"National Defense Shrines - From Ancient Times to the Great East Asia War and the Present" Released on April 3, 2026

Wani Books Co., Ltd. (Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, President & CEO: Akio Takahashi) released "National Defense Shrines - From Ancient Times to the Great East Asia War and the Present" (Authored by Jun Kuno, Tsunehiko Takeda) on April 3, 2026 (Friday).

This book is by Jun Kuno, a sharp debater and historian, Associate Professor at Nippon University of Economics, who stands out for his exceptional fieldwork, having interviewed numerous war veterans and investigated over 300 shrines. He delves into the history of shrines that have supported our nation in all aspects, including spirituality and national defense. It also includes a dialogue with Tsunehiko Takeda, who was born into the former Imperial family's Takeda clan and is a great-grandson of Emperor Meiji.

### What are the Little-Known Inner-Ship Shrines? Kusunoki Masashige, Saigo Takamori (Nanshu-o), Battleships Yamato and Musashi, the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the light cruiser Yahagi, Emperor Gotoba and the Jōkyū War, the Chōshū Domain's Shōkon-sai, the Expedition to the Three Kingdoms and Hachiman faith, the Nihon Shoki and the Battle of Baekgang...etc. What important matters must be conveyed for the future of our nation?

### Main Contents of This Book ◇ What are Shrines and Shintoism to Japan? ◇ The keen insight of our predecessors who built "shrine halls." ◇ The essence of prayer experienced by Takeshi Kitano during his visit to the Naiku Shrine. ◇ Ise Jingu is not a shrine for personal wish-making. ◇ The horror of discussing history and the constitution while ignoring shrines and Shintoism. ◇ If "separation of church and state" is taken to its extreme, will even roadside Jizo statues be removed? ◇ The true image of historical figures revealed through ancestral spirit worship. ◇ Shrines have continuously protected Japan's land and national identity. ◇ Did Shintoism also have a major impact on overcoming COVID-19? ◇ Japanese people lead unusually advanced religious lives for the world. ◇ History textbooks that disrespect shrines. ◇ What history textbooks lack is the awareness to "entertain students." ◇ Hope lies with young historians who are "returning to pre-war times."

### ■Book Information **"National Defense Shrines - From Ancient Times to the Great East Asia War and the Present"** Authors: Jun Kuno, Tsunehiko Takeda Release Date: April 3, 2026 Price: 1,980 yen (tax included) ISBN: 978-4-8470-7572-8 Publisher: Wani Books

Amazon https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4847075722

### ■Author Profiles **Jun Kuno (くの じゅん)** Associate Professor at Nippon University of Economics. Born in Osaka Prefecture in 1980. Graduated from the Faculty of Policy Management, Keio University, and completed graduate studies at the Graduate School of Law, University of Tokyo, majoring in International Public Policy. After serving as a part-time lecturer at Osaka International University, Kōgakkan University, and Meijo University, and as a full-time lecturer at Osaka University of Tourism, he assumed his current position in 2022. Specializes in modern political and diplomatic history. Director of the Historical Recognition Issues Research Group, Representative Director of the Commemoration History Research Group. Authored books include "Imperial Navy and Inner-Ship Shrines" (Shōdensha) and "Traces of the Imperial Navy" (Aobayashi-dō). Co-authored works include "Definitive Edition: Introduction to the Nihon Shoki" (with Tsunehiko Takeda, Business-sha), "The True Cause and Miscalculations of the Outbreak of the Japan-US War" (edited by Rekishi Kaidō Editorial Department, PHP Shinsho), and "Yasukuni Shrine: Neither Myth nor War Glorification" (with Hidetoshi Tojo, Business-sha). Member of Sankei Shimbun's "Seiron" column.

**Dialogue Partner Tsunehiko Takeda (たけだ つねやす)** Writer. Born in 1975 into the former Imperial family's Takeda clan. He is a great-grandson of Emperor Meiji. Graduated from the Faculty of Law, Keio University, majoring in Law. His specialties are constitutional law and history. Won the 15th Yamamoto Shichihei Prize for "The Truth of the Unspoken Imperial Family Members" (Shogakukan). Received the 21st Seiron Shinpō Prize in 2021. Major works include "The National History of the Emperor" (PHP Kenkyūsho), "Why is Japan the Most Popular in the World?", "Why Japanese People Don't Know About Japan," "When Did Japanese People Start to Like Japan?" (all PHP Shinsho), "Modern Japanese Kojiki" (Gakken Plus), "Tsunehiko Takeda's Special Lecture: Emperors and the Imperial Family" (Gakken), "Definitive Edition: Introduction to the Nihon Shoki" (with Jun Kuno), and "10 Principles to Strengthen Japan" (with Takamasa Kadota) (all Business-sha), among many others.