‘We cannot, nor do we have the right to speak forgiveness for the grandmothers’

Abstract

This research underscores the critical role of museums in interpreting difficult heritage and fostering public reflection. By examining visitor comment books at the Chinese Comfort Women Historical Museum in Shanghai, this study analyses visitor perceptions and responses to the difficult history associated with war and historical atrocities. While the museum aims to raise public awareness about the ‘comfort women’ issue, it also inadvertently reinforces nationalist narratives among Chinese visitors, whose comments often emphasise anti-Japanese sentiments. In contrast, foreign visitors express empathy and a desire to understand the broader context. This study offers valuable perspectives on the complexities of curating narratives of historical injustices in museums and their impact on societal attitudes and reconciliation efforts. Show more