Twenty-six original drawings depicting Hiroshima City before the atomic bombing by hibakusha (A-bomb survivor) Shigeo Moritomi were exhibited at the Hiroshima City Peace Memorial Park Rest House last September 17 to 30, 2022. 

Moritomi's pencil drawings were based on his childhood memories before the atomic bombing. He started drawing in his 60s, hoping the younger generation could see what the city and its neighbourhoods used to look like back in the day. His collection — published in 2011 — was referenced for producing the animated film In This Corner Of The World. Moritomi died last year at age 92. 

The exhibition introduced Moritomi's life, background, and the influence of his work in animated films, domestic and international visual works, and peace initiatives. The event also gathered Japanese and international experts to discuss utilizing the power of memories to facilitate peace.

The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), the Hiroshima Fieldwork Committee, and the Hiroshima City Peace Memorial Park Rest House organized the event with the support of the City of Hiroshima.

The Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, The Center for Peace, and the Research Center for Diversity and Inclusion at HU were co-organizers of the event.

"The impact of Hibakusha’s lived memories is visceral: It sews a seed of borderless peace," said Associate Professor Luli van der Does, the project's lead researcher, a member of its organizing committee, and the co-chair of the Hiroshima Fieldwork Committee. 

This project was funded through a JSPS grant (JSPS21KK0032), and the Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation Grant (13512/14343) awarded to Dr. van der Does at the Center for Peace and the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences.