The First Blog Post: The Things to See at Yasukuni...

Through the multiple sources given to the class, it is evident that Yasukuni Shrine serves as a national symbol to Japan, regardless of the individual perspective that either an individual classmate or Japanese citizen may hold. Visits to Yasukuni by different Japanese Prime Ministers have caused stirs in the backdrop of Asia. While the shrine has generated controversy in terms of international relations with countries such as China and South Korea, according to "The Yasukuni Shrine Dispute and the Politics of Identity in Japan" by Daiki Shibuichi, "A visit to the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo is a must for any one interested in Japanese society or politics." Based on the Yasukuni readings and links given to the class, it is clear that there is a lot to discuss dealing with the significance of the shrine to the Japanese people and the international community, as well as what to expect when the opportunity finally arises to visit the site.

Banking off the website link on Yasukuni, the shrine is traced back to the Meiji era, the monument being established in 1869, renamed as Yasukuni in 1879. Yasukuni houses the "souls" of the fallen who have served in conflicts during the Meiji Restoration all the way up to World War II. The deceased are worshiped here on a daily basis through multiple offerings. An important statement to point out is that "These people, regardless of their rank or social standing, are considered to be completely equal and worshiped as venerable divinities of Yasukuni." Worshiping is done within the context of the Shinto faith where it is part of the Japanese culture to worship the dead. The shrine, while providing as a place of worship, has not been without its controversy. The ambiguity of the shrine in relation to the government has drawn attention to the clause of "separation of state from religion." Prime Minister visits, such as those of Prime Minister Nakasone and Prime Minister Koizumi, have generated uproar from countries such as South Korea and China. It is most notable to point out that the shrine houses the "souls" of 14 class-A war criminals while the adjacent Yushukan museum displays multiple exhibits of what "Diminishing Returns? Prime Minister Koizumi’s Visits to the Yasukuni Shrine in the Context of East Asian Nationalisms" by Phil Deans refers to as "revisionist historiography", a Japanese reinterpretation of past events.

What the class should expect to see is a witnessing of the worshiping of the dead that is common practice in Yasukuni and the Shinto faith. It is also interesting to be point out is that the Mitama Festival will be going on during the class visit. So fellow classmates should anticipate lanterns to be around as well as many visitors coming over to worship. The class should also expect to view many examples of "revisionist historiography" throughout the Yushukan museum. Plenty is to be observed during the visit.