'National Defense Shrines - From Ancient Times to the Greater East Asia War, and the Present' Released on April 3, 2026
Wani Books released a new book on April 3, 2026, authored by Jun Kuno and Tsuneyasu Takeda, exploring the deep history of shrines that mentally and physically supported Japan's national defense.
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- 📰 Published: April 3, 2026 at 20:00
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- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 21, 2026 at 05:01 (425h 30m after Collected)
WANI BOOKS CO., LTD. (Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Akio Takahashi) released 'National Defense Shrines - From Ancient Times to the Greater East Asia War, and the Present' (Authors: Jun Kuno, Tsuneyasu Takeda) on Friday, April 3, 2026.
This book is by Jun Kuno, a spirited critic and historian (Associate Professor at Japan University of Economics) who stands out for his outstanding fieldwork, having interviewed numerous war veterans and surveyed over 300 shrines. It discusses the history of shrines that protected the nation and supported Japan in every aspect, including mental and national defense.
It also includes a dialogue with Tsuneyasu Takeda, who was born into the former Imperial Family and is the great-great-grandson of Emperor Meiji.
### What are the unknown Shipboard Shrines?
Lord Masashige Kusunoki, Takamori Saigo (Nanshu-o), Battleship Yamato, Musashi, Battle of Leyte Gulf, Light Cruiser Yahagi, Retired Emperor Gotoba and the Jokyu War, Choshu Domain's Shokon Festival, Three Han Conquest and Hachiman Worship, 'Nihon Shoki' and the Battle of Hakusukinoe... etc.
What are the important things that must be passed down for the future of our country?
### Main Contents of this Book
- What are shrines and Shinto to Japan?
- The insight of our ancestors who built 'pavilions' at shrines
- The essence of prayer experienced by Takeshi Kitano at the Inner Shrine
- Ise Jingu is not a shrine for personal wishes
- The danger of discussing history and the constitution while ignoring shrines and Shinto
- If 'separation of church and state' is taken to the extreme, will roadside Jizo statues be removed?
- The true image of historical figures seen through human spirit worship
- It is shrines that have continuously protected Japan's land and national polity
- Did Shinto greatly influence the overcoming of COVID-19?
- Japanese people live a highly advanced religious life, rare in the world
- History textbooks that underestimate shrines
- What history textbooks lack is the consciousness to 'entertain students'
- Hope lies in young historians who are 'returning to pre-war times'
### Book Information
'National Defense Shrines - From Ancient Times to the Greater East Asia War, and the Present'
Authors: Jun Kuno, Tsuneyasu 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 Profile
Jun Kuno
Associate Professor at Japan University of Economics. Born in Osaka Prefecture in 1980. Graduated from Keio University, Faculty of Policy Management, and completed the Graduate School of Law, Kyoto University (International Public Policy). After serving as a part-time lecturer at Osaka International University, Kogakkan University, and Meijo University, and a full-time lecturer at Osaka University of Tourism, he has held his current position since 2022. Specializes in modern political and diplomatic history. Executive Director of the Association for the Study of Historical Recognition, Representative Executive of the Honoring History Study Group.
Solely authored books include 'The Imperial Navy and Shipboard Shrines' (Shodensha) and 'Wake of the Imperial Navy' (Seirindo). Co-authored books include 'Definitive Edition: Introduction to the Nihon Shoki (with Tsuneyasu Takeda)' (Business-sha), 'True Causes and Miscalculations of the Outbreak of the Japan-US War (edited by Rekishi Kaido Editorial Department)' (PHP Shinsho), and 'Yasukuni Shrine, Neither Myth nor Glorification of War (with Hidetoshi Tojo)' (Business-sha). Writing member for the Sankei Shimbun's 'Seiron' column.
This book is by Jun Kuno, a spirited critic and historian (Associate Professor at Japan University of Economics) who stands out for his outstanding fieldwork, having interviewed numerous war veterans and surveyed over 300 shrines. It discusses the history of shrines that protected the nation and supported Japan in every aspect, including mental and national defense.
It also includes a dialogue with Tsuneyasu Takeda, who was born into the former Imperial Family and is the great-great-grandson of Emperor Meiji.
### What are the unknown Shipboard Shrines?
Lord Masashige Kusunoki, Takamori Saigo (Nanshu-o), Battleship Yamato, Musashi, Battle of Leyte Gulf, Light Cruiser Yahagi, Retired Emperor Gotoba and the Jokyu War, Choshu Domain's Shokon Festival, Three Han Conquest and Hachiman Worship, 'Nihon Shoki' and the Battle of Hakusukinoe... etc.
What are the important things that must be passed down for the future of our country?
### Main Contents of this Book
- What are shrines and Shinto to Japan?
- The insight of our ancestors who built 'pavilions' at shrines
- The essence of prayer experienced by Takeshi Kitano at the Inner Shrine
- Ise Jingu is not a shrine for personal wishes
- The danger of discussing history and the constitution while ignoring shrines and Shinto
- If 'separation of church and state' is taken to the extreme, will roadside Jizo statues be removed?
- The true image of historical figures seen through human spirit worship
- It is shrines that have continuously protected Japan's land and national polity
- Did Shinto greatly influence the overcoming of COVID-19?
- Japanese people live a highly advanced religious life, rare in the world
- History textbooks that underestimate shrines
- What history textbooks lack is the consciousness to 'entertain students'
- Hope lies in young historians who are 'returning to pre-war times'
### Book Information
'National Defense Shrines - From Ancient Times to the Greater East Asia War, and the Present'
Authors: Jun Kuno, Tsuneyasu 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 Profile
Jun Kuno
Associate Professor at Japan University of Economics. Born in Osaka Prefecture in 1980. Graduated from Keio University, Faculty of Policy Management, and completed the Graduate School of Law, Kyoto University (International Public Policy). After serving as a part-time lecturer at Osaka International University, Kogakkan University, and Meijo University, and a full-time lecturer at Osaka University of Tourism, he has held his current position since 2022. Specializes in modern political and diplomatic history. Executive Director of the Association for the Study of Historical Recognition, Representative Executive of the Honoring History Study Group.
Solely authored books include 'The Imperial Navy and Shipboard Shrines' (Shodensha) and 'Wake of the Imperial Navy' (Seirindo). Co-authored books include 'Definitive Edition: Introduction to the Nihon Shoki (with Tsuneyasu Takeda)' (Business-sha), 'True Causes and Miscalculations of the Outbreak of the Japan-US War (edited by Rekishi Kaido Editorial Department)' (PHP Shinsho), and 'Yasukuni Shrine, Neither Myth nor Glorification of War (with Hidetoshi Tojo)' (Business-sha). Writing member for the Sankei Shimbun's 'Seiron' column.