Sachiko: A Nagasaki Bomb Survivor's Story

Where do humans find the strength to survive? How long does it take a person to heal from a traumatic experience? What about a family? What about a nation?

Sachiko: A Nagasaki Bomb Survivor’s Story chronicles the personal and historical events leading up to the dropping of the A-bomb on Nagasaki. The book is split into two types of narratives: 1) The objective historical facts about WWII and 2) Sachiko’s personal narrative, which contextualizes what family and community life was like for the Japanese.

This story is incredibly important as information about the after-effects of the atom bomb and the experiences of its survivors was stifled after Japan’s unconditional surrender. The fact that we have access to Sachiko’s story is amazing and helps us retrospectively understand more about the turbulent event that is WWII.

Through the story, readers see the heartbreak and struggle juxtaposed with the perseverance and strength of the Nagasaki citizens. The characters of Mother, Father, and Sachiko’s siblings all contribute Sachiko’s development as a person. Helen Keller, Ghandi, and Martin Luther King Jr., also greatly influence Sachiko and help her form her own viewpoints about war, nonviolence, and peace. The story considers these topics and presents them as topics for further consideration and discussion.

Pros:

• The story is told from a unique point of view, and portrays the immediate, visceral struggle to survive emotionally, psychologically, and physically after the bomb.
• Alternatives between Sachiko’s subjective story and objective historical recounting of what was happening on a global scale. These two narrative styles work well together to give a holistic view of WWII.
• Integrates japanese language and songs into the story; culturally enriching

Cons:

• Students who do not like reading about historical events or books that interrupt the story flow to give important historical facts and details will probably be less motivated when reading the book.

Links:

This is a link to several poems by poets with different ties to the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The website also has a 360 degree picture of the destruction caused by the atomic bomb that revolves as the students go through the poetry.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/features/hiroshima-poems/

This is a short video displaying atomic bombs tests. This video would give students an idea of the destructive power that atomic bombs possess and help them visualize what Sachiko went through. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqyBzXYZPoM

This is an interview conducted with the last surviving member of the Enola Gay crew member in which he justifies his participation in the the dropping of the atomic bomb and claims he would do it again if he thought it was necessary. This video can be used to spark a debate in class about whether or not it was the right decision to drop the atomic bomb. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDaiQ9n5wEM