A wooden carving depicting Jesus Christ on the cross. This carving was made by a Japanese Prisoner of War (POW) at Featherston POW Camp during World War II. The carving was made with the small knife which is pictured next to it. The knife was made from a 4 inch nail which has had the end flattened and then sharpened so as to form the blade edge. The word “TSUNODA” at the top of the carving is believed to be the name of the Japanese artist.
Artefacts such as this would have been made out of discarded pieces of wood left over from the construction of the camp buildings and were often traded to the camp guards for items such as cigarettes and food.
By Brenden Shirley, Curator of Accoutrements, Social History and Medical
Address:
Corner State Highway One
and Hassett Drive
Waiouru, New Zealand
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