Palace of Ghosts: Singapore's Untold History

In the last post, we followed Marquis Yoshichika Tokugawa on his first visit to Singapore in 1921—a seemingly low-key personal trip. But Japan’s presence in the region was anything but recent. From the decades old trafficked sex workers trade to growing business networks, Tokugawa arrived as a ground swell of presence was taking place. In Part 3, we trace its evolution—from rising commercial interest to far murkier pursuits. Read Part 2 here

The previous post explored the theme of historical memory in the lead-up to VJ Day, focusing on the Fall of Singapore in 1942. It introduced Marquis Yoshichika Tokugawa—a largely overlooked figure whose role in those dramatic events has long remained in the shadows. He is one of several key figures whose hidden stories form the untold history at the heart of Palace of Ghosts , all of them intricately connected to the Palace that gives the book its name. In this second post of the series, we begin to unravel his story and ask: Who was Tokugawa? Read Part 1 here Hunter, Scholar, Nobleman The life Sultan Ibrahim of Johor reads like an epic novel—an extraordinary blend of adventure, intrigue and romance. But while the Sultan’s story often steals the spotlight, Palace of Ghosts reveals a cast of equally fascinating characters who shaped his destiny in profound and sometimes surprising ways. One of the most compelling figures in this saga is Marquis Yoshichika Tokugawa—a Japanese aristoc...

VJ Day Victory over Japan Day, the day that World War II (WWII) ended in Asia, is commemorated around the world on both August 15th, when Japan surrendered in 1945, and on September 2 when the surrender documents were formally signed, also in 1945. As the anniversary of VJ Day draws near, ceremonies and reflections will unfold around the world. In Malaysia and Singapore, however, the date passes with relatively little official recognition. The Japanese invasion of Malaya and Singapore, including the Fall of Singapore on February 15, 1942, and ending with Japan’s surrender three and a half years later, remains a defining but selectively remembered chapter in Southeast Asian history. An AI-generated image of Lieutenant General Arthur Percival surrendering to General Yamashita (generated using ChatGPT, June 2025,  prompt: Percival surrendering to Yamashita) Historical Memory: What We Remember ... Or Forget Certain events, and associated images, have become iconic. Some contemporaneous...

The Spark: One TikTok, One Comment, Hundreds of Reactions A minor storm erupted online this week when a British woman’s offhand remark about Singapore’s “lack of heritage” triggered waves of indignation across social media. The comment, captured in a street interview and posted on TikTok, was picked up by AsiaOne and then blasted across Facebook, where it racked up nearly 800 comments, mostly from Singaporeans. The original TikTok video had already amassed 148,000 views and over 700 comments. The Viral Headline? And the replies poured in. From the witty to the wounded, reactions included: • “She wants an ancient relic? Just go to the mirror.” • “Who invited you anyway?” • “Singapore isn’t even 60 — my grandma has more heritage.” Missing the Point: Heritage ≠ History While the outrage was predictable, the real issue lies in the widespread confusion revealed in the comments. Let’s clear a few things up: • History and heritage are not the same thing. • History doesn’t start or s...

Tyersall Estate Deal Raises Eyebrows—and Ghosts of the Past The Tyersall estate—where the overgrown ruins of Istana Woodneuk still stand shrouded in tangled greenery—burst back into the headlines this week after a land deal between the Regent of Johor, Tunku Ismail Ibrahim, and the Singapore government. The once-grand palace, now a silent shell hidden behind the Botanic Gardens, has long been the subject of public fascination. This latest development raises fresh questions—not only about real estate, but about the layers of history buried beneath the estate’s moss-covered foundations. Learn more in Palace of Ghosts For years, any hope of development had been stymied by the Singapore government’s zoning restrictions, which designated the Tyersall land for “special use.” But now, a deal has been struck. A portion of the Regent’s land will be swapped for a nearby government-owned plot. Here’s the irony: the land the government is giving up was originally acquired in 2005 through a compuls...

In today’s world, it might be hard to feel much sympathy for someone like Lydia Cecilia Hill. And yet, the young woman known to us as Cecily in Palace of Ghosts emerges as a figure steeped in quiet tragedy, her story threaded with a sense of elegy. It is easy to imagine that some fragile echo of her spirit still clings to the decaying walls of Istana Woodneuk, where she stayed for a brief visit in the 1930s — a fleeting presence now folded into the mansion’s long twilight. Lydia Cecilia Hill (1913-1940) photograph from 1938 Find out more: read the story A Familiar Story Imagine this: a teenage girl with little formal education, from a small country town, but gifted with striking beauty and irresistible talent; she lands a job at a prestigious London dance club. There, she meets a man decades her senior—wealthy, worldly, powerful and handsome. He lavishes her with gifts, praise, and affection. To her, it must have felt like the start of a dazzling new life. It’s a story we’ve heard bef...