David Fedman
@dfeds.bsky.social
historian of japan/korea/the environment | words: davidfedman.org | digital archive: JapanAirRaids.org | film: https://papercityfilm.com/
A map of every "pumpkin bomb" dropped on Japan -- ie, conventional bombs developed by the Manhattan Project to train the 509th Composite Group in the delivery of Fat Man on target
November 27, 2025 at 6:23 AM
A map of every "pumpkin bomb" dropped on Japan -- ie, conventional bombs developed by the Manhattan Project to train the 509th Composite Group in the delivery of Fat Man on target
Maestro Roosevelt conducts cacophony across the Asia-Pacific
(From Kokumin Boku, Sept 1943)
(From Kokumin Boku, Sept 1943)
November 27, 2025 at 6:05 AM
Maestro Roosevelt conducts cacophony across the Asia-Pacific
(From Kokumin Boku, Sept 1943)
(From Kokumin Boku, Sept 1943)
Also, this detail was entirely new to me:
November 26, 2025 at 3:31 AM
Also, this detail was entirely new to me:
John Dower cooking on the Enola Gay controversy
November 26, 2025 at 3:22 AM
John Dower cooking on the Enola Gay controversy
A full-page ad placed by the Japan “Peace for Vietnam!” Committee (aka ベ平連) in the NYT in November 1965.
When the Asahi's New York correspondent showed the ad to a reporter colleague, he reportedly responded, “It's a Pearl Harbor on the New York Times!”
When the Asahi's New York correspondent showed the ad to a reporter colleague, he reportedly responded, “It's a Pearl Harbor on the New York Times!”
November 24, 2025 at 5:06 AM
A full-page ad placed by the Japan “Peace for Vietnam!” Committee (aka ベ平連) in the NYT in November 1965.
When the Asahi's New York correspondent showed the ad to a reporter colleague, he reportedly responded, “It's a Pearl Harbor on the New York Times!”
When the Asahi's New York correspondent showed the ad to a reporter colleague, he reportedly responded, “It's a Pearl Harbor on the New York Times!”
LeMay, haunted by the singular focus on the atomic bombs during two press conferences
L: An exchange with the US press corps upon his return to the US in Sept 45
R: His recollection of a press conference in Japan upon his return in 1964 to receive the Cordon of the Rising Sun
L: An exchange with the US press corps upon his return to the US in Sept 45
R: His recollection of a press conference in Japan upon his return in 1964 to receive the Cordon of the Rising Sun
November 21, 2025 at 10:51 PM
LeMay, haunted by the singular focus on the atomic bombs during two press conferences
L: An exchange with the US press corps upon his return to the US in Sept 45
R: His recollection of a press conference in Japan upon his return in 1964 to receive the Cordon of the Rising Sun
L: An exchange with the US press corps upon his return to the US in Sept 45
R: His recollection of a press conference in Japan upon his return in 1964 to receive the Cordon of the Rising Sun
Asahi newspaper poll, August 1965:
Q. Have you read about or heard of the bombing of North Vietnam by the US military and the South Vietnamese government called “Hokubaku (北爆)”?
A. Yes: 79% No: 21%
Q. Are you for or against “Hokubaku (北爆)”?
A. For: 4% Against: 75% Others: 4% No answer: 17%
Q. Have you read about or heard of the bombing of North Vietnam by the US military and the South Vietnamese government called “Hokubaku (北爆)”?
A. Yes: 79% No: 21%
Q. Are you for or against “Hokubaku (北爆)”?
A. For: 4% Against: 75% Others: 4% No answer: 17%
November 20, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Asahi newspaper poll, August 1965:
Q. Have you read about or heard of the bombing of North Vietnam by the US military and the South Vietnamese government called “Hokubaku (北爆)”?
A. Yes: 79% No: 21%
Q. Are you for or against “Hokubaku (北爆)”?
A. For: 4% Against: 75% Others: 4% No answer: 17%
Q. Have you read about or heard of the bombing of North Vietnam by the US military and the South Vietnamese government called “Hokubaku (北爆)”?
