Representing and interpreting traumatic history: a study of visitor comment books at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum

Visitor comment books at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum (HPMM) reveal a spectrum of emotional and reflective responses to traumatic historical narratives, underscoring the museum's role in promoting international harmony. Analysis shows that while the exhibition effectively conveys anti-nuclear messages through vivid depictions of the atomic bomb's aftermath, it elicits varied reactions—ranging from deep reflection on war's cruelty among survivors and overseas visitors to concerns about the emotional intensity for younger audiences. The study highlights the museum's interpretive approach as a powerful tool for healing wounds of war and fostering peace, though it also identifies areas for refinement in balancing emotive impact with educational sensitivity.

Chen, C.-L. (2012). Representing and interpreting traumatic history: a study of visitor comment books at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. Museum Management and Curatorship, 27(4), 375–392. https://doi.org/10.1080/09647775.2012.720186