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Children's Peace Monument
Overview: What is it?
This statue was erected to console the souls of all children who were victims of the atomic bombing, taking as its model Sasaki Sadako, who died at the young age of 12 from leukemia caused by the effects of the atomic bomb. Atop the statue, paper cranes, which are a symbol of peace, are held aloft.
The Story & Significance
The inspiration for this statue was the tragedy of Sasaki Sadako, a young girl who developed A-bomb disease (leukemia) ten years after the bombing and died at the age of 12 after a long struggle with the illness. Sadako believed in the traditional Japanese legend that "if you fold a thousand paper cranes, you will recover from your illness," and she desperately continued folding them, often using medicine wrappers while in the hospital. However, her wish was not granted, and she passed away in 1955 (Showa 30).
Around the statue, colorful paper cranes sent from all over the world are offered daily, amounting to tens of millions of cranes annually. These paper cranes symbolize the hopes of people across the globe who wish for peace, transcending national borders.
Around the statue, colorful paper cranes sent from all over the world are offered daily, amounting to tens of millions of cranes annually. These paper cranes symbolize the hopes of people across the globe who wish for peace, transcending national borders.
Location
Starting from the Atomic Bomb Dome, walk along the river with the streetcar station behind you. It is right after you cross the bridge.
Gallery
Transcript of the Information Panel
Sponsor: Hiroshima Children and Students Association for the Creation of Peace
Design: Kazuo Kikuchi, Professor, Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music
This monument stands in memory of all children who died as a result of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. The monument was originally inspired by the death of Sadako Sasaki, who was exposed to radiation from the atomic bomb at the age of two. Ten years later Sadako developed leukemia that ultimately ended her life. Sadako’s untimely death compelled her classmates to begin a call for the construction of a monument for all children who died due to the atomic bomb. Built with contributions from more than 3,200 schools in Japan and donors in nine countries, the Children’s Peace Monument was unveiled on May 5, 1958.
At the top of the nine-meter monument, a bronze statue of a young girl lifts a golden crane entrusted with dreams for a peaceful future. Figures of a boy and a girl are located on the sides of the monument.
The inscription on the stone block under the monument reads:”This is our prayer. For building peace in this world.” On the surface of the bell hung inside the monument, the phrases “A Thousand Paper Cranes” and “Peace on the Earth and in the Heavens” are carved in the handwriting of Dr.Hideki Yukawa, Novel Prize Laureate in Physics. The bell and golden crane suspended inside the monument are replicas produced in 2003.
Design: Kazuo Kikuchi, Professor, Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music
This monument stands in memory of all children who died as a result of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. The monument was originally inspired by the death of Sadako Sasaki, who was exposed to radiation from the atomic bomb at the age of two. Ten years later Sadako developed leukemia that ultimately ended her life. Sadako’s untimely death compelled her classmates to begin a call for the construction of a monument for all children who died due to the atomic bomb. Built with contributions from more than 3,200 schools in Japan and donors in nine countries, the Children’s Peace Monument was unveiled on May 5, 1958.
At the top of the nine-meter monument, a bronze statue of a young girl lifts a golden crane entrusted with dreams for a peaceful future. Figures of a boy and a girl are located on the sides of the monument.
The inscription on the stone block under the monument reads:”This is our prayer. For building peace in this world.” On the surface of the bell hung inside the monument, the phrases “A Thousand Paper Cranes” and “Peace on the Earth and in the Heavens” are carved in the handwriting of Dr.Hideki Yukawa, Novel Prize Laureate in Physics. The bell and golden crane suspended inside the monument are replicas produced in 2003.
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