We were pretty excited, (and tired) when we reached Iwakuni. Billie Dysinger picked us up at the train station as planned, but then she took us to the Chicken Shack where people were waiting for us. It’s a fun traditional Japanese place where you sit on the floor, cook beef on small grills, and enjoy their gyoza (potstickers), rice, and delicious chicken on a stick.
After that we went to the hotel we were staying at on base. When we woke we went to the Sakura Theater where we were doing the presentations. The powerpoint didn’t work for the first one but it was great anyway. After that was done, we went to the school to figure out more tech solutions and get ready for the night show.
Barry took me over to the Boys and Girls Club. It was pretty fun. The day after, Saturday, we went to Hiroshima with Billie before leaving. First we went to a bakery where we got some lunch, then we ate it in the Peace Park by Sadako’s memorial.
We walked past the eternal flame to get to the Peace Museum. When you get in, you see all kinds of things about the bombing. They have videos, artifacts, and diagrams. These two displays stood out for me…
The first one is Shin’s tricycle. Little Shin always wanted a tricycle. When he got it, he was very excited and treasured it. One day he was riding it with the neighbor girl and the bomb blew up. His parents made it through, but Shin did not. His father buried him in the backyard with a charred helmet and his trycicle for forty years before digging up his remains and burying him in a cemetary. At that time he gave the helmet and tricycle to the museum.
Below is a great realistic before/after model of Hiroshima.
I was glad to have the long train ride to Sasebo to recover.
14 responses so far ↓
1
Jim Lindus
// Apr 22, 2009 at 8:50 am
Wow! what an adventure you and your Mom are having. History comes alive in a setting like that. I admire you for trying new foods, Like grasshoppers.
I would guess that a peace memorial like this one would take your breath away. It will take sometime to process this one.
Keep writing! It is fun to read your reflections.
Jim Lindus
2
Kristi and Nicholas Etzell
// Apr 22, 2009 at 10:58 am
Kaj,
Well, as we are studying insects here, your tasty meal of grasshopper gives us more activities to consider for our Science exploration…h-m-m-m-m, honey dipped? grasshoppers and strawberries over granola?
It sounds like your time is absolutely fantastic and oh, so “eye opening educational” as I like to call it. This kind of learning can never be replicated and will live in you forever; what a gift!
We have SPLASH today and, just like last week, Nicholas will miss you. Sing a song today to remember us…
We look forward to connecting with you again soon.
Lots of love from the Etzell’s
3
Ann Linnea
// Apr 22, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Dear Kaj,
Thank you for this incredibly thoughtful posting. After looking at the photos of the map of what was bombed and the story of the boy and the tricycle, I found I simply needed to stop what I was doing, go outside and breathe, and feel completely shaken by what human beings are capable of doing. This is a sobering message in the midst of the gloriousness of a Whidbey spring. And we must be able to keep holding the duality of the beauty before our eyes and the challenges beyond our vision.
We love you,
Ann
4
Christina Baldwin
// Apr 22, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Dear Kaj,
Thank you for taking the time to write your observations and experiences in Japan. What an amazing trip this is and will be for you. A trip like this, the people and experiences and things you see keeps on happening in your mind for years. It becomes part of your life story. I am looking forward to keeping on reading what you write! Love from Christina
5
Bonny Becker
// Apr 22, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Hi Kaj,
I think we’ve met. I’m a writer friend of Deb. Anyway, fascinating post about Hiroshima. The tricycle was especially haunting. It’s an event that here in the U.S. we’ve pretty much blocked out. Have you had a chance to read “The Green Glass Sea”?
6
Rosie Donnelly
// Apr 22, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Kaj,
O-genki desu ka? It’s great to hear some stories from your trip to Japan. I’m glad you got a chance to visit Hiroshima. It was sunny the day I visited, too, which somehow seems both incongruous and hopeful at the same time. The image that still sticks with me from that museum is the the exhibit of school uniforms with burn holes in them. They were worn by children. Like the ones I taught in Japan. Like the ones I teach now.
On a much less serious note, thanks for including the sayings from the t-shirts. These wacky English phrases were one of my favorite things about Japan. I love your connection to Smekday. It’s true, those are the the sorts of things that just might appear in that book. We’ve kept reading without you, but we’re not finished yet. Where we left off today, J.LO and Gratuity made it to Arizona. They haven’t found her mom yet, but they are in possession of a Gorg telecloning booth.
Take care, and I look forward to more of your posts from Japan!
Ms. Donnelly
7
Lars
// Apr 22, 2009 at 6:48 pm
Nice updates Kaj! I’m so glad you’re on this trip.
Hey, I read Skuluggery Pleasant, too and really enjoyed it – thanks to your mom’s recommendation.
We love you and wish you continuing good travels – we just returned from my brother’s wedding in San Diego.
Love,
Lars
8
Dot Read
// Apr 22, 2009 at 8:37 pm
What a great report, Kaj! Dean was stationed at Iwakuni 48 years ago. I bet it has changed! Spectacular sculpture at the Hiroshima site. Little Shin’s tricycle–so sad. Looking forward to the next installment.
Dot
9
Ronetta
// Apr 23, 2009 at 1:38 am
Oh Kaj…I would need time to recover as well…..how could we do such atrocious things to people that are intrinsically the same as we are. This is why it is so important to study history….so we won’t repeat the same horrible things that we have done before. Thank you for sharing! I can’t believe that you got to see Sadako’s Peace Park and memorial. Incredible! Give your mom a big hug for me!
10
Dad
// Apr 23, 2009 at 2:03 am
Kaj, thanks for that post. The Hiroshima memorial must have been a good one. Memorials that really work help us to experience a tiny bit of the trauma of the original event. It sounds like you were moved. I’m glad you had the train ride, too. Write more…
Blessings, son.
And much love.
11
Jean
// Apr 24, 2009 at 10:33 am
Kaj,
How many people asked you about eating grasshoppers. I hope you can bring me some grasshoppers with a special sauce.
I didn’t have grasshoppers for breakfast. I had pancakes, an egg and sausage for breakfast.
I’m sorry the boy and his tricycle were bombed.
I miss you,
Jean
12
Ruth Molina
// Apr 24, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Kaj,
We are enjoying reading about your trip! Hope you are having fun and it sounds like a wonderful experience. Keep posting so we can go along for the ride!
Ruth and Nicholas Molina (Tess and Rosie’s aunt and cousin)
13
Kitty Adams
// Apr 28, 2009 at 11:12 pm
Kaj, thank you for taking the time to share your journey with us! It’s great to have the photos to highlight your interesting stories!
I was really touched by your visit to the Peace Park and Museum. Ever since I read the story of Sudako and the Thousand Cranes I have wanted to visit this memorial. Many years ago I heard a Japanese nuclear physicist and relative of a Hiroshima survivor passionately call for the end of nuclear testing and the arms race. I had not heard the story of the young boy and his tricycle. Powerful.
I’m looking forward to your next installment! Have a great time and say hi to your Mom for me please. I think it’s very special that the two of you are on this trip together!
Love, Kitty
14
Dad
// Apr 30, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Hi, Kaj.
I know you’ve got several more days in Japan. We’d all love to hear more of what you’ve been up to recently, what you’ve thought about and what you’ve read. Maybe you could share some insights from your journal entries…
Sherryl Christie Bierschenk and a couple of Etzells will be taking your place (and mama’s and mine) at Peter Pan this Friday night with Sandra and Jean. I hope you have some interesting activities planned this coming weekend.
A few people have tried to comment on your site, but with no luck. I’ll try to steer them your way.
Love to you and mama…see you next week!
Daddy
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