The Flame of Hiroshima

We decided to take a detour on our way back from the Tokyo National Museum into a flea market and park. It was very intersting and we were able to see a handful of street performers that were tremendous. We also found another Shinto temple that we decided to visit.

In walking to the temple, we found a hidden away landmark called "The Flame of Hiroshima". The picture is posted above and the accompanying sign said that this flame was originally found on a building after the US dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima. A man, in looking over the devastation, found a building that was still slightly enflamed. He took the flame and kept it burning until he got home. He kept this flame burning in his house for many years until he donated it to this landmark. I am not sure of the significance of the wreaths hanging on the shrine, but I am sure they represent family members lost to the devastation at Hiroshima.

Although I chose to attend a different session on mathematics education in Japan, I heard the seminar on Hiroshima and Nagasaki was very powerful. I ordered a DVD of the talk and I will provide it to any staff member or student that is interested.