The Hiroshima Women During And After 'Little Boy'

 Little Boy, a nuclear bomb created in 1945, was sent to detonate in Hiroshima, Japan. Setting off a powerful amount of radiation across Hiroshima, killing hundreds of people within days. Those who were fortunate enough to live we're fortunate to live but was left with rubble once they returned to Hiroshima. Men fought against the government, demanding the end of the nuclear bomb. No one noticed the women in the background watching in the shadows, hiding their deep emotions of loss and terror. Containing their feelings underneath a mask. Until the day the women broke free of their barricade to express their deepest feelings. Though the nuclear bombing on Hiroshima broke many, it helped break many barriers by helping the women of Hiroshima take a stand against their government needed. 

Background 

Around the end of World War II, after the defeat of Germany, Japan chose to keep fighting to the end. Causing casualties in the Pacific Ocean against Western Allies. “Proving that Japan had become even more deadly when faced with defeat.” After months of battle, America sent a warning to Japan to surrender or be prepared for severe consequences. Japan chose to keep fighting. Once receiving the news of denial, General MacArthur ordered Japan to be bombed, calling it “Operation Downfall.” Enola Gay, a bomber sent to Hiroshima to drop the nuclear bomb, set off to Hiroshima. Hundreds of people died, leaving only a few to live on. However, even after this tragic event, Japan would not yield. So, the USA sent Fat Boy, another nuclear bomb, heading to Nagasaki. After two awful occurrences, Japan finally surrendered leaving many to live their lives. However, that doesn’t count those who survived the nuclear bomb. They regretted living, while others died. Knowing that with nuclear weapons millions would die, did not comfort them. As they struggled to rebuild and go back to their lives, knowing that it would never be the same. Understanding the pains nuclear weapons cause, the survivors of the nuclear bombings set out to end the terror nuclear weapons bring. Guilt for Their Children After surviving Little Boy, Hiroshima Maidens live in fear for their children. Rumors about them having disabilities and deformities. Though not many were born with these types of disabilities or deformities. People who were exposed to radiation during the period were affected, some didn’t even recover. Parents were afraid for their children, frightened that their children might go through the same pains as they did. Rumors fly, contagious diseases that nuclear bomb victims passed on to their children to disabilities and deformities. These rumors cut deep into the children scaring them, even when the government changes for their sake. “I still remember those words very vividly” Etsuko, an a-bomb victim’s child, told the journalist, “And I have been feeling very anxious about it ever since.” 

The women of Hiroshima feel guilt for bearing their children because of all the rumors and accusations. As well as the fact that their government had yet to change. Living in inequality for their looks, abilities, and health. It was like the Black Segregation all over again. Because of this inequality, the women of Hiroshima wanted to take a stand against the government. However, because of their strict rules, they were unable to speak out. However, once asked about this situation, they poured their hearts out, full of guilt and worry for their children. Hoping that in the future that they could live a life of equality. Though now, their children are living a life in a metropolis still known as Hiroshima, full of equality. Though, the process to this stage took a long time. Women Can Fight To Men aren’t the only ones who want to fight for their country. Through many rigorous laws, women weren’t allowed to fight for their country, but to reside in it and protect their homes. Nonetheless, after the nuclear weapons were presented to Japan, the women in Hiroshima knew this was their time to fight. Some women weren’t just left around taking care of their house. Like many countries, Japan has nurses and women who sew armory or more. But through World War II, women were brought to fight with but not by men’s side. In some ways, because of Japan’s staunch traditionalism, the changes in women’s lives were even more revolutionary. Women have changed many laws and opinions about how women should act over the past several years. Hiroshima Maidens thought to rise for everything they loved, not just for their country, but for their families. Soon enough, Japanese women were able to fight for their country without having to cause too many problems. Awarded for their service, and gratified by others. Japanese women were “liberated” by their occupiers, which essentially meant they were granted rights equivalent to those women in Western societies.