Hideki Tojo: His Grave at Zoshigaya Cemetery
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Hideki Tojo was an Imperial Japanese Army general and the country’s 27th prime minister. He was a member of the group that advocated a “preventive war” against the United States. That ended with Japan being devastated and him being executed. Is he revered or reviled? There is no simple answer. It depends on who you talk to.
Whatever the answer, Tojo is a historically important person. History buffs might want to photograph his grave. It is at Zoshigaya Cemetery. I’ve photographed it a few times.
The mystery of Hideki Tojo’s Zoshigaya grave
Tojo’s post-war story is long and involved. I won’t comment on his trial. That is well-documented. But this explains why he ended up in this cemetery. I admit it is unsatisfactory.
After the war, Tojo attempted suicide when the Occupation Forces arrested him. Upon his recovery, he was sent to Sugamo Prison. The International Military Tribunal for the Far East found him guilty of war crimes. It sentenced him to death on November 12, 1948.
That sentence was carried out at Sugamo Prison on December 23, 1948. He was executed by hanging. The history books say his ashes were scattered over the Pacific Ocean. This leaves a mystery. Why does he have a grave at Zoshigaya Cemetery?
It is a cenotaph. Why was it made? Wouldn’t his family want one? They and others would need a place to pay respects to a person of his stature. That is probably the answer.
Where is the Hideki Tojo grave?
It’s at Zoshigaya Cemetery. First, pick up a cemetery map at the administration office. His grave, numbered thirty-five, is on it.
Notes about photographing the grave
- The grave is austere.
- It is a simple tower-style tombstone.
- As you can see in the photos, it is tidy. Fresh flowers are often at its base.
- Trees surround the grave.
- There is little space around the grave for tripods.
- A “mailbox” is on the left for visitors’ business cards.
To learn more about Tojo, the book, “Warlord: Tojo Against the World” is available on Amazon. Leave questions and comments below.
Photo gear for this shoot
Camera body: Fujifilm X-T3
Lenses:
- Fujifilm XF 10-24 mm F4 R OIS WR
- Fujifilm XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR
Rohan Gillett
Rohan has lived in Tokyo for 30+ years. He loves photography and plans to capture the entire city.
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External related articles
- Where Did Hideki Tojo’s Body Go After His Execution? A Mystery Is Solved in the New York Times.