Pacific War and Japanese - 5

The sister and the brother keep looking for the people who know their grandfather, Kyuzo Miyabe.  They needed to visit to a gangster boss, meet successful but snobby business person, retired bankers, etc... 
Gradually, they started to envision what kind of Zero Fighter Pilot their grandfather was.

The more I read, I started to feel that I was watching TV drama series, such as "Twin Peaks", or "X Files".  Each meeting with Kyuzo Miyabe's friend complete one story and one or two facts about Kyuzo Miyabe become clear.  I turned to Author's personal history and found that he was TV program scenario writer before he started to write stories.  Since I was so familiar with TV drama series, it was quite easy to read that way.

Miyabe's Fighting Places in the story (from the book)

Kyuzo Miyabe was a excellent fighter pilot, they found.  His skill would be in top 5 of fighter pilots of that time.  But, he was very cautious and careful so that he would never be killed in his fight.  He had reasons for his cautiousness.  He married before he was sent to Navy, and it was in his Navy's camp that he learned his wife gave birth to his daughter.  He trained himself to be good pilot not to fight well, but not to be killed in the war so that he could survive and go back to his wife to see his daughter.

His way of fighting was cautious enough so that others could call him coward.  But, he did not care.  Still, he was not just cautious in the way he was selfish and he did not mind sacrificing his colleagues.  There were some of his people who were saved by Miyabe's brave action and skill of maneuvering the fighter as he wished.  The grand son and daughter found their grandfather's friends either hated him or loved him.

It is simple and clear to figure the people who loved him.  Either they loved Miyabe's skill or they were saved by him in fighting.  But, more important is the people who were puzzled by him and hated him in my opinion.  They might have been sharing same feeling as Miyabe's for survival, but could not say it out loud as Miyabe was doing.  They envied Miyabe and being jealous.  They wanted to survive.  They wanted to go back to their family.  But they could not say or act as Miyabe did.  They were confused and irritated, and hated him.


Related Posts:

http://zheninternational.blogspot.com/2009/10/pacific-war-and-japanese-1.html
http://zheninternational.blogspot.com/2009/10/pacific-war-and-japanese-2.html
http://zheninternational.blogspot.com/2009/10/pacific-war-and-japanese-3.html
http://zheninternational.blogspot.com/2009/10/pacific-war-and-japanese-4.html 

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Pacific War and Japanese - 4

I promised that I am not justifying the Pacific War or any war in the first article of this series.  Neither of this book promote any war or fighting activities.  Today, bringing up the book's picture again and let me show it to you.

This book's picture is too small and written in Japanese.  But, it read in the side belt shown on the top of the book "I will survive and return back to my wife's place, my daughter's side."   The back side of the side belt says "I never volunteer to be "Tokko -Suicide Attack".  Because I promised my wife I will survive and come back to my family."

This story is not about the war.  Neither is about the killing.  Neither is the "Suicide Bombing".  It is the fight of a Zero Fighter Pilot who tried his best to survive the Pacific War.


The story starts with a young student who failed examination to become lawyer in Japan.  He received a phone call from his older sister that she is trying to find facts about their real grandfather.  They have known that their grandfather is not the father of their mother.  Their mother was told from her step father that her real father was a Zero Fighter Pilot.

Their mother loved her step father, but still wanted to learn more about her real father.  Her daughter and son started to research about him.  His name was Kyuzo Miyabe.  He was a lieutenant in his last rank.  After intensive search, the sister and brother could meet one of their grand father's fellow soldier.  This ex-Zero Fighter Pilot told them that their grandfather was coward and strange..

Related Posts:

http://zheninternational.blogspot.com/2009/10/pacific-war-and-japanese-1.html
http://zheninternational.blogspot.com/2009/10/pacific-war-and-japanese-2.html
http://zheninternational.blogspot.com/2009/10/pacific-war-and-japanese-3.html

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Pacific War and Japanese - 3

0 (Zero) Fighter was a fighter airplane which was developed by Japanese industry before the Pacific War.  The fighter had smallest Turn Around Radius Diameter that time.  It was perfect for dog fights.  For the people who are not familiar with how fighter planes fight, it is called "Dog Fight" to get your enemy's tail.  Once you got your enemy's tail, you can shoot it down or you have control over the fight.  0 Fighter was almost designed for it.  Some may say this fighter plane could fly long distance despite of fast speed and small quick and short turn around.  This is the fighter plane which was used for attacking Pearl Harbor.

It became worldly known because of Pearl Harbor, it frightened allied army due to its flight ability, capacity, and efficiency in early stage of the Pacific War.  There was no fighter plane in the world who could beat 0 Fighter until US introduced Mustang to fight against 0 Fighter.  Japanese Navy that time trained and send a lot of young and skillful fighter plane pilot to Fighter 0.  Being a 0 Fighter Pilot was the status for young Japanese that time and they were also afraid by US Navy and Air Force.

