Aikido, Onsen, WW2...one of these things is not like the other... (2/2/13)

Hey oh y’all,

While Sumi is busy snacking on her okashi, I’m going to write about a little more in depth. One, my topics don’t have many pictures, and two, one of my topics is pretty serious.

Starting with yesterday’s martial art – aikido which is literally the way of the harmonious spirit…according to Wikipidia, but it makes a lot of sense. It is probably the most pacifist fighting art I have come across. There are no strikes and no competitions. The goal is not to win or beat an opponent but to end a conflict with as little injury as possible. Thus, all the movements are smooth counter throws but they are much softer than let’s say a judo throw. Watching the sensei move was so cool. She moved gracefully and quickly, kind of like flowing water, successfully locking the opponent’s arm and gently causing him to fall. Of course you also learn how to properly take a fall – which is way harder than you’d think (rolling away from a throw is hard, especially when your tendency is to tense up and turn towards the thrower).

Unfortunately, since both Jacob and I were participating in yesterday’s practice, we couldn’t exactly take any photos or videos.

Then we went to an onsen – hot springs! This is like a sentou, but way cooler. This is actual hot spring water and the onsen is complete with so much more – outdoor baths, sauna, hot tubs, a steam bath (a series of benches with a light layer of warm water on them)…the ultimate in clean relaxation. Plus, after you are done, you can go eat an awesome Japanese meal – onsen and sushi…what more could you want?

Today we finish with a more (for lack of a better word) “heavy” topic. Though probably not as entertaining as Sumi’s articles, I encourage you to read and respond. I personally try not to take a too huge stance publicly, but I am interested in hearing your thoughts.

Our serious topic for the day, which will probably continue every so often as we do more field trips of this nature: Ritsumeikan heiwa mujiamu (Ritsumeikan University Peace Museum).

Ritsumeikan was one of many Japanese universities that, before and during WWII, served more as a military training facility than a university. As the English guide phrased, “Ritsumeikan was active in having students trade pens for guns.” It even had a department of battle strategy taught by a lieutenant who led in the Manchurian Incident. As a way of acknowledging its participation, Ritsumeikan established the first university-run peace museum. It is definitely a unique museum – no “glory,” no “overcoming the evils of the world,” etc. that you often see at US WWII museums. And it doesn’t shy away from controversy, with displays about the debate on suppressive colonial government, severe war crimes (such as POW mistreatment), human rights violations (including comfort women), and civilian victims.  The museum also argues that we still haven’t really gotten a good peace going– a good peace meaning end of war and use of horrific weapons in general. The museum points out that even after WWII, civilians all over the world have been and continue to be directly hit with weapons of war, showing the Cold War era and the Iraq War era. It is the idea that if civilians continue to suffer, which they do, we are all responsible.

Of course, this differs from the American narratives: US participation WWII was necessary to WWII to defeat the evil Axis Powers. And there is some social progress made through the US military – Tuskegee Airmen, Code Talkers, 442^nd Regimental Combat Team, etc.

But, at least in my opinion, for the US, the end of the Pacific war and subsequent conflicts after are somehow glossed over by Americans – civilian firebombing, the atomic bomb, Vietnam War, etc. And of course the “modern wars” (Iraq, Middle East conflicts, etc.) are, as far as I know, just about never spoken in the same breath as WWII.

I could now ask the questions – is peace possible, what is peace, etc. but so far that really hasn’t gotten me anywhere.

So I ask you, what are the questions we should be asking ourselves on a daily basis with regards to war? What are the questions we should ask each other, the government, a higher power, etc.?

Feel free to email me or leave your comments below.

I look forward to hearing from you.

DC