Japanese 私たちは日本人

Aug 12

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I am always saying that we need to look at all sides to every story and to do that we need to meet them. Here is Nasuko from Japan who also feels that way. Please give our new Blogger a warm welcome!!

About GP

Everett Smith served with the Headquarters Company, 187th Regiment, 11th A/B Division during WWII. This site is in tribute to my father, "Smitty." GP is a member of the 11th Airborne Association. Member # 4511 and extremely proud of that fact!

Posted on August 12, 2017, in First-hand Accounts, Uncategorized, WWII and tagged , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink. 119 Comments.

  1. nasukojapan | June 21, 2019 at 10:13 PM

    Dear GP Cox,

    On May,POTUS came to Japan, the strength of the Japan-US alliance was emphasized to the world.
    My blog in August this year, 74 years later, will develop from here. 😀

    Navy Aircraft carrier “Kaga” and “Wasp”↓

    https://www.nasukojapan.com/post/74-years-later-japan-us-strong-alliance-74年後の日米同盟

    I don’t know where should I write this comment,I returned to the starting point.

    I wish you be always filled with Happiness!! 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • GP Cox | June 22, 2019 at 6:16 AM

      Nasuko,
      How wonderful to hear from you again. I visited your site and I loved it. The only problem is, my google translator could not seem to translate the original Japanese text. I agree that Japan and the U.S. have a strong bond and hopefully that will continue long after I’m gone!! WWII is a large part of the 20th Century that everyone should learn from. The more we learn – the more we can all take steps to be certain it never happens again!
      Have a wonderful weekend and I wish you years of happiness and success! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      • nasukojapan | June 22, 2019 at 8:29 PM

        Occasionally,May I come to shoot the breeze here?
        till we will gone.

        I have kept a wordpress account to process my photos.
        If you OK, I keep here for not losing sight.

        Now,Japan has coming Rainy season,Very humid.

        Oh! I went to Okinawa on May.
        I found photos US ppl who drank Beer ,in old days.

        https://www.nasukojapan.com/post/okinawa-remnants-of-usa-アメリカの名残り

        Have a good day☺️

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        • GP Cox | June 23, 2019 at 6:21 AM

          Of course you can come here anytime to talk, Nasuko! I welcome hearing from you. Thank you for the link to your pictures. It looks like you must have had a lot of fun!! 🙂
          I can understand the weather you are going through, as ours is quite similar at this time of year. Florida is often hot and humid. I used to be able to work in this heat, but now, the older I get, the more the heat just wears me down – so I stay in the air conditioning as best as possible.
          Have a wonderful week, my friend.

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
          • nasukojapan | July 4, 2019 at 1:14 AM

            Celebration Independence Day 2019,July 4☺️🇺🇸🌸🌸🇯🇵💕Dear,America🇺🇸

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply
              • nasukojapan | July 20, 2019 at 11:49 AM

                How are you doing!! 😀

                I tried to post the Tokugawa Shogunate’s Castle in 3 videos.
                Video may disappear for a limited time…,I do not understand how to use Iphone well,yet.
                Please see and enjoy the Japanese castle in the video!! 😀

                https://www.nasukojapan.com/
                “Nijo-Castle,End of Shogunate and Start of Meiji Government　 二条城”

                Japan is Rainy season,A typhoon will come(T^T)!!
                Is it Hot over there?
                Don’t wear(tire) yourself out! 😀

                Liked by 1 person

                Reply
                • GP Cox | July 20, 2019 at 1:43 PM

                  My friend,
                  Isn’t that a lovely castle! The intricate gold trim and delicate design are grand but not ostentatious. I noticed the subtle chrysanthemum blossoms on the trim as well. Thank you for taking the time to send this to me.

                  I am well, now. Had a strange bout with something unknown, but knocked me onto the couch and there I stayed for a day and a half – sure glad THAT’S over!! It has been very hot here. We watch the weather news to see if a hurricane is forming – but so far – good news! I hope your typhoon passes you by!!

