Friday, July 25, 2008

Hanging of prisoners during the Japanese Occupation - PhotoHunt

Theme : Hanging


I'm doing a research on the Japanese Occupation of Singapore.

At the Singapore Art Museum, I watched this video where one prisoner who survived, talked about his agonising ordeal decades later.

He was thrown into a room (13 ft by 11ft) where there were 60 - 70 men, they were constantly beaten and had little to eat. Every one was just skin and bones.

Some mornings, he would be dragged out of the room, tied at the wrists and hung on a tree. He and some others would be hanging there for a day. No food, no water, come rain, come hot sun....

Around six o'clock in the evening, they would be released and dragged back to their cell.

By then, his wrists would be so swollen and bruised that he couldn't even picked up the bits of rice that was his dinner......

Peace, no War

Note : It is difficult to look for skinny, starved male models for the above picture, so I drew it. Still looking for male models for my photos, know any one suitable? hehe....











104 comments:

  1. Waaah ECL! you are now in position 2!!! voted daily! Vote you to 1st position!!!!! Hurray!

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  2. how much you pay first??...

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  3. I have mixed feeling about colonialism. But I guess those colonials (heartless or otherwise) helped shape the world it is today.

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  4. bokjae,
    I'm back to position 3 now. Thanks to you and my other voters!

    We are closing in on the 2nd contestant! The contest is getting more exciting! Vote daily!

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  5. leonard,
    Yes, that's why we must be able to defend our country and protect our own family... not leave it to others.

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  6. big bright head,
    Must pay wan meh!? hahaha....

    Please lah... tolong lah.... pity this poor woman lah... don't talk money, can or not?

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  7. andie summerkiss,
    I've mixed feelings too. There's good and bad. Very important thing is, Singapore is able to rise above its problems and we have many resilient Singaporeans.

    We need to take fate in our own hands.

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  8. Terrible!
    Here in Sweden we take peace for granted. We haven´t experienced any war the last 200 years.

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  9. for the right price, i will stave down to the size you want.. he he

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  10. Your description of the survivor's scary edi...I dont think I can bear seeing the real photos. Even skinny models can never depict the horrific look of the victims.

    Interesting research you've got there :)

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  11. napaboaniya,
    Yes, the elderly man was so lucky he survived the inhumane treatment. Many couldn't make it. Of course he had ill health all his life after that....

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  12. randi,
    I wish there will be no more war. Don't want anything so terrible happening to human kind.

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  13. my bug life,
    Yes, the skinny models cannot depict the horrible physical state of the prisoners. I just want people to imagine how horrible the tortures were and what the prisoners went through. We should never have any more wars!

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  14. Oh that's terrible ECL, heartpain la reading abt it. But wow, ECL can draw, I am impressed! ;)

    Okay, off to vote for u and J now, good luck peeps! :):):)

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  15. Ok. You should sign up for a drawing and colouring test with the kids! I will inform you if I hear of any such events k? ;)

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  16. oops! I meant competition. Ur skill power enough ma.

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  17. Visit the Changi Museum, you will see more photos of Prisoners of Wars, from WWII period who will fit your criteria. The best part, please join the guided tour even though there's a small fee. The guided tour is a good one.

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  18. Err...it wasn't a paid advertisement. I have great respect for the work doen by Changi Museum, so that's my recommendations for you to visit there to learn about the lives of POWs during WWII.

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  19. Just remember, you may want to go for the Wednesday and Saturday Coach tours by Original Singapore Walks, done by Journeys Pte Ltd. That's one of the better guided tours on the subject matter....the only thing is that you can't take notes, cos everything the guide says is copyright. Anyway, I love the tour a lot!

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  20. Put aside the war thingy, nice drawing wor. :D

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  21. Oh God, I was wondering what sort of "picture" you have in mind for me. I don't think Cynthia would be very thrilled to see me tied up by a lady like you.

    Ha ha ha.

    Erm ... voted.

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  22. I'm skinny, not starving and definitely not going to hang around. A sad tale well told.

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  23. mariuca,
    Thanks for your daily votes.

    Of course I can draw... hehehe.... not like an artist lah.

    As I was doing my research in this subject, I couldn't help tearing. I feel the pain and sufferings of the victims.

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  24. sho,
    Alamak! *slaps my forehead*

    I can only go for kids' colouring and drawing competition!?

