I think I shall leave the post untitled because I’m not exactly sure what would be best for it.
I was just reminded of how much Ayako-sama’s 「patch of blue sky」 means to me when I turned it on in Winamp. To date I would say that it has already surpassed the magic that was 「THANATOS」 (Neon Genesis Evangelion; instrumental), or 「知らない空」 (Chobits or Rie-sama, depending on your view; vocal).
But that might not be an entirely accurate expression. After all, all 3 pieces would broadly correspond to three phases of my life (albeit somewhat arbitrary in their boundaries). I can no more write the previous two off just because 「patch of blue sky」 is what represents me now.
On another note, it has begun to dawn on me that the responsibilities of one acquainted with history are burdensome, to say the least. When people question me about the Pacific War I often have no idea how to respond. Should I defend, or vilify the countrymen of mine who have done the other nations of East Asia such great injustice? How will I account for it to my current countrymen (many of whom know little of the issue) or to my descendants? How would my biological ancestors respond? How about my spiritual ones? With what views or beliefs should I go on? Unlike those who fired those questions at me, I have been to the much-cursed Yasukuni Shrine - and if it is one thing I am certain of, that is I will not allow the peoples of East Asia to show disrespect to the millions of honorable men (and women) who have perished for the motherland under conditions that even victims of wartime atrocities in Southeast Asia cannot comprehend. For in that shrine lies testament not only to the mistakes, but also the spirit, and sacrifice displayed by my forebears, though the ’cause’ for which they fought was unmistakably a misled and meaningless one.
I will not offer any apologies for the Shrine and what it stands for. But atrocities are another thing, and I would behoove all the PRCs not to forget what their own Communist government has done to its OWN people.