General and former Prime Minister Hideki Tojo receives blood from an American Army Unit.

National Museum of American History

Object Details

photographer
Mydans, Carl
Description
By September 1945, World War II had come to an end. After Japan's unconditional surrender, Gen. Douglas MacArthur issued orders for the arrest of the first forty alleged war criminals, including Prime Minister Hideki Tojo. When American military police surrounded his house on September 8, 1945, they heard a muffled shot from inside. Tojo had shot himself, but despite shooting directly through a charcoal mark on his chest, the bullet missed his heart. A few minutes later, disarmed and with blood spreading on his shirt, Tojo began to talk.
In his book, Photojournalist, Mydans reports the following: When Tojo saw General Robert Eichelberger standing at his bedside, Tojo told him he was sorry for all the trouble he was causing. Eichelberger said to the interpreter, "Ask if he means the trouble tonight, or the last four years?" Two Japanese reporters recorded Tojo's words: "I am very sorry it is taking me so long to die. The Greater East Asia War was justified and righteous. I am very sorry for the nation and all the races of the Greater Asiatic powers. I wait for the righteous judgment of history. I wished to commit suicide but sometimes that fails." Hideki Tojo was sentenced to death for war crimes and executed by hanging on December 23, 1948, after accepting full responsibility for his actions in World War II and, in the end, advocating peace.
Location
Currently not on view
1945
ID Number
2005.0228.083
accession number
2005.0228
catalog number
2005.0228.083
Object Name
photograph
Physical Description
paper (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 14 in x 11 in; 35.56 cm x 27.94 cm
place made
Japan: Tōkyō, Tokyo
Related Publication
Mydans, Carl. Carl Mydans, Photojournalist
See more items in
Work and Industry: Photographic History
Photography
Carl Mydans
National Museum of American History
Record ID
nmah_1303398
Metadata Usage (text)
CC0
GUID (Link to Original Record)
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ab-d7b6-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
General and former Prime Minister Hideki Tojo receiving blood transfusion
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