Interesting museum. I quite like the aesthetic of the gallery – looks quite new, clean. Is there a good English word for きれい？It’s not so much that it’s “pretty” per se, but that it has that certain aesthetic of just being very clean and very put-together, very organized.

I’m of course no expert in this period either, but there certainly seemed to be a lot of quite interesting materials there. The kimono with war planes design on it looks a lot like one I saw once at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. If anyone were wearing such designs today (e.g. in a show of American patriotism), I’d think it terribly unsophisticated, in poor taste. But, at that time, in Japan, I guess, this was just part of how people expressed their nationalism.

In any case, as for the planes, the first one was a Zero fighter. The second, apparently, was one of these. It’s incredible how its been stripped of all its paint, and, seemingly, I guess, fiberglassed or something. Looks quite, well, as you said, glisteningy.

Wow, excellent video. I’m sure you realize that I am totally jealous. I’m with Travis, the first plane is a Zero fighter. and the second plane is a Nakajima Ki-27 “Nate”. It was originally produced in 1936 and production of about 3,500 of them ended in 1942 before major action started. It then became a second line fighter. it packed two 7.7mm machine guns (probably behind the props) and could carry four bombs.

My guess is that the airplane is in seriously bad condition. 40+ years of salt water can really wreak some havoc on metal, (especially thin airplane skin). That coating is probably what is holding that plane together. Very cool that the sun “Meatball” could still be seen on the under-wing.
Very very cool museum. I wish I could read the Japanese. What an awesome place.

The swords were a symbol of obedience and debt to the Emperor. They really played in to the institutionalized ‘Bushido’ code that was being inculcated into schools and military units at the time. Another symbol of the honor one possessed for dutifully serving the empire. If one believed he was a Samurai, he would die like a Samurai…ne?

The most poignant thing I saw in the video was the very last shot that you faded out from. (I don’t know if it was intentional but really a good place to stop.) The flag with the writing going out of it is very significant. The Kamikaze pilots all trained together as a unit and when their planes were working, would fly out on missions together. Before they left they would all sign the flag from the center out, like the rays of the sun. Occasionally they would write poems or quotes in reverence to their duty to die for their country.

Wow, fantastic experience. Were there any bunkers or runway that you could see?

I will definitely be paying that museum a visit. There are only a few surviving Zero’s and other Japanese war planes in existence. The U.S. military destroyed the vast majority as one of the requirements of the surrender. There is one here in Seattle at the Boeing Field, but I haven’t seen it yet.

At any rate, thanks a lot for the post, I will watch the video a few more times for sure!

M

Oh, and thanks for the link! I’ll add this post to mine soon.

M

First thing’s first. Travis, Matt, awesome comments. You’ve both shed some light on the subject for me & who ever else may wander by. I really do appreciate that.

Travis, the place certainly is neat & as spacious as it needs to be. I do like how the exhibits were presented. And to quote Homer, “Hmmm… glisteningy.”

Matt, nothing remains of the airfield. Not a bunker, not a hanger, nothing. There may be some consolation though. Perhaps when you visit there will be yet another aircraft on display. Not 100% sure but the literature hints at a larger plane located above the centre, mini theatre. We’ll see.

Thanks again guys.

Nice video. Interesting to see all of this. I’d love to pay this place a visit and check it out at a more leisurely pace.

Thanks for sharing!