Hiroshima Teens Use Art to Share Atomic Bomb Horrors

Preserving Painful Memories Through Art

In the aftermath of the 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima, five-year-old Masaki Hironaka walked hand-in-hand with his mother through the devastation. The experience left an indelible mark on him, one that would remain vivid for decades. Today, at 80 years old, Hironaka’s memories have been transformed into powerful visual narratives by Japanese high school students.

Motomachi High School in Hiroshima has maintained a unique tradition for nearly two decades: its art students interview hibakusha (atomic bomb survivors) and translate their harrowing testimonies into paintings. This year’s collection features 15 new artworks that capture the horror and resilience of those who lived through the catastrophe. Among these are depictions of scorched soldiers writhing in pain and terrified children surrounded by flames.

One particularly moving piece captures a young Hironaka looking up at his mother as they traverse the smoldering ruins of Hiroshima on August 10, 1945. Days earlier, his father had returned home with severe burns, asking his son to remove a glass shard embedded in his flesh. Tragically, he passed away soon after. In the painting, Hironaka’s mother is shown cradling her younger daughter while murmuring her fears to her surviving child.

“I was filled with a strong determination to help and support my mother, despite being just a child,” Hironaka reflected. “That moment was unforgettable.”

The project originated as part of an initiative by the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, which has now amassed over 200 artworks depicting the bombing’s aftermath. With each passing year, fewer survivors remain to share their stories firsthand. Current data indicates that fewer than 100,000 survivors remain, with an average age of 86.

“This sense of urgency drives our work,” explained Aoi Fukumoto, a former student who participated in the program. “We may be the last generation able to hear these stories directly from survivors.”

Students often faced emotional challenges while creating these pieces. Mei Honda, 18, described the difficulty of portraying charred skin and burned flesh accurately. Her painting depicts a woman drinking water, her arms positioned carefully to reflect the reality of burn injuries. Similarly, Yumeko Onoue meticulously revised her depiction of soot-covered pumpkins based on Hironaka’s recollections of the radioactive “black rain” that followed the blast.

Hana Takasago, whose artwork immortalizes Hironaka’s journey with his mother, initially struggled to convey the depth of emotion in the scene. After feedback from Hironaka himself, she adjusted the characters’ gazes to better express the inner turmoil of a grieving widow determined to protect her children.

“Before this project, the impact of the atomic bomb felt distant to me,” Takasago admitted. “Now I understand that I can no longer remain a passive observer.”

Through this ongoing collaboration between generations, Motomachi High School continues to ensure that the lessons of history endure. The artworks serve not only as memorials but as urgent reminders of humanity’s capacity for both destruction and compassion. As survivor numbers dwindle, these visual testimonies become increasingly vital in preserving the truth for future generations.