                  Take care.

                  Liked by 1 person

                  Reply
                  • nasukojapan | July 28, 2019 at 3:16 AM

                    I’m glad that it seems like nothing serious happened.
                    As Human being get older,ppl don’t feel thirsty,and get dehydrated.
                    Even if you don’ t feel thirsty,please drink something water frequently.
                    Please take care of yourself. 😀

                    Liked by 1 person

                    Reply
                  • nasukojapan | August 8, 2019 at 8:33 PM

                    About Emperor’s family crest:Chrysanthemum blossoms.
                    In this castle(Nijyo-jyo) , the Emperor’s “Chrysanthemum Family Crest” covers the Tokugawa crest “Mitsuba Aoi”↓.

                    https://binged.it/2KFg0F5

                    Nijo Castle was built by Shogun; Tokugawa.
                    From AD12, Shougun came to rule Japan,But the Emperor ’s presence has been More High Formal than Shogun(The Emperor’s royalty has continued for 2679 years in Japan).
                    In 1867 the era of Shogunate were over and everything was returned to the Emperor.
                    So,In this castle(Nijyo-jyo) , the Emperor’s “Chrysanthemum Family Crest” covered the Tokugawa crest”Mituba-Aoi”. 😀

                    Like

                    Reply
                  • nasukojapan | August 8, 2019 at 8:46 PM

                    About Emperor’s family crest:Chrysanthemum blossoms.

                    In this castle(Nijyo-jyo) , the Emperor’s “Chrysanthemum Family Crest” covers the Tokugawa crest”Mitsuba-Aoi =Trillium apetalon”.

                    Nijo Castle was built by Shogun; Tokugawa.
                    From AD12, Shougun came to rule Japan,But the Emperor ’s presence has been More High Formal than Shogun(The Emperor’s royalty has been continuing for 2679 years in Japan).

                    In 1867 the era of Shogunate were over and everything was returned to the Emperor.
                    So,In this castle(Nijyo-jyo) , the Emperor’s “Chrysanthemum Family Crest” covered the Tokugawa crest”Mitsuba-aoi”.

                    Liked by 1 person

                    Reply
          • nasukojapan | August 23, 2019 at 11:08 PM

            Hope all is well with you,dear GP cox. 😀

            Today,New Topics in Japan!!

            About New release Book which I reserved it.

            If Japan will be armed with nuclear weapons, it will be a deterrent to warfare ,and the Japan-US Alliance will become even stronger.

            Japan succeeded in the atomic bomb experiment in 12 August,1945!!
            and,The Soviet Union stole this results of Japanese experiments, and the development of atomic bombs in the Soviet Union, China, and North Korea progressed after the war.

            A Book(3rd revision due to insufficient evidence) is written by an American journalist,
            In Japan,it will be released on September.

            In USA, it will be released in January 2020,
            「JAPAN’S SECRET WAR: HOW JAPAN’S RACE TO BUILD ITS OWN ATOMIC BOMB PROVIDED THE GROUNDWORK FOR NORTH KOREA’S NUCLEAR PROGRAM THIRD EDITION: REVISED AND UPDATED
            By Robert K. Wilcox」↓↓↓

            https://permutedpress.com/book/japans-secret-war-how-japans-race-to-build-its-own-atomic-bomb-provided-the-groundwork-for-north-koreas-nuclear-program-third-edition-revised-and-updated

            Wow!!

            Have a good day 😀

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply
            • GP Cox | August 24, 2019 at 5:59 AM

              Thank you very much for bringing this to me! I will definitely put this on my shopping list with my supplier. Gradually, as Archived material is de-classified, more and more information is available, hence the revisions.
              Hope this reply finds you well and happy and will enjoy the remainder of your weekend! 🙂

              Liked by 1 person

              Reply
              • nasukojapan | August 27, 2019 at 1:32 AM

                I wish you good condition( keep motivation up)for many years to come.
                I was writing to inform you a “New-History-Book”.
                So,You must stay well until you read that book on January 2020!!

