Page 120 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Japan

r THE YASUKUNI CONTROVERSY
Yasukuni Shrine
Since 1869, Yasukuni has honored the souls of those
靖国神社 who have died in the service of Japan. The shrine is a
 F5  Kudanshita Stn, place of remembrance for millions of Japanese who
Hanzomon, Tozai & Toei lost relatives fighting for their country. Among these,
Shinjuku lines # 6am–6pm however, are about 1,000 war criminals from World
daily ∑ yasukuni.or.jp/ War II. The perception that these souls are being honored
has made Yasukuni a site of enormous controversy
EXPERIENCE Central Tokyo soldiers and civilians who mementos of a nurse who present structure is a
english

among Japan’s neighbors who suffered greatly during
The 2.5 million Japanese,
the war as a result of their actions.
have died in war since the Meiji
Restoration are enshrined
died from overwork. Still,
reproduction built after the
at Yasukuni Jinja (Shrine of
romanticized paintings of
1923 earth quake. The gate’s
Peace for the Nation), which
Japanese soldiers in Manchuria
guardian figures are tight-
was dedicated in 1879. It is
a sobering place to visit.
and even a locomotive from
Until the end of World War II
right and Sadaijin on the left.
Shinto was the official state and displays of guns, planes, lipped archers: Udaijin on the
Just inside the compound on
the Thai-Burma Railway may
religion, and the ashes of all be troubling to some. the left is a big stone statue
who died in war were brought of Daikoku, one of the shichi-
here regardless of the families’ Yushukan fuku-jin (seven lucky gods).
wishes. Controversially, the " # 9am–4:30pm daily Here, as always, he is sitting
planners and leaders of Japan on top of two huge rice bales.
during World War II and the The vermilion shrine itself
coloniza tion of China and t and its beautiful interior, all
Korea are also enshrined lacquer and gold, are very
here, including wartime Kanda Myojin Shrine impressive. Early morning is
prime minister Hideki Tojo. 神田明神 the best time to glimpse the
Beside the shrine is the  H4 § (03) 3254-0753 Shinto priests performing
Yushukan, a museum  Ochanomizu Stn, rituals. The Kanda Matsuri
dedicated to the war dead. is one of the greatest and
Many exhibits put a human Marunouchi line grandest of Tokyo’s festivals –
£ Ochanomizu stn, Chuo &
face on Japan at war: under Sobu lines # 24 hours daily come early and be prepared
a photo of a smiling young for crowds.
officer is a copy of his last Myojin is more than 1,200 Behind the main shrine
letter home, and there are years old, although the is a museum containing
relics from the long history
of Myojin.
Museum
" # 9am–4pm daily

The distinctive
vermilion exterior of
Kanda Myojin Shrine
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