Japanese insight

A Poignant Tribute to a Desperate Thirst

• The Tragedy of "Water" Located within the Nagasaki Peace Park, the Fountain of Peace is one of the most heart-wrenching memorials in the city. Following the atomic bombing on August 9, 1945, many victims suffered from severe internal burns and radiation. In their final moments, they cried out desperately for water. Tragically, any water available was often contaminated with radioactive black rain and oil, leading many to perish shortly after drinking.

• A Monument of "Abundant Water" The fountain was built in August 1969 with donations from across Japan as a symbolic offering of clean, abundant water to the souls of those who died thirsty. The fountain's water jets are designed to pulse and spray in a shape that resembles the wings of a dove, representing a prayer for world peace. The circular shape of the fountain basin signifies the hope for global harmony.

• The Heart-Breaking Inscription In front of the fountain stands a black stone plaque inscribed with the words of a young girl, Sachiko Yamaguchi, who was nine years old at the time of the bombing:

  "I was so thirsty I couldn't bear it. There was something oily on the surface of the water, but I wanted water so badly that I drank it just as it was." This inscription serves as a direct, painful reminder of the human reality behind the historical event.

• Strategic Placement in the "Prayer Zone" The fountain is positioned at the southern entrance of the park's central area. As you walk toward the massive Peace Statue (the blue-bronze monument at the north end), the Fountain of Peace is the first major memorial you encounter. It sets a solemn tone for the entire park, inviting visitors to pause and offer a silent prayer before continuing toward the Hypocenter.