Modern Relics: The Sanctification of A-Bomb Objects in the Hiroshima Museum

A-bomb relics from Hiroshima's Genbaku Dome have evolved into sacred objects central to commemoration, reflecting a 70-year shift in museal representation. The study traces how these objects—previously controversial—were recontextualized during the museum's 2017 renovation, emphasizing survivor testimonies and items left by the dead (ihin) over earlier displays like mannequins. This transformation parallels debates on Holocaust memorialization, highlighting the sanctification of victim-related artifacts in modern remembrance practices.

Zwigenberg, R. (2021). Modern Relics: The Sanctification of A-Bomb Objects in the Hiroshima Museum. Holocaust and Genocide Studies, 35(1), 44–62. https://doi.org/10.1093/hgs/dcab014