The bell tower of this Buddhist temple, located 1,750 meters east of the A-bomb blast’s hypocenter, is the closest wooden structure to ground zero to have escaped complete destruction. Though Tamonin’s gate and Bishamondo Hall, one of its principal structures, were leveled by the blast, and its main hall and priests’ quarters severely damaged, the bell tower somehow remained standing despite its wooden beams being torn off and its roof destroyed. At the time of the bombing, there was no actual bell in the tower—the sizable instrument had been seized by military authorities for its valuable bronze.

On August 5, 1949, a new bell was unveiled, thanks to the efforts of families of A-bomb victims. Known as the Peace Bell, it was cast partly using sand taken from ground close to the hypocenter, and it features the inscription “No More Hiroshimas” together with a relief of the Buddhist deity Kannon, the bodhisattva of mercy, in the sky over the city. Several other meaningful inscriptions adorn the bell as well. With a replacement roof having been added to the bell tower and the temple itself rebuilt, the intention now is to preserve these for eternity. The bell is struck each day at 8:15 a.m., the time of the bombing, its deep toll offering a profound prayer for the many souls lost in the attack, and for humanity to someday achieve world peace.

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