General of the Imperial Japanese Army Baron Sadao Araki narrates the film. Japanese flag is seen behind Baron Sadao Araki. Aerial view of clouds. Smoke emanates from volcanoes in Japan. Ripples being made in a lake or pond. A map of Japan. View of a Japanese waterfall. Trees grow on rocky cliffs by a river. View of the summit of Takachiho in the Kirishima Mountains (霧島山, Kirishima-yama) in Kyushu, Japan. Rice grows in a rice field in Japan. A print of the enthronement of Emperor Jimmu, the first Emperor of Japan. View of the Entrance to the Ise Grand Shrine (伊勢神宮, Ise Jingū 1 Ujitachicho, Ise, Mie 516-0023, Japan). People crossing a traditional Japanese bridge. View of the two giant “married couple rocks” (Meoto Iwa 夫婦岩575 Futamichoe, Ise, Mie 519-0602, Japan) that are joined by a Shimenawa rice-straw rope in Futami, Mie, Japan. View of the Kashihara Jingu Shrine (橿原神宮934 Kumecho, Kashihara, Nara 634-8550, Japan) in Nara, Japan. View of the Torii gate at Atsuta Shrine (熱田神宮, Atsuta-jingū 1 Chome-1-1 Jingu, Atsuta Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 456-8585, Japan) in Nagoya, Japan. Torii gate of the Meiji Shrine (明治神宮, Meiji Jingū 1-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 151-8557, Japan) in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan. View of the Nijubashi Bridge inside the Tokyo Imperial Palace grounds (1-1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-8111, Japan). View of the Kyoto Imperial Palace (3 Kyotogyoen, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto, 602-0881, Japan) in preparation for the coronation of Emperor Hirohito. Banzai banners decorate the imperial palace. Japanese archers in traditional garb, carrying their bows. Emperor Hirohito’s procession makes its way to his coronation in Kyoto. Two 18th Century coaches bearing the Imperial Seal of Japan, also known as the Chrysanthemum Flower Seal (菊紋, kikumon) head the procession, accompanied by a mounted honor guard. Also in the procession is the Kashikodokoro (enshrining the Imperial Regalia) being carried by young men from the village of Yase, near Kyoto.
Reconstruction of Japan following World War II. New Constitution of Japan. Japanese military and other workers manually shovel debris and labor to rebuild their country which has been utterly destroyed by war. Document labeled 'The Constitution of Japan'. Japanese speak over loudspeakers and campaign in the first free elections in Japanese history. Women have the right to vote. Democracy brings civil liberty and women's rights. People listen to speaker at political rally or political campaign event in a Japanese city.
Views of Japan soon before World War II. Animated map shows Osaka and movement to Kobe. Elevated sweeping views of Kobe Japan harbor, ships at harbor, freight loaded in ship and ship 'Argentina Maru'. Streets of downtown Kobe with buildings and shops, and 1930s automobiles passing by pedestrians. Dock and harbor views in Kobe. Goods loaded onto ships at harbor for transport. Boxes being hoisted by cranes onto ships. Japanese citizens in passenger cruise ship wave the flag of Japan. School children in uniform stand on docks and wave at departing ship as it leaves dock. View of ocean water churning behind ocean going passenger cruise ship underway. wish the troops in the ship 'Argentina Maru'. View of sea and cherry blossoms.
Fulbright Program in Japan. A man enters a house. A man looks at a book and talks with another man in the room. An animated map shows a person in Japan. Diagram of the U.S. Capitol in United States. a man from U.S. sends an envelope to the Japanese person. Two places in United States. Two envelopes are sent to Japan. A man enters a few doors and dances.
Emperor Hirohito visits the grave of his father (Emperor Taisho) following the surrender of Japan at the end of World War 2. View of Mt. Fuji in Japan. Torii gate at the Musashi Imperial Graveyard (1833 Nagabusamachi, Hachioji, Tokyo 193-0824, Japan) in Nagabusa-machi, Hachiōji, Tokyo, Japan. Shinto priests waiting for Emperor Hirohito’s arrival. Emperor Hirohito, wearing a Western semi-civilian court dress, alights from his car and salutes. Shinto priests bow to Emperor Hirohito. Emperor Hirohito and other Japanese officials descend a set of stone stairs. Emperor Hirohito, now posthumously known as the Shōwa Emperor, leaves the Musashi Imperial Graveyard by car.
City scenes of prewar Tokyo, Japan. Traffic, pedestrians, railroad trains, and parks and places of interest in Tokyo before Allied bombing. People walking and crossing a busy street. View of Ginza district as seen from a moving car. A policeman in white directs the traffic. Hand opens a book on Japan. The hand opens to a page about Tokyo. The grounds of the Imperial Palace (1-1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-8111, Japan) as seen from Marunouchi. Men bowing down in front of a temple. Deer feeding in front of a pagoda. Scene changes to views of U.S. Army Air Force B-29 and B-24 bomber aircraft. Scenes of destruction and chaos on the ground in Tokyo following incendiary bomb raid by American B-29 aircraft of Tokyo, Japan, during World War 2. Japanese fighting fire; scenes of smoke and rubble on the ground in the city of Tokyo.
CRITICALPAST.COM: About Us | Contact Us | FAQs - How to Order | License Agreement | My Account | My Lightboxes | Shopping Cart | Advanced Search | Featured Collections | Website Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy ©2026 CriticalPast LLC.
License Agreement |
Terms & Conditions |
Privacy Policy
©2026 CriticalPast LLC.