months after the transfer of 1st Air Fleet from
Bamban Naval Headquarters tunnel to Formosa.
Courtesy of the late Moji Chikanori
REMEMBERING MR. MOJI CHIKANORI: A JAPANESE NAVAL OFFICER IN BAMBAN IN WWII
大東亜戦争のバンバン丘陵にいた日本の海軍士官、門司親則を偲んでいる
I was in Japan in 2000 to 2001 on a job internship. At the same time, I was also there to conduct my research for my Japanese Study of WWII in Bamban area during my spare time. In the course of activities, I was able to find a former officer in the Japanese Navy who was stationed at the Bamban Naval Headquarters tunnel in late 1944. Fifty-six years later, I will meet the former officer in his home in Oisho, Japan in furtherance of my study in WWII. While stationed at Yokohama, I find time to have a visit to his home, conduct interview, and have conversation about WWII in the Philippines, mostly at Bamban and Clark. The tunnels of Asahiyama in Bamban became their home since they moved out of Nichols Field in November 19, 1944. In that tunnel headquarters of the Japanese Navy 1st Combined Air Fleet, Moji-san, then as a young captain, was the secretary of Vice-Admiral Ohnishi, he was quartered along with the officers and staff of the 1st and 2nd Air Fleet commanded by Vice-Admirals Ohnishi and Fukutome.
JAPAN’S SURRENDER & VICE-ADMIRAL OHNISHI
日本の降伏と大西中将
The days preceding this date are important dates in the history of WWII. After the two atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and August 9 respectively, Japan’s unconditional surrender became imminent. On August 14, 1945, The Allies announced the surrender of Japan. The following day, the 15th, it was considered it as the official Victory-Day (while the official US commemoration will be on September 2, 1945). August 15 is a sacred day for the Japanese as “Memorial Day for the end of war or the day of mourning of the war dead and praying for peace”; the Obon! In Japan, the period August 13-16 is also special religious even especially for the Buddhists wherein families honor the spirit of their ancestors; known as Obon Festival, ending on the 16th. The same date, however, the founder of the official Kamikaze special attack; Vice-Admiral Ohnishi Takijiro committed ritual suicide or seppuku to atone the death of the Kamikaze pilots.
CAPTAIN MOJI AT THE BAMBAN NAVAL HEADQUARTERS
バンバン日本海軍司令部の門司親憲
In Japanese Study of WWII in the Philippines, or particularly in my region of Bamban-Clark area, Vice-Admiral Ohnishi played an important role as Japan’s leading naval flag officer and in aviation; being the commander of the 1st Air Fleet charged for the navy’s air defense of the Philippines and also on his sojourn to Mabalacat where the first special attack force was organized on the night of October 19, 1944. On his assignment to the Philippines starting October 20, 1944, he is always accompanied by his adjutant (also his secretary), Captain Moji Chikanori until their departure for Taiwan on January 10, 1945, after carrying out the tasks of air operations including that of the special attack, the defense planning and preparations on the mountains of Bamban. Promoted to lieutenant commander, Mr. Moji was able to survived the war and became a banker, holding executive positions in banking and financial securities institutions (president of Maru Securities). He published several books detailing his war experience in the Philippines, including Ohnishi’s 1st Air Fleet headquarters sojourn at Bamban Naval Headquarters located in a tunnel. He was also very active in conducting several trips to the Philippines, Clark and Bamban area where his delegation visited the former battlefields and prayed for the souls of those who died.
Courtesy of Naoki Koudachi
CENTER FOR WWII JAPANESE STUDY FOR BAMBAN AREA
バンバンのための日本大東亜戦争研究センター
I came across Moji-san when I was in Japan in 2000 during my work internship and also conducting my research on the Japanese Study on weekends. After buying some of his books, I able to get in touch with him with the help of the book publishers in order to get interviews. Lucky enough, I was able to meet him several times in his home in Oisho, Japan; about 8 times during the duration of my stay in the country. In those visits, I came to know him, his kindness and humility. He gave me many materials including his books, manuscripts and maps of Clark-Bamban. A friendship was developed out of those research activities in the house of Moji-san. At present, I established the BAMBAN CENTER FOR JAPANESE STUDIES at Bamban Museum to accumulate collections of materials, references and related literature on the history of Japanese in WWII in Bamban-Clark area, work on the translation of the collections and materials to English and publish research journals and books and to make available to Filipino students, researchers and historians. In cooperation with the Zero Fighter Association of Japan, the aim for the collection and works for this Center will be achieved with the ultimate goal of setting the collection at the Museum Library.
Rhonie Dela Cruz Photo
MOJI’S DEATH ANNIVERSARY 門司親則の命日を偲んで
After coming back from Japan in October 2001, I became more active in my Bamban Historical Society’s activities. By 2005, I was able to established the Bamban Museum, so busy that I forgot to communicate with Moji-san. However, my brother Romel was able to visit him in 2007 during his early years in Japan. In 2008, I came to know the news that Moji-san, then age 91. Actually, he died on the same date of his superior, Ohnishi Takijiro; on August 16, 2008. Today is Moji-san’s 12th year death anniversary. All his donated materials, his books and maps are now in display at Bamban Museum for the Japanese Study of WWII in Bamban area.
Courtesy of Naoki Koudachi
LETTER FOR THE PEOPLE OF BAMBAN
バンバンの人々へのモジの手紙
Before I left Japan in October 2001, I visited Mr. Moji for the last time at his house in Oisho. He gave me different materials and references including manuscripts related to their stay at the Bamban tunnel navy headquarters, photos, books, and even maps. From among those collections, is a letter. Allow me to share extract given by Moji-san:
“During WWII, I, as Vice-Admiral Ohnishi’s aide-de-camp, stayed in the tunnels of Bamban. At that time, most of the men I was with later died. I would like to apologize for all the troubles and others that we caused the people of Bamban at the time. Wars are very unhappy events which caused many casualties not only among the fighting men but also bring much sufferings to the people of those countries which became battlefields, who are made victims.”
“I was impressed on learning about how Mr. Rhonie Dela Cruz, working as head of the Bamban Historical Society, earnestly researched the old battlefields of that time, and studied their history. To all of you from Bamban, stay well and I pray for your continuing good health.”
Moji Chikanori
Former adjutant,
Vice-Admiral Ohnishi Takijiro
1st Air Fleet
October 2001
and West Hills of Asahiyama visible on the background.
Bamban Historical Society Collection, Bamban, Tarlac.
About six years after I left Japan, I received a call from my brother Romel who is based at Yokosuka, informing me of the passing of my friend Moji-San. All the collections he gave me are now part of the materials of the Bamban Center for Japanese Studies, along with the other collections I gathered from several former soldiers and officers who served in Bamban-Clark area. Even today, I continuously received such materials from family of soldiers who served, and some died in Bamban during the war. Many of these are in permanent display at Bamban Museum, including the photos, maps, and books of the former aide-de-camp of Vice-Admiral Ohnishi.
“Rest in Peace, Moji-San!”
門司さん、安らかにお眠りください。
his visit at Bamban Museum in March 2020.
Rhonie Dela Cruz
Bamban Historical Society
Bamban Museum of History
Consultant, Tarlac Provincial Tourism Office
Citations:
(a) Inoguchi, Nakajima and Pineau. The Divine Wind – Japan’s Kamikaze Force in WWII. Maryland: United States Naval Institute, 1958.
(b) Chikanori, Moji. At the Far End of the Sea and Sky For the Spirits of the Dead Soldiers – A Visit to Philippine Islands. translated by Hitoshi Jin Arai. Tokyo, Japan: Koshinsha, 1989.
(c) Chikanori, Moji. Reminiscences of Admiral Ohnishi. translated by Jin Arai and Takaoki Fusejima. Tokyo, Japan: Kosjinsha, 1989.
(d) Chikanori, Moji. Letter of Moji to the People of Bamban, October 2001. Bamban Historical Society Collection, Bamban Museum, Bamban, Tarlac.
Photos:
(1) Portrait of Moji Chikanori taken during WWII.
Courtesy of Naoki Koudachi
(2) With Moji-san, at his home in Oiso, Japan taken in one of my several visits for interview and research on the Japanese Study of WWII in Bamban area, circa 2000.
(3) Captain Moji, with Vice-Admiral Ohnishi Takijiro, months after the transfer of 1st Air Fleet from Bamban Naval Headquarters tunnel.
Courtesy of the late Moji Chikanori
(4) The Bamban Naval HQ tunnel entrance, where VA Ohnishi, Captain Moji and the staff of the 1st and 2nd Air Fleet stayed in late 1944 and early January 1945.
Rhonie Dela Cruz Photo
(5) Moji-san, taken at the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto in 1978, with the East and West Hills of Asahiyama visible on the background.
Bamban Historical Society Collection, Bamban, Tarlac.
(6) With Kazuhiko Moji, son of the late Chikanori Moji, during his visit at Bamban Museum in March 2020.
Bamban Historical Society Collection, Bamban, Tarlac.
(7) Grave of Moji Chikanori in Japan, with his family and friends.
Courtesy of Naoki Koudachi
Citations:
(a) Inoguchi, Nakajima and Pineau. The Divine Wind – Japan’s Kamikaze Force in WWII. Maryland: United States Naval Institute, 1958.
(b) Chikanori, Moji. At the Far End of the Sea and Sky For the Spirits of the Dead Soldiers – A Visit to Philippine Islands. translated by Hitoshi Jin Arai. Tokyo, Japan: Koshinsha, 1989.
(c) Chikanori, Moji. Reminiscences of Admiral Ohnishi. translated by Jin Arai and Takaoki Fusejima. Tokyo, Japan: Kosjinsha, 1989.
(d) Chikanori, Moji. Letter of Moji to the People of Bamban, October 2001. Bamban Historical Society Collection, Bamban Museum, Bamban, Tarlac.
Photos
(1) Portrait of Moji Chikanori taken during WWII.
Courtesy of Naoki Koudachi
(2) With Moji-san, at his home in Oiso, Japan taken in one of my several visits for interview and research on the Japanese Study of WWII in Bamban area, circa 2000.
(3) Captain Moji, with Vice-Admiral Ohnishi Takijiro, months after the transfer of 1st Air Fleet from Bamban Naval Headquarters tunnel.
Courtesy of the late Moji Chikanori
(4) The Bamban Naval HQ tunnel entrance, where VA Ohnishi, Captain Moji and the staff of the 1st and 2nd Air Fleet stayed in late 1944 and early January 1945.
Rhonie Dela Cruz Photo
(5) Moji-san, taken at the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto in 1978, with the East and West Hills of Asahiyama visible on the background.
Bamban Historical Society Collection, Bamban, Tarlac.
(6) With Kazuhiko Moji, son of the late Chikanori Moji, during his visit at Bamban Museum in March 2020.
Bamban Historical Society Collection, Bamban, Tarlac.
(7) Grave of Moji Chikanori in Japan, with his family and friends.
Courtesy of Naoki Koudachi
