The Yasukuni Shrine in The Yasukuni Shrine in TokyoTokyo

Understanding and Transforming Understanding and Transforming Chosen Traumas and GloriesChosen Traumas and Glories

Tatsushi AraiTatsushi Arai

What is Yasukuni? (1)What is Yasukuni? (1)

Yasukuni = “Pacifying the Nation”Yasukuni = “Pacifying the Nation” Shinto shrine dedicated to those who have died for Shinto shrine dedicated to those who have died for

the Japanese nation and the emperor since 1853.the Japanese nation and the emperor since 1853. Built in 1869 by the Meiji Emperor to commemorate Built in 1869 by the Meiji Emperor to commemorate

the victims of a civil war over “modernization”.the victims of a civil war over “modernization”.

What is Yasukuni?What is Yasukuni?

The event of 1853The event of 1853

What is Yasukuni?What is Yasukuni?

2.5 million killed in wartime 2.5 million killed in wartime worshipped as “gods”worshipped as “gods”

The “gods” include class A The “gods” include class A war criminals sentenced to war criminals sentenced to death by the Tokyo Trial.death by the Tokyo Trial.

Embodiment of the emperor Embodiment of the emperor and national Shintoism till ‘45 and national Shintoism till ‘45

Rituals in Yasukuni: Rituals in Yasukuni: How do people become gods?How do people become gods?

Names recorded in Names recorded in the “Book of Souls”the “Book of Souls”

Placed on a futon Placed on a futon mat; prayers offeredmat; prayers offered

Souls merging into Souls merging into the ocean of lifethe ocean of life

Musemum in Yasukuni (1)Musemum in Yasukuni (1)

Views WWII and Views WWII and other wars as other wars as policies for self-policies for self-defensedefense

Wars fought to Wars fought to achieve equality achieve equality among races, and among races, and remove western remove western imperialismimperialism

Museum in Yasukuni (2)Museum in Yasukuni (2)

Yasukuni: Why important?Yasukuni: Why important?

OfficialOfficial visits on August 15 by Japanese prime visits on August 15 by Japanese prime ministers cause controversies in China, Korea, ministers cause controversies in China, Korea, Taiwan, etc.Taiwan, etc.

Damage on diplomatic relationsDamage on diplomatic relations

Yasukuni as a cultural carrierYasukuni as a cultural carrier

Implications for chosen glories and traumas?Implications for chosen glories and traumas? Implications for the past-present link?Implications for the past-present link? What can we do about this?What can we do about this?

Okinawa - Cornerstone of PeaceOkinawa - Cornerstone of Peace

Visions toward 2015:Visions toward 2015:Asia-Pacific Peace MemorialAsia-Pacific Peace Memorial

Religiously “neutral” venue for prayer, joint Religiously “neutral” venue for prayer, joint reflection, and dialogue in Tokyoreflection, and dialogue in Tokyo

Multi-national and communal – not exclusive Multi-national and communal – not exclusive nationalismnationalism

Joint-visits by heads of state and ordinary citizensJoint-visits by heads of state and ordinary citizens Art, music, international youth camps – dedicated Art, music, international youth camps – dedicated

to future generationsto future generations