Key Facts
• In 2025, a large collection of previously unknown materials was found in the estate of artists Iri and Toshi Maruki.
• The materials include 330 letters and postcards from the early 1950s and over 1,000 flyers from the touring exhibition of “The Hiroshima Panels.”
• The documents reveal the atmosphere leading up to the 1956 formation of the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo).
• The first issue of the newsletter “Hiroshima Communication,” dated December 20, 1952, was among the findings.
• The touring exhibition of “The Hiroshima Panels” began in 1950 and reached cities like Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and Tokyo.
• Notable correspondents include poet Sankichi Toge, artist Chihiro Iwasaki, and Hiroshima University student Ken Kawate.
• The materials highlight the connection between “The Hiroshima Panels” and the peace movement of the era.
• Some of the discovered items are now on display at the Hatsukaichi Art Gallery in Hiroshima until August 17, 2025.
Summary
A significant collection of historical materials has been uncovered from the estate of Iri and Toshi Maruki, creators of “The Hiroshima Panels.” These documents, including letters, postcards, and exhibition flyers, provide insight into the early 1950s peace movement and the events leading to the 1956 formation of Nihon Hidankyo. Among the findings is the first issue of “Hiroshima Communication,” a rare newsletter from 1952. The materials also reveal the extensive reach of “The Hiroshima Panels” touring exhibition and the Maruki couple’s connections with prominent figures like poet Sankichi Toge and artist Chihiro Iwasaki. This discovery underscores the deep ties between art and activism during a pivotal era in Japan’s post-war history. Selected items are currently on display in Hiroshima, offering a unique glimpse into this transformative period.
