2019 Theses Master's

Restoring Testimonies: Rediscovering the Individual & Unfolding Memory in Hibakusha Narratives.

Hiramoto, Tomoko

In this thesis, I aim to restore testimonies of Hibakusha, atomic bomb survivors, by using oral history methodologies. The discussion is on the assumption that their testimonies are fixed and are not capable of fully demonstrating the heaviness of the past for the future generations to learn the importance of peace. I first demonstrate how Hibakusha testimonies have been fixed, highlighting manipulations and oversimplifications by the States and the society, which veil the complexity of reality and experience. Secondly, I illuminate oral history methodologies and explain how oral history interviews could deconstruct their testimonies and restore their emotions. Lastly, I present three Hibakusha testimonies as an outcome of restorations. The results are dramatically inspiring for my further research; For Hibakusha, their testimonies became diverse, unfolding their own emotions and sufferings; For interviewers, the whole engagements became great learning experiences of the realities of the atomic bombings.

Keywords: restoring testimonies