Analyzing the “Photographic Evidence” of the Nanking Massacre

military have appeared in several Nanking-related publications. To the knowledge of theresearch team, however, Photo 101—included in RON-YY and SND—is the only snapshotthat captured the “moment” of such an execution. Yet, one may detect the followingquestionable points in the scene, especially in comparison to a mock performance (Photo L)and authentic scenes of sword use for actual beheading (Photo M).Photo 101RON-I, p. 114. The shoulder loop on the Japanese army uniforms was a vertically long one,instead of a horizontally long one as seen in this image. In addition, the uniform worn bythe individual in this image does not have a standing collar—the type used by the Japanesearmy at the time of the Nanking campaign.1. As shown in both Photos L and M, one steps with his right foot forward at the moment ofswing the sword down, whether he is right-handed or left-handed. The man in Photo 101is, however, seen stepping forward his left foot.2. It is questionable that the photographer could approach so dangerously close to the sceneof the execution with someone about to swing down a sword.3. The man being beheaded was tied at his elbows, not with hands behind him, with therope stretched behind him. This type of binding would have made the beheading difficultbecause it would have allowed the bound man to move his upper body freely.167