As I spoke, in the house in which we have lodged, was noisy, and the father has made decision to construct the house on more, and far away from a highway.
In seven months we have celebrated house warming, and on first of April at me new life has begun. I have gone to the first class. My pleasure was not a limit. I exulted. The desire to study was huge. And here, on the end I at school. In a class was fifty pupils, from them twelve girls. From the sixth class us have divided. Under laws of that time till twenty years it was forbidden to meet girls, to take alcohol, it was forbidden to smoke. Only work and study. The first period has finished well, only is «not satisfactory» on arithmetics. Has brought the sheet on progress for the signature to the father. He has looked an amazed look and has told: «That it for marks, best our boy? So you can remain in the first class for the second year. A shame»!
It is necessary to tell that it never beat me and did not abuse.
During this first period of study nobody supervised me, and full independence has been given me. After conversation with the father I have reflected and have laid down the aim till the end of an academic year to learn arifmetics and to receive a mark not below eight-ten five points on hundred ball scale.
Teachers at school all were Japanese, and all of us have quickly learnt to write and talk on Japaneze. To pupils was not neither what pity, nor what indulgence. That has deserved, receive. «Make always that is necessary, instead of that would be desirable»! We then only sang military and mid-flight songs-kunka. Any fashionable, modern popular songs.
Running forward, I want to tell that already at mature age, communicating with Koreans, we have unanimously come to a conclusion that for thirty five years that Japan operated Korea, have not passed for nothing for Koreans. Japanese have imparted to our people discipline, accuracy, punctuality and other business qualities.
I have finished the first class without three. Has been awarded for good behaviour, for absence of admissions of employment, and delay on lessons.
With parents and relatives
In the second class I began to study is better. Has occurred especial nothing, and I have passed in the third class.
From the beginning of academic year with us the class teacher in that the Sensei began to be engaged. To it was about forty five years. Very strict. For disobedience, for bad study, yes if who that came to a class not washed or with a dirty under collar on jacket all were waited by punishment.
From-for one sloven punished all. We laid down the left hand a palm up. It passed on numbers and beat плеткой once. Happened very painfully. We did not love it for cruelty.
On seventh of June has begun Japanese-Chinese war. Japanese have planned it for a long time. In 1900 Japan has acquired the right to hold in Beijing for protection of embassy a contingent of armies in number of seven thousand persons. On the night of June, seventh Japanese have begun maneuvers and declared that the Japanese soldier has disappeared. Ostensibly he was killed by China.
This war Japanese named the Chinese event of Si On Zi Hen as the emperor war did not declare.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs Tsu Oka in iridescent tones has explained to the world the reason of events.
«China and Japan two brothers who have inherited the big house under the name East Asia. The malicious destiny has thrown them in a poverty chasm. The big brother has appeared the idler and a fool, and younger lean, but with firm character and ambitious. Indefatigably dreaming what to return glory to the old house. It traded in newspapers in the street, worked much what to contain the house. The senior wasted savings younger and betrayed to its general enemy. Younger has blazed with anger and has given a dressing-down to the senior. Trying to hammer into it sense of shame and to clear pride of noble traditions of the Great house. After many skirmishes the younger brother at last was going to enter solving fight and here this fight now and occurs in Northern China and on the Shanghai front».
At school as have explained that this war not aggressive, and is conducted not to admit West intervention on purpose. And in the further establishment of world peace. In the head of the government there was a prime minister-minister Konoe This With, the governor in Korea Min Miso Doku. Those years it often broadcast.
In the middle of July already young Japanese have started to leave on front. We saw off them, waving small tags of Hi But Maru Hada. Sang military songs kunka.
Slogans, posters said that Japan, Korea, Manchzhuriya-the uniform country, the uniform nation, uniform spirit, a uniform body. The Korean conversation it is possible to hear only houses. Birth certificates and other documents only on the Japanese. A surname, a name at Koreans from three letters, at Japanese from four. Thus, I became Ahimura Hideo. I any more Men No Dzhen.
After Russian-Japanese war Korea was under protectorate of Japan. In 1907 has been dismissed Korean to armies, in 1910 Japan annexed Korea. For thirty five years of a Japanese yoke attempts to expel Japanese were some times undertaken. But struggle for independence came to an end with defeat.
August, eighth, 1937 in Beijing grandiose parade of Japanese armies has taken place. And on thirteenth of December Nanking, Shanghai, Kantan have fallen. At falling of big cities solemn torch processions till midnight in which we children took part with the great pleasure were by all means spent.
When grammar-school boys, schoolboys in the form, in a system, it is impossible to distinguish, who you the Korean or the Japanese.
From the third class I began to study on excellent. My drawing hung at the school stand, and compositions were printed in the collection of school messages.
Japanese teachers all were strict and exacting. As now I remember their surnames: It is given To Tsineo the sensei, Pani the sensei Grazed, Jamagutchi the sensei.
At school very much the great attention was given to sports preparation, Games were arranged. Often us drove in backpackings.
Besides school I visited church. I want to tell some words about religion in our family. Mum was buddhist, the father and the big brother did not belong to any religion. They were followers Konfuciy. And mum drove me in Christian church. Should tell that church spiritual education has played the big positive role in my life.
As I spoke, at me never was money, and I envied children who played games with coins. Once I have unlocked fathers the safe and took from it one rouble. It would suffice me for a long time. Has gone out of doors. Whence do not undertake, the cloud has flown. Also the thunder was distributed. I have thought that it is God have seen my offence and have become angry. Has headlong run home and has put money back. Has sworn to itself that such more never will repeat.
In August, 1938 by radio have transferred about danger which proceeds from the USSR. About events on lake Hasan. As though incident was imposed by Russian. Losses of Japanese not the considerable.
Then there was a collision on Halkin Goal. In this incident the Japanese army has suffered shattering defeat. Losses huge, it is killed fifty five thousand soldiers.
After the fifth class us carry on excursion to Seoul. Though I also happened there earlier to parents, but with schoolmates is more cheerful. From-for wars the trip to Tokyo is cancelled, and we go to capital of Korea.
The city is beautiful, especially in the evening. All on fires. Products and a delicacy a large quantity. Everything that is in the world, here is.
High school student 1944
We sing a song:
In twilight the prospectus Dzhong Lo,
Decline red,
The sun is sad.
Tenderly