open ! architecture HIROSHIMA

Photo courtesy of arch-hiroshima.
http://www.arch-hiroshima.net/index_e.html

A walking day-tour of Hiroshima's architectural landmarks, organized by AWH (ARCH-WALK HIROSHIMA) is coming soon. The tour includes the visit to usually off-limits places like the rooftop of Mmotomachi Apartment Complex.

Here's a photo of Motomachi Apartment buildings posted through the courtesy of arch-hiroshima.

The application period and the acceptable number of participants are limited. The application has just started, lasting until 16 of September.

Memorial Cathedral for World Peace is the last destination of the tour. Quite suitable to end the tour. Architectural details are so graceful and full of devotion by architect MURANO Togo.

In fact, lots of dedication and efforts by many people made the cathedral come true. That aura envelops the precincts and visitors. 

Here's the web site telling you more about the tour. Who's the tour guide? Well, it's me. I'm in charge of the English speaking group. Three other groups are for the Japanese speaking participants.

Hope to see you on the tour.

http://www.oa-hiroshima.org/index_e.html

Funny Turtle at the temple

This is part of a tomb stone standing in the precincts of a temple in the old preserved quarters. This style was basically used by the samurai class, but this one belongs to a commoner in those days.

Mitarai seen from the hill

You can hike up or drive up to the observation platform on the hill named Rekishi-no-mieru-oka-koen (History Hill) to command this photo's view.

Cross the bridges to Mitarai

Mitarai is a small community on the island of Osaki-shimo-jima, Hiroshima Prefecture, lying in the middle of the Seto Inland Sea. The island became accessible by car in 2008 due to the completion of the last of the seven bridges connecting the eight Aki-nada islands. This scenic driveway is nicknamed Tobishima Kaido, meaing the Scenic Sea Route of Stepping Islands.

The island was prospered in the Edo period as a port town where travelers and sailors waited for favorable tide and wind. Rice, one of the most important trade goods, was brought to the island by ship from Hokuriku or Noto, flourishing distribution centers facing Japan Sea. Feudal lords, delegations from Ryukyu Kingdom (their independence was nominal), shogunate officials and Dutch envoys from Nagasaki where overseas trade was conducted, called when they traveled on the Seto Inland Sea to and from Edo (present-day Tokyo).

Naturally entertainment quarters developed. There were, at its peak, more than 100 courtesans and prostitutes sold to the four licensed O-Chaya pleasure houses.

When many of their tombstones were found by chance in a construction site in the modern days, the local people started the project to make a graveyard for them on a hillside which commands a good view. Now they hopefully rest in peace overlooking the inland sea and islands.

In the historical period of transformation called Bakumatsu (the period toward the end of the Tokugawa shogunate in the 19th century), secrete meetings were held and smuggling was conducted in this small island. SAKAMOTO Ryoma, a samurai from Tosa (Kochi Prefecture) who navigated the great shift of modernization beyond the borders of domains is said to have come here too. 

A year-long TV drama featuring him named Ryoma-den is now being aired. VERY interesting. Aired by NHK at 8:00 pm on Sunday. Rebroadcast at 10:00 on the same day on channel 11 of NHK BS and early afternoon on NHK’s main channel on the following Saturday.

Mitarai has a designated area where traditional streets and houses have to be preserved. Besides Edo style houses, early modern buildings also stand including a former theater Otome-za (150 yen for admission).

After exploring the once-prosperous port town, be sure to go up the hill to see the placid inland sea with islands and islets of impressive shapes.

Significance written in Japanese

Here's the Japanese version of the inscription on the wall of the belfry.  　　

此の聖堂は、昭和20年8月6日広島に投下されたる世界最初の原子爆弾の犠牲となりし人々の追憶と慰霊のために、また万国民の友愛と平和のしるしとしてここに建てられたり。 而して此の聖堂によりで恒に伝へらるべきものは虚偽に非ずして真実、権力に非ずして正義、憎悪に非ずして慈愛、即ち人類に平和をもたらす神への道たるべし。故に此の聖堂に来り拝するすべての人々は、逝ける犠牲者の永遠の安息と人類相互の恒久の平安とのために祈られんことを。　　　　昭和29年8月6日

Inscription on the wall of the cathedral

Here's the Latin version of the inscription on the wall of the belfry referring to the significance of this cathedral, Memorial Cathedral for World Peace.

The inscription is quoted once in a past article. Quoting once again for your reference.

This church was erected in memory of the victims of the first atomic bomb, dropped on Hiroshima on 6 August 1945, and as a sign of peace for all nations, symbolizing the true and only way that leads to peace with God and man: the way of truth, not of deception; of justice, not of violence; of love, not of hate. Therefore all who enter this church are earnestly requested to offer their prayers for the eternal repose of the departed and for peace among the peoples of the world.　　
The sixth day of August in the year 1954.

Tatara Grand Bridge from special angle

This photo of the Tatara Grand Bridge was taken from a place off limits to ordinary tourists or visitors. Went there as a professional working in the international tourism.

Tatara Grand Bridge from many angles

Tatara Grand Bridge

The Tatara Grand Bridge on Shimanami Scenic Route is a sleek cable stayed bridge, the sister bridge of Le Pont De Normandie or the Normandy Bridge in northern France. The span between the two towers is 890 meters, longest in the world. 

Kurushima Strait Grand Bridges

Three suspension bridges connected to each other.