This movie is an animated adaptation of Michio Takeyama's book of the same title, and considering that this movie is part of the same compilation of anime classics as Botchan, the animation style is very simple; backgrounds tend not to move, movements are jerky, and color scenes are not very vibrant. However, despite each of these little shortcomings, this movies is truly beautiful. It tells the story of a squadron of Japanese soldiers fighting in World War II; it focuses on one soldier in particular, though: Mizushima, who plays a Burmese harp. Everytime the soldiers are feeling down (which I imagine is pretty often), they sing, and Mizushima plays his harp in the background. Once the war is over, they are all sent to a POW camp, all except for Mizushima, that is. He is instead sent to go with another squadron, and for the most part disappears altogether eventually. Of course, his fellow soldiers miss him dearly, so when they come across a Burmese monk one day that bears an exact resemblance to him, they become excited. However, the monk ignores them. Then, they find out that the monk plays the Burmese harp, and they become more and more convinced that the monk is actually Mizushima. The monk however continues to ignore them, so by the time they are allowed to leave the camp to go back home to Japan, they are forced to give up on trying to get the monk to return with them.
And guess what?
As it turns out, the monk actually is indeed Mizushima, as revealed in a letter written to the soldiers from Mizushima himself. He told them that he wanted to go home with them badly, but he felt that it was his duty to stay and bury all of dead soldiers that were left to rot in the elements. He knew that this task would take up most, if not all of his life, so he knew that he probably would never see any of his brethren again.
Now, his story brings up an interesting difference between the American and Japanese cultures. In America, heroes may encounter hardship after hardship in their endeavors, but always is rewarded in the end. For example, Simba, despite having to watch his father die and then deal with his evil uncle, still becomes king of the his pride in the end. This is just in terms of entertainment though; religion is the same way as well, case in point, Christianity. If you remain a relatively good person and repent for all your sins, you will be rewarded with Heaven.
Japan is different, however, in that its culture provides a bleaker, more realistic outlook on life. Mizushima will be burying soldiers' bodies for the rest of his life, but he won't be rewarded at all. He won't see his brothers. He won't go to Heaven. This doesn't change the fact that he is doing an extremely good deed and overall is a very good person, but this sense of respect and self-satisfaction is what keeps him going. He is not expecting a grand reward when all is said and done.
I guess in this sense you could say that Japan is the Debbie Downer of the world.
Haha, nice Debbie Downer reference! But overall I have to agree. I’d almost say that in America hardships of some kind are almost glorified. A lot of times we like to hear success stories or how people got to where they are. And hearing about their struggles along the way just makes the story better. Like you said, I think it does give us a sense of hope somehow. I do think that the Japanese view is more realistic, but the American view is definitely more optimistic. I mean, it’s good to look on the bright side. But like one of my friends always says, “I hate having false hope.” It makes you wonder which side is really good or bad. Since hard work isn’t always rewarded in Japan, I think Americans would be like, “Well, what’s the point?” I also think it’s really annoying when you make a valid point and know what you’re talking about and people just decide to refute you when they don’t even know anything. Random, but true fact.
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