Thread by @Xris32

Tonight, I fell down a little rabbit hole when preparing notes on Beatrice Garland’s poem ‘Kamikaze’. Part of the ceremony for the special attack units included the composition of death poems. Alongside a letter to family, the men would write poems. Death poems.

Of course, in translation they have lost there original form, but I couldn’t help but be impressed with the sense of beauty and lucidity.

Now, the death poem is a well established tradition in Japanese culture. They are:
typically graceful / natural / emotionally neutral / considered inappropriate to mention death / metaphorical mention of death / death linked nature - sunsets, autumn, falling cherry blossom

The more I read the death poems, the more I could see Kamikaze as having elements of a typical death poem. A newfound appreciation of Beatrice Garland’s poem.

Added to that, I think Garland could have easily used cherry blossom.

japantimes.co.jp/life/2012/03/2…

But this part leapt out at me:

I couldn’t not help be struck by the idea of searching for beauty in death. Making death beautiful.

A shift in perspective.

Then, there are the letters that the soldiers sent. What strikes me is how measured they are. There’s emotion tucked away but for the most they are quite neutral.

Do check out this website because there are lots of letters and death poems by special attack soldiers.

Lots refer to the men being cherry blossom and the emperor’s shield, which makes an interesting comparison with the imagery used in the poem.

I think it is interesting that the father is looking for beauty but hasn’t attained ‘beauty’. He is not worthy of the imagery associated with the collective consciousness.

Do also check out @mssfax ‘s blog for more on the poem. #

roundlearning.org/2017/01/29/kam…