    Our Mountbatten Constituency has lots of such competitions lah. aiyooooh.

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  25. oceanskies,
    I intend to go to Changi Museum and I don't need guided tours. :)

    I'm going to write about the place and the happenings. I'm not going to be restricted by some people, I can do my own research.

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  26. Ah, war. Many dies for the few at the top.

    p/s: Thanks for the birthday wishes, I really appreciate that. :) The answer is 29 and proud. LOL.

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  27. wilfrid,
    hehehe.... Cynthia definitely won't be thrilled...

    Thanks for your votes!

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  28. sailor,
    awwww.... you're not a good friend. :)

    It's so tough to find skinny starved male models, they are eating well these days.

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  29. cc,
    Wah! Still have change left. :)

    Enjoy your birthday. *hugs*

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  30. wow...that's really hanging :D

    thanks for visiting my post. I have other PH post, I hope you can visit also :D here Thanks

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  31. That's horrible! Unfortunately torture is to frequent in war. Wouldn't it be a much nicer world without war?

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  32. awake,
    yes... it will be great if there is no war. When can man live in peace?

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  33. hi ecl! you have been awarded...

    http://liz.mommyslittlecorner.com/2008/07/brillante-award.html

    see yah ;)

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  34. It is terrible what humans do to each other. I hope you have a good weekend ECL.

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  35. Carver,
    Oh... you cannot imagine what terrible things human beings can think up.

    Have a great weekend!

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  36. Couldn't you post about something peaceful *sobbing* That was horrible - I mean the story. So frick'n sad.

    I know of a skinny male or could model for you. Should I send him your way? Would be an awful long trip.

    *huggies*

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  37. Hmm... skinny maybe not but if you want one who is fat and with great centre of gravity.. seek me!! :P

    http://crizcats.blogspot.com/

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  38. Very sad story but nice drawing! :)

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  39. You are an artist! I think your drawing illustrates your story beautifully. Bad things happen in war. Ever hear the saying, "All's fair in love and war."

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  40. That's a terrible ordeal. It's amazing that someone is strong enough to survive such hardship.

    You draw very well. I'm off to vote for you and Jaymes.

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  41. Very thoughtful,
    I say no more. Maybe somebody would see me hanging. LOL.

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  42. I like you very much but I will not hang for you!!! I totally support peace!! What a thought provoking post. I am glad hangings is not a reality here!!!

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  43. Its good that most countries do not do that kind of punishment anymore. Or is it?

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  44. Wow, that is a moving picture about hanging.

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  45. I have heard many stories about how locals were treated during the japanese occupation as well. Scary..

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  46. chuck,
    I can't think of hanging as cheerful. :P

    This post is a build-up to our 43rd National Day celebrations.

    You have someone in mind!? Send him over then. By courier, post, Express? hehe...

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  47. criz,
    I have lots of fat guys but I'm too kind.

    Hanging them would be painful because of the greater pull of gravity! wahahahaha.....

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  48. ancient one,
    Wow! Thank you. Me, an artist? I'm glad I have a talent. hehe....

    I don't think there's any fairness in Love or War. :(

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  49. heart of rachel,
    Thanks for your votes and praise! :)

    I'm amazed too, looking at the wizened old fellow who was telling the story. That is one tough survivor.

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  50. toraa,
    haha.... enjoying yourself, eh?
    Have a great weekend!

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  51. dianeca,
    hahaha.... I'll not hang you! Tied you up, yes! And ship you to Singapore to cook me your delicious meals. :P

    Hanging is still practised in Singapore. Drug traffickers and murderers are hang by the neck until they breathe their last breath.

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  52. Julie,
    That is torture. I doubt any country does that.

    Hanging for heinous crimes, yes. Singapore is still dishing it.

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  53. Instead of attacking Japan over her short history of colonial rule you should attack America for hanging and brutally murdering millions of African Americans, as well as the indigenous population.

    Japan was merely following the example set by the West and its colonial ambitions.

    Learn from the past

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  54. Yes its really cruel for a person to do that thing hanging a person in that tree. Happy weekend.

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  55. fishman,
    It is very shocking to hear of the inhumane tortures... I can't imagine how those Japs who thought up all these sick treatments could sleep well at night.

    Shall I publish the tortures meted out by the Japs in my blog?

