Unknown photographer: An original b/w photograph of the American general Douglas MacArthur (1880–1964) receiving the Japanese suurender on September 2nd 1945 aboard the battle ship USS Missouri (Tokyo Bay). Presumably amateur/private exposure. Photo size 14×19.5 cm. Frame size 33×43 cm.
The moment the Japanese foreign minister Mamoru Shigemitsu (1887–1957) and leading general Yoshijiro Umezu (1882–1949) had signed the instrument of surrender on September 2nd 1945 the war in the East was over. In this photograph general Umezu is seen stooping in over the table that was put on USS Missouri's deck for that very occasion. General MacArthur is seen with his back to the camera, near the table. Behind Umezu foreign minister Shigemitsu, wearing black dress set.
Many Japanese officers could not live with the disgrace brought by the defeat and chose in the days following the capitulation to commit seppuku, the ritual suicide where the stomach is cut open.
This photograph is a presumably a private exposure, in that case a fact indicating that it is a unique specimen. The exposure is probably caused by one of the approx. 20 American officers, who escorted general MacArthur in August-September 1945.
This is an original b/w press photograph from the late summer of 1945. Has slightly yellowed due to ageing/sunlight.
Art, antiques & collector's items, 10 December 2020
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