From the series EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE EXTRAORDINARY LIVES
August 06th, 1945, Japan, final stage of the World War II, an atomic bomb named “Little Boy” was dropped over the city of Hiroshima located on the deltas of southwestern Honshu Island. Hiroshima was hidden by an awful cloud, boiling up and mushrooming terribly. Many people died as a result of blast, radiation effects and heat. This horrible memory was described clearly and vivid by Takashi Morita, a 94-year-old survivor of the Hiroshima atomic bombing. Mr Morita, a former Japanese military policeman and currently the owner of a successful Japanese grocery store based in São Paulo, Brazil, emigrated from Japan to Brazil in 1956. Seeking better life conditions, including his health recovery due to radiation exposure and dreaming of a prosperous future, the move to Brazil meant to him and his family a completely new beginning with an opportunity to leave behind all sadness and grief related to the war in Hiroshima.
Dot met Mr Morita with his unforgettable smiley face at the back of the grocery store where his family also runs a Japanese traditional style restaurant with delicious, tasty hot meals. While the steam from the kettle misted up the air and boiling water was poured into our cups with green tealeaves, Mr Morita as the brave bird Tsuru (the crane), a Japanese symbol of peace, longevity and good luck, considered himself to be so fortunate to have survived and recovered his health. Committed to be a messenger of peace, he founded in 1984 the Hibakusha Brazil Peace Association with the aim of supporting other atomic bomb survivors, disseminating worldwide messages of hope, peace and campaigning restlessly against wars and nuclear weapons.
“How many lives and dreams were lost in wars? The logic of war has no room for human dignity.” He made a wise decision switching painful past memories for a meaningful life, fully dedicated to cooperation among people from different cultures and to a stronger desire to live and help others in need.
Sukiyaki Grocery Store
Hibakusha Brazil Peace Association (Associação Hibakusha Brazil Pela Paz)
Avenida Jabaquara, 1744 - Saude
São Paulo, Brazil
Phone: + 55 11 2577-0323 / 5589-9594
For a taste of an incredible Japanese composer, listen to Joe Hisaishi, composer and musical director for many movies such as Spirited Away, My Neighbour Totoro, Castle in the Sky among others:
https://open.spotify.com/track/5JPjambka8VneMbKTX9rWA?si=7Snn7nr0TruybpdVVA8jnA
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