ブックタイトルeigo13

概要

eigo13

Disappearance into the Ota River（太田川に消えた）(001)Yoriko Kawai（川井ヨリコ）Hajime was 14 years old and a first-year-student in the machinerycourse in the Hiroshima Prefectural Technical School at the time. He was theoldest son of 7 brothers and sisters. He had an older sister, who was astudent in a girls’ school in Kabe. Hajime had been very healthy since he wasa baby. I had a husband who died in the war. It was about 60 days after ourseventh child was born that he was called up, and then sent to the South. Hewas in the navy. He had probably never thought of his oldest son dying froman atomic bomb. It was after the atomic bomb dropped in Hiroshima that wewere notified of his death in the battle field. We engaged in agriculture atthat time. Since my husband had been sent to the battle field, I took my sonto the entrance examination for the Hiroshima Technical School. When hepassed it, I remember I felt so happy about it because I thought my son couldcontribute to our country.His homeroom teacher…. I did remember his name then but I can’trecall it now.He had kept a diary, but in 1944 and 1945, there were floods, whichswept away our house. That is why there is no record left anymore. Iintended to keep the trumpet he would often blow as remembrance but itwas also carried away.On the morning of that day, August 6, my son went to school to help theevacuation. He told me that he would be home by noon, but I made his lunchand gave it to him anyway. I have never forgotten that he said cheerfully ashe left, “I’m leaving. Bye mom!” That was the last time I saw him. I hear healso greeted our neighbors smiling on his way to school.After the atomic bombing, I was so worried about him. He hadn’t comehome when it passed noon. I became more and more anxious about him. So Idecided to go to Imai Hospital on a national highway. There, I was so shockedto see such a terrible sight. A lot of people were being treated for theirhorrible wounds. They had no hair on their head, and their clothes were tornand worn out. I believed he would certainly come home no matter how badlyhe had got burned because he was always so considerate of his parents, hisbrothers and sisters.However, he didn’t come home after evening fell. I was waiting for him,