Shadows of Nagasaki: Trauma, Religion, and Memory after the Atomic Bombing

The book Shadows of Nagasaki explores how Nagasaki's trauma, history, and memory of the bombing manifested through post-atomic memoryscapes, such as literature, religious discourse, art, historical landmarks, commemorative spaces, and architecture. It also highlights how the city's history of international culture, particularly its Christian past, informed its response to the atomic trauma and shaped its postwar urban identity. Key historical actors in the chapters include writers, Japanese- Catholic leaders, atomic-bombing survivors, municipal officials, American occupation personnel, peace activists, artists, and architects. The book shows how regional history, culture, and politics, rather than national ones, shape narratives of destruction and reconstruction after mass trauma, leading to new identities and the rekindling of old ones.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 02 January 2024
Publisher: Fordham University Press

In the aftermath of the devastating atomic bombing of Nagasaki on August 9, 1945, the city's inhabitants grappled with the profound trauma inflicted upon them. Over the ensuing decades, they crafted intricate narratives that reflected their unique regional history and diverse social composition, shaping a multifaceted urban identity that stood in stark contrast to the image of Hiroshima. Shadows of Nagasaki delves into the intricate tapestry of the city's post-atomic memoryscapes, exploring how the trauma, history, and memory of the bombing manifested through various forms of artistic expression, religious discourse, historical landmarks, commemorative spaces, and architectural designs.

The book pays particular attention to how Nagasaki's rich international culture, exemplified by its Christian heritage, particularly Catholicism, informed its response to the atomic trauma and contributed to the shaping of its postwar urban identity. Key historical figures featured in the chapters include writers, Japanese-Catholic leaders, atomic-bombing survivors (known as hibakusha), municipal officials, American occupation personnel, peace activists, artists, and architects. Through their diverse perspectives and experiences, the book sheds light on how these groups processed and engaged with the discourse surrounding the legacies of Nagasaki's bombing.

What emerges from the narrative is a profound realization that regional history, culture, and politics play a paramount role in shaping narratives of destruction and reconstruction after mass trauma. Rather than being dictated by national agendas, these narratives are shaped by the specific circumstances and experiences of local communities. In the case of urban destruction, new identities emerge and old ones are rekindled, not to serve national politics or social interests but to bolster narratives that reflect the unique realities of local contexts.

Shadows of Nagasaki serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring impact of war and the power of collective memory to shape the course of history. It highlights the importance of understanding and respecting the diverse narratives and experiences of communities affected by trauma, as they contribute to the rich tapestry of human history and help us build a more inclusive and compassionate world.

Weight: 536g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781531504960