Thread: Japanese Razor From Iwo Jima

Originally Posted by cudarunner

Hi All!

My old Boy Scout Scoutmaster is a former Marine who survived Iwo Jima. He has a Japanese Folding Straight Razor in the box that it was purchased in that he found in a pillbox shortly after the island was semi secure.
....snip....

Interesting...
Nice frameback
Nice old hone.

The box has some English on it
it may have been a product that was
also exported. The personal information
on the box may prove interesting to
those that can match it to the
large body of history....

In general I am of a mind to clean up
and hone up any old razor that passes
my way. This one may have more
historical value if kept well and safe.

OK Guys!

Jim sent me this update from Japan:

"The name is probably Mitsuru Higuchi, from the Ezaki troop in the 51st Western Division.

If you found WWII historian, they might be able to tell you more. I can't find much info on the deployment of troops or division names from the war.

I will say, the military deployment at Iwo Jima was the 109th. The 51st was deployed in New Guinea in 42 or so."

Originally Posted by easyace

That's a great story, what I find interesting is that for the original owner of the razor and the hone, the items were just utilitarian pieces of kit that just performed a necessary function. I don't imagine that it would have occurred to the owner that such a pieces of equipment would have been the subject of such international interest all of these years later.
Thank you for sharing.

Something just popped up in my head!! Water was an EXTREMELY VALUABLE RESOURCE on Iwo!! Those guys were probably dry shaving!!

I don't imagine that after the Marines launched the invasion, that there was any time to shave!

My Dad and and Uncle where both on Iwo Jima during the battle. One went in on the first wave, the other on the second. Both long gone now. Semper Fi. A great historic piece, IMO. It would give me goosebumps to shave with that razor.

Originally Posted by Oscar1953

My Dad and and Uncle where both on Iwo Jima during the battle. One went in on the first wave, the other on the second. Both long gone now. Semper Fi. A great historic piece, IMO. It would give me goosebumps to shave with that razor.

To hold the razor in my hand is beyond description/let alone actually being able to shave with it!!!! What a Rush!!!!

Originally Posted by Oscar1953

It would give me goosebumps to shave with that razor.

Man! Talk about weepers!

===

Thanks Roy for sharing this great story. I hope someone in the know can step in and provide some more information. With all of the members on SRP and all of the interests represented, I have to believe there's someon who either knows the info surrounding/pertinent to this razor, or at least knows someone who knows the info. Iwo Jima is one of the most well known Pacific Islands in the world because of what Owen was involved in.

Side-Note: My highschool was blessed with a bronze edition of the Iwo Jima monument by the original artist. When I was in HS I worked with the crew that built the display stand in the school's foyer, and was awarded the school's first ever Iwo-Jima Memoral Scholarship. The whole thing came about because of the relationship between the original artist and one of the history teachers there. He's now long retired, but my dad teaches in that school...maybe he can provide a lead. I'll see.

Peace,

Originally Posted by BigJim

Man! Talk about weepers!

===

Thanks Roy for sharing this great story. I hope someone in the know can step in and provide some more information. With all of the members on SRP and all of the interests represented, I have to believe there's someon who either knows the info surrounding/pertinent to this razor, or at least knows someone who knows the info. Iwo Jima is one of the most well known Pacific Islands in the world because of what Owen was involved in.

Side-Note: My highschool was blessed with a bronze edition of the Iwo Jima monument by the original artist. When I was in HS I worked with the crew that built the display stand in the school's foyer, and was awarded the school's first ever Iwo-Jima Memoral Scholarship. The whole thing came about because of the relationship between the original artist and one of the history teachers there. He's now long retired, but my dad teaches in that school...maybe he can provide a lead. I'll see.

Peace,

Thanks Jim!

I've found that 'Posts' seem to 'die' rather quickly. I would ask that all members that view this would send a link to all of their contacts and ask them to forward to their contacts. It's kind of like a chain letter/Pyramid the more who see it the more likely we'll have more information!!

I would ask all who see this post to send it along! My old Scoutmaster is 88 and won't live forever. I would truly love to tell him as much as I can about the historical pieces that he has in his possession!

Thanks to ALL!!

Roy

Thanks for sharing the story and having the pictures put up! Kindly thank your Scoutmaster for his service, it is greatly appreciated.
Hell on earth for both the American Soldiers and the Japanese Soldiers who fought on that real estate.