RG-116 Papers of Sergeant Edwin P. Merrell, USA, Sugamo Prison Detachment, USAFPAC / FECOM

RG-116 Papers of Sergeant Edwin P. Merrell, USA, Sugamo Prison Detachment, USAFPAC / FECOM; 1 box (.5 Shelf Feet) Merrell served with the Sugamo Prison Detachment from 1947 to 1949. This collection contains artifacts, memorabilia, photographs and photo albums, drawings / artwork, and occupation currency. Many of the items are signed by all accused Japanese Class “A” war criminals. The artwork of Sugamo prisoner Fujiki Fumio is incredible showing every day life in Sugamo Prison.

Accession #7476.000

Sugamo Prison served as the incarceration center for the accused Class “A” war criminals in Japan. Twenty six of the accused were put on trial before the International Military Tribunal for the Far East in Tokyo from 1946 to 1948. These 26 included General Tojo Hideki and Emperor Hirohito’s advisor Kido Koichi. The Sugamo Prison Detachment was the unit that served as the guards in the prison.

Sugamo Prison as it appeared in 1948. (Edwin Merrell Collection)

PERIODICALS:  RG-116 contains many periodicals published in Japan.

Sugamo Prison put out its own newspaper. Merrell kept a great many of these.

PHOTOGRAPHS:  RG-116 contains a large collection of photographs taken and obtained by Merrell while in Japan. They show scenes of Occupied Japan and within the walls of Sugamo Prison. Many are images of the accused war criminals signed autographed by them.

RG-116 Papers of Edwin Merrell: Typical street scene in occupied Japan. This was taken in Yokohama.	RG-116 Papers of Edwin Merrell: Sports were a big part of the servicemen’s lives in Japan. This is an image of a football game between the 11th Airborne and the 1st Cavalry Division.

RG-116 Papers of Edwin Merrell: Image of the interior of Sugamo Prison.	RG-116 Papers of Edwin Merrell: Autographed image of accused war criminal Sasakawa Ryoichi. He was never tried for war crimes.	RG-116 Papers of Edwin Merrell: Admiral Toyoda Soemu stood trial with the 26 accused Class A war criminals and was one of the few that was found not guilty on all charges.

PRINTED MATERIALS:  This is the most fascinating part of Merrell’s collection. He collected a large amount of memorabilia and printed materials while in Japan. The collection of Fujiki Fumio artwork from inside Sugamo is phenomenal.

Memorabilia from the Tokyo International Military Tribunal for the Far East
Japanese monetary notes signed by accused Japanese war criminals like Generals Tojo and Muto, both of whom were convicted and hanged in 1948 by the Allies for war crimes.
One of dozens of original drawings by Sugamo inmate Fujiko Fumio, which are included in RG-116.