A. Yes: 79% No: 21%
Q. Are you for or against “Hokubaku (北爆)”?
A. For: 4% Against: 75% Others: 4% No answer: 17%
Was wondering if my dig into the LeMay papers turned up anything that spoke to links btw firebombing of Japan and bombing of N Korea and, HOOBOY, this is quite the memo from Rosie O'Donnell (a leading figure in both campaigns), memorializing a July 1950 meeting with MacArthur:
November 19, 2025 at 5:51 AM
Was wondering if my dig into the LeMay papers turned up anything that spoke to links btw firebombing of Japan and bombing of N Korea and, HOOBOY, this is quite the memo from Rosie O'Donnell (a leading figure in both campaigns), memorializing a July 1950 meeting with MacArthur:
TIL Fukuchan, the comic book character hugely popular with Japanese children, bids farewell to his readers in its final March 1944 installment by telling children that's he "evacuating" to the countryside for a little while.
4 months later, after fall of Saipan, 100s of 1000s of kids would follow.
4 months later, after fall of Saipan, 100s of 1000s of kids would follow.
November 18, 2025 at 8:07 PM
TIL Fukuchan, the comic book character hugely popular with Japanese children, bids farewell to his readers in its final March 1944 installment by telling children that's he "evacuating" to the countryside for a little while.
4 months later, after fall of Saipan, 100s of 1000s of kids would follow.
4 months later, after fall of Saipan, 100s of 1000s of kids would follow.
Blues singer Awaya Noriko = certified badass
From her memoir, My Vagabond Record (Waga Hōrōki):
From her memoir, My Vagabond Record (Waga Hōrōki):
November 15, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Blues singer Awaya Noriko = certified badass
From her memoir, My Vagabond Record (Waga Hōrōki):
From her memoir, My Vagabond Record (Waga Hōrōki):
Fascinating exchange on Japan's support of US bombing operations in Vietnam between Mori Motojirō/Hanyū Sanshichi of the Socialist Party, PM Satō Eisaku, and FM Shiina Etsusaburō at the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Councilors on July 16, 1966
"The destruction of cities is too much"
"The destruction of cities is too much"
November 13, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Fascinating exchange on Japan's support of US bombing operations in Vietnam between Mori Motojirō/Hanyū Sanshichi of the Socialist Party, PM Satō Eisaku, and FM Shiina Etsusaburō at the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Councilors on July 16, 1966
"The destruction of cities is too much"
"The destruction of cities is too much"
another darling bites the dust
November 7, 2025 at 1:21 AM
another darling bites the dust
The most major of Edo's many conflagrations
October 29, 2025 at 4:52 AM
The most major of Edo's many conflagrations
Air raids were so disruptive in 1945 Japan that they began to hamper breast milk production in new moms. Demand for formula surged, prompting the state to launch "breast milk production" inspections to ensure women weren't falsely claiming need
From our chapter on motherhood under falling bombs:
From our chapter on motherhood under falling bombs:
October 28, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Air raids were so disruptive in 1945 Japan that they began to hamper breast milk production in new moms. Demand for formula surged, prompting the state to launch "breast milk production" inspections to ensure women weren't falsely claiming need
From our chapter on motherhood under falling bombs:
From our chapter on motherhood under falling bombs:
A cartoon from 1941 ridiculing American efforts to project air power -- the stuff of carriers -- from the rugged reaches of China
October 27, 2025 at 10:31 PM
A cartoon from 1941 ridiculing American efforts to project air power -- the stuff of carriers -- from the rugged reaches of China
"Tomb of the Unknown Soldier," a Japanese cartoon (ca 1943) mocking their fallen adversaries in the skies.
"What a strange grave this is.”
“Well, yes, it’s because it belongs to an airman who dove straight down and crashed.”
"What a strange grave this is.”
“Well, yes, it’s because it belongs to an airman who dove straight down and crashed.”
October 23, 2025 at 4:51 AM
"Tomb of the Unknown Soldier," a Japanese cartoon (ca 1943) mocking their fallen adversaries in the skies.
"What a strange grave this is.”
“Well, yes, it’s because it belongs to an airman who dove straight down and crashed.”
"What a strange grave this is.”
“Well, yes, it’s because it belongs to an airman who dove straight down and crashed.”
There are few books I've more eagerly anticipated than Andy Bernstein's magisterial new biography of Mt. Fuji.
Ten plus years in the making, its now out in the world.
I had the chance to read the entire manuscript and, friends, it's a stunner. See for yourself:
press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...
Ten plus years in the making, its now out in the world.
I had the chance to read the entire manuscript and, friends, it's a stunner. See for yourself:
press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...
October 21, 2025 at 3:42 PM
There are few books I've more eagerly anticipated than Andy Bernstein's magisterial new biography of Mt. Fuji.
