Summer Trip to Japan: Yasukuni Shrine --- Dai Tō-A Sensō (The Great East Asia War) Ex

[Papa Nambu]

Wow, they really cleaned up the place since my last visit more than 20 years ago. They used to show all the R-rated blood-soaked uniforms of senior officers, who comitted Seppuku, casting an univiting shadow of death over the place full of ghosts. It looks great now, but I get mixed feelings about how the place has now been PG rated.

I think this is a "special exhibit" which changes throughout the year giving them a chance to exhibit articles that there isn't room for in the permanent exhibits. I remember seeing at least one bloody uniform last time I was there a few months ago, but I think it was from combat rather than seppuku. I forget who's it was and photography is forbidden inside the main part of the museum.

[J7W22007]

Photo No.037: Reproduction painting of Parting with Oono Volunteer Squad.

Title : 「佐野部隊長帰らざる、大野挺身隊と訣別する」

(Sano Butaichou kaerazaru, Oono Teishinntai to Ketsubetsu suru) - Commanding Officer Sano did not return, Parting with Oono's Volunteer Corps.

History Background :

Following the two previous successful backward disturbance missions on the enemy by Terzawa (寺澤) Teishinntai and, Nakazawa (中澤) Teishinntai), a 3rd unit was to be organized.

Unit - Oono Teishin Unit, IJA 38th Division

Location - Guadalcanal

Personnel - Oono (大野) --- Divison Headquarter (1st Lieutenant, Leader of the Unit) *Oono's First name is unknown.

Sachio Ijima (井嶋　佐千雄) (Sergeant)

Katsuji Sugiyama(杉山　勝次) (Lance Corporal)

Engineer 38th Regiment' s Record :

On Dec 21st, 1942, Oono Teishin Unit planned a surprise attack on U.S. Headquarter (to destroy enemy military property) Sergent Ijima and, Lance Corporal Sugiyama were to join the unit. They departed from their division headquarter on the 25th, and infiltrated with Inagaki (稲垣) Unit two days later. The actual attack was fixed on the 6th of January, however there were to be no contact made and, no men were able to return to the base.....

The U.S. point of view:

After the learning the lessons from the two previous attacks, the U.S. Units were starting to strengthen the defense line. The sneak attacks caused by the Japanese troops gave them a lot of headaches, so they began to build defense points of Inagaki Unit at Gifu in January, 1943. At last Inagaki Unit was wiped out by Gyokusai (Banzai Charge).