Town of Evening Calm, Country of Cherry Blossoms: The Renarrativation of Hiroshima Memories

Hiroshima's transformation from a military center to the 'Peace Memorial City' reflects a strategic renarrativation of its atomic bombing history, where memories of destruction are deliberately conflated with peace symbolism. Research reveals that this shift was not merely psychological but a politically motivated act, driven by city planners and Allied forces during the post-war era. The study highlights how Hiroshima's commemorative spaces, such as the Peace Memorial Park and the Atomic Bomb Dome, were designed to spatially represent a global narrative of peace rooted in Cold War military supremacy. By analyzing discourses emerging around Hiroshima's 60th anniversary, the research underscores the ideological power shaping collective memory, demonstrating how historical trauma is repurposed to serve contemporary geopolitical agendas.

Ichitani, T. (2010). Town of Evening Calm, Country of Cherry Blossoms: The Renarrativation of Hiroshima Memories. Journal of Narrative Theory, 40(3), 364–390. https://doi.org/10.1353/jnt.2010.a408655