A Soul Lost in a Faraway Jungle – Part 2
Our good friend Koji Kanemoto gives us a view from both sides of the war.
It is believed I occupy a potentially unique position when it comes to looking at history as it pertains to the Pacific Theater in World War II. I am American first and foremost and have studied WWII history out of curiosity. As expressed in the description of my blog, my viewpoint is from “one war, two countries, one family”. However, one potential uniqueness is that I am able to read a bit of Japanese; you may be amazed to read what is written about WWII from the Japanese viewpoint of history. As such, I believe each battle will have in the background two broad, driving and dissimilar viewpoints: one from America and one from Japan. The attack on Pearl Harbor is one example. But that is but the surface on war’s history – a high altitude view. One that can be easily manipulated politically. But being on the ground dealing…
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Posted on February 25, 2017, in First-hand Accounts, Uncategorized, WWII and tagged family history, History, Japan, Military, Military History, USA, WW2, WWII. Bookmark the permalink. 30 Comments.
Pacific Paratrooper 
Again a gorgeous post.
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Thank you very much, Mary Lou.
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I very much appreciate you posting this. He has a fine website. I also enjoyed looking at his fine art website.
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Koji has been an outstanding friend to me and I am happy to bring you to his website!!
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A different yet still interesting post gp, all pieces paint an overall picture, even on both sides.
Maybe the harshness on the Japanese, could be explained in their harshness on their prisoners.
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I think it’s all in the culture of both sides and they clashed. You know for a fact that war brings out the best and/or worst of people.
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This answers my previous question superbly.
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Hello! I’ve not been able to visit for quite awhile; it’s good to be back.
What an interesting read. The author really does have a unique perspective.
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Yes, it has been awhile, LB, and it’s always great to see a familiar face.
Thank you for reading Koji’s [partial] family history. By just looking at his research we see the US, Japanese and Internment Camp sides of the story.
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What a wonderful read. Thank you so much for posting this.
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My pleasure!! Koji is not only a good friend, but an excellent researcher!!
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I have always wondered how the Japanese experienced Pearl Harbor. From their point of view it must have been a military success
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Yes of course. But just think how much more damage they would have created if it was not on a Sunday: more men on base, more men back on the ships, etc.
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True!
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Interesting post – thanks for sharing it.
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My pleasure, Sheryl. We definitely need to look at all sides to such a huge war.
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Thank you for sharing as I’m always seeking the other person’s view.
I’ve today signed up to follow Koji’s blog.
Peace,
Eric
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I’m happy to hear that you’ll be reading more of Koji’s site. His research and travels have given us a new perspective on the issues.
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Wow. This is fascinating and interesting. Thank you for sharing this, GP!
I think it is always important to hear both sides of any story, event, conflict, etc. Often we can learn some important things when we are willing (and brave enough) to listen.
(((HUGS)))
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I appreciate you reading this. It gives a whole new perspective on the situations that prevailed.
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It’s always a corrective to read of events from the other side…
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Dad always said that there was always more than 2 sides to any argument, so you have to look at them all to get an accurate view of the situation.
Thank you for dropping by, Helen.
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Ah yes…I’ve known Koji for years! Glad to see you sharing his family’s story as it tells what other Americans have endured apart from what was the typical American WWII experience. Koji is a fantastic historian and writer and I’d highly encourage folks to follow his blog.
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I was honored that he took a letter of mine to the Philippines when he went and read it aloud in a Japanese ritual. He has so much more for me as well. I can never re-pay him for his kindness.
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Koji’s dad and my uncle were in the same CIC unit in the Pacific Theater late in the war. We connected when I started sharing my uncle’s photos and militaria and telling his story on my Flickr account. We found out that we have a mutual friend and mutual interests as well. Koji is, what I would characterize as a true patriot.
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You two developed a rare bond over your family’s history – I’d say it’s hard to get another bond as strong. Koji is a true friend.
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Fascinating to get a view from the other side.
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I agree. Koji’s family has seen both sides of the war and he has included his own research into the posts. He has visited the Philippines himself as well.
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A very interesting read. Years ago, I read some books written by Japanese soldiers about their experiences during the war. Their training and discipline was harsh indeed, and the treatment of enlisted men by NCOs and officers would have been unacceptable in most allied armies. Perhaps it was fear of this that made them fight so hard, alongside their different culture. But it is still hard to excuse their inhuman treatment of civilians (especially in China) and POWs.
When you see this alongside the many atrocities committed by some German units too, it brings home the necessity of the whole war.
Best wishes, Pete.
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You’re quite right about the Japanese discipline being harsh, the soldiers feared for their lives from their own superiors. Thank you for your comment this morning!
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