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Picture Letters from the Commander-in-Chief
The battle of Iwo Jima was one of the bloodiest campaigns of WWII. Under the command of Lt. General Tadamichi Kuribayashi, the Japanese army held off U.S. Navy and Naval Air Corps. attack for over a month before finally succumbing to defeat.
Comprised mostly of personal letters from Kuribayashi to his family, Picture Letters from the Commander in Chief offers readers a unique glimpse into arguably the most iconic battle of the second World War. A sensitive man, Kuribayashi is able to articulate in these letters his love for his family and his unwavering loyalty to his country. And in doing so, he helps bring a new voice and perspective to history.
Comprised mostly of personal letters from Kuribayashi to his family, Picture Letters from the Commander in Chief offers readers a unique glimpse into arguably the most iconic battle of the second World War. A sensitive man, Kuribayashi is able to articulate in these letters his love for his family and his unwavering loyalty to his country. And in doing so, he helps bring a new voice and perspective to history.
264 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 16, 2019
This book has been on my list of WW II books to read for some time. I saw the movie several years ago and I have wanted to read it even more. Tadamichi Kuribayashi's letters home to his family show the human side of war from the perspective of the enemy. Kuribayashi traveled through America as part of an officer exchange program in the late 1920's. He would send letters home (to his young son Taro) telling him what he was doing and asking him to look after the family and do well in his studies. Kuribayashi was keenly aware of the how hard it would match the production juggernaut that America would be able to set in motion if Japan were to go to war with America; but he was ignored by his superiors. These touching letters home show how torn he was between his responsibilities as a soldier, husband and father.
July 16, 2023
This is a book of letters to his young son who could not read yet. the general would draw pictures of his life and experiences in America (long before the war) and have his wife read the letters to his son as if it were a childrens picture book. I read it in conjunction with So Sad to Fall in Battle, which is a short war book which was the inspiration for the film Letters from Iwo Jima. I would recommend reading both at the same time as well.
May 26, 2012
I love this book. It is an elegant memorial to man that history has largely ignored. The dual text (Japanese and English) is a plus for those of us who read both languages. I cherish Kuribayashi's drawings and wish I could have met him: at a dinner party, not on a battle field. Then again, he never wanted to go to war against the U.S. He was a true soldier and a soldier loses the ability to have an opinion once he or she becomes a soldier; their job is to follow orders. Many, many people with loud mouths and strong opinions about wars seem to forget this little tidbit of information. But then again, perhaps they never served their country?
February 1, 2014
Here in the United States, we are not often exposed to Japanese perspectives on World War II. The recent, notable exception was Clint Eastwood's film Letters from Iwo Jima. This collection was the inspiration for that film.
General Tadamichi Kuribayashi was the Commander of Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Chichijima, and Hahajima at the end of the war. Forces under his command held Iwo Jima against the USMC for 35 days, and he himself was killed in the battle.
In the late 1920's, then Captain Kuribayashi spent 2 years studying in the United States. His son, Taro, was then 4 years old, and the captain wrote letters to him featuring sketches showing his life here. The vast majority of the collection is made up of those letters, hence the title.
These letters show how personal correspondence has become a lost art. I wouldn't go so far as to say that Gen. Kuribayashi wore his emotions on his sleeve, but all of these letters, especially the ones written from Iwo, demonstrate a serious concern for his family's safety and welfare during the, as he thought, coming American invasion. I can imagine my own grandfather's letters from the same time expressing similar concern for his family.
The collection is well put together, featuring historical notes on Gen. Kuribayashi's life and career. I think the best feature of the book is that the illustrated letters are presented in facsimile, with translations on the following page. I wish that the book was bilingual all the way through. Also, in one of the pictures, Gen. Kuribayashi shows himself playing with a dog, and he wrote his own words in English, not Japanese. For some reason, the translator felt the need to translate the English as well, despite the fact that Gen. Kuribayashi had excellent handwriting.
This book is highly recommended for any student of World War II, Japanese Culture, or preschool teachers. If you were ever wondering how best to write to a kid who can't read, there is no better advice than Gen. Kuribayashi's example.
General Tadamichi Kuribayashi was the Commander of Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Chichijima, and Hahajima at the end of the war. Forces under his command held Iwo Jima against the USMC for 35 days, and he himself was killed in the battle.
In the late 1920's, then Captain Kuribayashi spent 2 years studying in the United States. His son, Taro, was then 4 years old, and the captain wrote letters to him featuring sketches showing his life here. The vast majority of the collection is made up of those letters, hence the title.
These letters show how personal correspondence has become a lost art. I wouldn't go so far as to say that Gen. Kuribayashi wore his emotions on his sleeve, but all of these letters, especially the ones written from Iwo, demonstrate a serious concern for his family's safety and welfare during the, as he thought, coming American invasion. I can imagine my own grandfather's letters from the same time expressing similar concern for his family.
