Haiku Travelogue (1)

 Haiku Travelogue 

“80 years after World War II”

 (1) 

by Hidenori Hiruta

 

Preface

 

I was born on January 23, 1942. I was three years old when World War II ended. Since then, I have personally been concerned that traditional Japanese culture might be lost. In order to preserve Japanese culture, I believe it is important to introduce various cultures to people overseas and make them familiar with them. To achieve this, I believe it is necessary to disseminate information about various cultures in English.

　In 1969, I realized that English skills were essential, so I began studying English conversation at Akita English Conversation School after working at senior high school as an English teacher.

In 1972, fortunately I had an opportunity to join the 6^th Japanese Youth Goodwill Cruise as a language assistant. I visited the Philippines, Indonesia, Australia, and New Zealand, helping to facilitate exchanges between young people in Japan and those overseas. Through various training sessions and activities, I was delighted to see young people overseas show an interest in Japanese culture, including calligraphy, tea ceremony, origami, Japanese dance, Noh, and Kabuki.

In this travelogue, I would like to talk about the things that surprised and pleased me at the ports of call as well as the post-voyage activities, with my Japanese and English haiku accompanied.

 

The 6th Japanese Youth Goodwill Cruise

 

 

On October 16, 1972, under clear autumn skies, the 6th Japanese Youth Goodwill Cruise departed Tokyo Port for its first port of call, Cebu City, Philippines, with many people seeing it off and carrying the joy of a journey.

313 young people selected from across Japan and 39 invited guests from the four countries they visited - the Philippines, Indonesia, Australia, and New Zealand - were on board.

Through various learning and club activities on board, disciplined group life, and friendly activities and various inspections at ports of call, they broadened their international perspectives and had the opportunity to reflect on themselves and their homelands.

On December 14, the Japanese youth Goodwill Cruise completed its meaningful 60-day voyage under the unifying theme of "Seeking mutual understanding and development among the peoples of the Pacific" and with the motto of "Building a bridge of friendship with these hands," and returned to Tokyo Port, where the morning sun was shining beautifully.

 

The Route Map

 

 

Cebu (The Philippines)

 

10月21日～10月23日

 

Sad News

On October 22, I stayed home at a person working for an agency affiliated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The next morning, there was a newspaper on the table in my room. It carried shocking news. The headline read, "Gunfight with a Japanese Soldier on Lubang Island." It was sad news. The news reported that on October 19, a Japanese soldier on Lubang Island had been shot in the shoulder during a gunfight with the Philippine Constabulary, causing him to drop his Type 38 rifle, and then shot again in the chest, killing him.

 

まだ戦ルバング島の日本兵

mada ikusa  rubangutō no  nihonhei

 

Still fighting

in Lubang Island

a Japanese soldier

 

    It was later discovered that 27 years after the end of the war, he was the last Japanese soldier killed in action, shot by a bullet on Lubang Island. He had been hiding in the jungles of Lubang Island with Second Lieutenant Hiroo Onoda. His tragic death occurred one and a half years before Onoda returned to Japan in 1974. The Japanese soldier in question was Private First Class Kinshichi Kozuka.

 

Jakarta (Indonesia)

 

10月28日～10月31日

 

A Comment by an Indonesian Youth

 

After leaving Cebu City, an Indonesian member of our group gave the following comment:

“At the port of call in Cebu, young Japanese people were giving souvenirs to people who asked for them, but they should stop giving in this way. As an equal relationship between people, they should not just give unilaterally, but should at least exchange for something. Furthermore, I would like them to be taught that they can earn things by working.”

 

Interacting with Indonesian Youth in 1982

 

In August 1982, two young men visited Akita City from Jakarta. They stayed at my house and we held a welcome party for them.

 

 

The next day, my father's friend, Mr. Haruo Sekiya, invited us to Sekiya Lodge and Kainosawa Hot Spring, where we deepened our friendship through interactions.

                                         

山荘の青葉の部屋に客迎ふ

sansō no  aoba no heya ni  kyaku mukau

Indonesian youth!

Hearty welcome to

the green lodge!

