The place we were visiting was Minamata Memorial Monument at Minamata Bay. We passed by the Eco Park which shared the same big open land as the memorial monument. There was a Rose Garden in the Eco Park. There were more than 100 varieties of roses. The people employed to take care of the Rose Garden were mainly mentally slower. That was an avenue to provide a job for them. One thing that would struck visitors about the park was that the flowers were blooming nicely all around.
Upon arriving Minamata Bay, we were greeted by such scenic view of the open space, clear sky, blue sea with islands and mountains as backdrop.
After some walking, we reached the Minamata Memorial. Our tour guide gave us a brief background. The memorial was to commemorate the death of the Minamata disease victims. The entire land that we were standing on was actually reclaimed land to contain the mercury pollution that caused the Minamata disease. Minamata was the first world official disease that was caused by man-made pollution by discharging methyl mercury into the sea, ignoring the harmful effects to environment and man. Many lives were lost and tragedies struck many families due to Minamata disease. Thus, the memorial was to remember the dead, learn from the mistakes and a reminder not to repeat history.
In Japanese culture, stone figurines were placed around the open field around the memorial as a way to commemorate the dead.
After the tour guide's explanation, we were free to look around and take photo. With such scenic views, how can we not take photos?
With such blue sky, clear water, blooming flowers, birds flying in the air, it was evident that the once life-taking bay is now a life-giving one.
5:20 PM |
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