Why was Mutsuhiro Watanabe nicknamed the Bird?

Why was Mutsuhiro Watanabe nicknamed the Bird?

Bird of Prey. Mutsuhiro Watanabe is a man of many names… and personalities. Known to his family as “Mu-cchan” (4.23. In fact, he earns his nickname—the Bird—because it carries “no negative connotation” (4.24.

Did Mutsuhiro Watanabe ever apologize?

‘When he made his apology I said I could forgive him and I stand by this. An apology can mean something and it can mean nothing but in his case it probably meant something. ‘ Zamperini, who became a born again Christian, also offered Watanabe his forgiveness.

Was Watanabe ever found?

In 1945, General Douglas MacArthur included Watanabe as number 23 on his list of the 40 most wanted war criminals in Japan. However, Watanabe went into hiding and was never prosecuted. Watanabe died in April 2003.

What does the bird symbolize in unbroken?

The Bird Symbol Analysis. One of the worst Japanese war criminals, Mutsuhiro “The Bird” Watanabe is the novel’s epitome of evil, representing humankind’s utmost capacity for violence.

Who was Mutsuhiro Watanabe and why did the POWs call him the bird what was camp life like for the POWs under the bird?

Mutsuhiro Watanabe, known as the Bird to POWs, was a sadistic Japanese leader at two different POW camps, Omori and Naoetsu. He was born into a wealthy family but experienced humiliation when he was not made a military officer. The Bird subjects prisoners to extreme physical and emotional abuse.

Why did Louie forgive the bird?

Explanation and Analysis: Louie had no idea what had become of the Bird, but he felt sure that if he could get back to Japan, he could hunt him down. This would be his emphatic reply to the Bird’s unremitting effort to extinguish his humanity: I am still a man. He could conceive of no other way to save himself.

Why was the bird so cruel?

Watanabe’s punishments were especially cruel because they were psychological and emotional, not just physical. Many former prisoners, including Wade, gave evidence of Watanabe’s actions to the War Crimes Commission. General Douglas MacArthur even listed him as number 23 out of the 40 most wanted war criminals in Japan.

Is Mutsuhiro Watanabe still alive?

Deceased (1918–2003)
Mutsuhiro Watanabe/Living or Deceased

Why did the bird target Louie specifically?

Louie tried to blend in with other prisoners and hide, but the Bird hunted him like prey and always found him. Louie was desperate for someone to save him, but the only ally the men had at camp was another guard, Private Kano, who often helped the prisoners behind the Bird’s back.

What did the bird do to Louie in unbroken?

Nicknamed “The Bird,” this Japanese guard was Louie’s personal tormentor at both the Omori and Naoetsu POW camps on mainland Japan. He beat Louie daily, sometimes with his fists, sometimes with his belt, often with his kendo stick. The Bird starved Louie and all of the prisoners.

Why did the bird specifically target Louie?

Is the bird Watanabe still alive?