Yushukan

Overview

Yushukan is a museum located within the grounds of Yasukuni Shrine. As a facility of the shrine, which enshrines those who died in wars and national incidents, it houses and exhibits materials related to war casualties and military affairs. Opened in 1882 (Meiji 15), it is Japan's first and oldest military museum, allowing visitors to learn about the history from the turbulent Bakumatsu and Meiji Restoration periods to the Greater East Asian War (World War II) through valuable materials. The exhibits at Yushukan are chronologically organized, tracing the history of Japan's modern wars from the Bakumatsu and Meiji Restoration periods (swords and armor) to the Sino-Japanese War, Russo-Japanese War, World War I, Manchurian Incident, Second Sino-Japanese War, and the Greater East Asian War (World War II). The exhibits include weapons and arms actually used on the battlefield, personal effects of those who died in the war, photographs, and paintings, providing a vivid experience of what war was like at the time. Particularly impressive exhibits include a restored Type 52 Model Zero fighter plane, a Type 97 Chi-Ha medium tank, remaining parts of a Type 5 fighter, a Type 4 20 cm rocket launcher, Kaiten (human torpedoes), and Ohka (human rockets). These exhibits illustrate the technological capabilities of the time and the brutality of war, playing a crucial role in conveying the memory of war to future generations. Yushukan also displays the letters and personal effects of those who died in the war. These items provide invaluable insight into the thoughts and feelings of those who perished, and their perspectives on the war. Some letters express love for family, loyalty to the country, or criticism of the war, making visitors keenly aware of the profound impact the war had on people. Yushukan is more than just a museum displaying the history of war. It's a place to keep the memory of war alive and advocate for the importance of peace. Visiting Yushukan allows visitors to understand the tragedy of war and foster a stronger desire for peace. It's also important to pass on the memory of war to future generations.