»
Discussion
»
The Alley
»
Baka
| The Alley |
|
Baka |
|
|
Huan Yi Member Ascendant
since 2004-10-12
Posts 6688Waukegan 
|
There was during World War II an escape of several Japanese prisoners from a camp in Australia, (they were all subsequently recaptured). In the barracks the Australians found at least seven, ( I don’t remember the exact number but it was not less), Japanese hanging by their necks from the rafters. An investigation was performed, and it was discovered that the men were leaders in the escape plot who deliberately hung themselves before their followers as encouragement. This willingness to die to make a point was very much a part of Japanese heroic culture. The last similar act, I think, was the suicide of Yukio Mishima after a failed attempt to reanimate the spirit of that culture among soldiers at a Japanese Defense Force base where he was instead met with jeers, (there was however a sudden increase in the sale of swords). What greater, if any, merit or legitimacy does such willingness give one cause or purpose over another? |
||
| © Copyright 2005 John Pawlik - All Rights Reserved | |||
|
Ron
Administrator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-05-19
Posts 8669Michigan, US |
quote: And how did that work out for them?  Your little story, John, is incomplete. Though a few gave up rather than face their failure, in the end, the only prisoners who actually failed were those few. Everyone else eventually found freedom. No one has ever failed until first they give up trying. There's nothing heroic about suicide, nor does it enhance anyone's cause. It's just easier, sometimes, and takes less courage than living would take. Sadly, that's not even strictly an oriental weakness, either. Many of us still vividly recall others "making a point" in 1978. |
||
|
Huan Yi Member Ascendant
since 2004-10-12
Posts 6688Waukegan |
Ron, Suicide bomber, cherry blossom, (Ohka), or fool, (Baka)? John |
||
|
Brad Member Ascendant
since 1999-08-20
Posts 5705Jejudo, South Korea |
baka |
||
|
hush Senior Member
since 2001-05-27
Posts 1653Ohio, USA |
"What greater, if any, merit or legitimacy does such willingness give one cause or purpose over another?" Uhh... none? I'm not sure I get the question, though... you're asking (and implying?) that someone willing and capable of suicide should be taken more seriously than someone else? I mean, maybe they are more honored in their individual cultures, but... they are dead, and regardless of what you believe, I'm not buying the 80-virgins in heaven thing. Sorry. |
||
|
Huan Yi Member Ascendant
since 2004-10-12
Posts 6688Waukegan |
"I'm not buying the 80-virgins in heaven thing. Sorry." I believe it's 70. Don't start a stampede. |
||
|
|
⇧ top of page ⇧ |
|
| All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format. | ||
