Tokyo Year Zero Read Online Free PDF Page A

obliteration of the Japanese nation, but also it would lead to the total extinction of human civilization. Such being the case, how are We to save the millions of Our subjects, or to atone Ourselves before the hallowed spirits of Our Imperial Ancestors? This is the reason We have ordered the acceptance of the provisions of the Joint Declaration of the Powers
…’
    ‘The
earth and its flora burn in flames/As we endlessly part the plains
…’
    The song, the voice, and the heat; men on their knees, heads in hands, sobbing and now howling –
    ‘We cannot but express the deepest sense of regret to Our allied nations of East Asia, who have consistently cooperated with the Empire towards the emancipation of East Asia. The thought of those officers and men as well as others who have fallen in the fields of battle, those who died at their post of duty, or those who met an untimely death and all their bereaved families, pains Our heart night and day. The welfare of the wounded and the war sufferers, and of those who have lost their home and livelihood, are the objects of Our profound solicitude. The hardships and sufferings to which Our nation is to be subjected hereafter will be certainly great. We are keenly aware of the inmost feelings of all ye, Our subjects. However, it is according to the dictates of time and fate that We have resolved to pave the way for a grand peace for all generations to come by enduring the unendurable and suffering what is insufferable
…’
    ‘Helmets emblazoned with the Rising Sun/And, stroking the mane of our horses
…’
    The endless song, the endless voice, and the endless heat; men on their knees, howling, now prostrate upon the floor in lamentation, weeping in the dust –
    ‘Having been able to safeguard and maintain the structure of the Imperial State, We are always with ye, Our good and loyal subjects, relying upon your sincerity and integrity. Beware most strictly of any outburst of emotion which may engender needless complications, or any fraternal contention and strife which may create confusion, lead ye astray, and cause ye to lose the confidence of the world
…’
    ‘Who knows what tomorrow will bring – life?’
    The song is ending, the voice ending, the sky darkening now; the sound of one hundred million weeping, howling, wounded people borne on a wind across a nation ending –
    ‘Let the entire nation continue as one family from generation to generation, ever firm in its faith of the imperishableness of its divine land, and mindful of its heavy burden of responsibilities, and the long road before it. Unite your total strength to be devoted to the construction for the future. Cultivate the ways of rectitude; foster
nobility of spirit; and work with resolution so as ye may enhance the innate glory of the Imperial State and keep pace with the progress of the world.’
    ‘Or death in battle?’
    It is over and now there is silence, only silence, silence until the boiler-man asks, ‘Who was that on the radio?’
    ‘The Emperor himself,’ says Fujita.
    ‘Really? What was he saying?’
    ‘He was reading an Imperial Rescript,’ says Fujita.
    ‘But what was he talking about?’ asks the boiler-man and this time no one answers him, no one until I say –
    ‘It was to end the war…’
    ‘So we won…?’
    Only silence
…
    ‘We won…’
    ‘Shut up!’ shouts Captain Muto, the older Kempei officer –
    I turn to look at him, to bow and to apologize –
    His lips still moving but no words are forming, tears rolling down his cheeks as he brings the blade of his sword up close to his face, the thick blade catching the last sunlight –
    His eyes, red spots on white
…
    He stares into the blade –
    Bewitched
.
    Now he turns from the blade and looks into each of our faces, then down at the old Korean man still in our midst –
    ‘Move!’ he shouts at the Korean –
    ‘Back over there,
Yobo!’
    But the old Korean man stands shaking his head –
    ‘Move! Move!’ shouts