Memories of the Tokko: An Analysis of the Chiran Peace Museum for Kamikaze Pilots

ABSTRACT

The present article examines the Chiran Tokko Heiwa Kaikan [Chiran Peace Museum for Kamikaze Pilots] located in Chiran, Japan, a popular kamikaze pilot memorial site to study the memories of kamikaze pilots the museum promotes. By examining the museum, I discuss militaristic ideas promoted by the museum that are coupled with ambiguous pacifist discourse, presumably for pragmatic reasons. Through my analysis, I also attempt to illustrate the importance of considering geographical location such as a town, city, or prefecture where political and economical considerations play important roles in the establishment and maintenance of commemorative sites.

KEYTERMS:

• collective memory
• Asia-Pacific War
• kamikaze memory
• pacifist discourse