                Japan has coming Autumn,Time flies.

                Have a good day 😀

                Liked by 1 person

                Reply
                • GP Cox | August 27, 2019 at 6:36 AM

                  I will look forward to the ‘New History Book’ and thank you for informing me.
                  I am looking forward to winter this year as we have been having very hot-wet weather all summer. I hope things will cool off.
                  Thank you for dropping by. Have a wonderful day!! 🙂

                  Liked by 1 person

                  Reply
  2. moviereviewswithranch | September 16, 2017 at 11:22 AM

    I like how all your posts are so culturally open, and you show different perspectives.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • GP Cox | September 16, 2017 at 3:26 PM

      Thank you. That was how I was raised. My father, Smitty, told me to always listen to ALL sides of any issue – not just he said/she said. That’s why I try to include so many eye witness accounts – everyone saw things differently.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  3. natuurfreak | September 6, 2017 at 6:11 PM

    Dank voor de vele foto’s die mensen tonen met al hun gevoelens van vreugde,fierheid en ^pijn

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  4. Anna Waldherr | September 5, 2017 at 5:46 PM

    I suspect that a photo array of North Koreans would be very similar.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  5. Lavinia Ross | August 29, 2017 at 8:05 PM

    It is good to read about all sides of a war, especially a global one. Hopefully we learn as a species, and move forward. Someday, perhaps, there will be no more wars.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  6. Tofino Photography | August 29, 2017 at 5:49 PM

    Humans have been fighting since we dragged ourselves out of the oceans & will continue to.
    Whoever wins the fight,gets to write the history.It doesn’t mean that it’s alway true but it is the way the victor wants it to be remembered.
    We are all the same.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  7. EmilyAnn Frances | August 26, 2017 at 9:43 AM

    Hi, GP. I’d like to make a suggestion that some kind of accommodation be made for those who do not speak and read Japanese. Google translator is cumbersome and the meaning is lost. If those who write a posting or comment in another language offer even a simple explanation in the language of the host blog they are helping the flow of discussion and bringing a deeper level of participation.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  8. Mrs. P | August 23, 2017 at 11:32 AM

    One of the things I most dislike about history is the tendencies to judge one side as better or more honorable than the other. We all perceive from the viewpoint of our experiences…we all have faults and frailties. it’s a shame that others feel the need to invalidate a viewpoint different than our own…to understand the other viewpoint is the stronger road to take.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    • GP Cox | August 23, 2017 at 1:06 PM

      Thank you, Mrs P. I’ve said since I started this blog that Smitty taught me to look at all sides to a situation, nothing is ever black/white!! By reblogging Nasuko’s post, I’m afraid some people didn’t take me seriously and got bent out of shape.

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply
  9. themofman | August 22, 2017 at 5:34 AM

    Very controversial. I commend you for taking the risk of showing the other sides point of view.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • GP Cox | August 22, 2017 at 6:30 AM

      We both wanted to show the human side inside of the political thoughts. We figured, how can one analyze the war from both sides without hearing from them? Some people didn’t appreciate it, but what can I say? Thank you for understanding.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  10. LB | August 19, 2017 at 12:25 PM

    Thank you for sharing this new blogger’s post. Those photos show humanity, in all it’s joys and sorrows.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  11. natuurfreak | August 18, 2017 at 6:31 PM

    Fantastic photos in this post

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  12. 56packardman | August 16, 2017 at 10:03 PM

    I am sorry to see that you are catching some flak for posting this. We may not all agree with the guest blogger, but I feel it is important to show other points of view and I salute you for doing this.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  13. Val | August 14, 2017 at 7:38 AM

