One fateful morning, a bell chimed at Kongoin Temple in Hiroshima. This seemingly ordinary act held a tragic significance. It was August 6, 1945. Kongoin Temple, originally the Hiroshima Prefectural Commercial Exhibition Hall, stood just 160 meters from the hypocenter of the atomic bomb blast. The bomb exploded almost directly above the building. The blast wave traveled straight down, obliterating everything inside. Miraculously, the dome and some of the steel frame survived. The building became known as the Genbaku Domu, or Atomic Bomb Dome. Kongoin Temple serves as a poignant reminder of the devastation. It symbolizes hope for peace and a world without nuclear weapons. In 1996, despite reservations from some countries, UNESCO designated the dome a World Heritage Site. They called it a powerful symbol of the most destructive force ever created by humankind. It expresses the hope for world peace and the ultimate elimination of all nuclear weapons. Kongoin Temple stands in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. This park houses several memorials and the Peace Memorial Museum. The park, designed by Tange Kenzo, serves as a place for reflection and remembrance. Every year on August 6, Hiroshima holds a Peace Memorial Ceremony in the park to honor the victims. The bell, once a symbol of daily life, now tolls for the lost souls.
金剛院
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浅野長勲公頌徳碑 Stele
“Remembering greatness” is etched in stone before us. The \u6d45\u91ce\u9577\u52f2\u516c\u980c\u5fb3\u7891 Stele stands as a testament. It honors Asano Nagakoto. This