0 Fighter frightened Allied Forces all through the Pacific War. In early-middle stage as the way mentioned above.  In later stage, it frightened US Navy more tragic way.  It was "Kamikaze".  Kamikaze was Special Attack (Tokubetsu Kogeki, Tokko in short), suicide attack, changing fighter plane itself to be the bomb to crash into enemy ship or base with pilot.  So the method is same as adopted by terrorists today, I need to admit it.

Close to the end of the war, all experienced and skillful pilots were lost.  Japanese Navy trained young people for short time like 3-6 months to make them to be Kamikaze pilot.  Only to Kamikaze pilot, nothing else, nothing more, nothing less.  They were not trained for skills and techniques to fight, maneuver, control airplane.  They were just trained to crash into enemy ships.  How terrible.


Related Posts:
http://zheninternational.blogspot.com/2009/10/pacific-war-and-japanese-1.html
http://zheninternational.blogspot.com/2009/10/pacific-war-and-japanese-2.html

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http://vur.me/shawfunami/SF
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Pacific War and Japanese - 2

My experience on the war is not limited to my story in Singapore.  In China CCTV (China Central TV) broadcasts a lot of war stories showing Japanese army to be bad guys.  Japanese soldiers keep shouting "Baka - Stupid -" and hit Chinese civilians.

In 2001, after September 11, some TV station was broadcasting history of terrorism.  Among others, they were saying that it was Japanese who invented suicide bombing.  It was Kamikaze or Tokko.  They mean "Divine Wind or Special Attack", respectively.

The book is about this Kamikaze.  Somehow, Japanese version of suicide attack was always by Japanese Navy that time.  And Japanese suicide attacks were always targeting military facilities or equipment, base, air base, battle ships, mother ships, etc...  In addition, Kamikaze was always by this fighter plane called "Zero -0-".

Have you heard about "Zero Fighter"?  It was most advanced Navy Fighter Plane of the time  when the Pacific War started.


Related Posts:
http://zheninternational.blogspot.com/2009/10/pacific-war-and-japanese-1.html


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Pacific War and Japanese - 1

There is one thing that I noticed after I started to walk around the world, countries such as US, China, South East Asian countries, India, UK, Germany, etc...  It is the fact that Japan was one of the vicious axes in last world war, and that the world has not necessarily forgotten about it.

I was borne almost 10 years after the war is over.  Quite fortunately, I have not experienced anything about the war in growing.  99.99% of Japanese would not think about the war daily bases any more.  I did not.

It was my first overseas trip and first overseas business trip out of Japan.  I think it was even my first experience using airplane for traveling.  I traveled to Malaysia, first, and then to Singapore.  The business went so-so good.  My Singaporean friends took me to a bar for drinking.

We started to talk with the girls next to us after few drinks.  Somehow, the topic became horror story and somebody talked about ghosts of Japanese soldiers in the border between Singapore and Malaysia, called Johol.  I told them that my father was fighting in Singapore.  It was my major mistake.  After a silence, one of the girls told us that her grandfather was killed by Japanese Army...

I could not have a word to say.  All we could do is to leave that place.  One book my friend recommended reminded me this memory and I wanted to write about the book.

The title of the book is "Eien-no Zero -Eternal Zero-" and the story is about a Japanese fighter pilot of Zero fighter.


PS:  I have no intention to justify the World War II from Japanese view points, or justify any war.  When young, I used to practice Martial Arts, my teacher kept telling me that avoid fighting is the best.  I totally agree with him.  It was ancient Chinese Strategist wrote that "avoiding and stopping war is the best strategy".  I believe so, too.  I wanted to briefly mention here that there were Japanese people who tried everything they could do to avoid the war and to stop the war even during the war.  Existence of these peace loving Japanese people are blessing in the history in tough times.


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Japanese Reading This Summer - 7

It has been after a while in reading lengthy of story, I would be able to keep writing about this book "Ten - Chi - Jin".  In addition to the author's rhythmical writing, there are something the life of Kanetsugu Naoe was telling us.  Also, there was a mystery which no one including the author can figure out.  How and why Uesugi survived the lost war against Tokugawa who became Shogun later.

I feel I owe you an explanation a little bit.  Uesugi including Naoe was the subject clan of Toyotomi.  Tokugawa fought against Toyotomi and won the war.  Later Tokugawa became Shogun and destroyed all Toyotomi related people.  Many clans were perished.  But, Uesugi was not.  Why?

It was true that Uesugi did not take part in major war between Toyotomi and Tokugawa when they fought.  So, the Uesugi army which was said to be one of strongest in Japan that time was kept with no damage.  If Tokugawa tried to punish Uesugi like he did to other clans, Uesugi tried to fight to the end.  Tokugawa might not have won so easily.

