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A-bomb Artifacts

ID Code 3504-0039
Artifact Name Pass Case
Donor Hunatsuki Sayoko
Receiving Date 2004/08/04
Size (W×H×D) (mm) 150×115×10
Distance from the Hypocenter(m) 1700
Number 1
Location Misasa, Gion areas
Description Pass case
Donated by Sayoko Funatsuki
1,700m from the hypocenter Yokogawa-cho 3-chome
Kazuo Kijima (then, 15), a third-year junior high school student, commuted to school from Miyajima Island and experienced the atomic bombing at Yokogawa Station. When he came to his senses, he realized his leg was trapped by broken beams from the station. A police officer, Kuraji Nishi, tried to help free Kazuo's leg but was unable to do so. The station had caught fire and the flames were spreading rapidly. Officer Nishi apologized to the boy and asked his forgiveness for not being able to save him. Kazuo thanked him and then asked him to deliver his student's handbook and train pass to his family on Miyajima before being surrounded by the flames.

My younger brother, unable to run away and unfortunate enough to remain conscious, must have known the end was near when he handed over his student's handbook and train pass and said what would be his final words to Officer Nishi before being burned alive in the station building. I wonder what he was thinking in that living hell as the fire raged about him in those last moments. If the atomic bomb hadn't been dropped and if the train hadn't been late, maybe it wouldn't have mattered if his ankle or leg had been pinned, not to mention if there had just been a saw around to cut off his leg, he wouldn't have had to have been burned alive.
From “Saw” by Yoko Funatsuki daughter of Sayoko Funatsuki

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