Placing Memory and the Preservation of Atomic Ruins:

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  • 被爆建造物の保存と記憶の継承
  • 被爆建造物の保存と記憶の継承 : 長崎・新興善小学校一部校舎保存問題を事例に
  • ヒバク ケンゾウブツ ノ ホゾン ト キオク ノ ケイショウ : ナガサキ ・ シンコウ ゼン ショウガッコウ イチブ コウシャ ホゾン モンダイ オ ジレイ ニ
  • 長崎・新興善小学校一部校舎保存問題を事例に
  • A Study on the Preservation of Shinkozen Elementary School, Nagasaki

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Abstract

This article examines the social context within which decisions regarding the preservation of atomic ruins are made, based on an analysis of the preservation of Shinkozen Elementary School, Nagasaki.<br>The analysis reveals that civic groups and Kozen district residents attached different meanings to the preservation of the structure. Civic groups cited the substantial historical importance of the school and the unfortunate removal of a number of atomic ruins since the 1980s, and feared that the demolition of this second-rank atomic ruin by the city would set a precedent. Such civic groups also argued that retaining history in tangible form was essential.<br>By contrast, Kozen district residents considered the Shinkozen Elementary School structure “their old school.” The memory of the building as a key first-aid station and as a temporary medical center for atomic bomb survivors exists only in historical records. Local residents thus wished to memorialize this history in the form of peace education and a yearly memorial service. The residents placed greater value on peace education, “the yearly memorial service”, and historical records, than on the preservation of the atomic ruin itself. Local residents desired the construction of a new museum to commemorate “their old school” and house historical records pertaining to the school's role as a first-aid station during the atomic bombing.<br>This conflict between local residents and civic groups stemmed from the diversity of memories attached to the relic. Our findings reveal that the social context surrounding the preservation of atomic ruins reflects the particular life histories and perspectives of the people involved. This case study offers an important frame through which to observe the sociology of war ruins.

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