Interactive Bronze Sculpture in Nanjing Invites Visitors to Wipe Its Never-Ending Tears

In Nanjing, China, there's a striking bronze statue of a sorrowful woman that has caught people's attention because it actually produces real tears for visitors to wipe away. This artwork, depicting an elderly woman in distress, is situated at the Memorial Hall of the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre, which was once a station for 'comfort women' on Liji Lane. Since its unveiling in 2015, it has become the first memorial honoring those who suffered sexual slavery at the hands of the Imperial Japanese Army during the Nanjing Massacre that started on December 13, 1937, and continued until March 1938, claiming around 300,000 lives. The memorial, which opened in 1985, houses about 1,600 artifacts and 680 photographs, along with various sculptures and videos that depict the horrors of that time. The interactive nature of the statue has been praised for fostering a healing experience for visitors. One Reddit user shared that their visit was both eye-opening and deeply moving, especially noting the pit for discarded bodies and a library filled with the names of the deceased. Together, the statue and the hall serve as an important reminder of this tragic history, ensuring that those who suffered are remembered.