Several people have asked for a repost since the last
1/3 of the first post got cut off at the part about
fiance's. I hope this makes more sense
Dear List Members,
The following book may be useful to writers on the
FFML.
Samurai by Saburo Sakai with Martin Caidin and Fred
Saito.
Saburo Sakai was Japan's leading fighter ace during
WWII with sixty four confirmed kills.
I believe this book will be of interest as if gives a
first hand account of life in an impoverished
samurai family in pre-war Japan. IMO this first hand
account from one of Japans greatest warriors of home
life, courtship and marriage, military training and
combat, gives an insight into Japanese life that makes
clear some more obscure parts of Amine/Manga. It will
also, IMO, be helpful to writers in crafting
believable stories, situations and characters.
I have exerpted the following passages for
informational purposes:
From the Bantam edition/May 1978
ISBN: 0-553-11035-7
Saburo Saki " . . .was a school dropout, juvenile
delinquent, and family disgrace . . ."
Concerning Samurai upbringing:
"My own ancestors were members of the Japanese forces
which in 1592 invaded Korea from Saga. . . .The
nineteenth century abolition of the caste system
proved a crushing blow to the proud Samurai people . .
.most of the Samurai became destitute, struggling to
eke out a living through the most menial labor. . .The
task of tilling the one-acre household farm near Saga
City fell heavily on the shoulders of my mother . . .a
woman steadfastly at work, my youngest sister strapped
to her back . . .toiling under brutal conditions . .
.one of the bravest women I have ever known, a typical
Samurai, proud, stern, but not without a warm heart
when the occasion demanded.
"I sometimes returned home from school, whimpering
after having been thoroughly beaten by older and
larger schoolboys. She had no sympathy for my tears,
only scowls, and admonishing words. �Shame on you,'
was her favorite retort. �Do not forget that you are
the son of a Samurai, that tears are not for you.'
Training in the Navy:
"On May 31, 1933, I enlisted as a sixteen-year-old
Seaman Recruit . . . .harshness of the discipline . .
.petty officers . . .severest beatings . . .I was
dragged physically from my cot by a petty officer.
�Stand to the wall! Bend down, Recruit Sakai!' he
would roar. �I ma doing this . . .because I like you
and want to make you a good seaman. BEND DOWN!'
And with that he would swing a large stick of wood .
. .at times I counted up to forty crashing impacts . .
.often I fainted . . .no escape . . .petty officer
simply hurled a bucket of cold water . . .bellowed for
me to resume position, whereupon he continued his
�discipline'. . . .
As a prospective fianc�:
"A visit from the family! It was an honor indeed . .
.
�Pilot Saki! Get a move on! Your fiancee is
downstairs waiting to see you!'
Everyone laughed and cheered as I reddened and
hurried out. . .
. . .it was obvious----to them, Fujiko, and
myself----that I was being studied and examined as
their daughters potential groom.
End of the war:
"Before I left for Nagoya, Hatsuyo had made me
promise to purchase for her a small dagger . . .famous
for its outstanding swords and daggers . . .my wife
insisted upon a blade . . .
Upon my return Hatsuyo silently inspected the
gleaming length of steel . . .
�Saburo, it is not sharp enough.' She looked at me.
�Tomorrow, at Oppama, will you hone the steel to a
fine edge?'
� . . .What on earth do you want a dagger for,
anyway?'
�You are my life, Saburo,' she said quietly, �All
that matters in this world is you. There is only one
thing for me to do if you are killed.'"
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