..July 2019.. ..Hiroshima..
I’m honored to have my photograph of Setsuko Thurlow on the cover of her autobiography.
Mrs. Thurlow is an hibakusha, atomic bomb survivor, from Hiroshima.
She rececently had the honor of receiving the Nobel Peace Prize when it was awarded to ICAN for their work on the nuclear weapons ban. Mrs. Thurlow has dedicated her life to the abolition of nuclear weapons.
Earlier this week I received the sad news that atomic bomb survivor Mrs. Kazu Sueishi passed away almost two years ago. I had photographed her in 2010 when she visited New York City high school and university students. My time with Mrs. Sueishi was short but her message of peace was everlasting.
Mrs. Sueishi’s father was from Hiroshima Prefecture and became a merchant in California. Kazu was born in the Pasadena but her family moved back to Japan in the 1920’s when she was still young.
When the atomic
bomb exploded over Hiroshima Kazu was eighteen years old. The family
lived a little over a mile away from the hypocenter. She suffered
permanent injuries when pieces of wood flew into and stuck in leg.
Twelve years after the bombing Kazu traveled to the United States and married a second-generation
Japanese-American. She lived the last 50 years of her life mostly in Los Angeles.
She had to travel to back to Hiroshima whenever her health worsened
because she was denied medical coverage in the United States until she
qualified for public health insurance at the age of 65.
I
received the sad news that Mrs. Miyoko Matsubara passed away on
February 10th, 2018. I met her in 2010 through Koko Tanimoto-Kondo.
They were childhood friends because Koko’s father, Rev. Tanimoto, took
care of many children who were injured by the atomic bomb.
Mrs.
Matsubara was 12 years old when the atomic bomb destroyed Hiroshima.
Her story details the hard life during and after the war and the passion
she derived from living
through those years. The atomic bomb left her severely burned with
keloid scars covering most of the body. She experienced discrimination
because of her appearance. In 1953 she was selected to be part of the
Hiroshima Maidens program which made it possible for her to have
corrective and cosmetic surgeries.
After
Mrs. Matsubara dedicated her life to peace activism and helping other
victims of war cope with the aftermath. She raised her elder brother’s
three young children when he and his wife passed away.
My
memories of the afternoon I spent with Mrs. Matsubara will be that she
was always affable. Her spirit instantly brightened the room. She had
suffered a stroke a couple of years prior but made it a priority to
practice speaking English in the mirror so she didn’t lose her motor
skills. She spoke to me in perfect English.
That
afternoon was my only time with Mrs. Matsubara. I still remember all
the details vividly because she left a permanent impression. She always
had this glow about her. I feel lucky to have the opportunity to call
her my friend.
..November 2010.. ..Hiroshima..
“I did not even think I had been saved.
I was filled with hate for a long time.
But now, I devote my life to telling others my story.
It is my responsibility to teach younger generations
about the dignity of life and the importance of peace.”
-Suzuko Numata, Hiroshima atomic bomb survivor
