Strange Coincidences

In talking to some friends who are going to come visit us in March, we learned of some strange coincidences. Sid was born on the same day as Tojo who was born near where we live in Chiyoda-Ku (Tojo was born in Kojimachi which is down the street from us) and hanged (after being found guilty of war crimes by the tribunal after WWII) at Sunshine City.  Sunshine City is where we do much of our shopping--the mall near our video store (which is next door to a Japanese offshoot of Walmart called Seiyu).  Sid is now consumed with the need to find the plaque at Sunshine City commemorating the hanging.  I don't know how he will recognize it, though. It will most certainly be in Japanese. 

Also sort of weird, Tojo was hanged on December 23, the birthday of the current emperor who was at the time a little boy.  The emperor's birthday is celebrated by everyone here in Japan (it is a national holiday).  You have to wonder, do any of the old people feel weird celebrating so much on the day that Tojo was hanged?

Also weird, Tojo took responsibility for the war--thus exonerating the emperor--but during his testimony referred to the emperor's authority.  Americans pretty much made him recant.  Looking around Japan today and the seeing the reverence which most Japanese hold for the emperor, it's hard to imagine that the Japanese would ever have surrendered if they thought that the emperor would be dethroned or put on trial for war crimes. Many scholars complain that Hirohito was never prosecuted, but looking around I really think that the war would have gone on and on and on and many more lives (American and Japanese) would have been lost had there not been assurances that the emperor would remain.

I can't remember if I already mentioned it or not, but we went to see Sumo after returning from Thailand and the emperor and empress were there.  I will load some photos when I get the chance. Everyone cheered for them when they came in.  They have a special box to watch the Sumo from and a special carpet that only they walk on (it is covered with cardboard and tape until their arrival and then again until their departure). They also have a private elevator to get up to their box.  Quite impressive. :)