Hiroshima Japan

JAPAN

SOME SCENES FROM AROUND JAPAN.

Heated seat, spray-back front, low-high in our hotel in Tokyo.

6C floating torii gate. Gates are free-standing and mark the entrance to a shrine.

Owners of a small restaurant in Kyoto, a lovely couple.




Heaven! A bowl of Wendy's chili and a
Frosty.










Our hotel in Hiroshima, one block from train station.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

140,000 people killed by the initial A-Bomb blast. The bomb detonated 1900 feet above the Shima Surgical Clinic. There was total destruction within a one-mile radius. 90% of Hiroshima buildings were damaged or completely destroyed. The A-Bomb Dome was the only building left standing.

People evaporated within the one-mile radius; further away people were burned in the pattern of their clothing. The darker the fabric, the more serious were the burns.

The target was the Aioi Bridge, 800 feet from the actual site, the Shima Surgical Clinic. The building between the bridge and clinic was an Industrial Promotion Hall. It is now called the A-Bomb Dome.

The bomb was a 9,700 pound uranium bomb. Bells ring every day at 8:15am.

Children’s Peace Monument dedicated to the child victims of the A-Bomb. The base is filled with thousands of origami cranes that are being sent from all over the world. The monument is reaching to God for the souls of children and is covered with doves of peace.

Peace Bell-visitors are encouraged to ring the bell for world peace.

Japan controlled Korea. Jobless Koreans were forced through conscription to go to Japan to work. Turtle monument dedicated to the 45,000 Koreans who died in Hiroshima. The inscription reads, “Souls of the dead ride to heaven on the backs of turtles.”

Because of the labor shortage during WWII, the Japanese government enacted the Student Labor Service Act in 1944. The act covered middle school and older children to work in the munitions factories. Of the 8,400 students, 6,300 died on August 6 1945. This is a memorial tower to their memory.

Burial mound of the ashes of 70,000 unidentified victims who died on August 6. Many bodies evaporated and left a dark image on the cement where people had stood.

Plaque:

This monument was created in the hope that Hiroshima, devastated by the world’s first atomic bomb on 6 August 1945, would be rebuilt as a city of peace.

Epitaph:
Let all the souls here rest in peace that we shall not repeat the evil.

It summons people everywhere to pray for the repose of the souls of the deceased A-Bomb victims and to join in the pledge never to repeat the evil of war.

It thus expresses the heart of Hiroshima which during the past had great and overcoming hatred. Here’s to the realization of true world peace and the coexistence and prosperity of all human kind.

This monument is also called “A Bomb Cenotaph”. The stone chest or cenotaph in the center contains the register of the deceased A-Bomb victims. Engraved is “Repose ye in Peace, for the error shall not be repeated.”

This is an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

China 2000

We went to China in February for a wedding but had a bonus of being there right after the Chinese New Year, a month-long celebration. Also at this time is the Lantern Festival where we saw hundreds of red lanterns hanging from doorways, etc. in every city we visited.

The year 2000 was a new decade, new century, new millennium. AND it was the year of the dragon. All highly important to the Chinese people. They looked forward to it with great anticipation and planned many births for the year, for the child would most certainly be fortunate visited China for a wedding in Shanghai in February 2000. We extended our stay to also visit Beijing, Xi'an and Sozhou. We could not have timed our vacation better. Right after the Chinese New Year meant the celebrations were still happening and the towns were glorious with their decorations. It also coincided with the Lantern Festival. Red lanterns were hanging in all store fronts, on street lights and anywhere else the people could find. Hope you enjoy our trip as much as we did.

SHANGHAI

Our hotel, the modern Sofitel and the modern Shanghai skyline on the Huang Pu River (Wong Fu River):





From our hotel window:








Tea House used in the movie "Teahouse of the
August Moon" Note the water. During Chinese
New Year it looks like this:




















Selling cooked rice on the street corner.






Suzhou (Sujhou)

From Shanghai, we took a tour to Suzhou in a mini-bus. The roads were OK and the roadside interesting with all the small farms along the
way.










22 layers of single thread silk. This embroidery was so soft it looked real.



Two sided embroidery, a peacock on one side and tiger on the other. Done with one needle, two threads.





Worker keeping her tea hot.


Making a silk quilt.

Mu’en Protestant Church. Largest Protestant church in Shanghai and Kelly and Todd were members. There are 30 smaller Protestant Churches in Shanghai and over 120,000 Christians. This church was closed during the 1966-76 “Cultural Revolution”, was the first to resume activity in 1979.

The hall holds 1,000 people and is often packed on Sundays. 5,000 members. Billy Graham has visited.

XI'AN

We flew to Xi’an (She-ann) to see the Terra Cotta Warriors and discovered so much more. Our guide spoke freely about the “one-child” policy. She told us about Northwest Air adoption packages including air, hotel, adoption processing, etc. Most adoptions are baby girls because of the importance of having a son to take care of parents in their old age.

In the hotel lobby.

Xi’an is a walled city. The entire wall was filled with decorations, animation, people and animals, music. Beautiful colors.

TERRA COTTA WARRIORS

Built by the first emperor of China beginning in 246 BC. His protection in the afterlife. Long forgotten and covered with soil. Discovered by a farmer in 1974.

Chinese officials have no idea how large it is, but to date over four acres have been unearthed. The problem for further excavation is money.

8,000 warriors; 130 chariots; 520 horses; 150 cavalry; 10,000 bronze weapons. 5’11’’ tall painted with bright colors. Every one is different.

Yes, there is a gift shop to
purchase whatever size you want.

1987 UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.

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