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Hiroshima Airs and Inspects Atomic-Bomb Death Registers, Now 349,246 Names

The annual pre-rainy-season ritual protects fragile washi volumes from humidity.

Overview

  • Hiroshima City carried out the annual airing Wednesday at Peace Memorial Park, setting out 130 volumes of death registers to remove moisture.
  • City employees observed a moment of silence at 8:15 a.m., then lined the books before the cenotaph and three staff in white gloves turned each page to check their condition.
  • The rolls now include 4,940 more names than last year, bringing the total to 349,246 across 130 bound volumes.
  • The registers are written on washi and list each victim’s name and age at death through August 5 of last year.
  • Staff also cleaned the stone chamber beneath the cenotaph that houses the books to support long-term preservation.