An Ethnographic Exploration of Oral Histories on the Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima
SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS ON: AN ETHNOGRAPHIC EXPLORATION OF ORAL HISTORIES ON THE ATOMIC BOMBING OF HIROSHIMA Olivia Shimasaki Department of Sociology and Anthropology School of Language, Social and Political Sciences University of Canterbury Christchurch, New Zealand January 2021 A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts. ii ABSTRACT This thesis explores the human experiences of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima since August 6th, 1945. Employing ethnographic approaches of participant observation, fieldwork, and narrative analysis, narrative accounts of thirteen research participants within cultural settings were examined. This exploratory research attempts to build on awareness and understandings of survivor’s experiences. Findings suggest survivors of the atomic bombing have faced trauma, silence, physical injury, and social discrimination, amongst other impacts. Over time, responses towards hibakusha [a person affected by the atomic bombing/s of Hiroshima/Nagasaki, or its radioactivity] and nuclear weapons have changed. Memory of the event is considered throughout this research, as seventy-five years has passed since the indiscriminate atomic bombings by the United States against Japan. Research findings reveal the different perspectives and understandings held by individuals of the same event. This thesis argues that collection of narratives on human experiences of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima provides an important contribution to our understanding of the event, and its past, present, and future impacts and implications. Keywords: Hiroshima, Atomic bomb, Survivor, Hibakusha, Memory, Trauma. Olivia Shimasaki MA Thesis iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to recognise that this thesis journey is the result of collective support and encouragement. I thank everyone who believed in me and this thesis.
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