The last time a major political figure was assassinated in Japan was back in 1960 when a 17-year-old by the name of Otoya Yamaguchi used a wakizashi (traditional short sword) to kill InejirÅ Asanuma who was leader of the Socialist Party at the time.
The assassination occurred while Asanuma was participating in a nationally televised debate in Tokyo. Yamaguchi was detained before he could turn the sword on himself.
While awaiting his trial, Yamaguchi used toothpaste and water to write on his prison wall: “Long live the Emperor” and “Would that I had seven lives to give for my country.”
The latter message was a reference to the famous last words of a 14th-century samurai by the name of Kusunoki Masashige who died in battle after accepting his emperor’s command to defend Kyoto despite knowing that his army was no match against a much superior force. Masashige became a martyr, symbolizing the pinnacle of samurai loyalty.
After writing the messages on the wall, Yamaguchi hanged himself from a light fixture before he could go on trial.
The photograph was taken by Yasushi Nagao who went on to win the Pulitzer Prize in 1961.
