On April 12 of this year, the presentation-discussion of the book “Tokei Maru: Tracing the Japanese Ship” took place at the “Epigraph” bookstore, which was presented by Anna Vardanyan, author of the book, IR specialist, Japanologist, PhD in Economics, and Tehmine Martoyan, editor of the book, senior researcher of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, PhD in History.
Anna Vardanyan
During the event, for the first time, the review of the book by the Greek researcher, author of the Greek-language book “Tokei Maru”, as well as the animator of “Tokei Maru” animation, Zachos Samoladas, was shown. The special guest from Lebanon, Mr. Harout Harboian (deacon of the Mkhitaryan Congregation, teacher of religion) delivered a heartfelt speech.
The history of the “Tokei Maru” ship is based on real facts, the study of which for the first time from the Armenian side was carried out by Ph.D., International Relations Specialist, Japanologist Anna Vardanyan who states that the basis for the research was an accidental encounter: “I came across a picture of a Japanese ship anchored at the quay of Smyrna․” This leads the researcher to Greece, Japan, and the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute to continue her research.
The story of the Japanese ship was studied, trying to get the real picture of the rescue process, motives, and consequences by combining historical facts, mainly based on the memories and testimonies of witnesses and survivors. The purpose of the research is to present the process of rescuing the Armenian and Greek refugees of Smyrna on the Japanese ship. The history of the Great Fire of Smyrna, the extermination (genocide) of the Armenian and Greek population of the local Christian districts, the details of the arrival of the Japanese ship, and the delivery of the survivors to the Greek coast were revealed․
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