The record of 600 days of evacuated pupils by the picture diary （5)

　
The boy of 5th grade

I heard from Mr. Miyachi today after breakfast that Japan unconditionally surrendered to the United States and Britain at last. I was excited with much angriness. I cried. The teacher also cried and all of class also cried.

I swore firmly within myself, gazing at the blue sky. See soon ! I will certainly revenge myself on this. What an atomic-bomb is ! I will invent a bomb stronger than it, and make Japan a more splendid and stronger country than now, and make the heart of His Majesty the Emperor feel easier.

August 15, 1945 is so an important day that we cannot forget it in our lifetime.
I wrote, in the morning, the description of my impression for "the Imperial edict of the end of war."
In the afternoon I returned from the school to the dormitory, and read the magazine. I had a snack at 3 oclock. It was very delicious.

At night there was a talk from the teacher of What should we do in the future?













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The girl of 6th grade

I felt cooler than usual this morning but the sun came out around the time of breakfast as usual. We had information after breakfast. It was really a sad information which I had heard for the first time since I was born, as it had been rumored.

As for it, my Japan surrendered unconditionally to the United States, the Great Britain, China, and the Soviet Union. His Majesty the Emperor held the Imperial Council, and considered the end of Greater East Asia War. Then His Majesty the Emperor wrote the imperial edict of the end of the war and he told us with radio the end of war.
The enemy will come with an atomic bomb. They will attack us with a scientific warfare. From now on, we will do by our own hand. If the enemy comes with an atomic bomb, we also invent a death ray or anything on our side.

Mr. Miyachi's voice was trembling. We also cried. From now on, more stain than till now might come on us. However, we certainly reorganize Japan. We should not forget our deep emotion of the morning of this day, but we should do our best.

I wrote, in the morning, the description of my impression for "the Imperial edict of the end of war." Since the soldiers (they were collected for defense) went into the auditorium, we had to go to the direction of the playground.
We had a Japanese pumpkin boiled hard with soy source at lunch. It was very delicious. I wrote the diary and played cards in the afternoon. The chirring of cicadas was in chorus outside as the war were no concerns.
Mr. Teratani came at the time of supper, and seemed to be very fine.








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The girl of 5th grade

After breakfast, Mr. Miyachi, my teacher, told very sad information. Japan had to surrender unconditionally to the enemy U.S. and Britain. I heard that His Majesty the Emperor thought that he could continued the war no more, since people he had took care of would be killed with an atomic bomb etc. I could do nothing but cry, hearing it.
Mr. Miyachi also moved to tears. I cried further, when he said, "Today is the last day to inform you.

After finishing a meal we stood up and made a row somehow in the passage but no command was applied. I went out to the shade with Ms. Miyazaki after washing our tableware. The morning assembly was held outside. Even if Japan lost the war, our great Japan empire would continue for ever, I promised the heart.

After the meeting, only the fifth grader carried the firewood used for a bath, to the Maeda dormitory. I felt that more power came out than usual. When we returned to school, everybody put one sheet of paper on the desk, and was hearing Mr. Takadas talk. After the talk finished, the teacher said that the title was "Impression for the Imperial edict of the end war of Greater East Asia War", and wrote it on the blackboard. I wrote what I considered and what I wanted to write rapidly. At last I wrote my decision of the future.

In the lunch I had a very sweet Japanese pumpkin. I was happy I live in such a country. I returned to the dormitory in the afternoon. When pupils of the second and the third groups went to wash their hair, the teacher said, Stop the hair washing. Come upwards." The teacher said, "Ms. Yano" and called me. When I went there, the teacher said, "Please go downwards, borrow a kettle from the owner and put water in it." Although I was shameful, I borrowed a kettle. Then, we had iced water, a biscuit, and sweets which Sakomizu's father brought us. I felt very cold when ice was put in into my mouth. And I arranged the load, until turn of our washing hair would come.

I washed clothes this time, after I washed my hair. I went to the bath at last and I washed my body very cleanly with my relaxation. In a while it became around 4:30, and the time of preparation for start came.

We held the meeting of the song, after returning to the dormitory again. Ms. Yamazaki received a parcel, and then she was trying to open it eagerly. I sang a song which the elder brother taught me.

The teacher's comment: 18th,August

The world became upset for these four or five days. It was sad and regrettable.
However severe your pain might be, please do your best. I hope the flag of the Rising Sun would stand on Singapore or Manila once again. Now the true time which cannot be considered will come.













(To be continued)