Naoe being good strategist, had established pipeline with Tokugawa generals, key people, earlier, and never cut off the pipeline established.  So, even after Toyotomi lost their war, Uesugi, through Naoe and his Tokugawa pipeline could still talk.

Truth might be combination of all above or more.  I think Naoe was a person who could envision the best and worst  scenario and prepare for accepting 2nd best, 3rd best..., with cool understanding of the situation he is facing up to.  But, in addition, the strength of his were created by believing strongly in "Gi - Ultimate Righteousness" and "Ai - Love", which are the basics of Samurai spirit.

Even their enemy Tokugawa could not reject "Gi" and "Ai" and they became basic spirit of Samurai society.

Related Posts:
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http://zheninternational.blogspot.com/2009/10/japanese-reading-this-summer-5.html
http://zheninternational.blogspot.com/2009/10/japanese-reading-this-summer-4-origin.html
http://zheninternational.blogspot.com/2009/10/japanese-reading-this-summer-3.html
http://zheninternational.blogspot.com/2009/10/japanese-reading-this-summer-2.html
http://zheninternational.blogspot.com/2009/10/japanese-reading-this-summer-1.html
http://zheninternational.blogspot.com/2009/04/can-money-buy-real-alliance.html
http://zheninternational.blogspot.com/2009/02/general-who-prevailed-love-in-japans.html


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http://vur.me/shawfunami/SF
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Japanese Reading This Summer - 6

Today I promised that I will list Kanetsugu Naoe's Military side of talent as top general of Uesugi Army which was called strongest in Japan in 16 - 17th century:

1.  In Uesugi clan's civil war, Naoe strategized and implemented to tie with enemy's 2 strongest allies and lead the civil war in favor of his master.  Everybody thought Naoe's strategy did not work.  It looks like he never thought his strategy was impossible.  His master went ahead on Naoe's strategy and won the war.

2.  When Nobunaga Oda, who almost unfied Japan, attacked Uesugi by 2 route, one from west, the other from south, Naoe successfully defended Uesugi territory by moving their force quickly from west to south, concentrating on fight against enemy from south.  The enemy needed to withdraw because Oda died in the middle of this war.  It was said that Naoe already knew when Oda was killed by betrayal by his information source (Ninja).

3. "Sekigahara war" which decided Tokugawa to be next Shogun, Naoe and Uesugi were fighting against Tokugawa ally in North Japan.  Uesugi needed to withdraw not because they are defeated, but because Uesugi ally was defeated in separate war.  Naoe guarded rear of their army and limited damage of their force minimum.

In all the wars he fought, the important thing was that he has the reason to fight.  In war, he wanted his own soldiers not to die even surrendered.  Many of his soldiers fought and died, but it was not because Uesugi and Naoe ordered them to die in fighting, but because soldiers in front decided to fight to the end.  It looks like what was important for Naoe was not win or lose, but if he can uphold "Gi - Ultimate Righteousness" and "Ai - Love".

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http://zheninternational.blogspot.com/2009/10/japanese-reading-this-summer-3.html
http://zheninternational.blogspot.com/2009/10/japanese-reading-this-summer-2.html
http://zheninternational.blogspot.com/2009/10/japanese-reading-this-summer-1.html
http://zheninternational.blogspot.com/2009/04/can-money-buy-real-alliance.html
http://zheninternational.blogspot.com/2009/02/general-who-prevailed-love-in-japans.html


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Japanese Reading This Summer - 5

There are lots of episode on Naoe Kanetsugu as this book, "Ten - Chi - Jin" mentions.  If I were asked to select 3, I will select the followings:

1.  Naoe was subject of Uesugi.  Toyotomi, who unified all Japan, master of Uesugi, wanted Naoe to be direct subject of Toyotomi.  Toyotomi told people that Naoe is one of the few who he can relay on to rule Japan that time.  When Toyotomi asked Naoe if Naoe is interested in working for Toyotomi, Naoe told Toyotomi that Uesugi is only master of his and this will never change for his life no matter what happens.

2.  When Uesugi was moved from central Japan to northern Japan, Naoe told all Uesugi subjects that it depends on their own decision if they move with Uesugi or leave.  He assured that subjects leaving will be introduced to some other new masters.  The record indicates that there was no single subject left Uesugi despite the fact that their territories and yeild became less than 1/3 of before.

3.  In order to feed entire country after their move to northern Japan, Naoe recommended Samurai to help farmers and assure their own yield and food.  He had done lots of civil constructions including building bank to stop flooding for better rice yield.  50 years after his time, rice yield of his country got doubled.

He never betrayed his master.  He always gave priority of his people, his master, and other subjects.  Your priority is your master, your clan, your mission.  Your own self is always second.  One of basics of Samurai spirits.  He had never forgot "Gi - Ultimate Righteousness" and "Ai - Love"

It happened to be all his political episodes today.  I will list his military side of talent in next article.

