In the novel “Hiroshima”, a sense of “community spirit” constantly reoccurs. Community spirit is the willingness to help others during times of crisis. This concept is a widely popular Japanese mindset that is greatly portrayed throughout “Hiroshima.” In the novel, there is a naval ship that sails in the rivers announcing incoming aid. However, this aid does not come. Although this false hope angers the Japanese, it does not stop them from supporting each other. These people all experienced similar situations, and are able to suppress their emotions for their own sake and the sake of others. A demonstration of community spirit is of Father Kleinsorge. After the blast, Kleinsorge suffered from the pain of inflicted wounds. However, the devastation
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Tanimoto also comes to represent “elated community spirit.” Immediately after the bomb was dropped, Tanimoto immediately rushed to aid the wounded. He said that he felt compassion as a Christian, yet guilty that he was uninjured as a Japanese. Even after he ran into his family, Tanimoto continued to run towards the city. At Asano Park, he transported the wounded across the river to avoid the incoming flames. Kiyoshi Tanimoto put aside his fears and anxieties of himself and his family to worry about the less fortunate. Tanimoto felt as if this was his duty to help people since he was uninjured. His “elated community spirit” wasn’t a happiness, but a desire for him. He wanted to make it up to the people of Japan; he believed God himself chose him to help people (e.g. praying to God that he wouldn’t die so he could continue to aid the wounded cross the river). Tanimoto’s national pride in Japan can be similarly compared to the girls in the river singing “Kimi ga yo,” the Japanese national anthem. Both of the girls and Tanimoto’s dedication to Japan are essential to “community spirit” by giving the survivors, or hibakusha, strength bother physically and mentally. Their approaches to the situation allowed the people of Hiroshima to stand strong and fight for a cause (they believed that they had to be strong, and if necessary, die for their Emperor. This is similar to Mr. Fukai’s belief). One of the girls stated, “Yes, people of Hiroshima died
Tanimoto also comes to represent “elated community spirit.” Immediately after the bomb was dropped, Tanimoto immediately rushed to aid the wounded. He said that he felt compassion as a Christian, yet guilty that he was uninjured as a Japanese. Even after he ran into his family, Tanimoto continued to run towards the city. At Asano Park, he transported the wounded across the river to avoid the incoming flames. Kiyoshi Tanimoto put aside his fears and anxieties of himself and his family to worry about the less fortunate. Tanimoto felt as if this was his duty to help people since he was uninjured. His “elated community spirit” wasn’t a happiness, but a desire for him. He wanted to make it up to the people of Japan; he believed God himself chose him to help people (e.g. praying to God that he wouldn’t die so he could continue to aid the wounded cross the river). Tanimoto’s national pride in Japan can be similarly compared to the girls in the river singing “Kimi ga yo,” the Japanese national anthem. Both of the girls and Tanimoto’s dedication to Japan are essential to “community spirit” by giving the survivors, or hibakusha, strength bother physically and mentally. Their approaches to the situation allowed the people of Hiroshima to stand strong and fight for a cause (they believed that they had to be strong, and if necessary, die for their Emperor. This is similar to Mr. Fukai’s belief). One of the girls stated, “Yes, people of Hiroshima died