DR. JOSE RIZAL,LAFCARDIO HEARNE & DR. JIGORO KANO

Dr. Jose Rizal, the National Hero of the Philippines; Lafcardio Hearne, the noted writer; and Dr. Jigoro Kano, the Founder of Judo were all contemporaries basically. Hearne wrote about and studied jiu-jitsu and so did Dr. Rizal when he spent time in Japan. More on this later.

MEETING WITH JAPAN

THE KNIGHTS OF BUSHIDO

'HARRY CAREY'

'HARRY CARRY' is what most Americans tend to call the ritualized suicide of the Japanese Samurai and those who attempt to emulate that lifestyle!

THE KEMPETAI

The KEMPETAI or Japanese Intelligence, had an extensive network across the world, particularly in Asia, of course, from India, Burma, Malayia, Indonesia, China, Korea,and, of course, the Philippines and the North & South Pacific area as well as in Brazil,Mexico, Panama, and even the US. This extensive network of spies and espionage people included non-Japanese, mostly those who thought they were fighting against Imperialism of the West, for their freedom from colonial rule, no matter how harsh or benevolent, and the like. The Japanese promised them a lot of things, of course, but so has the US in some of its foreign policies around the world,spending enormous amounts to fund these activities. However, what one has to recall is that this intelligence network operated AFTER WWII and still is being used, namely by Al Queda and the Taliban. I might also mention that the Japanese had ties to Saudi Arabia and other places in the Near East. More on this another time.

JAPAN & THE PHILIPPINES

"OLD WOUNDS NEVER HEAL(DIE); THEY LEAVE SCARS"

NO SURRENDER

This is the title of Lt. Hiroo Onoda's book about his ordeal on Lubang Island in the Philippines but it goes beyond that since he was trained at THE NAKANO SCHOOL OF INTELLIGENCE,which is important for martial artists who are interested in aikido, karate, ninjutsu,etc. should know about. I was in the Philippines when he surrendered in 1974. He returned to Japan a national hero but only surrendered upon orders from the Emperor! He was not the last straggler from WWII that the Japanese had, however, as there was one in Guam afterwards and there may even be some others still holding out. Lt. Onoda could be raking in the dough if he decided to train and teach his survival arts to others, especially Westerners. He was also an expert in kendo.

THE LAST WARRIOR

Viewing this film is interesting because it depicts a US Marine versus a Japanese Imperial Marine on a small Pacific Island, and is one of many films dealing with this topic. The fight scenes and the exotic locale are worth seeing, of course, and it gives another slant on war.

FIRE ON THE PLAIN

Although considered an 'anti-war' movie, this Japanese made film takes place in the Philippines and,therefore, deserves viewing by those with an interest in the Philippines and Filipino martial arts, as well as those who have an interest in WWII and general history,etc. More to be said on this film.

THE HIGHEST HONOR

If you recall the movie by that name, then you know that,according to the film, the highest honor you could receive at the hands of the brutal Japanese as a prisoner of war, was to have your head loped off with a single stroke of a Japanese sword(note, I said Japanese Sword, although some Japanese took samural swords to war with them, not all such weapons were samurai swrods).

BOMBING OF JAPAN PART II

Japan was extremelylucky by the fact that the US apparently had only two A bombs in its arsenal,and, had the Hydorgen Bomb been ready, it would ahve been perhaps used as well. At the time these bombs were dropped there was a mood and sentiment among a great many Americans, tired,weary, and depressed over the War(s) in the Pacific and Europe, that, had there been more A Bombs, would have called for the total obliteration of Japan. These same sentiments were also expressed or felt by some of the same people who suggested and desired we do so to Russia,which was becoming after WWII, an apparent enemy, an obstacle and a confronting hostile nation/empire and led to what is known as 'THE COLD WAR'. These notions and sentiments are which are based on simplistic and negative emotions are still with us today as regards Iraq,Iran, North Korea, Afghanistan, Pakistan and any country that seems to defy,ignore, or discount our National Interest and our "AMERICANIZATION' of the World,much as the Ancient Romans attempted to do with the areas they conquered.

STEEL & SILK: SAMURAI & GEISHA

To compare and contrast the Japanese according to sex or male/female(without the third gender included) you get Men as 'steel' and Women as 'silk' which is not exactly what I wanted to say here but I forgot my notes and writing on this,so it comes off the top of my head for now.

ACROSS THE PACIFIC

This is an interesting movie with Humphrey Bogart and Sydney Greenstreet that was focused on the Panama Canal and its strategic importance at the time of WWII. It has Greenstreet as a villain who comes from the Philippines and is siding with Japan. Key Luke is also in it as a Japanese spy,etc. The judo/boxing scenes are also to be looked at. More on this movie at another time.

MR. MOTO

The movies of MR. MOTO,portrayed by the late Peter Lorre, are available on DVD and,while Lorre had a stand-in for the jiu-jitsu and other fight scenes,which some people did not realize thinking he did the things and knew these arts, the movies are entertaining. The stories by George Marquand are slightly different. These are a good read and more on all this will be discussed at a future date.

THE NAKANO SCHOOL

The importance of the NAKANO SCHOOL needs to be mentioned, especially in terms of aikido, intelligence, and ninjutsu,etc.

KNOW YOUR ENEMY

This movie once shown to servicement embarking to fight the Japanese,etc. is interesting since it contains footage of karate and other martial arts,etc. as the Japanese were preparing for war. This is a documentary,but it has to be discussed and interpreted and analyzed as just looking at it, out of context, can be confusing,etc.

THE RAPE OF NANKING

This is a book written by the late IRIS CHANG,who committed suicide apparently over what she had learned about all this-another victim of the Japanese Empire-whose work needs to be studied by those who embrace what I have termed: BUSHIDO BULLSHIT.

BEHIND THE RISING SUN

Another movie title that contains information on the topics here that will be elaborated on sometime later.

BLACK DRAGONS

This refers to a 'society' in Japan that was active prior to WWII and about which a few movies, which will be mentioned some time in the future, were made.

BLOOD ON THE SUN

This is one of my 'favorite' movies and is of interest to martial arts because of the judo sequences. More on this another time.

THE BOMBING OF JAPAN DURING WW II

According to some writings on this topic,the 'firebombing' raids of Jimmy Dolittle's planes,especially over Tokyo, did more damage than all the A-bombs. The reason was that houses and buildings were closely packed and arranged and made of flimsy,inflammable materials that quickly went up in spreading fires making it difficult if not impossible to contain or control if,indeed, any attempts were made.

BUSHIDO BULLSHIT

This blog is concerned with all things Japanese and the ART OF BUSHIDO and the role of Japan in WWII. Contrary to what most Americans think or feel, JAPAN DID NOT SURRENDER but, in their minds, merely 'ended' the War! More to come on all this.