❶ A Word of Introduction
This building began as a kimono shop when this area was known as the Nakajima district in the late 1920s. It has lived through the atomic bombing that destroyed the once prosperous district, and through the post-war transformation of its surroundings to Peace Memorial Park, bearing witness to dramatic changes in the city.
It has watched the citizens of Hiroshima who bravely rose up, wounded on the scorched earth around them, and continued to persevere when the atomic bomb obliterated their city in an instant, leaving it engulfed in deadly flames. It remains today a witness to history, keeping watch over visitors and dignitaries alike who visit Hiroshima to pray for world peace.
This exhibit looks back at the changes in the Nakajima district and the history of the Rest House through photographs and more. It is our hope that through this exhibit, visitors will gain insight into the lives of the citizens who lived in the former Nakajima district and the life of the building itself, giving pause to think about the true meaning of peace.
Aioi Bridge over the Nakajima district in 1938
Photo by Wakaji Matsumoto
Courtesy of Ōuchi Hitoshi
2.The History of the Nakajima District
3.A Thriving Community: The Nakajima District Before the Bombing
4.The History of the Rest House