World War II was a tumultuous time, and it’s interesting looking at the various ways our current image of Japan was formed by the experiences of those who lived through it. Japan’s warrior soldiers served as the inspiration for more than one non-human race in popular culture, most famously the Klingons of Star Trek, whose bushido-style system of honor and feudal society are based on Japan. The original novel of Planet of the Apes was written by Pierre Boulle of France and was based on his experiences in a prison camp during the war. (He also wrote Bridge Over the River Kwai.) Images of Japan during the war have filtered through in interesting other ways. For example, everyone knows about the hachimaki headbands the Japanese wear, which declare for all to see your intention, whether it’s to defeat your enemies at all costs or pass that difficult test.
