Les « spécialistes de la Chine » et l'armée impériale

Sasaki Tōichi was one of the most prominent China experts in the Japanese army (shina-tsu). Very early, he showed a strong interest in China and was attracted by the personality of Sun Yat-sen. Like Miyazaki Tôten, Sasaki was a fervent supporter of the Chinese nationalist movement. That enthusiasm however was shattered during the Jinan Incident, in April 1928. Sasaki was captured and almost beaten to death by Chinese soldiers while attempting to get a cease-fire on both sides. Humiliated by the Chinese, and regarded as a traitor at home by his countrymen, Sasaki lost faith in the Chinese revolution. Persuaded now that the conflict with China would be unavoidable, he became a supreme military counsellor for the Manchurian Army, and went on to command a brigade during the attack against Nanjing in December 1937. In many ways, Sasaki Tôichi embodies the contradictions of the Japanese who tried to improve Sino- Japanese relations during the first half of the 20th century

Ancient history · Art · China · Enthusiasm · Genealogy · Humanities · Nationalism · Political science · Politics · Supporter · Theology · Historical Studies and Socio-cultural Analysis · History · Law · Philosophy