In October, 2009 I traveled to China and Indonesia to meet "Comfort Women" survivors, including Wan Aihua *dayang who who is the first Chinese "Comfort Woman" to come forward in the 90's.
I also visited major former Military Comfort Stations in both countries such as Dayi Salon, the first Comfort Station ever in Asia. This was my time to see Comfort Stations, and it turned out that there were more Comfort Stations in China, than any other country.
Thursday
18. Summary: China Research
Through Professor Zhilang Su who has been working on the Chinese “Comfort Women” issue since early 1990’s, I was able to visit the Comfort Women Museum in Shanghai which opened in 2007, and interviewed Wan Aihua *dayang, the first Chinese "Comfort Woman" to come forward in the 1990's. She is very tiny but, extremely outspoken.
Then, I visited two major former Military Comfort Stations including Dayi Salon, the first one ever in Asia, and Mei Mei Li. In Shanghai alone there were 158 comfort stations.
Then, I visited two major former Military Comfort Stations including Dayi Salon, the first one ever in Asia, and Mei Mei Li. In Shanghai alone there were 158 comfort stations.
 |
| China - from Google Maps |
 |
| Professor Zhilang Su |
 |
| The "Comfort Women" Museum in Shanghai |
 |
| Wan Aihua *dayang's home |
 |
| At Dayi Salon, a former Military Comfort Station |
 |
| At Mei Mei Li, a former Military Comfort Station |
17. Summery: Indonesia Research
I traveled with Eka Hindrati, who has been researching the case of “Comfort Women” in Indonesia for the last 10 years. She has written a book about Indonesian "Comfort Women" in both Indonesian and Japanese.
I Interviewed two Indonesian "Comfort Women". Emah Kastimah (81 years old), in Cimahi, West Java, is soft spoken and graceful. Yet, she has a vivid memory of her experience at the military comfort station. Marjiyah (80 years old), in Banyuiru, Middle Java, plans coffee in the middle of a mountain in Java.
I also visited two former Japanese Military Comfort Stations in West Java. Both were former Dutch military officers' houses. One of them was where Emah Kastimah was locked in for 2 years.
I Interviewed two Indonesian "Comfort Women". Emah Kastimah (81 years old), in Cimahi, West Java, is soft spoken and graceful. Yet, she has a vivid memory of her experience at the military comfort station. Marjiyah (80 years old), in Banyuiru, Middle Java, plans coffee in the middle of a mountain in Java.
I also visited two former Japanese Military Comfort Stations in West Java. Both were former Dutch military officers' houses. One of them was where Emah Kastimah was locked in for 2 years.
 |
| Indonesia - from Google Maps |
 |
| Emah Kastimah's home |
 |
| In front of a former Military Indonesian Comfort Station |
 |
| A former Military Indonesian Comfort Station |
 |
| With Marjiyah |
Monday
16. Marjiyah's Home
October 26, 2009
Visiting Marjiya, an Indonesian "Comfort Woman", in Banyuiru, Middle Java, In Indonesia
Marjiya (80 years old) was taken to a Japanese military comfort station when she was 17 years old. A year later she escaped. Now, she lives in the middle of a mountain in Java, and plants coffee. She offered us Java coffee that she made. I had an interview with her at her small coffee farm.
Visiting Marjiya, an Indonesian "Comfort Woman", in Banyuiru, Middle Java, In Indonesia
Marjiya (80 years old) was taken to a Japanese military comfort station when she was 17 years old. A year later she escaped. Now, she lives in the middle of a mountain in Java, and plants coffee. She offered us Java coffee that she made. I had an interview with her at her small coffee farm.
 |
| On the way to Marjiya's home |
 |
| Marjiya in her coffee farm |
 |
| Eka and Marjiya's family |
 |
| To Marjiya's coffee farm |
 |
| With Marjiya |
Sunday
15. Arriving in Yohyakarta
October 25, 2009
Eka and I arrived in Yohyakarta, and settled in at the Blador motel. Yohyakarta is an artistic town where many Indonesian artists live and work. It's very lively and colorful.
Eka and I arrived in Yohyakarta, and settled in at the Blador motel. Yohyakarta is an artistic town where many Indonesian artists live and work. It's very lively and colorful.
 |
| Arriving in Yohyakarta Airport |
 |
 |
Saturday
14. Former Japanese Military Comfort Stations in Indonesia
October 24, 2009
I visited two Indonesian Comfort Stations. The blue house, a former Dutch military officer's home, is a former Japanese comfort station where Emah Kastimah was locked in for two years.
 |
| A former Japanese military comfort station where Emah Kastimah was locked in for two years |
 |
| A former Japanese military comfort station |
 |
| Inside of the former Japanese military comfort station |
 |
| Current Residents |
 |
| Inside of the former Japanese military comfort station |
13. Visiting Emah Kastimah
October 24, 2009
Visiting Emah Kastimah, an Indonesian "Comfort Woman", In Cimahi, West Java, Indonesia.
Emah (81 years old) is tiny, soft spoken, yet graceful. At the age of 17 she was kidnapped and become a "comfort woman." She has a vivid memory of her ordeal at the military comfort station where she was raped daily for 2 years. Now, she lives with her daughter, her husband, and two grand children.
Visiting Emah Kastimah, an Indonesian "Comfort Woman", In Cimahi, West Java, Indonesia.
Emah (81 years old) is tiny, soft spoken, yet graceful. At the age of 17 she was kidnapped and become a "comfort woman." She has a vivid memory of her ordeal at the military comfort station where she was raped daily for 2 years. Now, she lives with her daughter, her husband, and two grand children.
 |
| at Emah Kastimah's home |
 |
| Emah Kastimah's daughter and grandchildren |
 |
| Emah Kastimah in her bedroom |
 |
| Lunch with Emah Kastimah's family |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)