In 2023, Sister Lucia Yamada, CSJ had the opportunity to interview Noriko Ogura, who was born and raised in Hiroshima, Japan.
Noriko Ogura currently lives in Tsu, Japan, with her husband. Her daughter is a former student of Sister Lucia’s and studied at our sponsored school, St. Joseph’s Joshi Gakuen, for 6 years.
During the interview, Sister Lucia and Mrs. Ogura discussed the bombing of Hiroshima, the impact it had on Mrs. Ogura’s family, how the bombing is remembered in Hiroshima today and their hope for the abolition of nuclear weapons.
Interview
Sister Lucia: Please introduce yourself.
Mrs. Ogura: My name is Noriko Ogura. I was born in Hiroshima City. I grew up very close to where the atomic bomb was dropped. My mother was three years old at the time. Today, I would like to talk about the stories my mother told me, as well as the experiences my grandmother, relatives and friends have shared with me regarding the atomic bomb attack.
Sister Lucia: How was your family affected by the atomic bomb attack?
Mrs. Ogura: My mother’s grandfather, grandmother and father were all killed when the bomb was dropped.
Sister Lucia: What are some of the stories your mother and your relatives have told you about the attack?
Mrs. Ogura: My mother’s family ran a sewing needle factory near the hypocenter where the atomic bomb was dropped. At the time of the bombing, my mother, who was 3 years old, and her older sisters were at a relative’s house. The house was not close to the factory, so they were safe.
Recently, I found out that after the sewing machine needle factory was hit, my relatives found someone’s burnt bones in the rubble. They did not know whose bones they were, but they picked them up, buried them and made a grave for them.
Sister Lucia: What did your mother share with you about her experience?
Mrs. Ogura: What remains deeply ingrained in my mother’s memory is the smell of dead bodies. The atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, in the middle of summer in Japan. The memory of smell never goes away. She also remembers a swarm of people screaming, “It’s hot! It’s so hot! Please give me some water!” and jumping into the river in front of her.
However, neither my mother nor any of my relatives on my mother’s side really talk much about the true sufferings they endured. I think that what they witnessed and experienced was so horrifying, they are afraid that talking about it would bring back all the painful and traumatic memories, and that those memories would consume their hearts.
Sister Lucia: What do the residents of the City of Hiroshima do on August 6?
Mrs. Ogura: All elementary and middle schools in Hiroshima City are in session that day. Some of the high schools are as well. At 8:15 a.m., each student observes a moment of silence. Then, students listen to stories about the atomic bombing and write essays about their thoughts on what they have learned. Many people in Hiroshima also visit graves and pay their respects to those who were killed by the bombing on August 6.
Sister Lucia: As someone who grew up as a citizen of Hiroshima, what do you hope for?
Mrs. Ogura: I hope for the abolition of nuclear weapons.
I am glad that the top leaders of the G7 visited Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and the Atomic Bomb Dome because this can be a step forward towards world peace.
Sister Lucia: Many of the atomic bomb survivors suffer not only from their injuries and memories of the bombings, but also from discrimination and prejudice against these survivors. Does this very harsh and painful reality of the Japanese society have any effect on your family?
Mrs. Ogura: My mother and all my relatives do not share much about the atomic bombing in detail. I believe they are afraid to talk about it because of the social discrimination and prejudice against the victims.
Sister Lucia: Is there anything you would like to say to people in the United States?
Mrs. Ogura: Please come to Hiroshima and take a walk around the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and the Atomic Bomb Dome, so you can experience and see part of this tragic history with your own eyes.
Sister Lucia: Thank you so much for taking your time today to share with us your thoughts and family’s experience of the atomic bomb attack.