Remembering the war
Here, we are introducing ways in which the Himeyuri and Iron and Blood Corps are remembered to pass on to future generations, the awful experiences that war has brought upon human beings. Through passing on these stories and having peace museums and monuments for the new generation to explore and learn what went on during the war, it reminds the human race that these experiences shall never be repeated again.
HIMEYURI MONUMENT
Built on April 7, 1946, this monument
is dedicated to the Himeyuri students
and teachers who worked in
army caves and field hospitals.
is dedicated to the Himeyuri students
and teachers who worked in
army caves and field hospitals.
himeyuri peace museum
The Museum consists of six exhibits. The first one, entitled “Youth of Himeyuri”, explains that the name “Himeyuri” refers to the nickname for the Okinawa Women’s Normal School and First Women’s Prefectural High School. The students were ordinary girls with their own hopes and aspirations, until the war changed their lives. The schools were militarized, and the young students were indoctrinated in war-related education. This education system eventually robbed them of their innocence and youth.
The second chamber is called “Himeyuri Students at the Front”. The mobilized students were assigned to work as nurse assistants in dark caves that were connected to each other via tunnels. The living conditions were horrendous, as one might guess. Here, the Himeyuri students had to perform their medic duties on wounded soldiers, enduring the gruesomeness of it all. Medical tools used back then are on display here, and visitors can watch the Himeyuri survivors’ accounts of their experiences on video.
The third chamber is named “Deactivation Order and Roaming toward Death”. Due to propaganda, the Himeyuri students had believed that the Japanese would win the war easily, and that it would end early. Hence, in spite of the tough duties they had to do, they had remained optimistic, looking forward to the end of the war and resumption of normal life. Unfortunately, reality couldn’t be further from the truth. One night, an order was issued to dissolve the Himeyuri unit. The students were thrown out of the caves, at the mercy of the approaching U.S. military. Most of them perished in the days after that – they were either killed by the enemy, or committed suicide due to fears of rape (they were told by Japanese military officers that the U.S. soldiers would rape them, and were given grenades to blow themselves up). This tragedy is recounted in films and survivors’ accounts, which can be viewed in this chamber.
The fourth exhibition Chamber, titled “Requiem”, features photos of the Himeyuri students, and visitors can read survivors’ accounts of their experiences. There’s also a full-scale, reconstructed model of one of the clinic caves here – a somber sight to behold.
The fifth chamber, “Memorial" comprises of a flower garden, and visitors can write their thoughts on the museum exhibitions here. The sixth and final chamber, “The Passage to Peace”, can be viewed in a matter of minutes. It contains messages emphasizing the importance of peace and encourages activities promoting peace.
The second chamber is called “Himeyuri Students at the Front”. The mobilized students were assigned to work as nurse assistants in dark caves that were connected to each other via tunnels. The living conditions were horrendous, as one might guess. Here, the Himeyuri students had to perform their medic duties on wounded soldiers, enduring the gruesomeness of it all. Medical tools used back then are on display here, and visitors can watch the Himeyuri survivors’ accounts of their experiences on video.
The third chamber is named “Deactivation Order and Roaming toward Death”. Due to propaganda, the Himeyuri students had believed that the Japanese would win the war easily, and that it would end early. Hence, in spite of the tough duties they had to do, they had remained optimistic, looking forward to the end of the war and resumption of normal life. Unfortunately, reality couldn’t be further from the truth. One night, an order was issued to dissolve the Himeyuri unit. The students were thrown out of the caves, at the mercy of the approaching U.S. military. Most of them perished in the days after that – they were either killed by the enemy, or committed suicide due to fears of rape (they were told by Japanese military officers that the U.S. soldiers would rape them, and were given grenades to blow themselves up). This tragedy is recounted in films and survivors’ accounts, which can be viewed in this chamber.
The fourth exhibition Chamber, titled “Requiem”, features photos of the Himeyuri students, and visitors can read survivors’ accounts of their experiences. There’s also a full-scale, reconstructed model of one of the clinic caves here – a somber sight to behold.
The fifth chamber, “Memorial" comprises of a flower garden, and visitors can write their thoughts on the museum exhibitions here. The sixth and final chamber, “The Passage to Peace”, can be viewed in a matter of minutes. It contains messages emphasizing the importance of peace and encourages activities promoting peace.
Iron and blood corps: kondei memorial tower
The Iron and Blood Imperial Corps monument called the Kondei Memorial Tower, was built to worship the 13 to 19 year old boys that were mobilized in 1945 and lost their lives in the Battle of Okinawa. Although the boys were sent home to receive permission from their parents, due to the emperorization, most of the students returned back to school in order to fight for their country. Other than taking the responsibility of a messenger, the Blood and Iron Imperial Corps were also ordered to make suicide attacks.
Behind the monument, is a cave, where boys from the Blood and Iron Imperial Corps committed suicide.