Re: Those Days Just Before the War Ended　(by Honobono)

　
　Dear Machan,
　Thank you for your reply.
　I might talk big because I was in the military school for just five months from April to August in 1945. Before going to the school at the age of thirteen, I grew up under the protection and deep love of my parents. I was naturally an immature child in a sense.

　From the first day of school life, I woke up with the sound of trumpet and went to bed with the sound of trumpet. Fourteen members lived in each room. We became a pair, and worked for everything together with a mate, or 'fellow soldier'. There were also several senior model students in the same room.
　I learned a lot as a human from the senior students. They disciplined us sometimes strictly and sometimes gently, taught many things to us who were still immature. I think I learned the most important things in life.

　In the morning, we studied 'enemy's language' (English), and in the afternoon we had a physical training that cultivated indomitable spirits.
　When having meals, we sat down at the table in a group of one second-year senior student, two first-year senior students and three students of same grade. The group members were changed every week. I learned manners of dining, conversation, and etiquette in detail. Some suggestions, or tips, to 'survive' the military school life were also given to us, and a time for a prayer before meal was especially amicable and enjoyable.

　'The Imperial Rescript to Soldiers and Sailors' (issued by Emperor Meiji of Japan on 4 January 1882) said the most important spirits were 'loyalty, honor, courage, faith, and simplicity'. Though now we are not soldiers, I think 'honor', 'faith' and 'simplicity' are still very important factors in our everyday life. From this point of view, my military school life was very constructive for my character building.
　Thank you.

　Honobono