 

  

 

浴衣がけ絆の杭を打ちにけり

yukata gake  kizuna no kui o uchi ni keri

 

Bonds

born in yukata

on the summit

  

ジャカルタの友を迎える青葉風

jakaruta no  tomo o mukaerui  aoba-kaze

 

Old and young

planting a seedling of

friendship

 

 

Melbourne to Sydney (Australia)

 

11月10日～11月18日

 

 

 

Arthur’s Stone

 

On November 12, my host family showed us around the Melbourne countryside. Along the road, there was a statue of a great man, and in front of it was a large stone. "It's Arthur's Seat, so you can't sit on the stone," my host family said. I still remember these words clearly.

Now, in 2025, I searched for Arthur's Seat in Melbourne on a website and found a tourist spot called "Arthurs Seat" 55 miles (about 85 km) from Melbourne. I also found a panoramic photo of it.

According to Wikipedia, Arthurs Seat is a mountainous and small locality

on the Mornington Peninsula in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, about 85 km south east of Melbourne's Central Business District. 

 Arthurs Seat is noted for its exclusivity and the general affluence of the

demographics which make up the enclave. The Aboriginal Boonwurrung name for the hill is Wonga. It is a major tourist destination, with stately homes, and due to its natural bushland, sweeping views and man-made attractions. The hill rises to 314 m (1,030 ft) above sea level.

 

 　　　　　　　　　

初夏の空アーサーの石遥かなり

shoka no sora  āsā no ishi  haruka nari

 

Early summer sky

Arthur’s large stone

far away

 

Revisiting Australia in 2002

 

７月31日～8月９日

 

The Gold Coast

 

I stayed in the Gold Coast, a city in the southeast of Queensland, and focused on the natural environment, education, and social welfare, visiting nature parks, a zoo, a school, welfare facilities, etc. I also gained a deeper understanding of resort facilities and condominiums.

 

CURRUMBIN Wildlife SANCTUARY

  

 

コアラ抱く初体験の緊張裡

koara daku  hatsu-taiken no  kinchō -ri

 

First experience –

holding a koala

with tension

 

Home Party

 Wellington to Auckland (New Zealand)

 

 

11月22日～11月29日

 

 

Overland Travel

 

11月25日～11月27日

Wellington → Napier → Rotorua → Auckland

 

Southern Cross

 

 

ロトルアの夏の夜空に十字星

rotorua no  natsu no yozora ni  jūjisei

 

Southern Cross

in summer night sky

of Rotorua

 

Pōkarekare Ana

 

"Pōkarekare Ana" is a traditional New Zealand love song, probably communally composed about the time World War I began in 1914. The song is written in Māori and has been translated into English. It enjoys widespread popularity in New Zealand as well as some popularity in other countries. The song is said to have been composed by soldiers from Northland at the beginning of World War I.

 

Pōkarekare ana
ngā wai o Waiapu,
Whiti atu koe hine
marino ana e.

 

E hine e
hoki mai ra.
Ka mate ahau
I te aroha e.

 

Tuhituhi taku reta
tuku atu taku rīngi,
Kia kite tō iwi
raru raru ana e.

 

Whatiwhati taku pene
ka pau aku pepa,
Ko taku aroha
mau tonu ana e.

 

E kore te aroha
e maroke i te rā,
Mākūkū tonu i
aku roimata e.

 

 

They are agitated
the waters of Waiapu,
If you cross over girl
they will be calm.

 

Oh girl
return to me,
I could die
of love for you.

 

I've written my letter
I've sent my ring,
so that your people can see I'm troubled.

 

My pen is shattered,
I have no more paper
But my love
is still steadfast.

 

Never will my love
be dried by the sun,
It will be moistened
by my tears.

 

 

ワイアプの海は荒れている

もしあなたが渡れば

静まるでしょう。

 

ああ、お嬢さん

私のところに戻ってきて

私は死んでもいい

あなたへの愛で

 

手紙を書きました

指輪を送りました

私が困っていることをあなたの民に知ってもらうためです

 

ペンは粉々に砕け散り、

紙ももうない。

でも、私の愛は

今も揺るぎない。

 

私の愛は

太陽に乾くことはなく

私の涙によって

潤されるでしょう。

 

 

折折にマオリの歌を口ずさむ

oroori ni  maori no uta o  kuchizusamu

 

Humming
Māori　song

from time to time

 

Hidenori Hiruta

Akita International Haiku Network

蛭田　秀法

秋田国際俳句ネットワーク