Original subtitles

HIROSHIMA

Directed by Hideo Sekigawa

At 2:45 on Monday morning, August 6, 1945, three B-29's took off from "Tinian Island.

An atomic bomb about to explode above humans for the first time

was hanging menacingly in the bomb bay of the Enola Gay.

The bomb carried autographs and jeering messages to the Japanese Emperor.

After take-off, the crew got down to work.

Colonel "Tibbets conducted the routine tasks of piloting a B-29.

Capt. Van Kirk, the navigator, and Sgt. Stiborik, the radar operator, talked over the intercom

as they took bearings from the Northern Marianas and made radar wind runs.

At 4:20, Capt. Van Kirk announced that they would fly over Iwo Jima at 5:25.

Soon, the reddening sky to east heralded the rising sun.

The dark sea began to sparkle, and the sublime majesty of the view overcame Van Kirk.

For a moment, the navigator forgot he was in a war and gave himself over to his thoughts.

He suddenly remembered what was about to happen to the people of Hiroshima.

His mission was bringing doom to those people.

The "gadget" in the belly of his plane was a weapon far beyond imagination.

It was an atomic bomb.

The 20th century had seen the advent of a bomb powerful enough to kill every human being

within a kilometer of its blast center.

Worse still, the radioactivity from that bomb would do incalculable damage

to all living creatures in the vicinity.

Hiroshima would instantly become a city of corpses.

That thought led Van Kirk to a feeling of utter emptiness.

Overwhelmed by sadness, desperate for something to cling to,

he suddenly recalled his mother's face.

“But he had to return to his mission.“

“Somewhere beyond those vast mountains of white clouds lay Japan, the land of the enemy"

“In about four hours, Hiroshima would be wiped off the map!'

“At this moment, virtually no one was aware of its fate!'

“Should one fee! compassion for the poor devils?"

“Not when one thought of Pear! Harbor and of the Bataan Death March!'

“At 7:40, they started the climb to their final altitude"

“It wouldn't be long now“

“They were only 25 miles from Japan.“

“They would be there in no time.“

"It would all be over in an instant."

Stop it!

"Please. God, give us the courage and the strength..."

A nosebleed.

Her nose is bleeding.

Are your all right?

Michiko.

Are you okay?

I don't want to die.

Leukemia. Is that what they're calling A-bomb disease?

Yeah. I think we can say that.

Give this to Inoue.

Inoue, this is from Kono.

WE'VE HAD ENOUGH Letters from Youths of East and West Germany

"First of all, Truman said clearly at San Francisco Peace Conference,"

"The United States has not forgotten Pearl Harbor and Bataan."

"So, I will speak plainly as a German..."

Okay? This next pan tells us what we want to know the most.

"...I and most German intellectuals think that..."

"...in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, about 200,000 unarmed and innocent Japanese..."

"...were used as guinea pigs for the testing of a new weapon."

"I'm sure it is because Japanese are a colored race."

"Maybe you will be offended by what I say because I belong to the white race."

"I understand this issue more instinctively and intuitively than you, just because I am white."

"At any rate, this issue is not as simple as Pearl Harbor or Bataan."

"Besides, at the end of war..."

"...when it was believed that the Nazis had used toxic gas against Allied nations,"

"the US hysterically claimed that this violated the Hague Conventions"

and was a crime against God and humanity."

"But they itself used a weapon that was ten times, a hundred times more inhumane than toxic gas."

"And used it on the defenseless."

"Therefore, this act must be firmly condemned not only by Japan..."

"...but also by the rest of the world as a matter of common sense and conscience."

"Unless God and justice have utterly disappeared from humanity and the world..."

Raise your hand if you were atomic bombed.

About a third.

You're going to the hospital a lot lately. What's the problem?

Actually, the doctor won't say exactly what I have.

Do you have symptoms like nosebleeds?

No. But I can't remember things, and little cuts get infected.

My eyes and body get tired too quick.

I'm tired all the time, especially in summer.

