| ID Code | 9299-0387 |
|---|---|
| Artifact Name | Envelope with “Will" written on it |
| Donor | MUKAI Hiroko |
| Receiving Date | 2019/6/18 |
| Size (W×H×D) (mm) | |
| Distance from the Hypocenter(m) | |
| Number | 1 |
| Location | Kokutaiji, Senda areas |
| Description | Ryuichi Omoto (then 17) was at his work office about 900 meters from the hypocenter when he was exposed to the atomic bomb. He escaped from the collapsed building and, although injured, was able to get to his home in the suburbs the next day. Ryuichi had a high fever and died on August 22nd, despite his mother, Shimako, trying desperately to care for him. There was no will in the envelope that was marked “Will." Instead, there was only a sheet of paper that includes hints for responding to roll call and the list of contents of the service bag. <From the testimony of his mother, Shimako (excerpt from “Living Under the Atomic Cloud")> He was finally able to talk on the morning of the 8th. “Mom, it was so difficult to get back to Yokogawa. I was walking with a cane, and I wanted to wrap my gaiters, but even after trying for an hour I couldn't do it." Ryuichi's head was bandaged down to his ears. Blood had soaked through the bandage. When I removed the bandage, I could see a large wound from the top of his head to where his ear should have been, but his ear was missing. I used tweezers to grab an area where the bandage was bulging, and pulled out a shard of glass. There wasn't an inch of his back that wasn't covered in pieces of glass. I pulled out 10 or 20 every day. He asked me, “Mom, how bad are my injuries?" And I said, “The doctor will take care of it, so you'll get better." And he said, “But, Mom. When I get older, do you think anyone will be my wife? Mom, bring me a mirror so I can see." And I said, “I'm sorry. We lost the mirror in the flood. We don't have one anymore." As his mother, I couldn't bring myself to show him... As he was dying, my son said, “Even if I die, I'll stay by your side and protect you, Mom, so please stay well." Even if I try to forget about those days, I can still see him in quiet moments when my mind is still. “Ryuichi, why did you die? I'm fine, because I know you are protecting me." I cannot help but cry for him at least once every day. Hints for responding to roll call and the list of contents of the service bag. The list says, “7. Always be prepared, B. Farewell note (to father, mother, wife, and children)." |