On March 1, 1954, near Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands, a Japan fishing boat named the Fifth Fukuryu Maru was quietly fishing for tuna. Unbeknownst to the crew, they were about to become accidental victims of a nuclear test. On the same day, United States National Laboratories detonated a hydrogen bomb, codenamed "Cheer Castle," far more powerful than scientists expected. The nuclear test not only caused radiation damage to the crew, but also caused widespread panic and anti-nuclear waves in Japan society. What's even more unexpected is that this incident directly gave birth to the famous monster movie "Godzilla", and Godzilla's ugly appearance turned out to be derived from the skin lesions of the victims of nuclear radiation. The story reveals the far-reaching implications of the negligence of scientific experiments, and how art can be a reflection of social reality.
Japan society in the shadow of nuclear testing
The smoke of World War II has just dissipated, but the world has ushered in another invisible war. In August 1945, Hiroshima and Nagasaki were bombed, Japan surrendered, and World War II ended. However, this does not mean that the suffering of the Japan people is over.
The U.S. military then began a military occupation of Japan called "Operation Blacklist". The ostensible purpose of this operation was to disarm Japan and promote Japan's democratization. But underneath this high-sounding coat, the U.S. military has deeper intentions.
They imposed strict censorship on Japan media. Any news related to the atomic bomb of Hiroshima and Nagasaki is prohibited. Information on radiation-induced disabilities, deaths, and birth defects is strictly blocked. Even Japan films cannot discuss nuclear weapons.
This information control lasted for seven years, until the end of the U.S. occupation in 1952. During these seven years, the Japan people were ignorant of the dangers of nuclear radiation. They are kept in the dark and unaware of their situation.
At the same time, the United States is conducting a series of nuclear tests in the Pacific. The Marshall Islands became a nuclear testing ground for the U.S. military. From 1946 to 1958, this beautiful group of islands witnessed 67 nuclear explosions. Every explosion invisibly threatens the security of the surrounding area.
On January 22, 1954, a Japan fishing boat named the Fifth Fukuryu Maru quietly sailed out of the port of Yaizu City, Shizuoka Prefecture. The ship's 23 crew members had no idea what was coming. Their destination is the waters off the Marshall Islands, where tuna is abundant.
The crew secretly rejoiced in their "cleverness". They knew that the Japanese were told not to approach the Marshall Islands, but they did not understand the real reason for the ban. In their minds, it just means less competition, more catches.
Unbeknownst to them, United States was preparing an unprecedented nuclear test at Bikini Atoll, not far from where they were fishing. The nuclear test, code-named "Cheer Castle", will completely change their fate.
On the day of the Fifth Furyūmaru's voyage, United States scientists were making final preparations for an upcoming nuclear test. This is a powerful hydrogen bomb, theoretically more powerful than any previous nuclear weapon.
Scientists are confident that they believe they have fully grasped the principles of nuclear reactions. They estimated the hydrogen bomb to be 5 megatons, enough to deter any potential enemy. However, they made a fatal mistake.
Scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory have overlooked a key factor: the reaction of lithium-7. They originally thought that only Lithium-6 would participate in the neutron reaction, while Lithium-7, which accounts for 60% of the total, was inert. This erroneous assumption led them to greatly underestimate the power of the nuclear bomb.
When the Cheer Castle detonated on Bikini Atoll on March 1, scientists were horrified to find that the power of the explosion far exceeded their expectations. The actual power reached 15 megatons, three times the estimated and nearly 1,000 times that of the Hiroshima atomic bomb.
This huge error not only threatens the security of the US military itself, but also brings immeasurable disasters to the surrounding areas. A large amount of radioactive material was thrown high into the air and scattered by the wind. The Fifth Furyuryu Pill sailed through this rain of death.
The crew witnessed the sudden appearance of a sun-like glare in the western sky. Subsequently, white powder began to fall on their heads and bodies. The seemingly innocuous powder is actually blown away coral reef ash mixed with a large amount of radioactive nuclear fission products.
