[motto]

As a baby boomer (1948 model) I grew up surrounded by the generation who had fought WW2. I can say unequivocally that hatred of and contempt for the Japanese was at that time universal amongst the veterans of the Pacific war. One side affect of this that was quite noticeable in later years was the shortage of Japanese war souvenirs as most people wanted nothing to do with this despicable enemy or their equipment.
The one exception to this was the Samurai sword, huge numbers of which were brought back to Australia. So many of them ended up here that for many years at least one Japanese entrepreneur made an annual sword buying visit to Melbourne and no doubt other Australian cities. He would set himself up in a hotel along with his retinue and advertise in the papers presenting himself as some sort of quasi official representative of the Japanese people who had the task of returning the swords to their original owners. It was not the military swords he was after, it was the priceless family heirlooms. With his knowledge of these items he would have done very nicely. I had a workmate who collected Japanese swords and he took one in for valuation just to see this fellow in action.
Honourable enemy? Bah humbug! When it comes to history methinks Mr Rabbit wouldn't know his arse from his elbow.

David