嘉代子桜, Historic tree at Sanno Shrine, Nagasaki, Japan
The 嘉代子桜 (Kayoko Cherry) is a tree at Sanno Shrine in Nagasaki bearing deep scars on its trunk from the 1945 atomic blast, yet displaying healthy branches and new growth. The damaged bark and fresh green shoots together tell a story of resilience.
The shrine grounds sit roughly 160 meters from the hypocenter of the atomic bomb, exposing the tree to extreme heat and radiation. Despite this, the tree sprouted again after the war and has survived to the present day.
This tree represents the Hibakujumoku movement, which documents and protects trees that survived atomic bombings. Visitors come to witness how nature bore witness to destruction and renewal.
The site is accessible by taking the streetcar to Daigaku Byoin stop or walking from JR Urakami Station in about ten minutes. The shrine grounds are freely open, and the tree sits in an accessible area where visitors can pass by at any time.
The Kusunoki Foundation, established in 2018, maintains this tree alongside approximately 50 other survivors of the atomic blast within a four-kilometer radius. This collection makes the location a hub for understanding how nature resists extreme destruction.
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