| Place | Asia: Japan, Hiroshima |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL35801.012 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Heraldry |
| Physical description | Porcelain |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | Japan |
| Date made | Unknown |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Source credit to | This item has been digitised with funding provided by Commonwealth Government. |
Porcelain bowl base, atomic blast Hiroshima: Merchant Seaman Francis Smith
Description
A small white porcelain bowl base without a lid. In dark blue it has a design of mountains and Japanese text around the base.
History / Summary
This small bowl (lid missing) was collected in Hiroshima, 1945, by Merchant Seaman Francis Smith.
Damage to the bowl was caused by the nuclear bomb dropped on Hiroshima in August 1945. Post war, Japanese ports became a frequent stop over for many vessels travelling through the Pacific as well as the point of repatriation for Prisoners of War who were interned in Japan. Hiroshima quickly became a popular tourist attraction during this time. With no knowledge of the dangers of radiation, foreign visitors would visit the site, often collecting or purchasing damaged items to take home as souvenirs.
Smith was a professional seaman before the Second World War and had joined the Merchant Navy as a Bosun. During the war, he served on several ships including the MV Macdhui and the hospital ship Manunda and he was said to be sunk five times.