    I have no difficulty in seeing the humanity in the majority of human beings, wherever they are from, whenever they lived. I have the same difficulty as you’re having with many commenters to this post, for instance in my work, with people looking at antique and vintage photographs of upper class people and seeing them all as ill-treating their servants and being inhumane in general. However… there have always been a handful of people who end up being psycho- or sociopathic and unfortunately, in charge of others who then either follow because they fear for their lives, or because they develop a type of folie a deux. And when social climate and social deprivations add to that, things get a whole lot worse. The leaders in Japan at the time of WW2 as well as in Germany and now the leaders of ISIS (and I’m sure there are plenty of people – often young people – who join thinking it’s something it’s not and then regret it – or don’t even live to regret it) were that type and people did follow… What I’m trying to say is it’s impossible for us to tell now, as it will be in the future for people looking back on our own dark times simply as a history most of them won’t have lived, who was who out of the unknowns (the so-called ‘little people’) – who was complicit and who wasn’t – and I really don’t think that presenting non-specific photos is going to change things much. To give another angle on the more human side, I would rather read first-hand accounts from ‘the enemy’. For instance, how about an article on Albert Göring? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_G%C3%B6ring

    All that aside, I admire your courage in posting this.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • GP Cox | August 14, 2017 at 7:48 AM

      I thank you very much for taking the time to express your thoughts and feelings on this post. I knew I might receive some uncomfortable replies or rantings – that seems to be the drift these days, but you saw what I was trying to do and I agree. From now on I shall post first-hand accounts . As far as Goring is concerned, I have read up on him but do not feel qualified to write a post. This site only covers the ETO during intermission time, otherwise it covers the Asia-Pacific theaters – and even then – it’s a snippet of all that actually transpired.
      I thank you very much for your visit.

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply
  14. akemi_m | August 14, 2017 at 4:38 AM

    I basically agree with your idea of “looking at all sides,” but I disagree to repost her (Nasuko)blog. When I look at the post it made me sick and felt bad. I went went through her other blogs, then I felt annoyed, as her blogs seems too much militaristic and rationalized what Japan did during WW2.

    She arranged war-related photos (from SNSs?) , mostly jumbled unrelatedly. I noticed a photo, different from other (militaristic) photos. It is a well-known photo captioned “A Japanese boy standing at attention after having brought his dead younger brother to a cremation pyre, 1945.” I wonder she really understands the meaning of the photo.

    US photographer Joe O’Donnell took the photo at Nagasaki a few days after the bombing and sent to the U.S. military. He took this (heart-breaking) photo just to document it at that time, later he started traveling across Japan watching the devastation and the plight of the bomb victims, wounded and orphaned. He cared deeply about the spirit of a defeated nation.

    I still wonder why she put this in the array, unmeaningfully or intentionally?

    She also put the rising-sun flag, the symbol of the Japanese Military, in her post. She mentioned in her post that Japan’s Self Defense Force use the flag. But it is not true. The SDF use the similar one, but changed the design. So it is very rare to see the flag on TV, newspapers, magazines, media people carefully avoid using it.

    I hope there is another “side” where people love long lasting peace without war.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • GP Cox | August 14, 2017 at 6:28 AM

      There are always more sides than 2 to any disagreement – so war creates millions. Only Nasuko can answer your questions.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
    • Nasuko | August 14, 2017 at 8:38 AM

