This is a Japanese-themed studio photograph taken by a local woman in the 1960s.
When we read our history texts, we face an onslaught of how the Japanese troops, that occupied our land during World War Two, ill-treated our local people. There are so many stories of how innocent people were killed– men murdered, women abused, children abandoned.
However this picture shows a different perspective of post-war sentiments towards the Japanese. It is enlightening to see that the common people of both Singapore and Japan are not really that cruel, vicious or cold-hearted.
In fact, the first and second President of Soka Gakkai– a Japanese layman Buddhist organisation comprising of teachers, were imprisoned in Japan when they protested against the war efforts of the military authorities. The first President of Soka Gakkai, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi died in prison for his cause during the war. This shows that not all Japanese condoned Japan’s efforts during World War Two.
The Human heart has the greatest potential to manifest the greatest good traits such as compassion, love, sympathy and the magnanimosity to forgive and forget. The Japanese are no different.
Tags: SGCool Contest, Japanese-themed studio photograph, National Museum of Singapore
14 Responses
nice one yeah ur right japanese are our friends after i read this one.i know that the are our friends
Posted on August 21st, 2007 at 4:52 am
ya you are right.After world war two,japanese became our friends.
Posted on August 21st, 2007 at 5:04 am
nice reflections! =)
Posted on August 21st, 2007 at 5:04 am
Hello!I really like the photo you choosed.If we read this,we will know the histoy about how the Japanese troops occupied our land during World War Two.However after i read this text,i know that not all japanese people is cruel,wish you good luck in winning
Posted on August 21st, 2007 at 5:06 am
ya you are right,after world warII,japanese became our friends.
Posted on August 21st, 2007 at 5:09 am
I agree with you that not all the Japanese is bad or evil…
Wish that you will win!!! work harder…
Posted on August 21st, 2007 at 5:32 am
Hel low,i agree with u that japanese is our friends because noy all of them are evil.most of them are king and intelligent.Yuo are also right,they didbecame our friens after the world war2.Wish u god luck and i realy hope u win!:)
Posted on August 21st, 2007 at 6:57 am
You are rght, they are of our friends.Some of my work friends are from Japan.Wish you the best
Posted on August 21st, 2007 at 7:00 am
NIce picture. After i read this texe i had lear so many things about he history.Thank for you i’ve learn more things about the history.
Posted on August 21st, 2007 at 7:09 am
Hai,nice piture. After i read this text, I then knowhow was it like in worg wor2. Thanks for giving more info about the world wor2.Wish you luck…
Posted on August 21st, 2007 at 11:51 am
Ur right ryana, Japanese are our friend.Some of my old friends are Japanese.GOOD LUCK!!!!
Posted on August 22nd, 2007 at 7:57 am
Hai, after i read this text,i’ve realise that people did had a hard time in the world wor two. HOPE YOU WIN
!!!!!!!
Posted on August 22nd, 2007 at 8:05 am
lols. what happened? is the competition over?
Posted on March 25th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
lols. what happened? is the competition over?
Posted on December 17th, 2010 at 4:01 pm
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