The Horrors and Heroes of Hiroshima

Five weeks after the bombing, Dr. Hachiya received this scroll from his artist friend, Shuka Takahashi, and it was later gifted to Dr. Wells. The arrival of the scroll and its contents were written about in Hiroshima Diary. The top of the scroll features a Japanese wind god releasing a gust of air from a large sack while the bottom shows the destruction of Hiroshima, including fallen poles and buildings and the fire consuming the city. The middle section is devoted to a stylized letter, expressing Shuka Takahashi’s daily worrying for his friend and his relief and learning that Michihiko Hachiya is alive. Warner Wells asked a friend for a translation of the text, whose letter is included in the Warner Wells collection. The text reads:

Hachiya Michihiko-sensei --

I apologize for my long silence since last time. I was amazed that the war came to such a sad end and with the war damage to your area as its final event. Since then, I have been worrying daily about the welfare of you and your family but I have not had the means of contacting you. I have spent many days worrying about how to find out about you, then the other day I read in your newspaper that you are devoting yourself to your [medical] studies. I was greatly relieved and I write this just to express my congratulations for your good fortune. Your truly,