西蓮寺

Sairenji Temple. A place of profound sorrow and resilience. It stood near the epicenter of the atomic blast in Hiroshima. The temple was almost entirely destroyed by the intense heat. Imagine the searing 6,000 degrees Celsius that melted and bubbled the roof tiles of Sairenji Temple. These tiles became poignant relics of the devastation. The temple’s chief priest, Reverend S. T. Katsuki, miraculously survived. He sustained severe burns but dedicated himself to sharing the story of Hiroshima. Reverend Katsuki collected these altered tiles. He would carve them into oval shapes. He would then paint the undersides in gold. He presented these “atom struck tiles” to visitors of the temple ruins. He often shared his firsthand account of the bombing, showing the tiles as stark evidence of the bomb’s impact. One such tile, presented to Corporal Harry T. Chapman in 1951, resides in a simple wooden box. Inscribed on the lid are the words, “The Atom Struck Tile, Found on the Site of Sairenji Temple, the Exposition Center, Hiroshima”. The inscription inside the lid tells the story of the gift. Another tile, given to Sergeant Harold A. Doyle in 1950, now rests in the Australian War Memorial collection. These tiles serve as a tangible reminder of the destruction. They are also a testament to the spirit of those who sought to rebuild and remember. Sairenji Temple, though scarred, stands as a symbol of Hiroshima’s enduring strength. It reminds us of the tragic events of August 6, 1945. It offers a testament to resilience in the face of unimaginable devastation.