..June 2010..
Hibakusha, atomic bomb Survivor, Mr. Masatoshi Tsunenari and Tokyo fire bombing Survivor Ms. Haruyo Nihei a block away from the epicenter where the atomic bomb was detonated in Nagasaki.
Ms. Haruyo Nihei, a Tokyo fire bombing Survivor I photographed for the original From Above series, accompanied the exhibition when it was shown at the Nagasaki Peace Museum during June/July 2010. She wanted to tell her story of surviving the 3/10 fire bombing of Tokyo to an atomic bomb Survivor.
Hibakusha Mr. Tsunenari agreed meet Ms. Nihei in Nagasaki. It was an amazing moment to see them listen and exchange stories. Tragic moments in time that changed their lives instantly.
It was the highlight of my trip to Nagasaki. I was proud the exhibition was shown at the Nagasaki Peace Museum. But to see the feelings of Ms. Nihei, it’s what I want From Above to be about. A project that eclipses my photos and allows others to reach out to one another. Seeing Mr. Tsunenari listen to and accept Ms. Nihei’s story of the 3/10 Tokyo fire bombings was moving. I believe it was a great feeling of relief to Ms. Nihei to be able to share her story.
Many of the 3/10 Survivors don’t get the recognition as others. The event is swept away as a side note in the history books and society. On March 10, 1945 more people died in Tokyo, during one night, than in both atomic bombings combined.
From Above is my continuing series of portraits about atomic bomb Survivors and fire bombing survivors from Tokyo and Dresden. There are also events happening around the photo exhibition.
From Above
February 10th-28th, 2011
Ortsamt Blasewitz
Naumannstraße 5
010309 Dresden
Germany
Sad news, Mr. Hisanobu Murozono passed away earlier this week.
He is the 3rd atomic bomb Survivor (Hibakusha), who has passed away since I started photographing From Above. The 2nd Hibakusha this month to pass, 2 weeks after the passing of Ms. Yamashita.
I interviewed and photographed Mr. Murozuno during the first visit to Nagasaki in September 2009. His smile was unforgettable. He was bigger than most of Hibakusha who I photographed. I’ll always remember the great cowboy style tie (two thin black ropes around a ornament) he wore.
A documentary shot by Community Media about my portrait project From Above. The project concentrates on the lives of Hibakusha (atomic bomb Survivors) and Tokyo fire bombing Survivors. It was shown at Gallery EF in Tokyo during March 2009 and at the Nagasaki Peace Museum during July 2010.
..July 2010 One legged torii gate at the Sanno Shinto Shrine in Nagasaki..
Hidden under the camphor trees on top of the hill. A piece of the world that survived the unthinkable.
I stumbled upon this interesting multimedia project by Isai Hashimoto. It shows the location of the 2,053 nuclear explosions that have occurred around the world from 1945-1998. http://www.ctbto.org/specials/1945-1998-by-isao-hashimoto/
Copy of an article written by Tetsu Morii in Nishi Nippon newspaper appearing August 3rd, 2010. The article covers a photo session I did with Nagasaki Hibakusha Mr. Senji Yamaguchi.
Throughout his life Mr. Yamaguchi has been a dedicated Hibakusha activist. He is know by many from a photograph taken of his upper body showing keloid scars.
In 1982, he addressed a UN Special Session on Disarmament. Mr. Yamaguchi tirelessly traveled the world speaking to anyone who wanted to hear about the horrors of nuclear weapons.
I photographed Mr. Yamaguchi while in Nagasaki for the From Above photo exhibition. It was an unexpected opportunity. One of those great surprises.
He is in very fragile condition. But still has a sharp mind and understanding of current events. He hasn’t left his home much in 7 years. I greatly appreciate the invitation from his wife, Sachiko, to meet Mr. Yamaguchi.
I enjoyed the 40 minutes photographing and speaking with him. I will never forget. He is probably the most impressive person I’ve ever photographed.
Mr. Takahara Itaru is a Nagasaki Hibakusha. He survived the fire bombing of Tokyo on March 10th, 1945. He returned home to Nagasaki and witnessed the atomic bomb being dropped on August 9th, 1945.
Takahara-san is a very well know photojournalist in Japan. During the years after the atomic bomb, he documented what was lost in the city. He just published a book Nagasaki Urakami Cathedral, 1945-1958: An Atomic Bomb Relic Lost. His photos document the remains of the Urakami Cathedral after the atomic bomb destroyed the largest church in East Asia.
His photos span the 13 years after the atomic bomb, showing how the Christians continued to worship and tried to maintain some of the damaged relics. The closing photos show members of the parish clearing away the strong stoic remains of the heavily destroyed cathedral. To make way for the new cathedral.
I was very lucky to photograph Takahara-san at my exhibition in the Nagasaki Peace Museum.
