Imagining Japan
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General Douglas MacArthur stands in a light open-collared uniform with his hands in his pockets beside Emperor Hirohito, who wears a formal dark suit at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo.

September 27, 1945 · Gelatin silver photograph

General Douglas MacArthur and Emperor Hirohito at the U.S. Embassy

Gaetano Faillace, U.S. Army Signal Corps

Why it matters

The portrait made the occupation hierarchy instantly legible while also recording the decision to govern postwar rupture through the retained imperial institution.

Publication
U.S. Army photograph
Holding institution
U.S. National Archives and Records Administration; digital copy via Showa-kan
Shelfmark
208-PU-126J; Showa-kan S1H0701010658
Rights
Public Domain; work of the United States Government

Citation

Gaetano Faillace. General Douglas MacArthur and Emperor Hirohito at the U.S. Embassy, Tokyo. September 27, 1945. U.S. Army photograph 208-PU-126J. U.S. National Archives; digital copy, Showa-kan S1H0701010658.

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