Letters to loved ones.

I have long known my attraction for Japanese culture, and even more how my outlook on Kamikaze pilots of WW2, both Torpedo and Plane, was more stylized than history.

I once thought they were all sent after lavish ceremonies, and much fanfare.
Recently I saw a documentary on Kamikaze, and found that like all else legend mingled with fact. Former Kamikaze pilots, who had not completed the mission or who were shot down, said there was no lofty ceremony, in fact the ground crew took off running when they took off. These men, now very old, were glad to meet the Americans they were trying to bomb, and made friends in the meeting.

Nationalism in times of war is not an evil, not "brainwashing" but a call the dutiful and patriotic answer in ways they can. Yet these young Japanese, as part of training were not allowed to communicate to families after they arrive to the bases they trained at in most cases. In all cases no pilots were allowed to communicate with loved ones. I found evidence where the letters these young men had written were saved, and in some cases as you will see delivered by the pilots themselves with flair. In creation of this wallpaper I thought it well to use the very words, translated as with an old typewriter which had need of some adjusting, as would may have been during wartime. The photos are the real ones of pilots who's letters are in this work. The photos are from a national archive of Japanese historical matter on WW2 and open for use.
Anyway, I must make this clear, THESE pilots targeted MILITARY targets, not civilian. This was a world war, with countries under a flag, not what is going on in Iraq where there is no Geneva Convention rules because the terrorists are NOT under flag or organized army. There is a difference between heroism, ones duty, and just terror. This issue runs deep, catches no attention unless now old men and women recall a time they lived in, and now call the enemy friends.

*******
"Petty Officer 1st Class Yamane's hometown, Onomichi City in Hiroshima Prefecture, was also near the flight course. One can guess that he discussed with Mr. Matsuki flight visits to each of their hometowns in order to bid their final farewells. However, no story remains of Mr. Yamane dropping his last letter. Perhaps he was dissuaded from a low altitude flight
because of the topography around Onomichi. However, one can imagine he passed by looking down at the row of homes where he grew up, secretly saying goodbye to his parents while being flooded with emotion as he remembered the days of his youth."

Petty Officer 1st Class Matsuki's hometown is in Ehime Prefecture. The flight course from Miho Air Base to Miyazaki Air Base
was a little to the east of his hometown. Also, fortunately the pairs of planes were flown only by petty officers. His classmate Mr. Yamane,
who flew reconnaissance, was his partner. Therefore, ignoring flight regulations, Mr. Matsuki could do this special feat of flying over his parent's home.
Matsuki flew his plane over Nagatsu Village in Ehime Prefecture. It dropped something wrapped in a white cloth and flew away to the southwest skies while waving its wings. When Mrs. Toki Matsuki looked at this package,
she sensed her son had come to convey his final farewell.

(The father who worte letter to his infant daughter)
Lieutenant Masahisa Uemura
Kamikaze Special Attack Corps, Yamato Unit
Died in battle in the Philippine Sea area on October 26, 1944
Born in Tokyo
Graduate of Rikkyo University
25 years old

Notes
1. Japanese bathtubs are deep, and parents typically take baths with their children during their preschool years.

2. Kudan Hill is the location in Tokyo of the Yasukuni Jinja, Japan's national shrine to honor the spirits of soldiers killed in battle."

1. Abstract Experimentals Gen2 v1
2. Package - Blaze - 6
3. Package - Book - 01
All From : -Resurgere-

The Japanese flag of the rising sun is not right by a spoke or two, but I did what I could.
The Japanese charecters mean "Devine Storm" Wind storm.... Zephyr.