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  56. mcalpine,
    Was I attacking Japan!? This is a known fact and not recorded in the history books of Japan.

    You can see the video and actual pictures taken of the tortures and sufferings of Singaporeans and Malaysians in our museums.

    I'm posting this for our 43rd National Day. A reminder to my fellow countrymen not to be complacent and fall into enemy hands one day.

    Japan has no brains of its own that it has to follow others!? That's a lame excuse.

    Come see and learn about the atrocious acts of Japanese soldiers against our people. You will not find evidence of that by hiding in Japan. The Japanese Government covered it up.

    You have to learn the truth.

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  57. War is bad -- and to think that many leaders, even in this day and age, seem to still next to nothing of leading people into it. :(

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  58. ytsl,
    Why can't Man live in peace? What is so great to be powerful and wealthy when every one has to die eventually? They become dust like us ordinary folks and fertilise the plants.

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  59. So many of my friends fathers were prisoners of war of the Japanese and had some stories to tell. Have a good weekend ECL.

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  60. War's cruel, but funny that seems to be human's nature. Just pick up any history books, it's all about wars. We are still doing it right till today...

    On a lighter side, I must say u draw well ;)

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  61. lucky you put a sketch dwg ECL..otherwise its too sad for a Saturday. Anyways, it does reminds you how lucky we are today as to how convenient we are now. We just hope the generation X, Y, Z would not take things for granted ;)

    Pearl - happy weekend. Did you go to the museum last night and look at the light projection at the facade?

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  62. My grandma gave birth to my aunt at the bottom of a well as she was running away from the Japanese persecution. My aunt was lucky to even survive that.

    Let's hope that it'll never happen again.

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  63. I feel ur pain dearie! And am still impressed with ur drawing, me cannot draw so well mah lolz!

    Back to vote for u n j on a Saturday! Happy weekend. :)

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  64. What a terrible torture. Striking choice for our theme this week.

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  65. That's so cruel! I saw in a movie long time ago that the Japanese forced salt water (why salt water?) down the throat of their captive, then punched their stomach. Those Japanese could just thought of any weird method to torture people.

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  66. It's terrible how man is so inhumane to our fellow man. I pray this will never happen again anywhere.

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  67. you drew that? nice!!!
    such a sad story ... but then life is never fun when there is war going on!

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  68. Sadness and cruelty of war...will we ever grow up.

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  69. Sad, sad story, but your conception in your drawing is good. Well done, and thanks for sharing the history.

    I'm glad you stopped by my photo hunt today. Have a wonderful weekend.

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  70. Sad, but a good take on the theme.

    Have a great weekend!
    Amanda

    http://www.amandasweeklyzen.com/2008/07/photohunters-hanging.html

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  71. War is really terrible! It is truly a horrific image to think about...I hope that war would not happen anymore in the future.

    Cute drawing!

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  72. I'm a bit late for photohunt today… Cool catch for today's theme... Mine's up too hope you can drop by... Happy weekend!

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  73. Heard about that too from our older folks..real scary and cruel.

    Hey, nice drawingleh!

    Will vote you to no. 1 position:)

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  74. Very sad. War is definitely hell. I can never understand why men are so greedy for power and land. sighhh.

    Well, here's my Photo Hunt for the day. I'll bet you never heard of this kind of hanging before!
    http://newyorktraveler.net/photo-hunters-hanging/

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  75. I guess every country does mean and awful things to there prisoners and if we could have peace we wouldn't need to step so low.

    Sorry I haven't been around to look at the picture. Murphy and I went visiting today.
    Mine is up.

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  76. All that stuff made me sad, reading about it here and when I lived in Singapore, visiting some of the memorials.

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  77. Sad story, great drawing. Good luck on the blog awards!

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  78. we often hear about the atrocities in Nanjing in China and Korea but I had no idea that they were in Singapore.

    The Japanese were indeed everywhere in Asia trying to take over everyone at time under the guise of being liberators... it's sad too, that there's a sort of denial for the atrocities committed...

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  79. i have learned that in history class... hmm jus droping by.. can we exchange link..tnx

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  80. Hi dear! Stopping by for a quick vote! Few more days left! :)

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  81. Great entry for PhotoHunt! Real interesting read! Thanks for sharing!

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  82. Wow. What an educational post, this week. I'm glad you drew the photo - I'd much prefer it to seeing it modeled!

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