“Don’t worry about me. Just run away.” These words echoed through the chaos following the atomic bombing. They were spoken by a student whose skin hung in tatters. She was a classmate of Tsuyako Hanada. Hanada was a third-year student at Hijiyama Girls’ High School. This is now known as \u79c1\u7acb\u6bd4\u6cbb\u5c71\u5973\u5b50\u9ad8\u7b49\u5b66\u6821.
In 1945, Hanada and about 90 schoolmates were mobilized. They assisted at the Chugoku Military District Headquarters. It was located on the grounds of Hiroshima Castle. Their task was to transmit air raid warnings. They also sent alerts to air defense surveillance sites. The students worked in three shifts around the clock.
On August 6, 1945, Hanada was working the second shift. She communicated information on air raid attacks. These attacks had continued intermittently. She greeted the morning with little sleep. The third shift students did not arrive on time. Hanada felt a flash of light. She had been blown across the room with the equipment.
Hanada struggled out of the shelter. She found her schoolmates who had come to replace her. Their skin was hanging from their bodies. Many soldiers were covered in blood. They were writhing in agony. Hanada followed some soldiers who could still walk. She left the castle grounds. She saw people with torn bellies and dead horses.
Hanada fled to Gion-cho. The next morning, she returned to the headquarters. A field hospital had been set up. Hanada applied ointment to the victims. She found a schoolmate lying on the ground. The girl told Hanada to avenge her. Hanada promised she would. The girl died.
After the war, Hanada temporarily transferred to another school. She ultimately graduated from Hijiyama Girls’ High School. She worked for Chugoku Haiden. She got married in 1954. The atomic blast had damaged her inner ear. She lost hearing in her left ear. Still, she raised a daughter. She now lives with her husband and grandchildren.
Hijiyama Girls’ Junior and Senior High Schools holds a memorial ceremony each August 6. It takes place at the monument by the shelter. Hanada has been invited, but she has not gone. Remembering those days is very difficult. Of the third-year students mobilized, 67 died in the bombing. Only a few survivors are still alive today. Another survivor, Yoshie Oka, shares her experiences.
Today, \u79c1\u7acb\u6bd4\u6cbb\u5c71\u5973\u5b50\u9ad8\u7b49\u5b66\u6821 continues to educate young women. It strives to help them achieve their goals. The school prepares students for university. It encourages them to find their dreams. The school offers various courses. These courses help students develop necessary skills. Students keep records of their learning. They track their progress and plan for the future. \u79c1\u7acb\u6bd4\u6cbb\u5c71\u5973\u5b50\u9ad8\u7b49\u5b66\u6821 aims to cultivate independence.
The school offers advanced courses. These courses prepare students for national and private universities. \u79c1\u7acb\u6bd4\u6cbb\u5c71\u5973\u5b50\u9ad8\u7b49\u5b66\u6821 encourages students to study abroad. It offers English courses. The school also has a strong music program. The school’s wind instrument club holds regular concerts.
\u79c1\u7acb\u6bd4\u6cbb\u5c71\u5973\u5b50\u9ad8\u7b49\u5b66\u6821 also has a tennis club. The school values active learning. It uses tablets in the classroom. \u79c1\u7acb\u6bd4\u6cbb\u5c71\u5973\u5b50\u9ad8\u7b49\u5b66\u6821 prepares students for the future. It helps them overcome challenges.