Greg Cook recounts the tale of 700 post-Bomb photos of Hiroshima that the owner of the Deluxe Towne Diner in Watertown found in somebody's trash while walking his dog in 2000.
Have been to Hiroshima several times and sat in the right field bleachers of a Hiroshima Carp game that overlooks the ruins of the A bomb dome in the photo - it stands exactly that way today as a reminder in the middle of an otherwise modern and bustling city. The Hiroshima Peace Museum is an extraordinary display of very difficult subject matter - if any of you have a chance to be in Japan it's a bit out of the way but well worth the effort.
Also grew up in the NY town next to where Mr. Corsbie died - interesting how the photos surfaced in Mass so many years later.
Michael - this was some time ago (mid 1980s) so maybe they upgraded but generally I thought that the Hiroshima museum was infinitely better presented - I recall our discussion being that Nagasaki had a higher gore factor but Hiroshima had a more balanced and educational presentation. That said - traveling around Japan is easy and often very scenic by train so it would be a nice trip depending on what you want to see - though a bit expensive especially at today's exchange rates.
if you are heading out that way and want to chat, email me through UH and I'll send you my phone offline if you want some ideas/thoughts. I lived in Japan for 2 years, used to travel there half a dozen times a year and have been fortunate to have traveled a huge chunk of the country. The other thing not to miss if you are on your way out there is the Himeji castle - real easy - you get off the train in Himeji on the way to Hiroshima and it's right out the north side of the station - maybe a mile at most. Truly impressive structure. Happy to chat if you want any suggestions.
In our two weeks in Japan, my wife and I got to see bits of Osaka and environs, Wakayama (Koya-san), Nara and Kyoto. We didn't even put a dent in Kansai exploration. It would take decades, I suspect, to _really_ explore Japan. ;~}
We traveled by local transit (public and private -- including a cute little electric streetcar in Osaka), local trains and local buses -- and never got lost. Having English station announcements helped....
If we had had a few days more we would have visited a hot springs resort (Kinosaki) and Hiroshima.
Always felt Japan was probably the most overlooked vacation destination in the world - fascinating culture, cool architecture (the older stuff - postwar varies from bland to bizarre) and spectacular scenery. Unfortunately the cost can be prohibitive.
Sounds like you know your way around so have fun but drop me a line if you want any thoughts - if you get there - take in a baseball game - very different atmosphere and interesting perspective on the culture - I sat in the upper right field bleachers overlooking the peace park and the A Bomb dome (we were the only people there with literally about a thousand empty seats around us - but 5 Japanese businessmen came and asked us to move because they said we were in their seats - I figured I was on candid camera but they were really serious! When in Japan - don't break the rules!) Hope you get there - enjoy.
Comments
Remarkable story
Thanks so much for linking to this.
Ditto Michael's comment
Have been to Hiroshima several times and sat in the right field bleachers of a Hiroshima Carp game that overlooks the ruins of the A bomb dome in the photo - it stands exactly that way today as a reminder in the middle of an otherwise modern and bustling city. The Hiroshima Peace Museum is an extraordinary display of very difficult subject matter - if any of you have a chance to be in Japan it's a bit out of the way but well worth the effort.
Also grew up in the NY town next to where Mr. Corsbie died - interesting how the photos surfaced in Mass so many years later.
Great story and great save! Thanks for posting.
Hiroshima is on my travel agenda
Health and finances permitting, either next year or the year after.
Did you also get to Nagasaki?
Yes
Michael - this was some time ago (mid 1980s) so maybe they upgraded but generally I thought that the Hiroshima museum was infinitely better presented - I recall our discussion being that Nagasaki had a higher gore factor but Hiroshima had a more balanced and educational presentation. That said - traveling around Japan is easy and often very scenic by train so it would be a nice trip depending on what you want to see - though a bit expensive especially at today's exchange rates.
if you are heading out that way and want to chat, email me through UH and I'll send you my phone offline if you want some ideas/thoughts. I lived in Japan for 2 years, used to travel there half a dozen times a year and have been fortunate to have traveled a huge chunk of the country. The other thing not to miss if you are on your way out there is the Himeji castle - real easy - you get off the train in Himeji on the way to Hiroshima and it's right out the north side of the station - maybe a mile at most. Truly impressive structure. Happy to chat if you want any suggestions.
Saw and loved Himeji Castle
I even have some pictures of it on Facebook. ;~}
In our two weeks in Japan, my wife and I got to see bits of Osaka and environs, Wakayama (Koya-san), Nara and Kyoto. We didn't even put a dent in Kansai exploration. It would take decades, I suspect, to _really_ explore Japan. ;~}
We traveled by local transit (public and private -- including a cute little electric streetcar in Osaka), local trains and local buses -- and never got lost. Having English station announcements helped....
If we had had a few days more we would have visited a hot springs resort (Kinosaki) and Hiroshima.
Great opportunity
Always felt Japan was probably the most overlooked vacation destination in the world - fascinating culture, cool architecture (the older stuff - postwar varies from bland to bizarre) and spectacular scenery. Unfortunately the cost can be prohibitive.
Sounds like you know your way around so have fun but drop me a line if you want any thoughts - if you get there - take in a baseball game - very different atmosphere and interesting perspective on the culture - I sat in the upper right field bleachers overlooking the peace park and the A Bomb dome (we were the only people there with literally about a thousand empty seats around us - but 5 Japanese businessmen came and asked us to move because they said we were in their seats - I figured I was on candid camera but they were really serious! When in Japan - don't break the rules!) Hope you get there - enjoy.