Founded in 1886 Hiroshima Jogakuin Junior High School stands before us. A testament to resilience and faith it’s a place where history whispers. Rev Teikichi Sunamoto a devout Christian envisioned a school for girls. His dream blossomed when Miss Nannie B Gaines arrived from America. She became the first principal.
For decades Hiroshima Jogakuin flourished. It educated generations of women. It taught them not just reading and arithmetic but also morals and English. It provided a western-style education rare in 19th-century Japan. The school badge a shield with an iris symbolizes faith and God’s work. The Latin inscription Cum Deo Laboramus means We are God’s fellow workers. Miss Gaines herself chose the iris. It was her favorite flower.
Tragedy struck on August 6 1945. The atomic bomb devastated Hiroshima. Over 350 students and teachers perished. The school buildings were reduced to rubble. Yet the spirit of Hiroshima Jogakuin survived. Lessons resumed in a borrowed space. A temporary building and auditorium rose on the present campus. The school was rebuilt stronger than ever before.
Today Hiroshima Jogakuin Junior High School continues its mission. It emphasizes peace international understanding and human rights. It provides opportunities for students to interact with people from around the world. This includes international exchange students trips abroad and peace conferences. The school even created Natsugumo Summer Cloud an anthology of essays about the bombing. It’s used by all students to remember the tragedy and promote peace.
The school has grown. It now includes a kindergarten high school university and graduate school. The new junior high school building opened in 1990. An indoor swimming pool and the Iris Center followed. The school’s commitment to education remains unwavering. It reflects the courage and faith of its founders. It’s a place where students learn to love their neighbors and work towards peace. A lasting legacy in the heart of Hiroshima.