Memory and National History

    To start out day 3, we met at a bright and early 9:15 at the NYC gates to travel to the Yasukuni Shrine, continuing our practice of the complicated train system. As a part of the readings given for today, we learned how Yasukuni Shrine is a large honoring site, where the spirits of several who served and died in the wars are enshrined. While several of us dressed in longer pants and more formal clothing for the honoring of the shrine, we learned that the ideas surrounding Yasukuni have several meanings, and our observations throughout the day displayed the complexity of Japan’s narratives. 

    Our walkthrough past the large wooden tori gates and lion statues started with a statue of the vice-minister of war, Omura Masujiro, and followed with several other landmarks including the purification well, misters, and several tied Omikuji, or fortunes. 

 

    To continue our exploration of Japan’s complicated memory, we entered the Yushukan Museum, found near the shrine. Although entertaining with large stamps along the way and several impressive technological structures, the museum depicted lots of heavier stories and letters from those lost in war. It was interesting to observe all the different stories and ways of thinking, especially in several soldiers expecting to die for their country but being excited about the honor gained from serving Japan. No pictures were allowed in this museum, but I felt that I was able to connect with several aspects of this museum deeper, and created drawings of items that resonated with me, or those that helped me take a step back from the heavy messages found throughout.  

    After lunch around the area, we continued our travels on the train to Ueno Station, another central station in the circular JR line of Tokyo, and a larger historical station facing North, where several used to travel to find work. Connections along the way showed small pockets of history as well, with parts of the Edo castle visible from the station, as well as the moat surrounding the Imperial Palace, as similarly seen the day before.

    A short walk from the station allowed us to end up at the Tokyo National Museum, where we continued exploring depictions of Japan’s history, several valuables, and gorgeous artworks. 

After our own walkthroughs of the dizzying large museum, we split off for the evening, where some of us explored around the city. A quick trip to Akihabara proved its fame for technology and media advertising, and continued exploration at Don Quijote in Shibuya demonstrated the extent that department shops could expand.

Overall, it was incredibly interesting to look through several different lenses of Japan throughout the day. We saw reminders of past actions with Yasukuni shrine conflicting with the honor and remembrance seen throughout Yushukan museum, displays of talent and gorgeous treasures in the Tokyo National museum, and the overwhelming development of the city in cutting edge technology and all sorts of merchandise. Japan's identity as a country is shifting, but aspects all over the city hold important pieces of history, and all intertwine to create the complicated picture we are learning more about.