Ten plus years in the making, its now out in the world.
I had the chance to read the entire manuscript and, friends, it's a stunner. See for yourself:
press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...
Ten plus years in the making, its now out in the world.
I had the chance to read the entire manuscript and, friends, it's a stunner. See for yourself:
press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...
TIL Irokawa Daikichi and Ueno Chizuko - 2 of the most creative intellectuals of their generations, IMO - were married for a sum total of 15 hrs
They wed on Irokawa's deathbed. To ease Ueno's handling of posthumous affairs, Irokawa agreed to change his name. His death certificate reads Ueno Daikichi
They wed on Irokawa's deathbed. To ease Ueno's handling of posthumous affairs, Irokawa agreed to change his name. His death certificate reads Ueno Daikichi
October 20, 2025 at 4:30 AM
TIL Irokawa Daikichi and Ueno Chizuko - 2 of the most creative intellectuals of their generations, IMO - were married for a sum total of 15 hrs
They wed on Irokawa's deathbed. To ease Ueno's handling of posthumous affairs, Irokawa agreed to change his name. His death certificate reads Ueno Daikichi
They wed on Irokawa's deathbed. To ease Ueno's handling of posthumous affairs, Irokawa agreed to change his name. His death certificate reads Ueno Daikichi
Excited to dig into Hannah Shepherd's new book, out in December from UC Press:
www.ucpress.edu/books/the-na...
www.ucpress.edu/books/the-na...
October 17, 2025 at 5:58 AM
Excited to dig into Hannah Shepherd's new book, out in December from UC Press:
www.ucpress.edu/books/the-na...
www.ucpress.edu/books/the-na...
A fascinating amalgam of religion and geopolitics in this 1943 Japanese propaganda cartoon depicting Chandra Bose as the Fudō Myōō, the Buddhist guardian deity known as the “Immovable One,” protector of the Dharma and destroyer of evil
October 17, 2025 at 5:31 AM
A fascinating amalgam of religion and geopolitics in this 1943 Japanese propaganda cartoon depicting Chandra Bose as the Fudō Myōō, the Buddhist guardian deity known as the “Immovable One,” protector of the Dharma and destroyer of evil
In 1941, in response to complaints that Japan's air defense fire-fighting drills were poor simulations of the real thing, the Home Ministry held a new exercise with staged fires that pushed Tokyoites to their limits
The results were fatal. 15 died in the drills👇, casualties of bureaucratic delusion
The results were fatal. 15 died in the drills👇, casualties of bureaucratic delusion
October 16, 2025 at 9:43 PM
In 1941, in response to complaints that Japan's air defense fire-fighting drills were poor simulations of the real thing, the Home Ministry held a new exercise with staged fires that pushed Tokyoites to their limits
The results were fatal. 15 died in the drills👇, casualties of bureaucratic delusion
The results were fatal. 15 died in the drills👇, casualties of bureaucratic delusion
A Japanese "science warrior" rampages through NYC (in Oct. 1943), blending healthy doses of tradition, modernity, and delusion
October 16, 2025 at 5:39 AM
A Japanese "science warrior" rampages through NYC (in Oct. 1943), blending healthy doses of tradition, modernity, and delusion
A Japanese cartoon from Oct. 1941, ridiculing Londoners during the Blitz
"Don't worry," reads the caption, dripping in sarcasm, "We are blessed with an abundance of supplies."
"Don't worry," reads the caption, dripping in sarcasm, "We are blessed with an abundance of supplies."
October 15, 2025 at 11:28 PM
A Japanese cartoon from Oct. 1941, ridiculing Londoners during the Blitz
"Don't worry," reads the caption, dripping in sarcasm, "We are blessed with an abundance of supplies."
"Don't worry," reads the caption, dripping in sarcasm, "We are blessed with an abundance of supplies."
What's that? A manufactured crisis used as pretext to impose military rule over urban areas, you say?
A snapshot from Showa Japan:
A snapshot from Showa Japan:
October 15, 2025 at 8:48 PM
What's that? A manufactured crisis used as pretext to impose military rule over urban areas, you say?
A snapshot from Showa Japan:
A snapshot from Showa Japan:
"The Fierce Military Record of Vice Presidential Candidate LeMay" Maru magazine, January 1969
October 15, 2025 at 4:15 AM
"The Fierce Military Record of Vice Presidential Candidate LeMay" Maru magazine, January 1969