by Paul Ham
– Paul Ham
19 May (Sat) Weather: rainy then cloudy, followed by more rain
School
Beautiful silken threads of rain are falling gently outside. I am writing my diary in silence, listening to the rain.
Today I was surprised to hear that Mizuiri Sensei has been sent to work at the prefectural office. Our new teacher will be Tsukiji Sensei. I will do as I am told and be a good girl in his class.
Home
I came home on the 5.47pm ferry. Mother had already returned from Hiroshima. After dinner, Mother and I talked about a lot of things. When I sat down at my desk later, many of the things that happened today came flooding back to me. I remembered that Tsukiji Sensei had learned music, just like Father did, and that made me miss Father, who is away fighting in the war, very much.
* * *
Woke up: 5.30am Went to bed: 9pm Study: 1 hour Chores: prepared dinner
* * *
Street Life
The silence Yoko notes in her entry of 19 May would have been temporary and unusual. In 1945, Hiroshima was full of life, despite the hardships of war. Sounds and smells were everywhere. On the parade ground at Hiroshima Castle you would hear orders being bellowed to troops. In the early morning, throughout the wards – or suburbs – you would hear the chants of family volunteers doing their morning exercises. In household shrines the people clapped awake the Shinto spirits. On street corners groups of workers awaited the trams, which came clanking down the tracks. And on demolition sites you could hear long lines of children like Yoko singing anti-American and anti-British slogans as they worked.
The city smelled horrible, because human excrement was used as fertiliser. The Japanese lacked any other kind. This ‘night soil’ was dumped in wagons every morning and taken to the inner-city vegetable gardens.
All over the city was the hue and cry of life struggling to feed itself, to live, and then every so often came the awful sound of the air-raid sirens, which most people now ignored.
– Paul Ham
20 May (Sun) Weather: fine then cloudy
School
Today was a home training day.
Home
Today was a home training day and because I just rested from morning until evening, I feel as though something was somehow missing from my day. Even now as I write, a fierce battle is probably being fought in Okinawa. No, not ‘probably’. It’s really happening. We at home must also do our very best in everything we do.
Battle of Okinawa
Yoko and other children heard rumours of the dreadful battle fought on the remote Japanese island of Okinawa for eighty-two days, between April and June 1945. It was the first clash of arms between the Japanese and Americans on Japanese soil. The Americans needed the island as a ‘jump-off’ point for the aircraft and hundreds of thousands of troops expected to be used in a planned invasion later in the year.
The Americans were determined to capture the island, while the Japanese were ordered to fight to the death to defend it. The battle was the longest and worst of the Pacific War. More than 100,000 Japanese troops were killed, captured or committed suicide; and more than 70,000 Americans and Allied servicemen were killed or wounded. As well as this, tens of thousands of Okinawan civilians – who were terrified of falling into American hands after hearing false propaganda that they would be tortured – killed themselves by jumping off cliffs. The Japanese flew about 1500 kamikaze flights. Most crashed into the sea, but many slammed into the decks of US ships, sinking them. The people in Hiroshima knew none of the horrific details of the battle that came to be known in Japan as the ‘Typhoon of Steel’.
– Paul Ham
21 May (Mon) Weather: cloudy then rain
School
Today was another rainy day so I felt quite down in the dumps. When it rains, riding around on ferries and trains is a real bother.
We couldn’t do our exercises today because of the rain, so we learned how to rub ourselves dry with wet towels instead. I am going to do this from now on.
Home
Because it looked as though it might rain today, I thought about taking an umbrella with me, but in the end I didn’t. I was caught out though, because the rain started pelting down while I was on the way home. Next time I will definitely take an umbrella if it looks like it might rain.
* * *
Woke up: 5.20am Went to bed: 9pm Study: 1 hour Chores: prepared dinner
* * *
22 May (Tue) Weather: rain
School
A solemn ceremony was held at school today to commemorate the six-year anniversary of the Imperial Rescript for Young Students.
The deputy headmaster said, ‘We must work hard because the fate of our country, Japan, rests on our shoulders.’
I am going to keep pressing on, no matter what.
Home
I was in the morning group today and it felt strange, just like it did when I joined the afternoon group. But it makes no difference whether we study in the morning or the afternoon. Either way, we must work hard. I am not going to give up.
* * *
Woke up: 5.20am Went to bed: 9pm Study: 1 hour Chores: prepared dinner
* * *
Imperial Rescript for Young Students
When Yoko refers to this in her diary, she probably means an updated version of Japan’s Imperial Rescript on Education. A ‘rescript’ is a formal response by a government to a plea from the people. Rescripts were used as far back as Ancient Rome, when the emperors or consuls would issue them in reply to popular demands. In wartime Japan, the Imperial Rescript on Education – signed in 1890 during the Meiji era – was updated to directly address the mobilised students to encourage them to work harder. Perhaps the most famous rescript – which Yoko would have been aware of, since her father had recited it before he left to fight – was the Imperial Rescript to Soldiers and Sailors, issued by Emperor Meiji in January 1882. It urged all young men entering the armed forces to pledge absolute loyalty to the Emperor – to the death. Each man had to learn the rescript by heart. Its most famous line was: ‘Duty is heavier than a mountain; death is lighter than a feather’.
