On August 6, 1945 the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, killing about 140,000 by the end of the year in a city of 350,000 residents in the world's first nuclear attack. Three days later, a second atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki.
Inspired by shadows which were scorched into streets, walls and bridges by the heat of the blasts 70 years ago, I spent time capturing shadows in both cities as a personal project paying homage to victims and residents and to record historic monuments.
. Hiroshima, JAPAN. Reuters/Issei Kato
I was moved when I first saw photographs taken after the bombings showing shadows of victims, the parapet of a bridge or a ladder.
Seventy years after the tragedy, how does the peaceful sunshine stream down on the cities?
. Hiroshima, JAPAN. Reuters/Issei Kato
The rainy season in Japan is from June to July. This year typhoons passing through Japan made the weather especially unstable - not ideal conditions to shoot shadows. The bad weather hampered this assignment and I had to postpone my plans until just before the 70th anniversary.
The rainy season was over in Hiroshima but not yet in Nagasaki. Feeling hopeful, I made a snap decision to go to both cities and I was blessed with good luck. One day before I arrived in Nagasaki the weather improved. I could complete this project in time.
. Hiroshima, JAPAN. Reuters/Issei Kato
Another headache that plagued me was how to avoid having my own shadow in the photographs. It was especially difficult at sunset, when shadows grow longer. Unfortunately, I had to reject many frames because of this.
. Hiroshima, JAPAN. Reuters/Issei Kato
These unpredictable elements made it a tough project. But I was also able to witness cities full of vitality and see the life of residents. The large number of foreign tourists visiting the cities, museums and historical sites came as a surprise to me.
. Hiroshima, JAPAN. Reuters/Issei Kato
After 70 years this tragedy is not over.
There are about 180,000 survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings. This year their average age topped 80 for the first time.
. Nagasaki, JAPAN. Reuters/Issei Kato
Many survivors still find it too painful to talk about the events but with their ranks dwindling others are determined to pass on their experiences to younger generations.
In order not to repeat this tragedy we must never forget what happened in Hiroshima and Nagasaki - however much time passes.
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