Yasukuni The Movie

[Ichi]

The documentary film Yasukuni, directed by Chinese will be aired from April 12. This film has become controversial because to make it the producers received a 7.5 million yen subsidy from the Japanese government, however the film have intention of delivering a political message. The movie, which was 10 years in production, focuses on a master swordsmith who made the so-called Yasukuni sword on the shrine grounds.

 

I am looking forward to this film, but then many theaters are cancelling the program.

[Strider]

When and how will this be aired? I am interested in this subject and would like to be able to see or download the information. Regards Scott

[Ichi]

Hi Scott,

 

While googling to find the nearest movie theater, I found this site showing varies news clippings on this film:

 

http://article.wn.com/view/2008/03/19/T ... rticle.txt

 

It might take awhile to reach your end.

[pcfarrar]

Are any cinemas in Japan showing this film? I thought most had banned it...

[Guest Simon Rowson]

I saw a news programme on Japanese TV a couple of days ago where the main story was "Yasukuni" and it's virtual blanket-banning across the country.

Of course, the government and it's lackeys are all strenuously denying that they applied any pressure whatsoever to the cinema chains to withdraw the film ....... yeah, right.

[John A Stuart]

Yasukuni shrine is a controversial place at the best of times. When I was there for the sumo there were threats of demonstrations but they never happened. All because some certain executed people are interred there. Of course it is the only place I was able to photo a Zero in full battle dress. John

[Guest Simon Rowson]

Agreed John - I was there for the sumo myself last Friday (it was my 3rd year and I've never seen a single demonstrator). I also usually go there at least once a month for the antique market on Sunday.

Regarding it's controversial status because of the war criminals deified there, I personally think that all countries at war have war criminals (of all ranks) - if they win they get given medals and a pat on the back, if they lose they are put on trial by the victors.

 

Furthermore, as most of the controversy is actually generated by China, a country with a worse human-rights record than Attilla the Hun, I think I'll contine to visit the Yasukuni (and pay my respects at the shrine) without too many sleepless nights.

 

PS: Having re-read my last comment, I want to point out that I do not condone what the Imperial Japanese Army did in China and other Asian countries in any way whatsoever. I simply think that, regarding China's constant post-war criticism of the "inhumane Japanese", it's very much a case of "people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones".

[undermilkwood]

I have to agree Mr Rowson

 

70 million chinese people died during Mao's rule and that was in peace time, no one condones any acts of war and men of gentle blood shy away from glorifying war but EVERY country has it's atrocities, why single out one from many?

[Carlo Giuseppe Tacchini]

Being from a nation formerly allied to japaneses and that had Hitler's Mentor as a dictator, I can understand

the resentment from the former enemies of Japan. Italians are usually considered the "good guys" of the Axis

but believe me, not all were.

I'm a big fan of History and let's say that everybody acting in Far East from the half of the XIX to the mid of the XX c.

has his own responisilities in the several conflicts that involved the region. China was a great temptation for everybody.

As far as Yasukuni goes, a very few people knows that there are even 3 englishmen enshrined there, so I hardly

believe it's a nationalistic and totalitarian icon. It's just what Redipuglia is for Italy. A site where to remember

fallen soldiers that, we should remember, are *not* only from WWII but from much before.

But this is slipping into a field that usually is "verboten" on most fora.

[Bugyotsuji]

Just a quick comment to point out that to the best of my knowledge no-one is actually interred at Yasukuni. Their souls are 'enshrined' in spirit as having fought (however well or badly) for the sake of the ultimate peace of the nation. Personally I am all infavour/favor of having the controversial names, plus any others that the families might agree on, moved to a different shrine.

 

As of last week there was one cinema/movie theatre/theater in Osaka that has decided to show and be damxed.

[Brian]

As Carlo so well expressed, this is indeed a touchy subject, and I am allowing it to continue thanks to the fact that you have all kept it civil and emotions aren't running wild.

Let's keep it that way if we can, so that I don't have to lock it...just a pre-emptive note

 

Thanks,

Brian

[benkyoka]

Read this today:

 

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/national/news/20 ... 7000c.html

[John A Stuart]

there was an interview on the TV, NHK I think, last night with him and his wife. He is still pretty agile for his age. It showed old film of him as well. John