It’s been 8 months since I moved to Okinawa.
There are some things that are now commonplace, but I was shocked when I first moved.
For example, the US military base is wider than I imagined, and there are many people involved in the US military base. Even if you are driving a car, you will see license plates with alpha beds on a daily basis.
Milk is 946㎖（= 1/4 gallon）instead of 1000㎖（= 1ℓ）. I was really surprised at this. Upon examination, it seems to be a remnant of the American occupation（1945-1972）.（Personally, I felt like I lost a little because of the small amount.）
For example, there are more Japanese people working in the US military base than I imagined, and there are streets lined with shops for those involved in the US military base.
After the war, Okinawa was under American rule for 27 years. It may be natural that the remnants and cultural things remain.
He had a strong relationship with China during the Ryukyu Kingdom era, became Japan（Okinawa Prefecture）in the early Meiji era, and after World War II, during the American occupation（in Okinawa, this era is called the “America Yu”. ）. Then, returned to Japan on May 15, 1972.
In the midst of various changes, I think that the identity of “Uchinanchu （Okinawa people / Okinawa natives）” was indispensable to protect the history of Okinawa, our ancestors, and ourselves.
This time, we will consider “Okinawa Memorial Day” established by Okinawa Prefecture on June 23, together with “Peace Memorial Park” in Mabuni, Itoman City, the southern part of the main island of Okinawa.
Words for peace
The battle in Okinawa was a war between the Allied Forces, mainly the US Army, and the Japanese Army at the end of World War II. It is said to be a fierce ground battle involving many civilians.
More than 200,000 people, including both armies and civilians, have been killed in action. At that time, more than 120,000 Okinawans, said to be one in four, died.
June 23, 1945, was designated as “Okinawa Memorial Day” each year, as the organized battle ended on June 23, 1945. In Okinawa, this day is a public holiday, and it is a day to renew our pledge to peace so that we can memorialize all those who lost their lives in the Battle of Okinawa and never repeat the war.
The cornerstone of peace is engraved with the names of each person who died in the Battle of Okinawa, regardless of nationality, military personnel, or civilians.
In Okinawa, there is the word “命どぅ宝 (Nuchidutakara)”.
The meaning is “life is a treasure”. It is said that this word is used not only for oneself and family, but rather for “a stranger in a distant country”, that is, “everyone living on the earth”.
The building in the back is the "Peace Memorial Museum"
“Of all the people on earth life is equal and precious”
From these words, I feel the sadness of the Battle of Okinawa, the wish and prayer for a peaceful world, and the vow that the war should never occur again.
Wish for peace and act for peace. I feel that this is a common attitude among Uchinanchu（Okinawa people）.
I once talked to a 75-year-old（at that time）woman in the park. Why do I know the exact age? That’s because I heard the story, “I was in mother’s stomach during the Battle of Okinawa.”
“It would have been hard to get pregnant in such a war. I think mother is great.” she said. And she told me her strong message, “Never cause a war.”
“Never wage war in our generation, the next generation, or even the next generation.”
With that in mind, I think she gave me a baton as well.
Currently, the number of people who have experienced war is decreasing. I feel that it is more important than ever to “know exactly” the facts.
For that reason, I think it is of utmost importance to preserve materials such as war ruins (battlefields), videos, and photographs, and to continue to pass them on to future generations.
From such a sense of crisis, some local governments are creating books to pass on to future generations, including valuable true stories of war-experienced people.
A heart that wishes for peace
The newspaper on the day before “Okinawa Memorial Day” contained a writing that written by elementary and junior high school students in Okinawa Prefecture about “peace” and “sadness of war.”
All the sentences reminded me of the “pure feelings” that I once thought about, felt, and faded with each passing year.
“Why do humans have to kill each other?”
“The most important thing is peace. Even if you have a fight, you can talk about the situation and apologize to each other.”
Trees in the Peace Memorial Park.
“First of all, I want to get rid of fights around me. I want to act in the position of the other person. I want to convey peace from what we can do.”
“I want to be a person who can say that what is wrong is wrong by making friends so that this war will never be repeated.”
I thought it was a very pure, simple and important idea.
We are the ones who create a peaceful world
Before and during the war, it is said that “many people wished for peace.” However, they would not have been able to resist the great power of war.
We need to learn from history that we are the same people, and in the event of a war, people can change and become can’t feel the painful in many ways.
On June 23, this year, on Memorial Day, there was a reading of “Peace Poem” by Miharu Uehara, a second-year student at Nishibe Junior High School in Miyakojima City.
I once again felt the misery of the war in this poem. And it was clearly expressed that there was a real war in the land of Okinawa.
Please read the full text of the peace poem “Miruku Yo no Uta”.
<2021 Okinawa National Memorial Service for War Dead Peace Poem "Miruku Yo no Uta" Full Text
See you next time.
