Japanese Forces

Beheading as means of execution, Japan.

Recent comments brought to mind this image. It is not WW2; or WW1. It dates in fact from 1900-1901, and the putting-down of the nationalist/xenophobic Boxer Rebellion in China. It appears to show a Japanese Marine officer preparing to behead a suspected "Boxer" with the sword (in this case a cavalry sabre). It is something of a paradox that within a quarter of a century of playing its part in the extinction of actual samurai culture (such as it by then was), the new, modern Japanese forces appear to have been repackaging the samurai myth in the interests of developing the required ethos for the aggressive new Japan. Chopping prisoners' heads off appears to have been one "tradition" revived in this process. Many, many Chinese were beheaded by Japanese forces in the aftermath of the defeat of the Boxers by the combined "Western" powers (Great Britain, Italy, Germany, Russia, Japan, Belgium, USA) in co-operation with some elements of the Imperial Chinese Army. We know this for sure because it was extensively remarked on by soldiers and officers of the other Powers at the time. One US officer commented that many probable Boxers - and perhaps ten times the number of innocent "suspects" were beheaded in these operations. In the middle-background of this 'photo can be seen a non-Japanese figure - his uniform suggests a US Marine - who appears to be a curious spectator to the Japanese officer's "performance". By the way - I am not particularly getting down on the Japanese, at least in the context of the crushing of the Boxers. A great deal of killing, burning and rape was carried out by troops of the other powers, albeit with less ceremony. Some things do not change. Best regards, JR. Best regards, JR.