The collection is well put together, featuring historical notes on Gen. Kuribayashi's life and career. I think the best feature of the book is that the illustrated letters are presented in facsimile, with translations on the following page. I wish that the book was bilingual all the way through. Also, in one of the pictures, Gen. Kuribayashi shows himself playing with a dog, and he wrote his own words in English, not Japanese. For some reason, the translator felt the need to translate the English as well, despite the fact that Gen. Kuribayashi had excellent handwriting.
This book is highly recommended for any student of World War II, Japanese Culture, or preschool teachers. If you were ever wondering how best to write to a kid who can't read, there is no better advice than Gen. Kuribayashi's example.
December 21, 2018
Pict-o-graphic History
Picture Letters is so unlike anything else I have read that it is difficult to classify using standard terms. The man who will be promoted to General after his honorable death was here writing letters to his family, for the most part, from America. He came to America as part of his training, and visited Mexico and Canada, as well as many parts of the USA where he stayed for about two years. But, throughout this time, he painstakingly drew illustrated letters to his five year old son back home, describing details of his daily life. In a sense, he was being sure to continue to illustrate for his son the kind of man he wished for his son to become, even while distant.
Not only do you see the kind of Father he was in the letters, but you form a clear picture of his perceptions of American technology and culture. It is these glimpses of cultural differences that is perhaps most intriguing. I've tagged this book as a graphic novel, even though it may seem outside that genre, because of the story through illustration technique used by Tadamichi Kuribayashi. And, the letters are his, those to his son in pictures, as well as those few near the end that were written to his daughter and wife from the battlefield later in Iwo Jima. Interspersed between the letters are little blurbs of commentary, but they just comment on some of the things he has said.
This book, as well as the last one I read about The Dog Who Dared to Dream are both quite easy reading. But, they are both perhaps more essential reading than many other books for countries which I have read. They impart much of the local culture and ideas of the people. And, this one can be considered first hand source documents. I think that both stories will remain in my mind forever, both the fable and this compilation of letters from the heart.
I read this in the paperback format for my stop in Japan on my Journey Around the World in 80 Books for 2018. My next stops will be: Taiwan, Vietnam, Australia, and finally New Zealand.
Picture Letters is so unlike anything else I have read that it is difficult to classify using standard terms. The man who will be promoted to General after his honorable death was here writing letters to his family, for the most part, from America. He came to America as part of his training, and visited Mexico and Canada, as well as many parts of the USA where he stayed for about two years. But, throughout this time, he painstakingly drew illustrated letters to his five year old son back home, describing details of his daily life. In a sense, he was being sure to continue to illustrate for his son the kind of man he wished for his son to become, even while distant.
Not only do you see the kind of Father he was in the letters, but you form a clear picture of his perceptions of American technology and culture. It is these glimpses of cultural differences that is perhaps most intriguing. I've tagged this book as a graphic novel, even though it may seem outside that genre, because of the story through illustration technique used by Tadamichi Kuribayashi. And, the letters are his, those to his son in pictures, as well as those few near the end that were written to his daughter and wife from the battlefield later in Iwo Jima. Interspersed between the letters are little blurbs of commentary, but they just comment on some of the things he has said.
This book, as well as the last one I read about The Dog Who Dared to Dream are both quite easy reading. But, they are both perhaps more essential reading than many other books for countries which I have read. They impart much of the local culture and ideas of the people. And, this one can be considered first hand source documents. I think that both stories will remain in my mind forever, both the fable and this compilation of letters from the heart.
I read this in the paperback format for my stop in Japan on my Journey Around the World in 80 Books for 2018. My next stops will be: Taiwan, Vietnam, Australia, and finally New Zealand.
June 12, 2014
Truly not a war story you have ever been told. Tadamichi Kuribayashi's letters open his mind up to the general public and the people who want to know more about the man. I suggest you don't think of this book as just another war book. It's much more than that, I want to say thank you to Clint Eastwood for helping to tell his story
July 17, 2010
interesting book on the life of Tadamichi Kuribayashi any one interested in iwo jima or WWII should read it
December 12, 2012
Amazing.
It gives you an insight on who General Kuribayashi was and made him an officer, a father and a human being.
It gives you an insight on who General Kuribayashi was and made him an officer, a father and a human being.
February 16, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, sooo... why not 5 stars (lol, I could hear you asking)? Most of the book was exactly what it professed to be - picture letters not drawn or written for publication. 5 stars (for moi) should underline extraordinary authorship. So then, why not 4 stars? Actually, I would have rather assigned 3.75. Tsuyuko Yoshida, as editor, did a wonderful job inserting some historical information. Alas, only periodically. It left me wanting of so much more. My being familiar with both western and eastern cultures - I found myself wishing she had taken more opportunity after each letter. Still, I positively enjoyed the collection of letters with translations and what they shared about a diplomat, military man, husband, and... most poignantly; a father. Additionally, if you're a fan of art journalling, you might find yourself reading through this paperback book twice, as I did :)
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews