This Japan Times article is an old one (originally from 2005) that I came across buried in my “read this again” pile of bookmarks, but as a history tidbit few probably know, the topic is still as fascinating as ever!

In 1932, Charlie Chaplin, best known of course for his Hollywood stardom as “The Tramp” on the silver screen, decided to take a tour to the East to promote his new film, “City Lights.” Heading by ship through the Suez Canal and making stops in India and Singapore, Chaplin found himself in the land of the rising sun, amazed at the colorful kimono and enthusiastic crowds that greeted him at every train station. Amidst the amazement, however, things started to turn a little strange when their guide began to make “mysterious requests” and Sydney, Chaplin’s brother, claimed that not only had their rooms been searched but they were being watched.

One frightening encounter in a restaurant and the assassination of a prime minister later, Charlie Chaplin discovered he was part of a multi-cell plot to bring down the Japanese government. But who were the Blood Brotherhood (Ketsumeidan) and why were they after Chaplin? Read the Japan Times article to find out!

“No Laughing Matter”

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20050515x1.html