'Just stop living already': Messages cursing Hong Kong & Taiwan found at popular Tokyo shrine

Who could've done it?

Julia Yeo | August 19, 2019, 12:28 PM

Wishes and prayers in Japan are commonly written on wooden plaques, called ema, which are available at Shinto shrines.

Unfortunately, though, curse messages directed at Hong Kong and Taiwan were recently uncovered at Tokyo's Meiji Shrine.

The Meiji Shrine is one of the major shrines of Japan, dedicated to the deified spirits of the Meiji emperor and empress.

First posted on Twitter

Twitter users posted pictures of these messages (we'll translate these for you in a bit):

https://twitter.com/tabi1224/status/1162308993387094017

Some of the messages were simply calls for unification, but others contained vulgarities and curse words directed at Hong Kong and Taiwan:

Image via @kkhhlhh/Twitter

"Liberate your mum's Hong Kong? Families of supporters of Hong Kong independence die. Your mum die. It'll be good if you die. B*tch. Long live China. What the hell, Hong Kong independence must die."

Image via @kkhhlhh/Twitter

"I wish that everyone that I love, and everyone that loves me stay healthy and successful. Taiwan is an inseparable part of China, We are one China."

image via @tabi1224/Twitter

"The families of Hong Kong independence supporters should all die, Hong Kong belongs to China. In the past, in the present, and in the future as well. Go China."

Image via @kkhhlhh/Twitter

"Our Hong Kong and Taiwan independence supporters, just stop living already."

Yikes.

Chinese tourists blamed

Many Twitter users responding to the initial tweets and photos accused Chinese tourists of writing the hurtful remarks inside the Japanese shrine.

https://twitter.com/fasky_moony/status/1162140052886978560?s=20

"I'd like to ask the Chinese which gods they're praying to at the Meiji Shrine. It's impossible for such wishes to be granted. But before that, wouldn't these confidence-lacking Chinese be punished by the gods?"

Some gave words of encouragement to Hong Kong:

"All the best Hong Kong, it's been tough on you! These overzealous people's actions have exposed their ugliness, bringing shame to themselves overseas."

While others asked a reasonably valid question:

https://twitter.com/DDP0817_Dos/status/1162716243717005313

"I wonder if they considered the fact that Meiji Shrine is dedicated to the Meiji Emperor of Japan. Well, there's nothing wrong worshipping your enemy's emperor, just kinda weird."

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Cover photo via @kkhhlhh/Twitter

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