Tomiko Morimoto West was a 13-year-old girl living in Hiroshima when the first atomic bomb was dropped on Japan. 78 years later, Tomiko is sharing her story with the public for the first time in the short documentary The Silent Witnessin the hope of deterring future conflict and the devastation caused by war. Her refrain: No More Wars.
To support the film’s use in high school and college classrooms, we have created a discussion and education guide to deepen understanding of the power of personal narrative and provide a compelling entry point to discuss topics such as the tragedy and trauma of war, personal resilience, and the interplay of history, ethics, and storytelling.
She was motivated to share her story as the Russia-Ukraine War continues, bringing back Cold War memories for many and a fear of nuclear war that spans the globe.