I can hardly stand up sometimes.

Everyone's tired in summer. Am I right?

What's so funny?

This is why we don't like to talk about it.

Of course, everyone's different, but all of us bombed are suffering like her.

And,

we're always afraid we're going to die from A-bomb disease.

We never talk about it because if we do,

you laugh and say we're making a big deal out of the bombing and just trying to get attention.

When Kono puts it like that, there's nothing I can say.

To tell you the truth, until we listened to "Dawn over Zero" on the radio and Oba collapsed,

I never understood how the A-bomb is eating away your bodies.

I've heard about A-bomb diseases, of course,

But I thought the Americans at the Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission were treating them.

I only found out a few days ago that the Americans are examining survivors...

...but not treating them.

I'm ashamed that even after coming to Hiroshima...

...I've paid so little attention to the atomic bombing.

I'm so 50TH].

You're not the only one.

Most people even in Hiroshima don't know about this.

Lately the media have been warning people around the world...

about the importance of peace and how terrible an atomic bomb is.

But before telling the rest of the world,

I want to tell Japanese people about the horror and the inhumanity of A-bomb.

No, I want to tell the people of Hiroshima!

I want to tell you all!

And you, Mr. Kitagawa.

Oba has leukemia.

It's caused by an increase in the number of leukocytes, and there's no cure.

From what I've heard, there are 92,500 leukocytes in a drop of her blood.

LEUKOCYTES

LEUKOCYTES You've studied this in physiology, right?

You've studied this in physiology, right?

Do you know how many leukocytes exist in normal human blood?

They're all victims.

Yeah, and it kills them.

Anyone else?

One cubic millimeter has 6,000 to 8,000 leukocytes.

Yes. And what is their function?

Leukocytes are cells in blood and created in the bone marrow.

They defend the body against both infectious disease and foreign materials by eating bacteria.

Very good.

Leukemia increases useless leukocytes but decreases normal leukocytes.

As a consequence, normal leukocyte functioning decreases.

The body loses its ability to fight bacteria and eventually dies.

Mr. Kitagawa?

Yes?

Is that what happened to the people who died...

when their leukocytes decreased to 1,000 or 2,000 after the pika-don (flash-bang)?

Yes, I heard so.

So, the source of the disease is radiation, right?

Not sure, but I think so.

On the day of the bomb, Oba wasn't injured or burned,

but she was exposed to radiation in her house,

which was only a kilometer from ground zero.

She suffered from radiation poisoning at the time.

She lost a lot of hair, got purple spots on her body,

had a high fever, and had blood in her stools and urine.

Fortunately she survived and regained her health.

but seven years later, this happens.

Mr. Kitagawa, doctors say that bums caused by A-bomb can cause cancer___...

"with no way to prevent it.

Even if there were, few people can treat it by themselves.

However, once you make that public,

people will become obsessed with blaming physical problems of the bomb.

So, if you don't do like Mr. Kikkawa,

who survived the atomic attack and was bold enough to show his scars and demand money..

...or like the Hiroshima Maidens

who receive medical treatment through the compassion of society..

...or like the tramps at Hiroshima Station

who throw themselves on the mercy of travelers late at night,

you'll live in the shadows.

You'll hide your ugly scars as if you'd done something wrong.

Maybe you'll be a construction laborer covering your keloids with towels.

Mr. Kitagawa, we have a miserable friend.

I feel bad saying his name, but it's Endo.

He was coming to school during the day and working at a cabaret in Nagarekawa at night.

Now he's quit school and hangs out at a pachinko parlor every day

He'd been evacuated with his little sister to the mountains

so he was gone at the time of the 'pika, '

but the bomb killed his parents and brothel:

Endo and his sister were orphaned.

In the beginning, he took care of her by shining shoes, but one day she disappeared.

After that, he joined a group of delinquents and got locked up in the orphanage on Ninoshima.

After that, his ex-soldier uncle took charge of him.

Living with his poor uncle, Endo started working at a cabaret to make ends meet.

