What personal trauma did atomic bomb survivor Masao Ito endure?

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Masao Ito Endured Profound Personal Trauma Following the Hiroshima Atomic Bombing

Masao Ito, who was four years old when the atomic bomb detonated over Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, endured immense personal trauma. The immediate aftermath saw him survive the blast while his 12-year-old brother, found severely burned, was hidden from him by their parents and died days later. His 10-year-old sister also perished when her relative's house was destroyed. The horrific scenes of survivors with terrible burns seeking refuge at his family home, many of whom died and had to be cremally burned with kerosene in an open space due to the lack of facilities, left an indelible mark on his memory, characterized by a "horrible smell" he wishes he could forget.
Loss of Family and Livelihood

The bombing directly led to the death of Ito's father from radiation poisoning and the subsequent bankruptcy of the family business. This dual blow forced Ito and his mother to flee Hiroshima to escape mounting debts, severing their ties to their home and community amidst profound loss.
Health and Emotional Struggles

Following his displacement, Ito contracted tuberculosis and spent over a year in a sanatorium. During this period, he received a care package from the United States containing medicine and a Bible. The message to "love your enemies" initially provoked anger in him, given his personal experience of suffering at the hands of Americans, a sentiment that took years to overcome.
Transformation and Advocacy

Despite his initial bitterness, Ito eventually converted to Christianity and came to understand the message of loving one's enemies, particularly after encountering Americans who were deeply affected by the events in Hiroshima. Now 82 years old, he dedicates himself to working as a volunteer guide at the Hiroshima peace memorials and museum and as an anti-nuclear campaigner, sharing his experiences to warn against the proliferation and use of nuclear weapons.

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What personal trauma did atomic bomb survivor Masao Ito endure?

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