Related Posts:
http://zheninternational.blogspot.com/2009/10/japanese-reading-this-summer-4-origin.html
http://zheninternational.blogspot.com/2009/10/japanese-reading-this-summer-3.html
http://zheninternational.blogspot.com/2009/10/japanese-reading-this-summer-2.html
http://zheninternational.blogspot.com/2009/10/japanese-reading-this-summer-1.html
http://zheninternational.blogspot.com/2009/04/can-money-buy-real-alliance.html
http://zheninternational.blogspot.com/2009/02/general-who-prevailed-love-in-japans.html


Check my websites to find out what I am doing:
http://vur.me/shawfunami/main
http://vur.me/shawfunami/SF
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Japanese Reading This Summer - 4 (Origin of Samurai)

The more I thought about Kanetsugu Naoe and his lord, Kagekatsu Uesugi, I was ought to think the origin of Samurai. It is because what they protected was the spirit of Samurai in its origin. Good books always make readers to think something related.

Image - Kanetsugu Naoe (Public Domain)
This general looks like quiet scholar.

Before the age of Samurai and Shogun as the top leader of Samurai, there were the time for Emperor and Aristocrats in Japan. Although Emperors and Aristocrats were worriers and fighters before that, by 8th century, Emperor and Aristocrats became just for governing the nation and separated themselves from fighting.

Image below (Public Domain)
Armor of Kanetsugu Naoe.
Decoration of his helmet is
a character meaning "Love"




Later 8th century, however, Imperial government had a lot of problems fighting against northern tribe. They formed worrier group who could fight for them. They might have compared to gradiators in ancient Roman. These worriers formed were called "Saburau" -original word for "Samurai"- meaning "service, or wait on" to the Emperor or Imperial government. "Samurai" of this age were servants!

Long time, they were kept in the status of 2nd grade citizen. They were unable to even talk directly with the Emperor even on the strategies of fighting. As they become large in number, they needed a leader. It was early 9th century, first Shogun as the leader of "Saburau" was appointed. Since Japanese government that time, with the intention of keeping their status of being 2nd grade citizen, Samurai family was kept being Samurai for generations after generations.

For the nature of their mission to be professional soldiers, their children were educated and trained for being Samurai. They are taught that loyal to emperor, loyal to elders in their clan, fight until the very end, death rather than surrender, no betrayal, etc ... These basic spirits of "Samurai" deeply relate to Uesugi and Naoe spirit.

Related Posts:
http://zheninternational.blogspot.com/2009/10/japanese-reading-this-summer-3.html
http://zheninternational.blogspot.com/2009/10/japanese-reading-this-summer-2.html
http://zheninternational.blogspot.com/2009/10/japanese-reading-this-summer-1.html
http://zheninternational.blogspot.com/2009/04/can-money-buy-real-alliance.html
http://zheninternational.blogspot.com/2009/02/general-who-prevailed-love-in-japans.html


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http://vur.me/shawfunami/SF
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Japanese Reading This Summer - 3

There are some authors who do not allow readers to put down their book. The author of this "Ten - Chi - Jin", Masashi Hisaka is one of them. There is almost a rhythm of his sentences. When you dance in a disco with dance musics with beat of your kind, you cannot stop dancing. I would feel in the same way as reading his sentences. It was good thing that I could keep reading rhythmically, but bad news for me is the fact that I could not do anything else but reading his book.

Quite honestly, I did not have good impression on either Kanetsugu Naoe or Kagekatsu Uesugi, since I thought they missed the Shogun position after all, and survived by changing their loyalty to their masters who became Shogun later on. But, this book changed entire impression of Naoe and Uesugi. I almost believe myself that "Love" Naoe advocated is transmitted to my brain through this book.

Masashi Hisaka, the author described Naoe and the people around him in his age as alive as they could be, including their tears, sweat, blood, pain, and effort. Despite the fact that Naoe being very good general and fighter, at the same time excellent governpr loved by his people. Japanese some times say "Bunbu - Ryodo". It means prominent in fighting in war at the same time good at politics and achademic field. Naoe was one of few general who was good at the time of war or peace. But he was not a saint, the author was successful vividly describing his agony, pain, and fear of fighting and surviving the difficult time.

Related Posts:
http://zheninternational.blogspot.com/2009/10/japanese-reading-this-summer-2.html
http://zheninternational.blogspot.com/2009/10/japanese-reading-this-summer-1.html
http://zheninternational.blogspot.com/2009/04/can-money-buy-real-alliance.html
http://zheninternational.blogspot.com/2009/02/general-who-prevailed-love-in-japans.html


Check my websites to find out what I am doing:
http://vur.me/shawfunami/main
http://vur.me/shawfunami/SF
http://vur.me/shawfunami/zi

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Fill the Missing Link