Yoshie Shiratori’s Incredible Escapes: A Man No Prison Could Hold

Consider yourself imprisoned in a cell with high ceilings, smooth copper walls, and a little skylight. You have no hope of ever seeing freedom again because the guards are watching your every move. What would you do in this situation? If you were Yoshie Shiratori, you'd find a way out. Not once, not twice, but four times. Shiratori was born in Aomori, Japan, in 1907. He worked as a fisherman and gambler, but he also had a petty crime record. He was charged with murder and condemned to life in prison in 1936. He maintained his innocence, but no one believed him. He spent the remaining 11 years of his life in four different prisons, each more secure than the one before it. But he also studied the guards' routines, the prison layouts, and the flaws of the locks and bars throughout that time. To overcome the difficulties and break free, he used his knowledge, ingenuity, and physical power. Here are a few highlights from his incredible escapes: He escaped from Aomori jail in 1936 by picking the cell lock with a wire from a bucket. He also put floorboards on his bed to deceive the guards. In 1942, he escaped from Akita jail by using miso soup to weaken the wood supporting the window bars. He waited for a stormy night to escape through the skylight. In 1943, he broke his handcuffs in front of the guards and fled from Abashiri prison. He then crawled out through a ventilation shaft using a metal hook. He escaped from Sapporo prison in 1947 by building a tunnel beneath his cell with a metal chopstick. He also constructed a dummy out of blankets and newspapers to fool the guards. Shiratori became a legend in Japan, and many people respected his bravery and cunning. He has campaigned for reform and justice after exposing the horrific conditions and torture in Japanese jails. He did, however, pay a price for his escapes. He was always on the run, hiding from the cops and living in poverty. He couldn't visit his family or friends, and he couldn't live a normal life. He was eventually apprehended for the final time in 1948, after being betrayed by a friend. He was imprisoned for another 23 years before being pardoned in 1971. He passed away in 1979, at the age of 71. Yoshie Shiratori's story is one of history's most amazing prison escapes. He demonstrated that no matter how horrible the situation appears to be, there is always a way out. He also demonstrated that liberty is worth fighting for, even if it comes at a heavy price. You can learn more about Yoshie Shiratori and his escapes by reading the following sources: