Japanese teacup, atomic blast Hiroshima: Merchant Seaman Francis Smith

Small Japanese ceramic teacup with a grey crackle glaze and an enamelled design. On the exterior there is a small inscription written in red and a colourful design of figures performing domestic activities in pairs. Some of the design has been effected by the heat of the blast and therefore has been obscured. There is one large chip on the rim of the cup.

This teacup was collected in Hiroshima, 1945, by Merchant Seaman Francis Smith.

The damage to the cup was caused by the nuclear bomb dropped on Hiroshima in August 1945. Post war, Japanese ports became a frequent stop over for many vessels travelling through the Pacific as well as the point of repatriation for Prisoners of War who were interned in Japan. Hiroshima quickly became a popular tourist attraction during this time. With no knowledge of the dangers of radiation, foreign visitors would visit the site, often collecting or purchasing damaged items to take home as souvenirs.

Smith was a professional seaman before the Second World War and had joined the Merchant Navy as a Bosun. During the war, he served on several ships including the MV Macdhui and the hospital ship Manunda and he was said to be sunk five times.