– Paul Ham
23 May (Wed) Weather: fine
School
Today we worked until ten o’clock clearing the evacuation route. After that, we cleaned the school kitchen. My hands were as black as soot after cleaning the stove, but I threw myself into the task anyway.
Home
I felt a little tired from doing physical labour and all that cleaning. But when I got home, I did a few things to help Mother and even ran an errand.
* * *
Woke up: 5.20am Went to bed: 9pm Study: 1 hour Chores: prepared dinner and ran an errand
* * *
24 May (Thu) Weather: fine
School
Today we put everything in order again after yesterday’s great clean-up. As luck would have it, it was our job to tidy up the kitchen. I wiped the shelves and cleared the drain. I did my best because I was doing it for my country.
Home
Mother was sewing when I got home, so I did some things to help her. Then I read for a while, prepared for tomorrow’s classes and revised what we learned at school today. After that, I helped prepare dinner. After we finished, I cleared everything away. I wrote my diary, filled in my table of chores and went to bed.
* * *
Woke up: 5.05am Went to bed: 9pm Study: 1 hour Chores: prepared dinner and did some sewing
* * *
25 May (Fri) Weather: fine
School
Today there was a ceremony to commemorate the day that Hirohito visited Kenjo in 1925, which was before he became Emperor. The headmaster read to us from a book written by the headmaster of that time, which contained his detailed reflections and recollections of that day. Two of the senior girls, Otsuji-san (Year 10) and Nakata-san (Year 8), also read us diary entries written by students of that time.
Home
When I got home
we had a visitor from Iwakuni, so we talked about lots of things. I helped Mother to prepare dinner and the rations. Then I reviewed what we learned at school today, prepared for tomorrow’s classes, wrote my diary and filled in my table of chores, before going to bed.
* * *
Woke up: 5.25am Went to bed: 9pm Study: 1 hour Chores: prepared dinner and rations
* * *
26 May (Sat) Weather: fine
School
I did labour service today. I was clearing the evacuation route as I normally do, but for some reason I felt very weak. But who cares about that compared to Father fighting in the war. Labour service has been called off [temporarily] as of today.
Home
When I got home, Mother wasn’t there and that made me feel kind of lonely. After I had finished preparing dinner, I went to meet the 5.30pm ferry, which I thought she would take coming home. When the ferry pulled in and she was on it, for some reason it made me happy.
* * *
Woke up: 5.20am Went to bed: 9pm Study: 1 hour Chores: prepared dinner
* * *
27 May (Sun) Weather: fine
School
Today was a home training day and it was also Navy Day, the day when we commemorate the 1905 Battle of Tsushima.
Home
Because today was a home training day, Matsumoto-san from Hatsukaichi and Yamashita-san from Yawata had promised to visit me. For some reason, Yamashita-san did not end up coming over, but I had fun spending time and talking with Matsumoto-san.
* * *
Woke up: 6am Went to bed: 9pm Study: 1 hour Chores: prepared dinner
* * *
The Battle of Tsushima
Better known to us as the Sea of Japan Naval Battle, this battle was fought between Russia and Japan in May 1905 in the Tsushima Strait dividing Japan and Korea. Japan won. In fact, the Japanese fleet sank two-thirds of the Russian fleet. Their victory astonished the Western world. Until then, Britain and America had regarded Japan as an undeveloped country. Nobody dreamed that the Japanese could defeat the might of the Russian empire.
The Japanese won the Sea of Japan Naval Battle because of their superior technology. It was the first naval battle to be fought using wireless communication – that is, radio – between the ships. The Japanese wirelesses were far more effective than the Russian ones. Their first radio message sent by the Japanese naval commander to Tokyo said very confidently: ‘I have just received news that the enemy fleet has been sighted. Our fleet will proceed forthwith to sea to attack the enemy and destroy him. Today’s weather is fine but waves are high.’
Japan’s great victories against Russia at Tsushima and Britain at Singapore were celebrated during the war, and girls like Yoko were taught to take pride in Japan’s military strength.
– Paul Ham
28 May (Mon) Weather: fine
School
From now on I will be in the afternoon group, so I caught the 10.40am ferry to school.
Because we live so far from school, I normally take a bento box with me for lunch and quickly eat it at school, in time to catch the early ferry home. But I am going to eat a little more slowly from now on.
Home
I came home on the 5.47pm ferry. Dinner was ready when I got home, so I ate straight away. Then I wrote my diary, filled in my table of chores and went to bed.
