Analyzing the “Photographic Evidence” of the Nanking Massacre

Photo 143: Although this photograph is identified as the one taken by Murase Moriyasu inShōgen Nankin daigyakusatsu, it is not included in Murase’s own publication Watashi nojūgun Chūgoku sensen.Although a number of individuals, including those mentioned in the precedingparagraphs, either participated in this work or witnessed it, none of them called thesehuman remains as those of the massacre victims.There is yet another photo that is associated with Murase and is worth analyzinghere. Photo 143 has appeared in multiple publications, including RON-YY and ShōgenNankin daigyakusatsu—the Japanese translation of the Chinese witness account collection.Although the viewers may consider Photo 143 as a possession of Murase—especially if it isprinted alongside Photos 138 and 139 as it is on Shōgen Nankin daigyakusatsu—Murase’spublication does not include it.If one assumes that Murase indeed took Photo 143, one may detect inconsistencyin the photo caption in Shōgen Nankin daigyakusatsu. It says, “One soldier led asuspicious-looking man to his unit. Then, I heard a gun shot and hastened to the scene to229