“Himeyuri” in Portland
(Outline)
1) About documentary film “HIMEYURI”
Excerpts from the official website of documentary film “Himeyuri” http://www.himeyuri.info/himeyuri_english_top.html
This film documents the testimony of a group of World War II survivors, young women later known as the ‘Himeyuri Students’. They speak of their harrowing experiences and their friends who committed suicide in the Battle of Okinawa.
Remote islands at Japan’s southernmost extreme, Okinawa was the battleground in fighting between U.S. and Japanese forces during the last months of World War II. More than 120,000 Okinawans lost their lives in these battles, many of the Himeyuri Students among them.
222 girls between the ages of 15 and 19 were mobilized to the front to act as nursing aides, without any prior training. The hospital where they worked, situated on a battlefield with shells flying overhead, had no Red Cross flag for protection.
In the end, surrounded by U.S. forces, the students were dismissed by the Japanese military. Many of these students were killed in the war, not only in battle but also by their own hand, refusing to be taken prisoner. In total, 123 girls lost their lives.
Depicted in numerous novels and movies, the Himeyuri Students are well-known in Japan for their devotion and for the sacrifice they gave with their lives. The survivors themselves, however, until recently found it too painful to talk about their experiences. Earlier works based on second-hand accounts have thus tended to stereotype the tragedy.
The perspectives in this film are different. Director Shohei SHIBATA spent 13 years recording testimonial accounts from 22 survivors among the Himeyuri Students.
2) Who we are
We’re a loose-knit group of individuals interested in promoting peace and encouraging cultural exchanges between Japan and America. “Himeyuri in Portland” is our project to introduce the history of Japan and Okinawa at the end of WWII. We hope this project will serve to remind us of the value of peace, which may be forgotten in the absence of war.
3) Intended audience
People interested in Japanese culture, women’s studies, or WWII.
4) Target date
June, July or August 2009
5) Getting volunteers and sponsors
We’ll ask for sponsorship from:
1. Japan-America Society of Oregon (JASO)
2. Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center
3. Shokokai of Portland
6) Expected costs
1. Leasing the movie: 100,000 yen (approximately $1,000) for the first showing and for each additional showing 50,000 yen (approximately $500). Showings on different days will cost an additional 100,000 yen per day.
2. Cost of the venue and equipment
Yet to be determined.
3. Printing costs (Posters and fliers)
Yet to be determined.
6) Related events
There may be the opportunity for related events such as cultural demonstrations, scholarly lectures, and community discussions focusing on Okinawan culture, Japanese history, peace issues, women’s roles, and Japanese-American relations. We welcome the involvement of interested parties and are willing to help in the coordination of any related events.
“Himeyuri” in Portland
Maiko Sugai
ｍs0421 at hotmail.co.jp