Helena (CA 75) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 14 text:

.J3 v ' r t {Jreal Buddha of Kamakura New buildings replace rubble and ruins

Page 13 text:

by ofiic ' ials. The city was almost totally destroyed by the second atomic blast in World War II on August 9, 1945. Over 30,000 persons were killed and 40,000 injured. Nearly 20,000 homes were wiped out in the Urakami district. A park and a pylon mark the site of ground zero. The city has almost completed its recovery from the A-bomb blast, and it won ' t be too long before it will be able to assume its pre-war position as an important port in Japan. There aren ' t very many military personnel in Nagasaki, nor has there been in the past, hence an acute shortage of cabarets, restaurants and taxi cabs and Japanese who jive the pidgeon-navalese used in most ports of Japan by American sailors. Our next port of call was Sasebo, the westernmost city in Japan guarding the important narrows between Japan and the East China Sea. Sasebo is one of two major U.S. Navy bases in Japan. Since its establishment in 1886 as a naval station, it has grown into a major installation. The bay is considered one of the best typhoon shelters in Japan since it contains anchorages for practically an unlimited number of vessels. Nearby points of interest were Arita, noted for its pottery works, Takashima Pearl Farm, Unzen National Park and the seaside resort of Karatsu. We transited the Inland Sea, dodging fishing boats all the way, until we arrived in Nagoya in central Honshu. Nagoya, which lies about two-thirds of the way between Tokyo and Osaka, is one of the several cities in Japan to take advantage of war damages to remodel along modernistic and industrial lines. She is now the second largest industrial city in Japan with markets all over the world. The city ranks first in textiles, pottery and chinaware, sewing machines, clocks and bicycles. Places to see in Nagoya included the Nittayi and Koshoyii temples, Ise Shrine, Nippon Brewery, Toyopet Auto Factory, Noritake China Factory, Ando Cloisonne Factory and Nagoya castle. In May we returned to Japan to Kobe. Kobe is part of a four-city area that includes Osaka, Kyoto and Nara. Kobe, located on the north shore of Osaka Bay in central Honshu, is the largest port in Japan. It serves as the eastern gateway to the Inland Sea and is the maritime capital of Japan. The city itself is noted for its cosmopolitan atmosphere complete with western type hotels, night clubs, restaurants and shops. Visitors to Kobe throng to the Takarazuka Opera to see the all-girl musical revues. The show, reputed to be Japan ' s best, is always sold out in advance. The troupe recruits the most beautiful and talented girls in Japan. Twenty miles east of Kobe is Osaka, located in the Kinki District of central Japan, noted for its ancient history, culture and industrialization. It is the second largest city in Japan, and it is frequently described as the Venice of Nippon because of its numerous canals and bridges. The canals were the work of the fourth century Emperor Nintoku who made Osaka his capital. Today Osaka is the industrial center of the Far East, boasting over 9000 factories despite the fact that one third of the city and its population were wiped out during World War II. Kyoto is the old capital and cultural center of Japan. It was the ruling city in Japan for over 1000 years. The city is still famous for its temples, ancient buildings, objects of art and natural beauty. Its shopping districts reputedly have the best examples of Japanese craftsmanship in silk brocade, damascene, cloisonne, lacquerware, wood carvings, porcelain, dolls, wood prints and art objects. Nara, and the surrounding area, was the cradle of the arts and crafts, literature and recorded history of Japan. The first written histories of the nation were compiled there in the eighth century. At the height of its glory, Nara covered an extensive area with palaces, temples, public buildings and residences of noble and wealthy families. The city is still famous for its temples and shrines, beautiful parks, herds of tame deer and ancient stone lanterns.

Page 15 text:

Main batlerv less OrdAlls Up in Ci ' nlral I ' ark Anybody sc( n Gunga din