A Song for Nagasaki
The Story of Takashi Nagai:
Scientist, Convert, and Survivor of the Atomic Bomb
Fr Paul Glynn
Shusaku Endo (Forward)
ISBN 9781586173432
eISBN 9781681494463
ASIN B002T6V4WQ
I picked this up to read during lent in 2025 to follow along with the Hallow app Lent 40. In 2025 they paired this volume with Saint Josemaria’s The Way and other resources including The Power of Silence by Robert Cardinal Sarah. I had previous read Cardinal Sarah’s volume twice, and I have read the way numerous times over the years. The three volumes worked very well together. And I am glad I read them together and over several weeks because I really slowed down and engaged with the story of Takashi Nagai and the impact of his life.
The description of this volume is:
“On August 9, 1945, an American B-29 dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki, Japan, killing tens of thousands of people in the blink of an eye, while fatally injuring and poisoning thousands more. Among the survivors was Takashi Nagai, a pioneer in radiology research and a convert to the Catholic Faith. Living in the rubble of the ruined city and suffering from leukemia caused by over-exposure to radiation, Nagai lived out the remainder of his remarkable life by bringing physical and spiritual healing to his war-weary people.
A Song for Nagasaki tells the moving story of this extraordinary man, beginning with his boyhood and the heroic tales and stoic virtues of his family's Shinto religion. It reveals the inspiring story of Nagai's remarkable spiritual journey from Shintoism to atheism to Catholicism. Mixed with interesting details about Japanese history and culture, the biography traces Nagai's spiritual quest as he studied medicine at Nagasaki University, served as a medic with the Japanese army during its occupation of Manchuria, and returned to Nagasaki to dedicate himself to the science of radiology. The historic Catholic district of the city, where Nagai became a Catholic and began a family, was ground zero for the atomic bomb.
After the bomb disaster that killed thousands, including Nagai's beloved wife, Nagai, then Dean of Radiology at Nagasaki University, threw himself into service to the countless victims of the bomb explosion, even though it meant deadly exposure to the radiation which eventually would cause his own death. While dying, he also wrote powerful books that became best-sellers in Japan. These included The Bells of Nagasaki, which resonated deeply with the Japanese people in their great suffering as it explores the Christian message of love and forgiveness. Nagai became a highly revered man and is considered a saint by many Japanese people.”
This is an incredibly powerful story. It was very moving. And it brought me close to tears, which is stating a lot. I have been married 23 years and my wife has only seen me shed tears on a handful of occasions. This is at times not an easy story to read. But to be honest it was a very important book to read.
The chapters in this volume are:
Foreword by Shusaku Endo
1. Calmness, the Number One Son
2. Fireflies, Snow and a Lioness
3. Kublai Khan, Tsune and Pascal
4. The Mouse Who Could Not See the Stars
5. ’Tis an Ill Wind
6. The Hidden Christians
7. The Bells of Nagasaki
8. Dew on a Morning Glory
9. Silent Night and a Precious Life
10. The Virgin and the Prostitute
11. The Great Pan Is Dead
12. At the Feet of a Janitor-Sensei
13. White Australia and the Yellow Peril
14. Typhoons and Graceful Bamboo
15. A Christian Nenbutsu and the Dark Night
16. Arrogant Heike Tumble
17. The Machine That Turned on Its Master
18. But Midori Will Be beside Me
19. When the Sun Turned Black
20. And the Rain Turned to Poison
21. The Last Black Hole in the Universe?
22. Talking Bones and a New Mantra
23. High Noon, and a Nation Wept
24. Not from Chance Our Comfort Springs
25. The Parable of the Bare Hut
26. The Little Girl Who Could Not Cry
27. The Song of a Tokyo Leper
28. The Bluebird Who Visited the Bear
29. The Navel of the World
30. Cherry Blossoms Fall on the Third Day
31. For All That Has Been, Thanks; for All That Will Be, Yes
Epilogue
Glossary of Japanese Words
The story is so moving because it tells of the life of an atheist who starts questioning. He becomes a believer, marries starts a family, and survives the nuclear bomb. He struggles but does not lose his faith. And he is instrumental in helping the community start to rebuild. And he does so much in faith and love. The extracts from his own writings and his own words are so moving. And to witness his faith until his death is fast approaching. And the moving story of his funeral.
This book has it all. And when you combine it with the photographs, artwork, and illustrations that are throughout the volume it really brings to life the story. Each year or 2 I try and read a volume on the holocaust, because it is so important for us to remember. This is a volume of great importance. It is as stated not an easy read but it is a volume well worth reading. I am very thankful I both listened to parts of this story and read it, Takashi’s witness is inspiring. And it will also challenge us. I highly recommend this volume.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2025 Catholic Reading Plan!
Books by Father Paul Glynn:
Healing Fire from Frozen Earth
Hearers of Silent Music
Like a Samurai; the Tony Glynn Story
Psalms: Songs for the Way Home
Thank you Brother Fire
The Healing Fire of Christ
The Smile of a Ragpicker
The Wayside Stream Reconciliation
…
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