Detention Center in Tsukigata Town !

 by Kazu

The prisoners in Tsukigata Detention Center had to make up the dugouts from the pine trees for the public works and public transportation.

 The design of the dugout boats were like this. The dugouts was not so big but the size of the boat shows that many aged huge pine trees are around the detention center.

After the prisoners were released from the center called "jail", most of the prisoners looked back at the detention center from the foot of a big tree. This stump is from the tree called "the looking back".

This is the room for solitary confinement. As a cell, it worked to as the room for regret but not for criminals, for political prisoners, the time in this room might be a space for creation of new thoughts and the order of the future. Many of them passed away in this detention center because of the hard work and disease. I just pray for the peace of the souls released from the bodies that was used for the public benefit. I could not bear if I was in their shoes.

This type of cell had a washroom, of course, but the temperature in the cell was terrible.

Much more narrow cells were created for punishment.

This is the scene the guards are searching for the escaped convicts.

The first superintendent Mr. Kiyoshi Tsukigata ruled the detention center called "Kabato Shuuchikan". Needless to say Tsukigata Town is the namesake of the first superintendent.

The guard (warder in England ?) needed the swards and rifles to reign over the criminals and the political prisoners.

These are the superintendents of the center. Most of them had a mustache.

They had to show their authority to rule over the people with red attire.

As the prisoners wore the red jumpsuit, they were called "people in red". Mr. Tsukigata had to build up the system and orders in the prison as the first superintendent. He dressed the part as the ruler of the prison and looked snazzy.

Even for the guards and the superintendent, the workloads was so tough.

When the prisoners went out for public works to build up the roads and bridges, they had to be put on the hand cuffs and an iron ball on their feet.

The bell and the flag were actually used in the prison.

When the prisoners ran out of the prison, the chaser hounded them with dogs, horses and the harsh cold weather in winter.

The Japanese beautiful sword was used by the superintendent.

The old prison houses were shown on the photos.

The prisoners worked so hard to build up the road, current Route 12 and other main roads necessary for the development of Hokkaido.

The detention center was surrounded by mountains and Ishikari River that made it impossible to escape from the prison.

The prisoners had high degrees of skills to make such artistic objects, crafts and fine arts.

Can you see the oriental dragon on this wooden relief ?

The guards had these short Japanese swords as well as the long sabers.

Even in cold cold winter, the prisoners had to open the forest by cutting the trees with these hacksaws and axes.

This is the overview of the original detention center in Tsukigata.

Each of the prisoners had to put this iron ball on the foot. It is five kilograms.

These items are exhibited in this museum in Tsukigata Town.
Amen.