WWII Japanese Sword Project: Forgive-Don't Forget {忘れずに許す}

[Eric Santucci]

Greetings everyone,

 

I wanted to take the time to post some information about a possible documentary that is in the works for WWII Japanese swords.

 

I came to know about this documentary recently and there is a cross post on Paul (Martin's) forum about it as well. I became particularly interested in it because of my fascination with WWII in general and the fact that the producer is from my area in Northern VA/Washington, DC.

 

The project is in need of $30,000 USD in order to get the documentary going and the link below enables you to make a donation if you choose. If you have an Amazon.com account the link will redirect you and you can make a secure payment directly through there.

 

Just a note that I do not have any affiliation with the producers - I merely wanted to pass along the information as I thought it was quite fascinating and a worthy documentary to try and get off the ground if possible. (And yes, I did my part in making a generous donation. )

 

 

There's an excellent description and video on the website that is worth watching (description posted below to wet your appetite if you didn't click on the link yet).

 

Each of us has a personal story regarding forgiveness, whether it be asking for it, or having the courage to give it. Forgive-Don't Forget attempts to examine that theme as it relates to the dynamic between Japan and America since World War II. When Japan surrendered to the U.S. in 1945, numerous swords--powerful symbols of both honor and aggression--were taken from the Japanese soldiers and turned over to American officers stationed in the Pacific where the weapons were then sent to the states. Almost 70 years later, do you think family members of the men who owned these swords would want them back? What would returning them mean, both to the families in Japan and America? Even more, should these swords be given back at all? Journey with us as we attempt to give a voice to the story of one Japanese sword in particular, a story we hope will give us all of us a better understanding of forgiveness.

 

Regards,

Eric