Tak, our Hiroshima tour guide, was born four days before the atomic bomb destroyed a large part of the city. She was 400 kilometers from the blast and most of the 140,000 who perished by the end of August we’re within 200 kilometers.

She hadn’t narrated a tour in three years because of Covid so her English was rusty but she managed to paint clear pictures of what happened on Aug. 6, 1945; what’s happened to Hiroshima since and her personal life. That was the most interesting part because she didn’t hide the fact that for her whole marriage she battled her mother-in-law to be considered her husband‘s No. 1 wife.

When she talked about a woman’s place in business she said there’s been some improvement in gender equality but not much.

Bonnie asked her if there are women’s groups trying to change the culture. “Not many,” said Tak, “we [women] don’t like to stand out.”

Tak changed the subject quickly for the rest of the ride home showing us examples of her origami skills.

We were unsettled by Tak’s answer to Bonnie’s question.

I made sure I was the last off the bus. I bowed deeply and told her “you stand out in many ways.”

She giggled and bowed. She got my meaning.