In this way, without knowing it, the crew of the Fifth Fukuryu Maru became the direct victims of this nuclear test. Their fate is not only a personal tragedy, but also a revelation of the long-hidden fear of nuclear in Japan society.
Scientific hubris triggered the nuclear explosion
The failure of the "Cheer Castle" nuclear test can be called a major scandal in the history of United States' nuclear weapons development after World War II. The experiment not only exposed the ignorance and hubris of scientists, but also had disastrous consequences for innocent civilians.
Let's turn the clock back to the early hours of March 1, 1954. On the Bikini Atoll, a group of scientists in white coats are busy. They are making final preparations for the upcoming "Cheer Castle" nuclear test.
These scientists from Los Alamos National Laboratory are all leaders in the field of nuclear physics. Some of them participated in the Manhattan Project and witnessed the creation of the atomic bomb. In their view, the trial was a piece of cake.
However, they made a fatal mistake. Scientists have underestimated the role of lithium-7 in nuclear reactions. They originally thought that only Lithium-6 would participate in the neutron reaction, while Lithium-7, which accounts for up to 60% of the total, was inert.
This erroneous assumption led them to greatly underestimate the power of the nuclear bomb. They confidently predicted that the hydrogen bomb would be 5 million tons powerful. This is already a daunting number, enough to scare the chills of any potential enemy.
Unfortunately, the natural world does not change its laws because of human ignorance. The moment the nuclear bomb was detonated, scientists were dumbfounded. They watched as the numbers on the measuring instruments jumped wildly, and finally settled on a shocking number: 15 megatons.
What does this number mean? It is nearly a thousand times more powerful than the Hiroshima atomic bomb. In other words, if the Hiroshima bomb is compared to a firecracker, then the "Cheer Castle" is a giant explosives storehouse.
The scientists' faces turned pale in an instant. They realized what a terrible mistake they had made. This is not just a numerical discrepancy, but also a gross underestimation of the radiation range and environmental impact of a nuclear explosion.
In fact, lithium-7 is not as inert in nuclear reactions as they think. Under the bombardment of high-energy neutrons, Li-7 splits into tritium and helium. The energy released by this reaction greatly increases the power of the nuclear bomb.
To make matters worse, their pre-designated danger zones are far from sufficient. The original warning range of 150,000 square kilometers is simply a joke under this kind of power. A large amount of radioactive material was thrown high into the air by the explosion and carried further away with the wind.
At the same time as the nuclear eruption, the Fifth Fukuryu Maru was fishing in the waters not far from Bikini Atoll. The crew witnessed the sudden appearance of a bright light in the western sky, as if a second sun was rising over the horizon.
Immediately after, a strange white powder began to fall from the sky. The crew didn't care at first, and even curiously used their hands to catch the "snowflakes". How did they know that these seemingly innocuous powders were actually blown away coral reef ashes, mixed with a large amount of radioactive nuclear fission products.
In this way, without knowing it, the crew of the Fifth Fukuryu Maru became the direct victims of this nuclear test. Their skin began to show abnormal symptoms, and some even experienced nausea and vomiting.
At the same time, scientists are busy dealing with the aftermath of a nuclear explosion. They had to expand the cordon and urgently evacuate nearby US military personnel. However, for those who have already been exposed to radiation, these measures are too late.
The failure of the "Castle of Bravo" nuclear test was not just a failure of a scientific experiment. Its consequences extend far beyond the confines of the laboratory, affecting countless innocent lives. It exposes the arrogance and ignorance of scientists, and also reveals the enormous risks involved in the development of nuclear weapons.
This failed nuclear test became a turning point in the history of United States' nuclear weapons development. It has forced scientists to re-examine their research methods and safety measures. At the same time, it has sparked a global debate about the dangers of nuclear weapons.