He's been changing gradually

It makes me sad to think about him.

Many excellent churches were built in postwar Hiroshima...

...and the sky in Hiroshima resounds with bells of peace morning and evening.

The city built a Peace Bridge,

A Peace Memorial Museum,

and the Cenotaph where we dedicate ourselves to peace

and pledge to never allow the mistake to happen again,

but it's when I pass by the bank that I think of the bomb.

The shadow of death created by the 'pike-don, '

it's faded a bit now,

but nobody even turns to look at it anymore.

These days, we often hear military marches in the streets of Hiroshima.

Every time I hear those, I get scared.

People talk of returning to the old ways.

I think it's good to remember Japan's magnificent past

because we are completely miserable now,

but I worry that someone might be preparing for war again using the cover of popular nostalgia.

I'm afraid we'll get caught up in another war and before we know it,

we'll become the victims of another atomic bomb.

Hearing the marches brings all that up...

...and terrifies me.

August 1945

August 1945 Revere the Imperial Palace.

August 1945

Bow with utmost reverence.

Eyes front!

Today, the even-numbered group head out for demolition work!

You others will practice bamboo lance training at school!

Stop looking around, you slacker!

The fate of a hundred million Japanese depends on the homeland battle.

The Emperor deigned to make you his subjects,

you must be grateful for this honor

and never allow your spirit of loyalty and patriotism to weaken.

Think only of one thing,

doing everything possible to defeat the savage people of the US and the UK!

That's all!

First, even-numbered groups, move out for demolition!

All others, wait your turn!

Dismissed!

Round and round, you get dizzy,

Round and round, you get dizzy.

Akin .

Machiko, please catch that dragonfly.

I'm sorry I can't. I feel sorry for it.

It's okay, as long as you don't kill it.

Round and round, you get dizzy.

Akio, look, it's a plane! It's a "B".

Round and round, plane get dizzy.

Machiko.

Michiko.

Akio.

What are you doing? It's time for dinner.

We're writing a letter to Daddy.

That's fine, but do it after dinner.

Air-raid alert! Michiko, turn on the radio.

"An enemy formation over Hiroshima Bay was attacked by the Imperial Air Force."

“The planes are now retreating individually to the southwest"

"However, the next formation is on its way north. "

“The citizens of Hiroshima are to be on the lookout"

“I repeat..."

Hey Mommy, what's the matter with the Air Force?

Why don't they shoot down the B's immediately?

I'm hungry.

Be patient.

What is Daddy doing now?

Be quiet. I can't hear the broadcast.

We won't be able to sleep tonight.

"At 7:31, the all-clear was sounded in Okayama and Hiroshima..."

“...by order of Central Command.“

The all-clear has been given.

It lasted all night.

It went on so long.

Hiroshima's not so easy to bomb.

I was sure Hiroshima was the target this time.

What's the matter, ma'am?

I hear a baby's about to be born.

Oh, that's some happy news.

Mommy and Machiko, look!

The dragonfly is still alive and doing well.

You're so bouncy this morning. Come on, Akio. Let's go together.

Okay, sure.

We're going!

I'm off.

Be careful.

Have a nice day!

That's a "B", don't you think?

Yup, that's the sound of a "B".

The siren isn't going off.

But it sure sounds like a "B".

Mommy.

Teacher.

Akio.

Michiko.

Kimi.

Akio.

Mommy!

Go! Go without me!

I'll get you out soon! Don't give up!

No. I won't make it. Go without me!

What are you saying! Hang on! Keep fighting!

Please take care of our children.

Don't give up!

Please, I beg you.

Think of the children! Go rescue lchiro!

(Heave ho, heave ho...)

Soldier! Officer!

Please help! My wife is stuck under the house.

Officer, please!

Please!

Yoshiko!

Go! Leave me!

Take care of our children!

Yoshiko!

Please leave me!

Forgive me!

Take care of our children!

Yoshiko!

Who's still alive?

Say your name.

lchiro Imada.

