75 Years since WWII Ended, the stories are fading
Added 2020-01-29 11:40:10 +0000 UTCToday I visited the the "The Center for the Tokyo Raids and War Damage" Museum https://tokyo-sensai.net/ the remembers the Firebombing of Tokyo on March 10, 1945. We're creeping up on the 75th anniversary of that awful event where 100,000 people died. It doesn't matter what side of war you were on, it's a tragic event and one that's forgotten because there wasn't anything left standing. 286,358 buildings and homes were destroyed. It's tragic that kids learning about the cities history have no visual references besides photos. The event is why Tokyo is a modern city - everything was rebuilt.
I am hoping to get an interview with Katsumoto Saotome who is a survivor of the event and the man who opened the museum. If you're in Tokyo, it's good to visit if you're into history. There aren't many exhibits in English. Google translate does a decent job of deciphering it but I hope a video of it will help. It's being renovated from Mid Feb to April I was told.
What would YOU like to see out of a video like this?
My thoughts ... are still evolving on this.
For Japanese, it's preserving their history - remembering their grand parents and great grandparents era and the destruction of their home.
For the rest of the world, it's a reminder to avoid war or use it as a last resort.
Perhaps more. I know you support what I do so your input is greatly appreciated.
PDF of the museum in English is attached. > https://tokyo-sensai.net/old/english_page/Brochure2010.pdf
Comments
Have you seen a movie called "in this corner of the world", also an animated movie covering the war era. it has however a happier ending and can be watched often.
Happy Rails
2020-01-30 22:59:11 +0000 UTCYes, one of the best studio ghibli movies, but also one of the most heart breaking movies ever .
Happy Rails
2020-01-30 13:44:12 +0000 UTCNot Tokyo related but there is a Studio Ghibli anime movie that displays the final days of war, the bombings and the aftermath's effects on the regular people better than anything: Isao Takahata's Grave of the Fireflies. A 14 year old boy and his 4 year old sister trying to survive. But be aware that it will rip your heart out and I'm not sure there is somebody strong enough to watch it a second time.
Christian Koch
2020-01-30 09:33:50 +0000 UTCWe must wait until john gives Nagasaki his special touch, including a midnight snack run. But it will not be an easy wait.
Happy Rails
2020-01-30 06:43:03 +0000 UTChindsight is allways 20/20
Happy Rails
2020-01-30 04:05:05 +0000 UTCA topic with so many layers that I am sure you will handle with great detail and care John. Hearing Mr. Saotome's experience of having survived this terrible moment in history can take us inside his perspective. I am interested in this story as I must admit to not knowing nearly as much about it as I do Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Jason Bourgeois
2020-01-30 03:29:28 +0000 UTCThank you!
ONLY in JAPAN
2020-01-30 03:27:01 +0000 UTCThe era has come and gone and IMHO those who refuse to talk and negotiate for peace pay the price as do the innocent people who have little choice but to go along. Germany and Japan have learned from it, become the US’s biggest ally on so many things and the peace that came from the devastation has been strong. Much should be said of the wonderful job the US did in Japan after the War. The stories of kindness of American GIs here really make me feel good about the US, being American, and that spirit of building bridges I try to continue with the series. The way they helped Japan after WWII is the reason the generations after adores American culture and Americans. I still see old timers with US hats, paying respect for the friendships made in tough times.
ONLY in JAPAN
2020-01-30 03:08:19 +0000 UTChttps://apjjf.org/2015/13/9/Saotome-Katsumoto/4293.html is the link to that article John
Michael Hatch
2020-01-30 03:07:09 +0000 UTCI think more should be remembered of war, Dec 7th too! When civilians die in a war, families, kids — it leaves deep scars in a community or city. It’s not a popular thing, to cover the wounds of war — I don’t see any YouTubers in the US perusing it. Tokyo has been my home for most of my time in Japan and I know 3/10/1945 changed the history and direction of the city and the people in it — and the direction of the war.
ONLY in JAPAN
2020-01-30 02:59:38 +0000 UTCThank you for this and I will ask Mr Katsumoto about this experience of interviewing others about the air raid if I get the chance. This is what I’m looking for for this episode.
ONLY in JAPAN
2020-01-30 02:55:46 +0000 UTCHere is a quote from Saotome Katsumoto: "In the summer of 1970, twenty-five years after the end of the war, I walked around Tokyo every day with a notebook and pen, visiting families of the victims to interview them about their experiences of the air raids, particularly the Great Tokyo Air Raid of March 10, 1945. I recorded the testimonies of over twenty people either directly or at second hand. I was turned away at the door many times, and not one of those who agreed to be interviewed was calm or composed. As if on cue, they all broke down during their accounts and, sitting there with my pen in hand, I was unable to look up at them. The scars are still deep. These wounds will never heal as long as they live. For them the "postwar" period will never end. Understanding this state of mind made me all the more determined to get the victims to open up, revisit deeply buried memories, and describe their experiences. I had to reveal clearly the reality of the Great Tokyo Air Raid, a reality that was much worse than tragic. However painful it might be, confronting people's actual experience of war will surely help to build a firm foothold for peace."
Michael Hatch
2020-01-30 02:53:49 +0000 UTCIt's interesting to me that many people in the U.S. do not know the historical significance of Dec. 7th.
Jkoadventures (Jeanette)
2020-01-29 22:22:04 +0000 UTCIt is important to continue to talk about history so that we can learn and, hopefully, not repeat the mistakes. Although it is important NOT to judge with our current knowledge but to recognize the decisions that were made at that time with the information that was known from that time.
Jkoadventures (Jeanette)
2020-01-29 22:21:18 +0000 UTCAs a side note, no axis airman was ever charged with a war crime for bombing an enemy city, that was reserved for the men who were the nations leaders.
Happy Rails
2020-01-29 22:13:55 +0000 UTCIn war, no hand is clean
Happy Rails
2020-01-29 21:57:54 +0000 UTC