      あけみさん、こんばんは。
      日本語は大丈夫ですね？
      写真について,ブログ投稿日が原爆投下だったので、長崎の少年の写真も載せました。
      闘った日本人も、同じ人間であること、日本には原爆も落ちた事、色々なシーンで既に多く出回っているものを拾って掲載しました。
      私は日本人で日本国を愛している、ただそれだけです。
      私のブログを見て、あけみさんがどう感じるかは、あなたの自由であり、私がどのようなブログを書くかも私の自由です。
      軍事的と感じるのは、今、どんな事が起きているのかニュースをかき集めて自分なりに整理してまとめている（ブログ）からです。
      あけみさんの思想、感じ方、アイデンティティ、ルーツ、等、私と違うと思います。
      私のブログが不愉快であれば、どうぞ無視して下さい。彼が善意で私のブログをたまたまリブログしてくれた、それだけの事であり、それを見て不快になり寝込むからと言って、私のブログそのものを批判される理由はありません。また、彼の善意を邪推されて非常に不愉快です。
      あけみさんと私とは、価値観が合わないと思うので、SNS上で出会っても、お互いに無視し合いましょう。
      SNS上では、様々な人が自由に自分のブログなどを楽しんでいます。
      あけみさんがどう感じようとも、私にもブログを楽しむ権利があります。
      どうぞ、私のブログは無視してください。

      Like

      Reply
  15. usathroughoureyes | August 13, 2017 at 9:40 PM

    We are glad you are showing the human side to war. Soldiers are doing a job and we’re sure not all are in agreement on every order they must follow.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  16. mainepaperpusher | August 13, 2017 at 4:05 PM

    GP, I know it’s easy for a lot of people to still view the Japanese as enemies. I can understand that, but if we look at history as a whole, every country would have a list of enemies a mile long. In our own country, the northerners would still hate the southerners.

    I would like to think that all countries in a war can work toward peace, in the end. Not only is it unfair to blame the people for the madness of a country’s leaders, it is also unfair to blame the children for the crimes of their parents. You can bet that the everyday person in North Korea is not looking forward to a war with the US, and vice versa.

    I am so happy that you posted this. The Japanese are our friends, as are the Germans and many others. Every country involved in these great wars have suffered atrocities at the hands of the others. Horrible regimes exist in many places at different times. Right now, North Korea is a potential enemy. We may need some of our previous foes to help us bring peace to the populace governed by a horrible dictator. Our enemy is not the country as a whole, our enemy is the government that commits these horrible crimes.

    Liked by 4 people

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    • GP Cox | August 14, 2017 at 6:12 AM

      So very well stated and you have my complete agreement. Sometimes I just don’t explain myself properly and my readers have to step up to the plate – just as you have done here. Thank you very much for your comment.

      Liked by 4 people

      Reply
  17. Aviationtrails | August 13, 2017 at 2:00 PM

    You are absolutely right in saying that there are always two sides. The treatment of POWs by the Japanese will be a hard pill for many people to swallow, and its brutality cannot be denied nor condoned, but the majority who fought were not like that, but a kind and dedicated people who loved their country as much as any British, American or other national did. War brings out the worst in people, sadly that is what we hang on to rather than the humane and loving actions that the few, Japanese included, did. A brave and heartwarming move on your part GP, they are fabulous photos.

    Liked by 3 people

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  18. bowsprite | August 13, 2017 at 5:36 AM

    I looked at these photos and thought: “But we are alike! Smiling with colleagues, some of whom are close friends, holding a baby, arm wrestling…” People are the same.

    Liked by 2 people

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  19. Peter Klopp | August 12, 2017 at 11:31 PM

    Someone wrote a very lengthy comment, in which he was very critical of your attempt to show the other side.of the story of the war in the Pacific. I was shocked when he used the historical fact of the nuclear attack on Hiroshima and Nagasaki to put the blame on the Japanese for suffering 10’s of thousands of civilian deaths.I thank you, GP, for the courage to present the other side of the story!

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  20. John W. Howell | August 12, 2017 at 8:37 PM

    Thanks, GP. We should always keep an open mind. Soldiers do their duty. We should remember that and not concentrate on the criminals of the time. Most paid for their crimes.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  21. C.E.Robinson | August 12, 2017 at 7:36 PM

    Thank you GP for sharing this human side post. I lived in Tokyo for 4 1/2 years back in the 80s, and found the people very gracious. It was a peaceful culture! Christine

    Liked by 2 people

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  22. Cindy Bruchman | August 12, 2017 at 4:53 PM

    Kudos for sharing these fascinating photos. The expressions and conditions look similar–no matter what side of the fence you are on.