However, for those who are directly victimized, these reflections and discussions come too late. The crew of the Fifth Fukuryomaru, as well as others unfortunate enough to be exposed to radiation, will face long-term health problems. What happened to them has become a vivid and tragic example of the nuclear age.
Nuclear fear gave birth to Godzilla, a behemoth
The encounter of the Fifth Furyūmaru was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, stirring up ripples one after another. This incident not only caused a huge shock in Japan society, but also became a source of inspiration for artistic creation, giving birth to a far-reaching movie monster - Godzilla.
Let's turn our attention to Tokyo in mid-March 1954. The crew of the Fifth Furyūmaru had just returned to Japan, and their physical condition caused the doctors to be highly alert. The fishermen had strange burns and ulcers on their skin, and some had symptoms of hair loss and leukopenia.
Doctors soon realized that these symptoms were very similar to those of radiation sickness after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The discovery caused an uproar in Japan society. People are beginning to realize that the nuclear threat did not disappear with the end of the war, but continued to threaten their lives in a more insidious way.
The Japanese media began to report on the incident in a big way. The front page of the newspaper ran the headline "Second Hiroshima," and the tragic situation of the crew of the Fifth Fukuryumaru was repeatedly broadcast on the television news. Panic spread quickly.
In this social atmosphere, the Japan film company Toho decided to seize this hot spot and make a film that reflected the nuclear threat. They brought in the young director Ioshiro Honda in the hope that he would make a work that would resonate with the audience.
Honda Ioshiro knew that filming a movie directly about a nuclear explosion could cause United States dissatisfaction. He had an idea and decided to use a giant monster as a metaphor for the destructive power of nuclear weapons. This idea was unanimously endorsed by Toho.
So, a huge creative team began to work intensively. Screenwriters Tomoo Murakami and Shizu Kayama began to work on the script, while special effects artist Eiji Tsuburaya was in charge of designing the monster's image. Their goal is to create a monster that will represent the horrors of the nuclear age.
When designing the monster image, Eiji Tsuburaya took inspiration from the symptoms of the crew of the Fifth Fukuryomaru. He designed the monster with ugly scales that resemble skin ulcers caused by nuclear radiation. The monster also has a row of spikes on its back that resemble a cloud of mushroom explosions.
In order to increase the deterrent power of the monster, Eiji Tsuburaya also designed a special weapon for it - the atomic hotline. The blue-white beams of light erupted from the monster's mouth and scorched earth everywhere it went, a direct reflection of the devastating power of nuclear weapons.
When it came to choosing the name, the creative team put a lot of thought into it. They ended up opting for "Gojira", a combination of "gorilla" (gorilla) and "kujira" (whale), suggesting that the monster has both the power of a land animal and the mystery of a sea creature.
In terms of script, the screenwriters skillfully incorporated the Fifth Fukuryumaru incident into the story. At the beginning of the movie, a fishing boat named "Tomitsumaru" is attacked by an unknown creature, which is an apparent allusion to the incident of the Fifth Fukuryumaru.
In the movie, Godzilla is depicted as an ancient creature that awakens and mutates under the radiation of a nuclear test. It emerges from the bottom of the sea, lands in Japan, destroys cities, and causes massive destruction. This plot setting directly echoes the fear of the Japan people about the nuclear threat.
In order to increase the realism of the movie, the crew also deliberately filmed in Tokyo Bay. They made a huge Godzilla costume for the actors to wear and walk around the city in miniatures. Although this special effects technique may seem crude today, it gave the audience a strong visual impact at the time.
A key character is also added to the movie - Dr. Serizawa. This character is a scientist of conscience who invents a weapon capable of killing Godzilla, but ultimately chooses to destroy the invention. This episode hints at the scientists' reflection and guilt about nuclear weapons research.
On November 3, 1954, "Godzilla" was released in Japan. The film became an instant sensation. As viewers watched the monsters on the screen wreak havoc on Tokyo, they couldn't help but think of the devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the nuclear bombings. Many people shed tears during the movie.
