Walking around Nagasaki, Part VII: Urakami Cathedral

Prev: Walking around Nagasaki, Part VI: A tribute to medical staff who died in the atom bomb 

And finally, I was at Urakami Cathedral. I had wanted to visit here since I read the story of Dr Takashi.

Urakami Cathedral

 

Urakami Cathedral

 

The original cathedral, which was Asia's largest church building at the time, was completely destroyed. This structure was rebuilt after a visit by Pope John Paul II

This saint's head was knocked out in the blast 

As were the eyes of this Mary 

The original church bell 

The original church bell at Urakami Cathedral

I collected a number of small pebbles and stones from different sites of this cathedral. Most of Nagasaki's Christian population lived in this area, and were wiped out in the blast 

This painting, by a Japanese Catholic...... 

Jesus at the time of the atom bomb

.......along with this haunting ruin.........

............reminded me of this painful question from this article: "On August 9, 1945 where do we find Jesus? In a B-29 flying over Nagasaki? Or with the worshipers, soon to be sufferers, praying in the Urakami Cathedral?"

Related posts: Pre-conference reading about Nagasaki and its Christian population 

Walking around Nagasaki, Part VI: A tribute to medical staff who died in the atom bomb

Prev: Walking around Nagasaki, Part V: The Camphor trees at the Shanno shrine

This sign reminded me of the many doctors, nurses and patients of Nagasaki medical college who died during the atom bomb.

Approximately 230 doctors and nurses and 200 patients....

I picked up a pebble from here too. 

Beauty close to the grim reminders of Ground Zero.....

Walking around Nagasaki, Part V: The Camphor trees at the Shanno shrine

Prev: Walking around Nagasaki, Part IV: The One-legged Torii Gate

My next stop was at the Shanno shrine with the two famous camphor trees. 

From Wikipedia, "Two large camphor trees were scorched, burned and stripped of all leaves by the bomb's shock wave; and yet, despite everything, the trees survived. One tree in Nagasaki was designated a natural monument on February 15, 1969. The dead parts of the living trees have been enveloped by new growth."

I picked up a pebble from here too, and a little of the bark of these remarkably resilient trees

Walking around Nagasaki, Part IV: The One-legged Torii Gate

Prev: Walking around Nagasaki, Part III: Small is beautiful

My first stop in the area of the atom bomb was at the one- legged Torii gate. 

The One-legged Torii Gate

From Wikipedia, "The well-known one-legged torii or one-legged arch (一本柱鳥居) was a result of the atomic bomb blast on August 9, 1945. The epicenter of the bomb's destructive force was located approximately 800 meters from the shrine. One support column was knocked down; but the other somehow remained standing, keeping the gate upright but effectively breaking it in half. The force of the shockwave rotated the torii about 30 degrees on its pedestal base." 

The One-legged Torii Gate

Some of the ruins of the rest of the pillar are lying close-by, and I was able to pick up a small pebble for Dheeraj.

Walking around Nagasaki, Part III: Small is beautiful

Prev: Walking around Nagasaki (Part II): Nagasaki Baptist Church

By now, it was around 12.30, and I decided to walk to the site of the atom bomb. This was a long walk, but I got to see a lot of Nagasaki!

Since I was walking, Google took me along a walking path. It was a steep, but beautiful, climb, through a residential area filled with cute houses, and lovely gardens.

There were lots of great views.

This was a shrine to the dead

I tried to get Google lens to help me identify flowers and plants and buildings, with mixed results. For example, Google assured me that this building was the famous stupa in Nalanda, Bihar.

I love the bikes and cars of Japan, and often miss Dheeraj, our resident automobile expert, when I see them.

This was a cute little bus stand

A cute, little bus stand

As Indians, we often tend to value what is BIG. We love the big houses, with big gardens and big cars. Japan is the opposite. From my small, but adequate, hotel room, to the small and compact, yet powerful and efficient, cars and bikes all around, Japan teaches us that small is beautiful!

Related post: 1. My teeny-tiny Japanese hotel room

Walking around Nagasaki, Part II: Nagasaki Baptist Church

Prev: Walking around Nagasaki, Part 1 

After getting ready, I decided to try and make it to church. I had found a church online called Nagasaki Baptist church, and it looked like they had an English service at 11am. 

Nagasaki Baptist Church. 

They were very warm and welcoming. The service was in Japanese, but they gave me this cute device so that I could listen to an English translation. 

Lovely singing, accompanied by a talented organist. 

The Bible reading was my favorite Messianic passage, describing God's new creation (Isaiah 65). 

There was a special number by the choir. 

And then the message. I was surprised and delighted to see a woman preacher. Obviously the Nagasaki Baptist church is not a member of the Southern Baptist convention! She spoke on how we can experience true joy and fulfillment when we follow Christ who makes all things good. 

The 3 hymns were Japanese translations of English hymns. I was so happy that, thanks to my Clarence school training, I knew the words of all three verses of 'Great is Thy faithfulness' and 'Count your many blessings' by heart, as well as the third song, 'Bless the Lord, O my soul' and was able to join in the singing in English. 

After the service, the English translator came up to me and we chatted a little. On the whole, a very good experience 

More posts and pictures coming in a bit.......

Next:Walking around Nagasaki, Part III: Small is beautiful 

Walking around Nagasaki, Part I

It's been a long, eventful but lovely day. I am tired (in a good sort of way) and happy.

My day started late. I slept soundly, and woke up only after 8am Japanese time. I was surprised, but then realised that my body is probably still running on Indian time. (It was 4.30am Indian time)

This hotel serves breakfast, and so I went down to their restaurant. It was a buffet with a wide and interesting spread. This is what my plate looked like.

After getting ready, I decided to try and make it to church. I had found a church online called Nagasaki Baptist church, and it looked like they had an English service at 11am.

I also decided that since I had plenty of free time today, I would try and walk around as much as possible. (It's not like I had much choice anyway. I have been using my credit card but have not had the chance to pick up any paper money so far. However the taxis, buses and trams only accept physical money, not cards. So, I walk!)

The walk to church took around 25 minutes. On the way, I passed the Nagasaki public library, with this sculpture of a child reading. 

I loved the changing colors in the leaves.

I used this cool AI feature on my phone to translate the Japanese inscription on the statue. I used this feature quite a bit today.

Next:Walking around Nagasaki (Part II): Nagasaki Baptist Church