如水会
実務英語研究会 |
如水会
実務英語研究会 |
| No.2- November 19,1995 | |
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Dear Yuichi: Your letter of the 7th arrived on the 16th. Thnak you for your comment about my sound judgement. Unfortunately, I cannot agree completely with you after several decisions I have made recently. Fortunately, they were minor decisions. I do agree with you about the chances of any Japanese publisher wantingt to use Tom's book. No one wants to be reminded about the mistakes they have made, the bad things they have done or about their losses. This is a natural reaction, but it is not good when carried to extremes and then it becomes unhealthy. I believe the Japanese government and most of the people in the past wanted to "sweep the war-years under the carpet.".(get it out of sight, hide it so that it will not be remebered ). I have seen a number of ex-POWs do the same thing and usually they are the ones who have the most mental and physical problems. As a former teacher of history I am glad to see some of the young people wanting to take a greater interest in the past. It is unfortunate that history books and most historians want only to show the "heroic" side of the past. The bright and dark sides of the past must be shown in order to get a true picture of our history. There were no guard towers at the corners of the camp prior to September, 1945. I must have been wrong in thinking Tojo was confined in Barracks No. 5, where Maher and I lived. This was my assumption when I saw "Xmas in Omori". I am happy to know that you will be going to N.Z. Give Plimer my best regards. Thank you for the picture of Muragashi's family.They are a fine looking group. I have written the son.I have also written Brice J.Martin and sent him picture. Martin was sent to Sumidagawa railroad yard as the senior POW officer when it was established as a camp. Lt.Muragishi was the Japanese commandant for a short time. I suggested that he write to the son, but I do not know if he will do so. Thank you again for the photos. Sincerely, Bob |
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如水会 実務英語研究会
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