* * *
Woke up: 6am Went to bed: 9pm Study: 30 minutes Chores: cleared away after dinner
* * *
29 May (Tue) Weather: cloudy then fine
School
We had practical studies today, so we learned how to carry crates, plough fields and transport manure. Sasaki Sensei taught us for the first time in geography. Hori Sensei taught us how to draw graphs in mathematics.
Home
I came home on the 5.47pm ferry. As there was a little sticky rice left over, Mother had made some kinako dango rice dumplings. There weren’t all that many of them, but I was delighted anyway. When I tried one I noticed it tasted a little salty but it was still delicious.
* * *
Woke up: 6am Went to bed: 9pm Study: 30 minutes Chores: prepared dinner
* * *
30 May (Wed) Weather: fine
School
We had household management class today, so we learned about teaching children proper etiquette. We need to remember that small children will get dirty learning how to feed themselves, but it is definitely a good idea not to help them.
Home
I had a slight toothache today, so I went straight to bed after dinner. Oh, I forgot to mention that my grandfather who lives in Yoshiwa came to see us today, so the whole house felt very festive and I was so happy to see him.
* * *
Woke up: 6am Went to bed: 9pm Study: 30 minutes Chores: cleared away after dinner
* * *
31 May (Thu) Weather: fine
School
My tooth was quite sore today, so I was feeling out of sorts with the world. It’s hurting me so much now that I’m going to stop writing.
YOKO: Sensei, the senior girls cover their diaries in brightly coloured paper. May we do the same?
TSUKIJI SENSEI: Go right ahead.
Home
I got home and my tooth is still throbbing, so I’m not going to write any more now.
TSUKIJI SENSEI: When you have a toothache, you should get it treated as soon as possible. Go to the dentist.
* * *
Woke up: 6am Went to bed: 9pm Study: 30 minutes Chores: none
* * *
Yoko did cover her diary in bright paper. Later her mother wrote on its front: ‘The diary of Yoko Moriwaki, a Year 7 student of Kenjo (Class B); April, 1945.’ (Kohji Hosokawa)
June
1 June (Fri) Weather: fine then cloudy
School
Today was 1 June, so I visited the Gokoku Shrine for Fallen War Heroes. Looking up at the shrine gateway, I suddenly felt my body tense up with the solemnity of the place and I bowed down before the enshrined god and worshipped with all my heart.
I prayed that we would be ultimately victorious in the Greater East Asian War [Pacific War], that Father would have lasting good fortune in battle and that I would do a great job as class captain.
TSUKIJI SENSEI: The most important duty of a class captain is to act responsibly at all times. You must also be kindhearted.
Home
I was late for the 5.47pm ferry, which I normally take coming home, so I caught the 6.30pm ferry instead. Because of that I was ravenous. But who cares about that compared to Father and his comrades.
YOKO: Sensei, when I write with my fountain pen, the ink drips onto the page. What should I do?
TSUKIJI SENSEI: Dip the pen nib into the ink rather than pouring the ink into the pen and then try writing with it. Try to fix it. It’s probably just loose.
* * *
Woke up: 5.30am Went to bed: 9pm Study: 1 hour Chores: prepared meals
* * *
2 June (Sat) Weather: fine
School
We were told that we would do labouring work today if the weather was fine, so I got everything ready for that before I left for school. But the sky suddenly clouded over, so labouring work was called off and we had classes instead. I felt so embarrassed because I didn’t have my books. Next time I will look at the weather very carefully before I leave for school.
Home
On the way home I told the leader of my walking group that I wanted to visit my relatives in Teppocho, and she said I could go. I had an anxious moment on the way there when I got quite lost. I was so happy when I finally found my way again!
I came home on the 9.22pm ferry.
* * *
Woke up: 5.20am Went to bed: 10pm Study: 1 hour Chores: prepared dinner
* * *
Religion in Japan in the 1940s
Most Japanese families including Yoko’s followed the national faith called Shinto. Followers were expected to worship their ancestors and pray to na
tive spirits. During the war, Shinto belief was expressed in two ways. The first was state Shinto, which was the worship of the Imperial Way (that is, the Emperor). The second was folk or household Shinto, which was expressed in the daily practices that bound the ordinary Japanese people, such as praying at the family shrine, offering gifts to the spirits, traditional dancing, and purifying water and other cleansing rituals. Yoko’s family were regular worshippers at the Shinto shrine in Miyajima, a practice called omairi. Yoko would stop before the gates, bow respectfully, wash her hands and feet, and clap twice to alert the spirits, then hold her hands in front of her chest.
Shinto was not the only religion practised in Japan. Many people also followed Buddhism, which came to Japan from China around the fifth century. Buddhism, unlike Shinto, offered the Japanese belief in an afterlife, namely reincarnation. Shinto tended to teach its followers how to behave in this life. Wartime Japan also had a very small Christian community, most of whom lived in Nagasaki and had done so for centuries, even though they were shunned and persecuted.