Behind that bland Western face

[dr_hermes]

Some interesting symbolism here. This is a Japanese poster from 1938. Let's see if I got this right. That's the Communist Party in the blue uniform, being given money to commit atrocities by a hideous red demon wearing a Western mask. Luckily, the heroic Japanese forces are riding to the rescue.

Comments

[dozy81]

Japanese conduct in China during the 30's and 40's was immensely brutal, and is barely even known in the west.

Doc, this isn't the first propaganda item posted here. You must have an interest in the sometimes ugly history of how governments try to shape the perceptions of their citizens.

[dr_hermes]

A friend wanted me to borrow THE RAPE OF NANKING after telling me about its events, but since I have a history of not returning books I declined. I'll pick up a copy at some point.

Propaganda is fascinating as long as you don't get suckered into believing it. I've come to
accept that governments routinely say one thing and do another, that treaties are more to express intents than to be binding, and that nations are not motivated by ideals but by interests. It's the way things are. When countries do keep their word or stick to an agreement, it's a pleasant surprise.

On a more prosaic level, I tend to post images from old wartime comics and pulps that contain unfair stereotypes, so it's only fair to occasionally put up something just as offensive from the other side. Keeping things even, in a way.

[full_metal_ox]

Oh, I've heard of it; Kosagi's mom was born in Nanking, and made it out on the last train before the Japanese hit the fan (she claims to have been stuffed in through the window, the train already being packed sardine-tight.)

[john_feaster]

MY GODS!!!

If you cock your head to the said and look at the evil mask of the west, you'll see that it's a 1940's era GEORGE BURNS!!! HONEST! Take a look!

I know it's a little silly...but I can imagine the artist flipping through an American copy of the Radio Guide and seeing a caricature of George Burns next to Gracie Allen, and saying "Thank goodness I have this reference material to work from." while he draws the mask.

By the way, read The Rape of Nanking if you can get the time. It's chilling. As is the story (what we know of it) of the camps where Japanese doctors performed horrible exparaments on Chinese prisoners.

Creepy nightmare fuel.