Imperial Shrine
There was in place a plan to move the Imperial Regalia of Japan of the Imperial Sanctuary from Tokyo to Matsushiro. Initially, the replacement shrine was planned in the Maizuru tunnels. However the Imperial Household Agency strongly insisted: "Even some unfortunate mishap should befall his Majesty, the three artefacts (of the regalia) are inviolable. We will not allow it to be stored in the same place as the residence. His majesty's residence should be built to face south, forming a straight axis as the Shrine of Ise, and that should be performed by Japanese of pure blood."
However, the unit in charge of the shrine had no idea how to build one. Tokyo University engineering professor Private First Class Sekino Katsukazu was put in charge. The headquarters asked for the advice of several other professors. At the instruction of one, the tunnels split into lightning forms, reducing the impact from the bombs. The "Japanese of pure blood" came from youths at the Atami branch of the Railroad Ministry training institutes. Work started in July 1944, but was halted shortly after.
Read more about this topic: Matsushiro Underground Imperial Headquarters
Famous quotes containing the words imperial and/or shrine:
“Insensibility, of all kinds, and on all occasions, most moves my imperial displeasure.”
—Frances Burney (1752–1840)
“The United Nations cannot do anything, and never could; it is not an animate entity or agent. It is a place, a stage, a forum and a shrine ... a place to which powerful people can repair when they are fearful about the course on which their own rhetoric seems to be propelling them.”
—Conor Cruise O’Brien (b. 1917)