Masayuki Yokoyama.

Shigeo Yokomori.

Toru Matsumoto.

Yoshio Tanaka.

Hajime Tokuno.

Shichiro Yoshida.

Senkichi Kanzaki.

Yoshiji Tanabe.

Tetsuo Shibata.

Yutaka Shimizu.

Be patient.

The troops will help us.

Hold on.

Hold on.

lchiro!

Has anyone seen lchiro Endo of Icchu Junior High?

Hey, someone check my legs.

Are they still there?

Mommy.

Hey, someone!

I feel like I've lost my legs.

Point one." it ls the soldier's duty to be absolutely loyal. .

Shut up!

Stop saying that! What good is it!

Stop it!

Slop!

[Boy continues to recite Imperial Rescript to Soldiers and Sailors.]

Are there any soldiers here? I am Command Staff Officer Otani.

Are there any soldiers here?

Everybody, follow me!

Gather round, students of Icchu Junior High!

Are you all here? Come here!

Are you okay? Come on! We've got to hold on!

Let's sing the school song! One, two, three.

Hold on!

[Singing the national anthem]

Lend me that bag for a pillow.

No! These books are very important for my studies.

Mommy.

Lady, it's no use holding that dead child.

You've got to burn the body soon.

The war isn't over yet.

lchiro!

Is lchiro Endo here?

lchiro from Icchu Junior High.

Has anyone seen Tomiko Oe?

Banzai! Banzai! Long live the great empire of Japan!

I'm a military general.

Hey, salute me!

Daddy?

Boy, are you looking for your father?

Where is your house?

Boy!

Burn the bodies.

Is your child here?

Yes, she is.

Give this to her.

I was taking it to school.

Don't you want to eat it?

I'm dying.

Give this to your child.

Hold on!

Hold on!

I'll tell you my name.

If you meet my mother, please tell her...

Mommy.

Mommy.

I'm cold.

Shut up!

Crying won't change anything.

Mommy.

Hurray!

Hey!

Brother!

Nurse, please come! She's about to have the baby!

NA-MU-AMIDA-BUTSU... [Chanting a Buddhist sutra.]

Mommy!

Mommy.

This is hell.

The Prefectural Government Office has moved to the East-Side Police Precinct

The Prefectural Government Office has moved to the East-Side Police Precinct "I'm speaking on behalf of the prefecture! governori "

"He says that this damage has been caused by the enemy"

“trying to shatter our fighting spirit through brutal air raids.“

"Citizens of Hiroshima! The damage is considerable but not unusual in a war."

"I assure you that we are developing relief and restoration plans."

"We will not be daunted by the enemy's attacks."

"Our army will provide full support"

"Return immediately to your jobs."

"The war must not stop for even a day."

"Show warm affection to your wounded brothers-in-arms,"

"nurse them, encourage them, and help them return swiftly to battle."

“This disaster unfortunately has caused many casualties.“

“Don't be stupefied, pay tribute to their memory and pray that their souls may rest in peace.“

"Then steel yourselves to the task of revenging these deaths on our sworn enemy."

“Anticipating victory, we will overcome every hardship“

"and reaffirm our devotion to the war in the name of the Emperor."

"August 7. Prefectural Governor Junshin Takano"

How about using that lunch box. You can put more in that.

My daughter's ashes are inside.

Ashes?

Is that a chick?

Yes.

Is it alive?

Yes. Isn't it cute?

It's cute.

I'll give it to you.

But I might not be able to keep it alive.

You've never had a chick before?

No.

lCHIRO ENDO, CONTACT THE YAMADA'S --FATHER

lCHIRO ENDO

Excuse me, where is lchiro Endo?

He's a student of Icchu Junior High.

I don't know. Look at all these people.

You're right. I'll try to find him myself.

Thank you.

lchiro Endo!

lchiro!

Is lchiro here?

Endo! Someone is looking for you!

Hey, Endo!

Mister.

lchiro.

It's too late.

