The Poem

A humble reading of the poem:

After humanity has vanished from this earth,
who is responsible for the endless night
and the serene silence that remains?

Hideki Yukawa, Japan’s first Nobel Prize winner in Physics, wrote this tanka in 1945, shortly after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

The poem imagines a world after humanity has disappeared through nuclear destruction. An endless night and profound silence remain—but the poem leaves us with one haunting question: Who is responsible?

Rather than offering an answer, it invites each reader to reflect.

A Future Reflected in One Poem

As a physicist, Dr. Yukawa understood the unprecedented destructive power of nuclear weapons more deeply than most people could.

This poem also resonates with me on a personal level.

My own interest in chemistry began in childhood after watching a film about the atomic bomb. Unlike conventional weapons, nuclear weapons continue to affect lives long after the explosion through radiation. I wanted to understand why, and that curiosity eventually led me to study chemistry.

The world imagined in this poem is beautiful in appearance—silent, calm, almost peaceful.

Yet that very beauty reveals its greatest horror: a world where no human life remains.

At a time when nuclear threats are once again part of international discourse, this poem feels less like a vision of the past than a question addressed to all of us today.

That is why I chose to preserve these words through calligraphy.

Materials & Presentation

Materials: 
Handmade Japanese washi paper, written using Wanpou, a special brush technique that repels ink to create luminous white strokes. The surrounding ink wash evokes the poem’s quiet and contemplative atmosphere.

Framing: 
Each artwork is individually framed in a premium acrylic frame selected to complement the piece. Designed to harmonize with contemporary interiors, the work brings a quiet presence into everyday living spaces.

Ink holds the seasons long after they have passed.

What kind of verse?

In the year the Russo-Japanese War began, this poem was created by the Emperor Meiji.

It reflects the profound internal conflict within the Emperor’s heart as the leader of a nation that initiated war despite a strong desire for peace.

At the conclusion of the war, what was gained was a fleeting moment of victory. However, the cost incurred, the loss of peace, and the dignity of humanity, is immeasurable.

Even after 120 years, conflicts persist.

To achieve the sentiment of “Mina harakara” (everyone is brothers) and foster a global sense of unity, it is essential to deepen mutual understanding and dialogue. Because by comprehending and respecting different cultures and values, a connection of acceptance and empathy can be forged.

I hope that through “Kana-sho”, a part of the cultural and values of Japan can be conveyed to those who are yet unfamiliar, contributing to the mutual understanding that is crucial for fostering peace and harmony worldwide.

What verse?

The man of power of that country has built up a long-term government and gained a lot of glory, but he is still unsatisfied.
It is empty.

With prayer to all who are fighting under the cold sky.

What kind of verse?

About half a month passed after Russian army invaded Ukraine, tears of blood is flowing.

Despite repeated similar invasions past, we were not able to avoid this tragedy.

i want to get rid of this situation, but all i can do is watching over it.

With prayer to all who are fighting under the cold sky.