Copies of sketches and writings from the World War II diary of Japanese engineer Shinichi Komatsu are on display at the Ayala Museum in Manila. The exhibit, running through Aug. 16, marks the first time the material has been shown outside Japan.
The “Ryojin Nikki” diary, commercially published in 1975, is featured to invite audiences to reflect on the complexities of war and its impact on individuals beyond nationality and era, according to the Ayala Museum.
During a talk on Saturday afternoon at the museum in Makati, Shiko Komatsu, 50, the grandson of the diary’s author, described the work as very special for having both words and pictures. He said he hopes it will help people learn from the past and understand each other more deeply.
Shinichi Komatsu was assigned to the Philippines in March 1944 to provide technical guidance on producing alternative fuel from plants. He was stationed in Negros until the war ended and became a prisoner of war. His diary includes drawings of food in the jungle as well as Japanese and American soldiers, depicting both hardships and kindness.
Filipino professor Karl Cheng Chua, who specializes in Japanese studies, worked on bringing the diary to Manila for the exhibit. He referenced President Elpidio Quirino’s 1953 pardon of Japanese war criminals, noting the message that hate from the war should not exist for future societies.
