

There is also a Children’s Peace Monument, complete with paper cranes from children all over the world.

 

Golden crane on the top of the Children’s Peace Monument.

 

Cherry blossom in the park.

While we were in the park, it seemed to grow colder.  I had deliberately come out without gloves (such a nuisance for trying to take pictures!) and now my hands were so cold they were acutely painful.  Carol kindly lent me her gloves, insisting her hands were not cold.  I accepted gratefully, but left the park feeling chilled to the bone in more ways than one.