ＫＡＭＩＫＡＺＥ ～或る特攻隊員の手記～

English Ver.↓
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TFRPdpuliE
English translation sentence↓

(Translated by Hugh and Reiko Young, Jan.2007)
ttp://www.yorozubp.com/0701/070109.htm

Kamikaze

Thoughts by Lieutenant Ryoji Uehara
Born September 27, 1922
Graduated from the Department of Economics, Keio University

This was written by him the night before the assault.

I feel deeply honored and privileged to have been chosen to become a member of the Army's "Special Attack Corps," which embodies the glory of Japan. Having delved deeply into logic and philosophy at my university, what I am about to say can be described as the ideology of liberalism. What is obvious to me is the inevitable triumph of liberty. An inherent and essential element of all humans, freedom cannot possibly be destroyed. Even though at times such feelings may be suppressed internally, they are constantly fighting to emerge and will eventually prevail. This is a belief and truth stated by the Italian philosopher Benedetto Croce

It is a clear fact that authoritarian and totalitarian governments may at times flourish; but ultimately they will be defeated. We can see the truth of that when observing the governments that are playing leading roles in the world war, as manifested by the defeat of Fascist Italy, not to mention Nazi Germany. Authoritarian governments are disappearing one after the other, crumbling like buildings without a foundation. The universality of this truth is now being tested by reality. Just as history has shown in the past, liberty will once again prevail and flourish.

These beliefs that I hold may turn out to be catastrophic for my homeland; but the fact that what I have believed in all along has proven correct gives me nothing but satisfaction. Today's struggle, whatever form it may take, stems from differences in ideology; and the result is predictable on the basis of those belief systems. Thus, the ambition of having my beloved Japan become a mighty empire like that of Great Britain must remain unfulfilled.

If the leadership positions in Japan had been held by those who truly love Japan, my country would not have been driven into the situation it faces today.

My dream was to be a person able to take pride in being a Japanese, no matter where one may be in the world.

What one of my friends once said is true: a pilot of the Special Attack Corps is merely a mechanical instrument. He just steers the apparatus. He is only a molecule within a steel device intended to stick fast to an enemy aircraft carrier, possessing neither personality nor emotions.

If one thinks about it rationally, this act is incomprehensible. These pilots are simply suicidal. This is a phenomenon that occurs only in a country such as Japan, a nation that places so much emphasis on the spiritual aspect of life.

Since I am nothing but a machine, I have no right to state my case. I only wish that the Japan that I dearly love will someday be made great by my fellow citizens.

In such an emotional state, my death may accomplish nothing. Nonetheless, as I stated at the outset, I feel quite honored to have been chosen to be a member of the Special Attack Corps. True, once inside an aircraft, I am a mere instrument; but when not aboard, I do have emotions and passion.
When the woman for whom I cared so dearly passed away, I died with her, emotionally. I believe that she waits for me in Heaven, where we will be reunited. Death does not frighten me, because it occurs as part of the process of going to Heaven.

Tomorrow is the day for the assault. My motivation is highly unorthodox, so it is not worthy of public notice. I just wish to express the true feelings inside me. Please forgive me for my disorganized thoughts. Tomorrow a man who has always advocated the values of freedom and liberty will depart from this earth. Although he may appear forlorn, he is in fact very content.

Once again, please forgive my rambling.

Date of death: May 11, 1945

Among his effects left behind was a book on philosophy written by Benedetto Croce. In the book there were markings here and there. When one strings together the characters so marked, it reads as follows: "Goodbye, my beloved Kyoko. I loved you so much; but even then you were already engaged, so it was very painful for me. Thinking only of your happiness, I suppressed the urge to whisper into your ear that I loved you. I love you still."

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• 神風
• 特攻隊
• 特別攻撃隊
• KAMIKAZE
• TOKKO
• WWⅡ
• Kanno
• 菅野よう子
• 月の繭
• MOON
• 軍事
• 戦争
• War

[yamatodamashii1945]

It is not the past.

It is always together in me.

You may be blamed however.

It is the power in which I live.

[kansei2]

悲しい答えですね。けれど最善の答え。

彼のような聡明な若者を奪い去った戦争を疎ましく思います。

今、もし自分が戦争のさなかに身をおき、彼と同じように特攻前夜­を迎えたとしたら、一体何を考えるのだろう。

きっと彼の足元にも及ばないと思う。

[candycookiechocolate]

あの・・・素朴な質問なのですが・・・

彼は手記の中で、愛する人が天国にいるのだから彼女にまた会える­ことは嬉しい、というようなことを書いていますよね？つまり、彼­の好きな人は既に亡くなっている、と。しかし、哲学書の印をたど­った場合、彼は京子ちゃんが好きだったが彼女は他の人の婚約者だ­った、と。つまり彼は他の人の婚約者に横恋慕しているわけですよ­ね？結局、彼の好きなのは、既に亡くなっている女性なのか、誰か­の婚約者の京子さんなのか・・・・

昔、彼のこの手記をテレビで知ったとき、「哲学書の印をたどると­『きみをあいしている』とあった」としか言っていなかったので、­そのときはなんの違和感なく、ただただ悲しい気持ちに襲われたも­のですが、今回この動画を見たとき「・・・？？？？」って疑問が­悲しい気持ちを邪魔して、なんだかすっきりしません。これって結­局どういうことなのか、知っている方いませんか？？教えて下さい­！！

[HanDynasty08]

what is the song called?

[mikafan1003]

He is my personal hero. He changed my idea about the generation who lived through the war. I was thinking they are crazy ppl. But it's wrong. They are well educated and rational and probably good ppl. Now I'm proud to be a Japanese.

[nogiguchi]

僕は10年前、18歳のときにこの文章を初めて読んで、心臓が痛­くなるほどの衝撃を受けた。

なんていう悲しい矛盾なんだ。いや、悲しすぎるほど整合している­のか。

少しでも多くの人（出来れば若い人）にこれを見てもらって、彼ら­が考えたこと、感じたこと、そしてどのように行動したのか、感じ­て欲しいですね。

[jansen16907]

My due respects for these brilliant heros whose nobel act of courage given to Japan and their family. How painful for these young warriors tormented with lingering pains of death while living before dying. No Prime-Minister of Japan should ever ignore them at Yasukuni or playing to the tune of protest from china or korea. These Kamikazes deserves the Bests!

[changofsingapore]

Nothing but SERRENDER.

The 2 atomic bomb is well deserve and satisfying.