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Memorial Park
Founded in 1891, the cemetery was the exclusive Japanese burial
ground until 1947. It became a memorial park in 1987, and has been
maintained by the Singapore Japanese Association with donations
from the Japanese community here.
Far from being forgotten, it is well-kept and even has a Shinto
shrine. Its esthetically-landscaped garden is shaded by mature
trees.
Criss-crossing walkways lead one easily to the remarkably
well-marked graves. The names of the dead are set out on a large
plaque, which show clear tomb directions.
And they were from various walks of life, ranging from business
tycoons, professionals and artisans to those with questionable
occupations.
Their identities and stations in life were clear from the
inscriptions on their tombstones.
The most well-known grave belongs to Field-Marshal Terauchi, the
Supreme Commander of Japanese Forces in South-east Asia, which is
in a quiet corner and away from the other graves.
He was too ill to represent Japan at the surrender ceremony but he
sent his sword, which signified his symbolic presence. He died in
Singapore shortly afterwards.
Near the shrine are the three tomb containing the ashes of the
Japanese war dead, as well as that of more than 200 war criminals
who were executed for heinous crimes committed during the war.
The park is visited frequently by Japanese residents and tourists,
some of whom place flowers regularly, at the tombs of their
departed loved ones, friends or war-time comrades.
Pictorial Tour |
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1. The cemetery is a memorial park with plenty of plants and trees.
Through this arch we entered to the back of the cemetery
2. The tree branches resemble a spooky pattern, of course, with one or
two orbs hanging around there
3. At the back of the cemetery, private houses are built just across
the fence.
This photo shows how the dead and alive live in harmony, or do they?
4. A multi-storey mansion was just behind the trees; say hello to the
neighbor...
1. Very nice fragrance is filling the whole area; 2. It is Fanji Pani.
The scent of its flowers usually associate the coming of Pontianak!
3. The ceiling of the sheltered passage, intervened with eerie
overgrown tree branches;
4. Exit of the passage that leads to the other side of the garden
After the passage, this area of the park is scattered with a number of
stone boulders under the trees, the atmosphere was indeed spooky
On the cross section of each stone, a bronze plaque details each soul,
his history and his date of death - just for remembrance
1. Near the stone boulders, there is one spectacular lone memorial
stone, situated on a circular tiled ground
2. From a direct translation, it reads as 'A Brick for Calming the
Spirits'. It is said to be blessed by Shinto priests with consoling
prayers
3. A list of corporate donors and the history of the cemetery were
written on the lower part of the memorial stone
4. At the opposite corner, there is also a simple tomb for appeasing
the spirits. Some said that is the most haunted spot of the cemetery
!. These three rocks, though looking primitive, are used for honoring
the war dead. The smaller stone in front is to console the souls
2. This stone is for the logistic crews who died in the war
3. The one in the center is for the marines who were killed in
actions! (in violent deaths?), and therefore needs the consolation
stone?
4. This stone is for the martyrs who sacrificed their lives probably
in some suicidal operations
!. This memorial column is for honoring all the soldiers who were
killed in battles in Nanyang (Malaya and Singapore)
2. A high ranked General Lt who served the army in the South was
buried there
3. See what is behind this tomb of a general? A red color entity.
Wouldn't it be the Fatty Billy as rumored to be the local guardian
spirit?
4. True enough, from a stone-throw distance, a row of auspicious
protector deities statues dressed in red cloth can be seen there
1. Near the tombs of the war dead, a Shinto Temple was situated. One
can see it is being well maintained to be neat and clean
2. The banner over the front door has a significant meaning "Relieved
by Heart"
When one is dead, nothing matters to him anymore; should let go of all
the hatreds, rage, avenges and emotions
In other words, rest in peace, hold no more sentiment and hopefully
the soul won't haunt the place
3. Below at the doorstep is a donation box; 4. The temple building is
securely protected; windows are guarded with sensors (Enlarge)
1. By using night shot, the foyer of the temple was shown clearly, one
can see the altar has numerous Buddha statues,
the parka floor is swept very clean. Inside the temple, it is meant to
be a holy and pure place for Kami - the high beings
2. Here is an unknown entity. The photo was taken when the ambience
was in absolute darkness, no camera flash was used.
However, some mysterious light was caught in the camera while it was
invisible by naked eyes.
3. We thought still it was due to reflection and took another picture
from slight different angle.
The mysterious light was confirmed to be there again.
Legend has it that at a very holy altar, a supernatural sacred and
secret object was hidden, and that is symbolized by light
4. Last but not the least scary. Surprisingly a Pokka vending machine
is found located at the cemetery.
Pokka is
well-known for its strict control in production and superb quality of
ingredient used in their products.
Without a second thought, each of us purchased a can of cold aromatic
coffee from the machine in order to crush the thirst.
It supposed to be a pleasant experience in enjoying a can of premium
coffee albeit in a cemetery.
The scary bit was, nonetheless, the face on the vending machine
suddenly appeared to blink at us as seen from the corner of our eyes!
¡@
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