    Liked by 2 people

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  23. Argus | August 12, 2017 at 4:27 PM

    Before we get too carried away with modern sentimentality I really think we should all stop in our tracks, take a very deep breath and look dispassionately at history.

    Although yes, it’s always the little guy that suffers and pays—whether it’s the towns and villages levelled by saturation bombing and firestorms, or the Philippine nurses raped to death with strands of barbed wire for the amusement of the conquering Knights Of Bushido.

    War is hell. For the little guys … so if the conquerors who swept through Asia were really all just teddy bears cuddling little puppies—were all those ‘barbarisms’ simply western propaganda?

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • GP Cox | August 13, 2017 at 5:42 AM

      No one is being sentimental, you found my point of all this when you said that War was Hell and it’s always the little guys who suffer. No one is condoning the cruelty that happened on either side. No one is [I hope] judging a world that existed 75 years with their 21st Century eyes, but I wish to help see the mistakes made and learn from them, I wish people to see what a toll it takes on the families. If we get the facts of this [or any] war, but learn nothing from it except who won [so they must have been right] and who lost, then why bothered to learn the history at all?

      Liked by 2 people

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      • Argus | August 13, 2017 at 4:57 PM

        There’s a very much bigger picture, GP. It’s a given: war is hell. Especially for the losers, and for the little guys—the pawns in the ‘bigger game’.

        So I sound like a Conspiracy Theorist, perhaps, when really it’s all very simple: they attacked us out of nowhere, so we kicked ass and now we’re all good buddies again. I have to buy that, it’s history.

        To not digress, yesterday I read an article that the foul North Koreans who can’t even afford to feed their cats are planning to bracket Guam with ‘test’ ICBMs.

        A few weeks ago I read an article that the attack on Pearl Harbor surprised no-one except the folks who were meant to be surprised—pawn to q4.

        In the sixties a button that read “What if they gave a war—and no-one came?”

        And someone way back mused that “History is written by the victors”. Does any of this tie in together, and—

        —and do we (pawns) learn from history, at all? Ever?

        Sadly: si vis pacem parabellum … and let’s be much better para’d for the bellum than the other guy; and how about if we could make sure that we were fed real information rather than taurus excreta, and if we the pawns made the major decision?

        If we were to go to war next month against (say) Iceland, you can guarantee that for the duration all Icelanders are filthy rock-dwelling knuckle-dragging baby-eaters who cannibalise the corpses of our slain heroes—but a generation afterwards perhaps they weren’t so bad after all, and two generations later they were actually folks with a history of philanthropy who gave us parliaments, cod liver oil, laws, and wrote sagas whilst our own ancestors were still peering fearfully out of caves.

        In war, the First Casualty always Is Truth—so was the Japanese warrior, the Knight of Bushido a victim of propaganda after all?

        Were the home-folks in Japan surprised when it started filtering back how noble they’d actually been in victory?

        (If you haven’t read it yet Saburo Sakai’s story in the book ‘Samurai’ (Sakai, Caidin) provides some insight …)

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        • GP Cox | August 14, 2017 at 6:18 AM

          I have read many Japanese authors, including Sakai. I realized when I reblogged this post that I might be in for some grief and reprimand, but to follow through on Smitty’s feelings, I HAVE to give all sides a look see. Thank you for your opinion.

          Liked by 1 person

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  24. Sheryl | August 12, 2017 at 4:17 PM

    Thanks for sharing this thought-provoking post. Several of the photos really show how the war affected average citizens.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  25. Doc' & CJ | August 12, 2017 at 1:07 PM

    I don’t think there was any expiration date attached when FDR appeared before a joint session of Congress and declared, “Yesterday, December 7, 1941– A DATE WHICH WILL LIVE IN INFAMY – the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.”

    IMO the term “we must never forget” rightfully applies to this important detail of factual history as well.

    Let us also never forget, in a vain and futile attempt to maliciously expand their empire; Japan colluded with Germany and Italy then willingly chose to enter WWII. Japan knowingly chose to brutally invade numerous countries, Japan knowingly chose to commit horrendous atrocities throughout the world, and Japan willingly chose to suffer the consequences of their own ill-advised choices. The very term “defend Japan” is an offensive misnomer which attempts to deny the responsibility of those choices, there would never have been any need to “defend Japan” if they hadn’t willingly brought upon themselves their own defeat and destruction. Let us also never forget the horrific consequences created by Japan’s stubborn refusal to surrender even after they had been militarily defeated, resulting in the deaths of 100’s of thousands of Japanese citizens by forcing the first and only use of nuclear (Atomic) weapons in the history of mankind. Not to mention the loss of life among Allied Forces both before and during that period of time. Let us all be reminded, America and the Allied Forces were not the aggressors in WWII, they/we were forced to respond to the insane attempts of a madman in Germany, a lunatic in Italy, and the fanatics in Japan whom all sought to gain power and wealth through deliberate acts of war.

    So while we examine “both sides” of history, let us be very careful not to replace historical fact and truth with emotional nostalgia and delusional revisionism. As John Adams once said; “Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.”

    ” To err is human, to forgive, divine.” And I’ll add; But to forget is a crime.

    Sorry GP but I must respectfully say, whatever your sincere intent may be, I find this post to be sophomoric, remiss, and ill-placed in the context of examining the history of WWII in the Pacific.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • GP Cox | August 12, 2017 at 2:13 PM

      I am sorry you feel that way, but I will defend your right to say it.
      I won’t get into the facts surrounding FDR, due to time constraints, but remember America taught Japan the advantages of conquering land, plus the US and the Allied forces had been imposing themselves on most of Asia and the Pacific and taking whatever resources they saw fit for quite a while – the same actions that we condemned Japan for doing. So yes, we need to look at all the facts, not just what suits our needs.

      Liked by 6 people

      Reply
      • Doc' & CJ | August 12, 2017 at 4:41 PM

        As a small island nation with a burgeoning population and limited natural resources, Japan has a very long history of attempted expansion through warfare. (Since the early 1500’s) Korea, China, Taiwan, Mongolia and even Russia have all been targets of Japanese aggression long before WWII. I find it very difficult to believe that anything FDR did prior to Japans entry into the war might have dissuaded Japan from pursuing their expansionist programs or “taught” them anything they didn’t already know about the “advantages of conquering lands” outside of Japan. I believe they saw the war in Europe as a distinct advantage that should be exploited and they chose to do so without hesitation. Regarding American influence or exploitation in Asia, there is a vast difference between the type of inevitable exploitation that surely took place by several western nations (France, England, Holland, America, etc) and the brutal military invasions launched by Japan. Both Germany and Japan sought to conquer the entire world and subjugate the population of all nations, America and the Allied Forces were forced to respond and they/we did so decisively. The differences between “then and now” are really irrelevant, history speaks for itself. I have no problem with patriotism or love for one’s own country, in fact I wholeheartedly support it. But let us not forget the very reasons those things exist today. I dare say, if not for the wisdom, moral strength and compassion of the Allied Forces and the governments they support, neither Japan nor Germany would even exist in any recognizable form to this day. Now try to picture the modern world if Japan and/or Germany had won WWII. That’s about as far as I am willing to go when comparing “then and now”.

        Liked by 2 people

        Reply
  26. richreynolds74 | August 12, 2017 at 12:40 PM

    Some terrific photos of the Ki-48 ‘Lily’ and a Ki-84. Great to see!

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  27. Will Pennington | August 12, 2017 at 12:32 PM

    After all my dad went through in the Pacific Campaign, I wondered how he’d react to my new Japanese wife when he met her in 1986. Well, let’s just say she loved it when he took her for rides on his Honda Gold Wing. As it turned out, he was really just a big teddy bear ❤ 🙂

    Liked by 3 people

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    • GP Cox | August 12, 2017 at 2:05 PM

      Glad to hear it! My father was one of the first into Japan and he was basically the same as yours – once it was over most everyone just called it a day. Thank you for giving us your story about your dad and wife, Will.

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply
  28. Tippy Gnu | August 12, 2017 at 11:48 AM

    Well, you say Nasuko is an extremely nice person. That’s the problem, in my view. It’s the extremely nice who follow orders without question, and who go to war and kill people, just because they’re told to. I prefer to note the views of the mean bastards who question authority and demand to know the justification for any war they might get involved in. I wonder if those type of people also exist in Japan. I hope so.

    Liked by 3 people

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  29. D. Wallace Peach | August 12, 2017 at 11:21 AM

    The tragedy of war is so stark in the ordinary faces on both sides. Thanks for sharing, GP.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  30. Nasuko | August 12, 2017 at 11:00 AM

    Dr.GP Cox,
    I can’t thank you enough for everthing you have done for me,
    and I really appreciate everyone’s taking time to see this blog.

    You gave me a chance to touch the eyes of many ppl.
    I could not have done it without you.

    I’m Thanksful for your affection 😀

    We Japanese love and be grateful to my ancestors who wanted to protect Japan.

    Now, American forces in Japan, they are doing their best to make familier with Japanese. Because ,They are trying hard for their own Nation, America.
    So,Japanese love them, too.

    Someday,Very welcome to Japan 😀

    ありがとうございました！！：D

    Liked by 5 people

    Reply
    • GP Cox | August 12, 2017 at 1:49 PM

      What a very sweet compliment you give me and the service people we have in your country today. My own father was one of the first into Japan and he had only compliments to say about your citizens. We talk about a world here that does not even exist today, but affects us all and i wish for everyone to learn the facts – not myths that have floated around until people believed they were true.
      ありがとうございました for permission to reblog your post and I would enjoy a visit to Japan one day, we can only hope.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  31. garyives | August 12, 2017 at 10:31 AM

    More like this excellent presentation, please.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  32. Jacqui Murray | August 12, 2017 at 10:21 AM

    There is an honor and commitment that every American I know respects in these warriors. A worthy adversary.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  33. ksbeth | August 12, 2017 at 8:25 AM

    how nice to visit the other side –

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  34. shoreacres | August 12, 2017 at 8:24 AM

    What a fascinating collection of photos. One of my favorites is the one showing the young man holding the baby. It’s so human, and his pleasure and pride are so evident. There are some things that break through language barriers quite easily, and many of the photos here do that. Posting them was a wonderful idea.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  35. beetleypete | August 12, 2017 at 7:46 AM

    I noticed Nasuko popping up next to comments. Good of you to feature his/her view from the ‘other side’, GP.
    Best wishes,Pete.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • GP Cox | August 12, 2017 at 7:51 AM

      Well, I can’t always say we need to look over there and then not do so myself. FDR imposed quite a tight “choke-hold” on Japan to starve them out, we need to remember that part too.

      Liked by 2 people

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  36. ralietravels | August 12, 2017 at 7:41 AM

    It is good to understand our common humanity. But that does not mean we need to accept “defend Japan” as justification for invasion of other countries or the brutality shown in those countries. I hope this blogger is aware of that history and is not suggesting those modern views are justification for that history.

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply
  37. Dan Antion | August 12, 2017 at 7:22 AM

    Thdnks for sharing this post. I only wish we could see both side before the fighting starts.

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply
  38. Garfield Hug | August 12, 2017 at 7:10 AM

    You are absolutely right in that there are 2 sides to any story. Love this share and very nice of you to do so!🤗🤗💕💕🐾🐾

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  39. GP Cox | November 9, 2017 at 2:04 PM

    Thank you for sharing this article.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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