作为一个在中国南京出生的热爱日本文化的美国人,我的身份很特殊,但是这里不是仅仅只为了二战军人设立的,这里是自从明治维新就在的了,里面也不光是二战军人,还有从那明治包括戊辰战争,西南战争等等一直到现在的许多军人,与其说这里是"邪恶的地方"不如说这里更像是日本的"人民英雄纪念碑".当然不喜欢的绝对有权利不来,可是请不要打着"爱国"的旗帜来破坏别人的纪念碑.无论是抱着什么心态来的,既然来了请好好遵守规矩,比较这里供奉这很多人的祖先.只有更多的尊重,包容,爱才能让世界更好. (我有把照片发在大陆的SNS上,但是只要没有发门口石碑上神社的名字就根本没人看出这是哪里)因为是4月初来的,这里的樱花太美了,耳边突然响起"貴様と俺とは ~~~"
As an American who was born in Nanjing, China and has a deep appreciation for Japanese culture, my identity is quite unique. But this place is not solely dedicated to soldiers from World War II—it has existed since the Meiji Restoration. It doesn’t only commemorate WWII soldiers, but also many from earlier periods, including the Boshin War, the Satsuma Rebellion, and others up to the present day. Rather than calling it a “place of evil,” it feels more like Japan’s version of a “Monument to the People’s Heroes.”
Of course, anyone who dislikes it has every right not to visit. But please don’t use the banner of “patriotism” to justify damaging others’ memorials. No matter what your perspective is, if you choose to come, please respect the rules—after all, this is a place that enshrines many people’s ancestors. Only through greater respect, tolerance, and compassion can the world become a better place.
(I posted photos on mainland Chinese social media, but as long as I didn’t show the name on the stone monument at the entrance, no one could tell where it was.)
Since I visited in early April, the cherry blossoms were absolutely stunning. And suddenly, I found myself humming, “Kisama to ore to wa ~~~”.
Yasukuni Shrine - Main Gate - Right side plaque representing the Imperial Japanese Army - the "Bull" unit that invaded China.
Yasukuni Shrine Cherry Blossom Trees - Approach, April Cherry Blossom Festival, white plaque - Imperial Japanese Army warships... Sacred Tree Grove - Offering plaque "Kinbu 5" - the 5th Infantry Regiment of the Imperial Japanese Army's Imperial Guard Division - the unit that attacked Sembawang and Yishun in Singapore on February 11, 1942 - the division commander, Nishimura Kuma.
靖国神社－神门－正门 右边皇军团体的牌子－当年侵略中国的＂牛＂部队
靖国神社櫻花树
参道，4月櫻花祭，白色的牌子－皇军部队战舰⋯
神树林－奉纳牌＂近步五＂－当年日军近卫师团步兵第五联队－1942年2月11日攻打新加坡三巴旺和义顺的部队－师团的师团长西村㙇磨。
