Hiroshima ( 広島市)

Hiroshima was always perceived as a victimized place, a place of resistance, strength, dignity and pride for Japan. What happened in Hiroshima will last forever; the tragedy will always be remembered, however, the city has got a very interesting history worth to know and admire.

Little ones, Do not be silent, speak up To fight against the adults all over the world Who are trying to bring about war Spring out shouting "Hey!" With loud clear voices Your round eyes shining And open your arms Free to hug everyone Give an embrace that will bring back Tears of good to everyone's heart Then spring at them all over the world Shouting, "We are the boys and girls, The Children of Hiroshima!"

You Who weep although you have no ducts for tears Who cry although you have no lips for words Who wish to clasp Although you have no skin to touch You Limbs twitching, oozing blood and foul secretions Eyes all puffed-up slits of white Tatters of underwear Your only clothing now Yet with no thought of shame Ah! How fresh and lovely you all were A flash of time ago When you were school girls, a flash ago Who could believe it now?

Hiroshima is a wonderful spot, it is scarcely known that the most of the city had been underwater in Prehistoric times, the sea reached the Ota river and went deep into curved land forming a bay. In the Middle Ages, the Hiroshima bay (district) thrived, Jokyu War marked the new era of transformations, the new shogu – so called – the governor of Aki Province founded an impressive Kanayama Castle. The area in the vicinity of the castle started developing rapidly, merchandise was booming, social and political life found its place just right there.

During that period lots of powerful clans appeared, Namboku-cho period was very violent; new allies between shoguns emerged, some of them were finished;  the Takeda clan made alliance with the Mori, Kikkawa, Kumagai – to please and show unity to shogun Takauji Ashigawa. All mentioned clans above brutally eased any form of rebellion of other clans which were opposed to shogunate.  The Takeda clan lost the final battle to acclaim the power, the Mori one started its reign, which was proven to be much more successful and fruitful.  The XV century is also profound and marked by geological changes of the bottom of the Ota river, namely, it started gathering leaves and other organic material which created delta and marked the beginning of nowadays Hiroshima. In 1555 the most important battle took place - the Battle of Itsukushima; the prime position won  Hideyoshi Toyotomi  who forced the Mori clan to become his vassals. The Aki province stopped being profitable; in contrary, it became dangerous, for that reason, Toyotomi moved it elsewhere to sustain the military base and military protection. It was also good for political and economical reasons. In 1892 the political structure of the delta significantly changed, it was proclaimed first in that time Hiroshima protectorate. Hiroshima got its name – “Wild Land”. Hideyoshi Toyotomi died in 1600 – he and his clan were replaced by Masanori Fukushima, they were engaged in developing the infrastructure, the road, the transportation system, they created roads which linked the most important provinces. Fukushima’s golden period didn't last forever, they disobeyed the shogun orders and were victimized, the reasons were serious, they were not acknowledged to undertake some repairs of the castle they did. In 1619 Nagaakira Asano took the overall control over the Hiroshima Castle and its surroundings. In 1872 the feudal system in Japan was abolished, prefectures came to life, the area surrounding Hiroshima castle became – Hiroshima Prefecture; in 1888 Hiroshima became one of the first cities in Japan. Shortly before in 1884 the Ujina Port was set up, in 1894 the railroad to Hiroshima city was extended by Sanyo. It is widely known that wars do not bring prosperity, in the case of first Sino-Japanese War it was quite opposite, the sea trade was booming, the railroad was now used mostly for military purposes. In the same year the Emperor on Meji moved into Hiroshima castle. Now it has not been an ordinary city but more likely a capital city of Japan. In 1904 the Ujina port was an important base during the Russo-Japanese war. Early 1912 is real industrialization moved on and was beyond the expectations;  first electric street cars emerged in Japan, it joined Hiroshima and other cities, all was stone throw. August 1954 was fatal for Japan and Hiroshima where a single atomic bomb was dropped down;  the blast destroyed everything with a blink of an eye. Hiroshima was about to be uninhabitable for more than 75 years. Despite of the tragic events, nowadays Hiroshima is nothing but a a very modern city, ghost and dull future disappeared. Radiation is present but is not life threatening.