8/15
Well, at least this year the Japanese Prime Minister (Fukuda) had sense enough not to worship at Yasukuni Shrine on this the anniversary of the end of the Asia Pacific War. However, three ministers and two former PMs did. Sara and I visited Yasukuni for the first time just a couple weeks ago and went to the controversial military museum there, the Yushukan. I must say, the curators there sure did a great job aestheticizing the space and making the idea of war seem very beautiful. But of course, that’s what all militaries ultimately do, right? We weren’t allowed photos within the exhibit, but I did get the one above, a small statue of a “soldier” (that’s the caption) that greets you at the hall entrance. I also, simply to spite them, stealthily got this shot of a Ohka (Cherry Blossom) suicide plane (basically, a flying bomb). You can clearly see that “No Photo” logo in the lower left:
Indeed, the Yushukan glorifies (the) war and presents a clear narrative of Western aggression (via imperialist encroachment in Asia) that Japan was forced to defend against. Like any partisan history, there’s a grain of truth to that, but there are many many other grains to consider. Take, for example, the narrative at the Osaka International Peace Museum that begins very forthrightly with Japanese aggression versus continental Asia from 1931. Seeing these two presentations of the same period of history back-to-back was fascinating. I highly recommend it next time you’re in Japan.
Interesting. I hope I get to visit the Yasukuni. Thanks for sharing the spy photos too!
August 16th, 2008 at 10:33 pmDid you try the “kaigun curry?” It’s nationalistic AND nutritious!
August 28th, 2008 at 10:42 pmDid you try the “kaigun” curry? It’s nationalistic AND nutritious!
August 28th, 2008 at 10:43 pm