On Tuesday 17 December 2013, the Tehran Peace Museum hosted the night of Masuji Ibuse, the 145th night of Bukhara, in collaboration with the Bukhara cultural and literary magazine, Tehran Peace Museum, Tehran University's Faculty of World's Studies (Japan Studies Group) and Melat Cultural & Social Institute.

Masuji Ibuse is a renowned Japanese author, whose novel entitled Black Rain, has now been translated into Persian by Mr. Ghodratolah Zakeri and published recently in Iran. Black Rain was originally published in 1965, 20 years after the Hiroshima atomic bomb attack. The novel is a reflection of the devastation inflicted on Japan and its people after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Ibuse based his work on actual historical records. In 1989, the book was adapted to a screenplay for a film of the same name, directed by Shohei Imamura.

The main goal of the night of Masuji Ibuse was to demonstrate how peace literature can promote a culture of peace. After the opening speech by the museum’s president, Dr. MReza Soroush and Mr. Hasan Hasani Sadi, a board member and volunteer guide at the museum, the evening included lectures on Ibuse’s life and his novel Black Rain, and various reflections on peace literature.

The guest lecturers included Dr. Mohamad Naghizadeh (Head of Japan Studies Group), Mr. Abas Hoseinnejad (Manager of the Japan Studies website), Ms. Naomi Shimizo (Lecturer in Tehran University's Faculty of World's Studies, Japan Studies Group), Mr. Ghodratolah Zakeri (translator of Black Rain into Persian) and Mr. Sohrab Ahmadian (Student).

The evening closed with a reading from Masuji Ibuse’s novel.

To see the photos of this event, please click here.