Dangerous Memory in Nagasaki: Prayers, Protests and Catholic Survivor Narratives

On August 9, 1945, the US dropped the second atomic bomb on Nagasaki, killing 8500 Catholic Christians, over sixty percent of the community. Nine Catholic survivors share personal stories about the aftermath and how their memory of the bomb is viewed through the lens of religious persecution. This book challenges Euro-American-centric narratives and assumptions about the bomb and provides valuable insights into Japanese history, religion, and war history.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 216 pages
\n Publication date: 01 April 2021
\n Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd
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On August 9, 1945, the United States detonated the second atomic bomb on Nagasaki, resulting in the tragic loss of approximately 8,500 lives, including a significant number of Catholic Christians who comprised over sixty percent of the community. In this collective biography, nine Catholic survivors share personal and poignant accounts of the aftermath of the bomb and their lives since that fateful day.

Examining the Catholic community's interpretation of the A-bomb, this book goes beyond mere memory to provide a deeper understanding of the devastating destruction caused by the bombing. It also draws connections between the memory of the atomic bomb and the historical experiences of religious persecution, comparing it to the covert Christian groups that survived in the Japanese countryside after Christianity was banned. Through in-depth interviews, the book reveals that the memory of the atomic bomb is viewed through the lens of a community that had endured centuries of suffering and marginalization. Furthermore, it challenges Euro-American narratives of the atomic bombings and raises questions about the concept of a providential bomb.

Dangerous Memory in Nagasaki presents the voices of Catholics, many of whom have previously refrained from discussing their losses within the context of their faith. As such, this book holds immense value for students and scholars of Japanese history, religion, and war history. It sheds light on a lesser-known aspect of the bombings and offers a unique perspective on the enduring impact of such a catastrophic event on the lives of individuals and communities.

\n Weight: 454g\n
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780367777234\n \n