Notes from a suicide manual

The Guardian ^ | Thursday August 22, 2002 | Albert Axell

[forsnax5]

The introduction of Japanese kamikaze pilots was one of the most dramatic developments of the second world war. But what motivated these young men to fly their fatal missions? There are some clues in the manual they carried in their cockpits for inspiration, and which is now published in English for the first time. Here are some extracts.

[forsnax5]

This is a bit creepy, but interesting. Here's a sample paragraph:

At the very moment of impact: do your best. Every deity and the spirits of your dead comrades are watching you intently. Just before the collision it is essential that you do not shut your eyes for a moment so as not to miss the target. Many have crashed into the targets with wide-open eyes. They will tell you what fun they had.

[Vidalia]

The Anarchists and Street Creeps must have had this for a long time, but they never intend to die (dammit), just destroy property and irritate the hell out of those who contribute to society...

[tet68]

"Today in flower, tomorrow scattered by the wind.
Such is our blossom life.
How can we think it's fragrance lasts forever."

Cherry Blossom Poem.

[IronJack]

The Palestinians have translated it. I understand it's a best seller in the Occupied West Bank.

[apackof2]

"We need to invade their countries,
kill their leaders,
AND convert them to Christianity"
A. Coulter

[Rockyrich]

In any event, only delightful memories come back to you. You cannot see your own face at that moment. But because of a succession of pleasant memories flashing through your mind, you feel that you smiled at the last moment. You may nod then, or wonder what happened. You may even hear a final sound like the breaking of crystal. Then you are no more.

There will be plenty more - forever!! And on the other side of their last breath, they'll be in a horror too terrible to describe - John Hagee's "Seven Wonders of the World."

[bandleader]

It should be noted that these guys were not experienced pilots!They had only "soloed"a couple of times(if that)!!That's why some of the instructions sound like rudimentary flying instructions!!!That's exactly what they are.The US Navy and Marines had decimated their experienced pilots especially during the Marianas campaign of 1944.One decisive air-battle came to be known as:"The Marianas Turkey-Shoot".That action alone cost the Japanese over 300 pilots!!!!!

[altair]

Breathe deeply three times. Say in your mind: "Yah" (field), "Kyu" (ball), "Joh" (all right) as you breathe deeply.

Fascinating. Yakyuu is the modern word for baseball, and yakyuujou is the modern word for baseball park.