Letters From Iwo Jima Response

Blog #9 - Iwo Jima Response

1. The Do Spirit

- One of the aspects that demonstrated the Do spirit that I noticed was the ever willingness to die for the empire, the emperor, and the nation of Japan. It was an ever-lingering thought in the back of the Japanese soldiers, and although some did it, some also thought more rationally about their families. The Chinese translation to "Tao" and "Taoism" is roughly "the way", more importantly the way of the warrior, as mentioned in the bushido chapter.

2. Kuri, as I'll call him for short (referencing the dinner party), I believe drank in order to relieve some of the "stiffness" that accompanies meetings between generals. It allows him to bond and discuss affairs more effectively with a looser atmosphere.

3. Shudan Ishiki and Hedataru to Najimu

-I'd say one of the main ways uchi to soto is shown in the film is the main conflict between the US and Japanese soldiers. When one was captured, he was beaten and eventually stabbed. General Kuri, known the Americans would show hospitality, captured one and treated him, demonstrating his different thinking of the uchi to soto. It was a foreign concept to the other soldiers, for they all wanted to dispose of the Japanese.

4. The scene I can think of that demonstrates the idea of Japanese group consciousness is the one where they commit suicide against the orders of their general.

5. The Japanese soldiers were taught that the Americans were "cowards", but in reality, the letter read "do what is right because it is right". I had a feeling most of the soldiers wanted to follow this (especially the one who was discharged), but obeyed their countries orders more.

6. Bushido is demonstrated when the officers will lead a charge into a battle they know they will lose. Their sword raised high above their head running headlong into the fire. The idea of dying for the honor led to an early death for many soldiers.

7. It is an obligation (giri) to serve your country; when Saigo was asked to serve, he was actually congratulated but was rather upset internally. He obliged after learning that everyone had to let their sons and husbands go even though they didn't want to. Shimizu also was the one to answer questions about plans, mainly due to his brief studying in the military academy. He was thinking otherwise in his head, but said what was expected to avoid conflict.

8. Saigo buried Kuri after his suicide and swung at the Americans after he had seen Kuri's pistol in the belt of another American soldier. He was subdued and treated. Lieutenant Ito was on a suicide mission to die with honor, but after realizing it was a lost cause, he dropped the mines and surrendered to American forces, who treated him as well. Saigo, after seeing what the two Americans had done to Shimizu and the other one, lost hope in trying to become friends with the American side. Ito, however, viewed the Americans as the enemy, but after some time alone in a field of bodies, he turned himself in.

9. I think that the bushido (warriors spirit) was most prevalent. Although the higher officers and General Kuri thought more carefully, most of the soldiers threw themselves into battle on a death mission.

10. The most striking part of this film to me was when Shimizu was given water by the American soldiers, Being told that the enemy is cowardly, the act of treating your enemy was the most powerful act of courage and humility.