..April 2010.. ..Nagasaki..
“…It came so suddenly…we really didn’t feel pain…”
Mr. Katsuji Yoshida, about August 9th, 1945
Earlier today atomic bomb Survivor Mr. Katsuji Yoshida passed away from lung cancer.
In September 2008, I had the honor of meeting and photographing Yoshida-san for my From Above exhibition. Yoshida-san was very close to epicenter of the atomic bombing when it detonated over Nagasaki, probably 500m-1000m. He was one of the only Survivors that close to the epicenter.
The impact of the blast threw him face first into a wet rice field. Landing in the softness of the mud probably saved his life. He was badly injured and spent many months in the hospital. For 66 years, he would be in and out of the hospital dealing with injuries and illness caused by radiation exposure.
When I met him, he was very fragile but his spirit was still young and vibrant. He couldn’t be photographed outdoors because the sun was to harsh for his skin. As he walked through the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum people would stop and Bow. He would speak to anyone who greeted him.
Yoshida-san dedicated his life to speaking about the horrors of the atomic bomb and the discrimination he overcame throughout his life being an Hibakusha. He traveled around the world speaking to anyone.
It was an honor meeting and photographing him. An experience I will never forget. The world has lost an important Human Being.
I will post the journal entries of Yoshida-san over the next couple of days.
Tags: From Above, Hibakusha, Katsuji Yoshida, Nagasaki
Thank you for posting about Yoshida-san. I also had the honor of meeting him, in 2009. I work as a research assistant for an author writing a book about Hibakusha in Nagasaki, and Yoshida-san is one of five who will be profiled in her book. (You can see an essay adapted from the book at http://www.hungermtn.org/afterlife/)
He was a wonderful, funny, vibrant man and I am saddened that no one else will have the opportunity to meet him. I would love to see the photos that you took of him for your exhibition, can you let me know how I might view them? I also look forward to reading your journal entries as you post them.
The world has indeed lost a very important person. You should be very proud of the fact that his story, as well as those of many others, will continue to live on and be told to people all over the world through your photos.
Paule,
Congratulations on your exhibition and your stunning photos. I know that the staff and visitors at the Nagasaki Peace Museum will enjoy them. Taniguchi-san is also an amazing individual and the author I work for has interviewed him several times. Your photo of him seems to truly capture his spirit.
Best,
Robin