You're a student at Icchu, aren't you?

Where's your house?

In Teramaohi.

It might have burned down.

Did he say anything before he died?

Thank you.

Icchu was hit hard.

When I went there to find lchiro,

I found bodies of students crushed under the school buildings...

...and burned to skeletons.

The swimming pool was full of bodies.

Where were you when the bomb dropped?

Endo was injured in the classroom.

He was rescued by a teacher.

I was injured near the swimming pool.

I can't remember how we got here.

I see. Try to hold on.

It's been a long time since I carried him on my back.

Goodbye.

Take care.

Goodbye, Endo.

LONG LIVE THE EMPEROR LONG LIVE JAPAN

We must promptly grasp the extent of damage,

restore the health of civilians,

and calm the people down.

The present estimate of human damage is 200,000 affected,

10,000 dead, and 100,000 seriously wounded.

I agree with the commander.

Calming down the public is the priority.

We must crack down hard on rumors.

Especially about the new bomb,

we must stress the value of the bomb shelters and give people hope.

We must use it to foment greater hostility towards our enemies.

That's exactly right.

I'm Asakawa from Osaka University.

The Director General of the Osaka Navy Police asked me...

...to determine whether the bomb dropped was atomic or not.

Like Dr. Nishina,

we think it was.

How are you conducting your research?

I measured the radioactive contamination with a gold leaf electroscope an d photographic plate.

Now I'm measuring leukocytes in the blood of the injured.

Dr. Nishina, do you have any response to Dr. Asakawa?

As I have said, I have no doubt that it was an atomic bomb.

But to announce that it was an atomic bomb will have a negative impact.

But Truman has already announced to the world that the US used an atomic bomb on Hiroshima.

An American scientists said nothing will grow in the affected area for 75 years.

That's an enemy's lie.

Even if it's true, the people haven't heard Truman.

I object to announcing that it was an A-bomb.

That would hurt the war effort.

Only the military can judge whether it hurts the war effort or not.

But the Americans dropped another bomb like it on Nagasaki yesterday...

...and announced they would drop more.

In short, now that the US has this bomb,

we need to think carefully about continuing the war.

We understand that you're speaking as a scientist,

but scientists are also His Majesty's subjects and his children.

The fate of the empire depends on this war.

Negative behavior or speech will not be allowed.

The nation must support His Majesty

and dedicate our lives and everything we have to Him.

This is a core value of the Japanese race and our military.

We must fear neither the Soviet Union's entry into the war yesterday

nor America's atomic bomb.

We will defeat the atomic bomb.

Japan will not win because of some armchair theory...

...but because of our fervent will,

which burns as brightly as a 100 million stars.

Yoko, is this your rice bowl?

Yup, it's mine.

Here's Father's.

This is Mother's.

This is ichiro's.

This is mine.

This is mine.

JAPAN ACCEPTS POTSDAM DECLARATION

How is it in your neighborhood?

My neighborhood?

It's a mess there, too.

I guess it would be.

But is it true that no grass or trees will grow again in Hiroshima?

No idea.

They say that the gas from the pika has seeped into the ground,

and humans won't be able to live here for 70 years.

I guess that's true.

But that's what the American scientists say.

Well, you know what, I don't even care.

The pika left my body like this,

and I have no one to rely on.

Doctor, please get me out of Hiroshima.

Aren't there any hospitals in Kure or somewhere?

Don't lie to us. Tell us truth.

Nothing but lies.

Making us go through all this, then surrendering unconditionally.

Do they want us to live or die?

That's right.

If we stay in Hiroshima, we'll die!

Aren't there any hospitals outside this city? Move us!

That's right.

Calm down , everybody.

How can we be calm?

You believe that because of radioactivity from the bomb, for 70 years...

Now tell us the truth.

What will you do?

Please hear me out.

You're not the only ones in Hiroshima.

We doctors are here as well.

We would never fool or deceive you.

What are you going to do? Tell the truth.

We've done a number of studies.