Godzilla's success lies not only in its visuals, but also in its success in capturing the collective anxieties of Japan society at the time. The film became an important vehicle for Japan to express their nuclear fears, and also created a new film genre called monster movies.
Since then, Godzilla has become an iconic image in Japan pop culture. It's not just a movie monster, it's a symbol of the nuclear age. Through Godzilla, Japan were able to express their fear of nuclear weapons, their concern for environmental damage, and their wariness of the misuse of technology.
The birth of Godzilla is a vivid example of how art can become a reflection of social reality. It transforms a specific historical event, the Fifth Furyomaru Incident, into a cultural symbol of universal significance. This symbol has had a profound impact not only in Japan but also around the world.
The ghost valley descends the mountain, and the nations compete for power
The ovary left the Ghost Valley and embarked on a long road of lobbying. He carried the teachings of Guiguzi and the ambition to change the world, all the way to the east.
Along the way, he meets a variety of characters, from wealthy merchants to impoverished farmers. The ovary talks to them, learns about the people's suffering, and accumulates material for future strategies.
In Qi Guoji's School Palace, the ovary met many like-minded friends. They talked freely about the general trend of the world and discussed the way to govern the country, and the vision and thinking of the ovary were further expanded.
However, the ovary is not content with just talking on paper. He began to visit the princes everywhere, hoping to find a Ming Emperor to fulfill his ambitions.
Chun Shenjun of Chu State, Xinling Jun of Wei State, Pingyuan Jun of Zhao State, and Ovary visited one by one. It's a pity that although these aristocratic sons are courteous, they don't really understand the eloquence of the ovary.
Disappointed, the ovary came to the Qin State. At that time, the Qin State was in a critical period of changing the law and trying to become stronger, and Lü Buwei was recruiting talents for the Qin State.
The ovary met with Lü Buwei, and the two had a good conversation. Lü Buwei was amazed by the young man's talent, and immediately invited the ovary to stay in the Qin State to serve.
However, the ovary politely declined Lü Buwei's kindness. He believes that although the Qin State is strong, it is not the master of the world.
After leaving the Qin state, the ovary continued his lobbying path. He traveled all over the vassal states of all sizes, but he never found the Ming Jun in his mind.
Years of running around have left the ovary exhausted. He decided to put aside the idea of talking for a while and return to his hometown to recuperate.
Back in his hometown Pei County, the ovary found that his hometown was no longer a person. Once-familiar faces are old, and a new generation is emerging.
In the market of Pei County, the ovary met a burly young man by chance. The young man is fighting over a group of old and weak women and children, and confronts local bullies.
The ovary was attracted by the young man's sense of justice and courage. He secretly observed and found that although this young man came from a humble background, he had an extraordinary leadership temperament.
After inquiry, the ovary learned that the young man's name was Liu Bang, and he was a local pavilion chief. Although his official position is humble, Liu Bang has great prestige among the people.
The ovary decided to get acquainted with Liu Bang and wanted to find out. He deliberately created a dispute in the bazaar, which attracted Liu Bang to deal with it.
Liu Bang dealt with the dispute decisively and showed extraordinary wisdom and courage. The ovary nodded secretly, thinking that this young man might be the Mingjun he had been looking for.
Just then, an accident happened. Qin Shi Huang's convoy passed through Pei County and was attacked by a group of bandits.
Liu Bang led the local people to resist and successfully repelled the bandits. Qin Shi Huang greatly appreciated Liu Bang's courage and talent, and gave him a golden jade robe.
This incident made the ovary see Liu Bang's potential. He realized that this seemingly ordinary pavilion chief might be a figure who could change the world in the future.
The ovary decided to stay in Peixian, secretly observe Liu Bang, and wait for the right time. He believes that the opportunity he has been waiting for for so many years has finally arrived.