広島原爆の日の翌日の8月7日、本学発祥の地・東千田キャンパスに建立したモニュメント「不滅の学灯」の除幕式を行いま
した。このモニュメントは、原爆で犠牲となられた前身諸学校の方々をはじめ、本学に連なる人々が受け継いできた「平和の希
求」「知への探究」「社会への貢献」の志を、次の世代へつなぐ象徴として建立しました。
　平和の象徴である鳩の翼をモチーフとした大小二つの造形は、それぞれ「原爆ドーム」と「8月6日の日の出」の方角を指し示
しています。また碑文には、平和について一人一人が考え、対話し、行動してほしいという願いを込めました。その思いを、次の
言葉に刻んでいます。

　知を求め集う我らは、古の叡智に学び、問いを未来へと架橋す
　平和は思索と対話、不断の実践の中にこそ宿る
　個の歩みは波紋となりて、世界に広がり、時代の地平を拓く
　平和を希求し、英知をもって未知に挑む志
　これを分かつ同窓と教職員の絆は　愛と誇りとして継承され、
　社会を照らす静かな光とならん
　その志を　ここに刻む

　顧みれば、広島大学は1949年、わが国の国立大学で最も多くの前身校を母体として開学しました。すなわち広島文理科大学、広
島高等師範学校、広島工業専門学校、広島高等学校、広島女子高等師範学校、広島師範学校、広島青年師範学校、広島市立工業
専門学校、広島県立医学専門学校（後の広島医科大学）の9校です。近代の広島は、多くの学生が集う「学都」でもあったのです。
　広島師範学校のルーツとなった白島学校は1874年に設立されました。くしくもこの年は、広島県における近代医学教育の源
流、広島医学校の先駆けとなる躋寿館が仮医学校となった年でもあります。広島医学校は財政難のため、わずか10年余りで廃校
になりましたが、医史学の富士川游や、夏目漱石の『吾輩は猫である』の甘木先生のモデルとされる尼子四郎をはじめ、後の日本
医学に名を残す多くの医師を輩出しました。
　戦前から戦後にかけては、広島文理科大学と草創期の広島大学の教授であった教育学の長田新氏や物理学の三村剛昴氏、さ
らには広島高等師範学校と広島大学で教授を務めた哲学の森滝市郎氏など、原爆の惨禍を自ら体験しながら、学問の道ととも
に、それぞれの立場で平和運動にも尽くされた先達の顔が思い浮かびます。
　最も古い前身校から数えて150年余りを経た今、私たち広島大学人には、先人たちの熱い思いと行動を胸に刻み、そのバトンを
未来へ渡していく責務があると考えています。「不滅の学灯」は、その決意を形にしたものです。卒業生はもとより、本学で勤務した
教職員にも広島大学への誇りを共有していただき、過去・現在・未来を結ぶ絆となることを願っています。
　その思いを共有する証として、「不滅の学灯」の後方には、趣旨にご賛同いただいた方々のお名前を刻む顕彰掲示板を設けます。9月
1日からお名前の掲示を希望される方を募集していますので、対象者や申込方法などの詳細は、本学ホームページをご覧ください。
　これからも広島大学は、被爆地の大学として、そして「平和を創る大学」として、対話と教育を通じて平和を担う人材を育成し、核
兵器のない世界と持続可能な社会の実現に貢献してまいります。

 　On 7th August, the day after the anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, we held the unveiling ceremony for The Inextinguishable Lamp of Learning, a monument erected on our birthplace campus in Higashi-Senda. The monument was erected as a symbol of our commitment to passing on to future generations the aspirations of the pursuit of peace, the quest for knowledge, and a commitment to serving society. These have been carried forward by all those connected with our university, including members of our predecessor schools who lost their lives in the atomic bombing.
　The monument features two sculpted shapes, one large and one small, inspired by the wings of a dove, a symbol of peace. They point respectively toward the Atomic Bomb Dome and the direction of the sunrise on 6th August. The inscription also embodies our hope that 
each and every person will reflect on peace, engage in dialogue, and take action. This aspiration is expressed in the following words:

Here we assemble beneath the inextinguishable lamp of learning, 
drawing wisdom from the depths of antiquity, 
and carrying our inquiry into the ages yet to come.
Peace is engendered through reflection,
sustained through noble discourse,
and realized through steadfast action.
From each step taken by a single soul,
ripples spread across the world,
Opening horizons for generations yet unborn.
Aspiring unto peace, 
and confronting the unknown with courage and wisdom, 
we affirm the enduring spirit shared by all
who have learned, taught, and labored within these halls.
May this sacred bond abide forevermore,
a testament of love and pride, and a quiet light that illuminates society.
Herein, we inscribe this solemn pledge.

　Looking back, Hiroshima University was founded in 1949 through the integration of the largest number of predecessor schools among 
Japan’s national universities. These nine schools were Hiroshima University of Literature and Science, Hiroshima Higher Normal School, Hiroshima Technical College, Hiroshima Higher School, Hiroshima Higher Normal School for Women, Hiroshima Normal School, Hiroshima Youth Normal School, Hiroshima Municipal Technical College, and Hiroshima Prefectural Medical College (later Hiroshima Medical University). Before the war, Hiroshima was not only a regional center but also a distinguished city of learning, where students from across Japan gathered to pursue higher education.
　The Hakushima School, from which Hiroshima Normal School traces its origins, was founded in 1874. By a remarkable coincidence, that same year also saw Seijukan, the predecessor of Hiroshima Medical School and a pioneering institution of modern medical education in Hiroshima Prefecture, become a provisional medical school. Although Hiroshima Medical School was forced to close little more than a decade later due to financial difficulties, it produced many physicians who would go on to leave an enduring mark on Japanese medicine. Two such physicians were Yu Fujikawa, the pioneer of medical historiography in Japan, and Shiro Amako, who is said to have inspired the 
character of Professor Amaki in Natsume S seki’s I Am a Cat.
　As I reflect on the years spanning the prewar and postwar eras, I cannot help but think of those distinguished scholars who devoted themselves not only to the pursuit of learning but also to the cause of peace after experiencing the devastation of the atomic bombing firsthand: Arata Osada, an educator who served as professor at Hiroshima University of Literature and Science and later at the newly established Hiroshima University; Yoshitaka Mimura, a physicist who likewise taught at both institutions; and Ichiro Moritaki, a philosopher who served first at Hiroshima Higher Normal School and subsequently at Hiroshima University.
　Now, more than one hundred and fifty years since the founding of our oldest predecessor school, we, the members of Hiroshima University, bear the responsibility of carrying forward the aspirations and deeds of those who came before us, and of passing their legacy on to future generations. The Inextinguishable Lamp of Learning stands as a tangible expression of that resolve. It is our hope that this monument will serve not only as a source of pride for Hiroshima University alumni, but also for all those who have devoted themselves to this university as faculty and staff, becoming a lasting bond that unites its past, present, and future.
　As a testament to this shared commitment, a recognition board will be installed behind The Inextinguishable Lamp of Learning, bearing the names of those who endorse the spirit and purpose of this initiative. From 1st September, those who wish to have their names displayed on the board will be invited to apply. For details, including eligibility and application procedures, please visit the Hiroshima University website.
　Hiroshima University will continue to fulfill its mission as a university in an atomic-bombed city and as ‘a university that builds peace.’ We are a university which fosters, through dialogue and education, individuals who carry the cause of peace forward, contributing to the realization of a world without nuclear weapons and a sustainable society.