Yes, there is radioactivity in the ground of Hiroshima,

but only a little.

Not enough to harm the human body.

To verify this, we've planted daikon seeds in the garden.

If they sprout and the daikon grow, we don't have to worn].

Please, just wait a little.

Look! A dog!

Get out of there!

What about it, nurse?

Not yet?

You think they'll grow?

Never happen.

Are you saying they won't?

Those seeds? Grow?

How could they?

You mean it's okay if they don't?

How would I know?

Ask the Buddha.

They've sprouted!

They've sprouted!

They've sprouted!

[The chief doctor gives his diagnosis in German.]

Open your mouth.

Where were you when the pika exploded?

Near Hijiyama.

And?

I wasn't burned, but I vomited a little bile.

When did you start feeling bad?

Four or five days ago.

Has your hair begun to fall out?

Yes, it's gradually getting worse.

Gradually?

Ms. Okazaki!

The Emperor is laughing.

You bet he is.

Everyone's laughing at us...

...because we're vomiting blood and dying one after another from fever.

Mr. Endo.

I had a dream about my children.

How are you feeling?

Not so good.

They say that vitamin shots cure radiation sickness...

...but there's no way to get any.

Vitamins work, huh?

I heard they do.

Really.

We had some vitamins over there.

So they're going to waste.

I didn't even check whether they were burned or not...

...since I completely forgot about the bomb shelter.

Someone's there! Yukio, it's probably Daddy.

Ah, you must be Mr. Endo's kids.

Your father was looking for you.

He's in the hospital. Come on.

Is Mother there, too?

You haven't heard yet?

Your mother and brother died in the pika.

Were you in the bomb shelter?

Your father took your mother and brother's bones to the countryside

where you had been evacuated.

But he didn't get there till after you'd left.

Some relatives were taking care of him,

but he came down with the A-bomb disease. Now he's in the hospital.

Mr. Endo, your children are here!

Come here!

Talk to him.

Daddy!

Yoko.

Speak to your father, Yoko.

He's not Daddy!

He is.

No, no!

His face is so changed, you can't recognize him.

Yoko, come here.

Yoko!

YOKO

"HANGURl."

Hey, Squid.

"HANGURl, HANGURl." Say it.

Idiot. HANGURl.

Not ANGURL Just think ha“ (HAN) chestnut (GURU

HANGURl.

What does it mean?

I don't know,

but if we say it, the "Hello" guys give us chocolate and bread.

So we say "HANGURl."

Uh-huh.

Hey, don't forget it.

Okay, "HANGURl ."

Hey, FLASH-baldy, you're next.

You, JENTORUMAN, papa, mama by pika-don all us HANGURl.

You, JENTORUMAN. papa, mama by pika-don HANGURl, HANGURl.

HIROSHIMA PEACE FESTIVAL

This is for pigs.

It was built by Yukio and some of the others.

They did it themselves.

Really?

Hello.

We try to teach the children skills and help them get jobs.

But not many get to go home with relatives, like Yukio.

Thank you for your help.

Yukio is happy. I hope you'll do your best for him.

Thank you.

Yours is a very tough job, I should think.

Well, I'm new to this,

so I had a hard time at first.

You know, children are great escape artists.

They escape from this island?

Yukio, what's the record for escapes from this island?

Twenty-eight, that was Oshita.

How about you, Yukio?

Seven.

Do they swim?

Those who can swim, do.

But most make deals with the fishermen who work offshore.

Back when cloth was hard to find,

if the children offered blankets in exchange for a ride,

they had a deal.

Yukio escaped because he wanted to find his sister

Are these real?

Are you kidding? These are artificial.

Yoko!

Damn. It's not her.

What do you think Yoko's doing?

[Chanting a Buddhist sutra.]

Hello.

Are you off?

No, I just came home to change my bandage.

Somehow, my leg hurts bad today.

But you can't work a sewing machine with that leg, can you?

You're right. But where's another job that pays you while you're learning.

How about asking the welfare commissioner for support? Don't be too proud.

I'm not too proud.

Tell them the truth.

Your father's in bed with A-bomb disease.

Your mother does nothing but chant sutras.

Your fallen brother's son is still in elementary school.

And you're handicapped.

You're right. I'm going to ask again.

Anyway, don't worn].

I'll marry you and feed your whole family.

Hey, Keiko!

I earn 3,000 yen, right? I can't even buy a newspaper

I can go without, but I can't even afford my nephew's lunch fee,

and that's only 150 yen a month.

What's wrong?

The other day, you said that you'd marry me.

Yes, I did.

What did you mean by that?

I meant...

Nothing in particular.

Look, Yukio, with this body I can't think of marriage.

But sometimes I do think about it and on].

Can you understand?

Maybe you think I'm silly, but I'm a woman!

So if you were joking, and I'm sure it was a joke,

your joke made me terribly sad.

It reminds me of what I try not to think about.

Please don't say that again.

Not just to me,

but to any girls who were hurt by the pika.

You understand, don't you?

That was bad of me.

Forgive me.

Those are pachinko balls, are they?

Yes.

I wonder if they might be made into bullets.

Mr. Kitagawa, Endo quit his job at the cabaret.

What's he doing now?

He works at the same factory as his uncle.

What a relief!

MONSIEUR VERDOUX

“Let all the souls here rest in peace, for we shall not repeat the evil_"

Hey, buy this.

It's a souvenir of the pika-don.

Hey, the pika-don burned this. Buy this, Mister.

Hey, Mister, do you know this,

the pika-don was dropped 800 meters above ground, and it was 6,000 degrees.

Americans'll pay a lot for this. They'll pay 1,000 yen.

Since you're Japanese, I'll sell it to you for 50 yen.

Come on, please buy this, Mister!

Damn.

Idiot!

Hey, HANGURl, HANGURl!

He says HANGURl.

What's up?

Can you make anything off this kind of stuff?

No, not at all.

I know something much better you could sell as souvenir.

What's that?

Hey, tell us.

This isn't a game. We're serious.

This is how we make a living.

What I'm talking about would make a much better souvenir.

Show it to foreign soldiers and they'll go for it.

So, what is it? Tell us.

Okay, I'm going to tell you guys so you won't be scared.

Okay, start the engine.

Here, dig here.

Wait. Dig a little more.

Don't be shocked.

They died in the pika.

Take these out and sell them to the "Hello" guys.

Where did you get these?

In Miyajima.

I bought them at the souvenir shop in Miyajima.

Which store in Miyajima?

I don't remember exactly.

When was it?

Okay, I dug them out of a bomb shelter.

If you look, you can find lots of them.

Did you write this?

Yes, I did.

Read it to me.

What does it mean?

The first and greatest glory in human history shines on this head, 6th August 1945.

I'm Kitagawa. You called me in.

Thank you for coming.

I'm now speaking with this young man.

In fact, I asked you to come here because I found a postcard from you in his belongings.

According to your postcard, he's working at a factory somewhere.

What's wrong with you, Endo?

Your classmates are worried about you and are waiting for you in front of the building.

What's wrong? Talk to me.

I quit my job at the factory.

Why?

Mr. Kitagawa, the factory has stopped what it was making and started manufacturing shells.

Artillery. . . shells?

Yes, I won't make anything like that.

I spent all my time playing pachinko after I quit the factory.

I stayed at my friend's place because my uncle would get angry when I came home.

Mr. Kitagawa, I watched a film called "Monsieur Verdoux."

In that film, someone said,

"One murder makes a villain, a million murders makes a hero."

I was shocked, but I thought it was true.

Mr. Kitagawa, will war break out again?

If so, the ones forced onto the battlefield this time will be us.

We'll be forced to kill people we have nothing against.

And innocent people will be killed...

...by another atomic bombing.

And we'll all end up like this.

“The first and greatest honor in the history of human shine on this head, 6 Aug. 1945"

THE END August 1953