Gas Mask Nation

Gennifer Weisenfeld's "Gas Mask Nation" offers a nuanced look at Japan's civil air defense during World War II. It challenges conventional narratives by exploring the coexistence of anxiety and pleasure within the visual culture of the time.

The book analyzes a wide range of visual materials, revealing how the Japanese population was mobilized through orchestrated drills and propaganda.

Weisenfeld's work highlights the multisensory nature of this experience, demonstrating how fear and fascination intertwined.

The book ultimately contributes to a broader understanding of wartime experiences beyond simple narratives of privation and suppression.