A Violin Transcends the Stupidity of War

June 11, 2016, 1:17 AM · Greetings,
this is a lousy translation of a chapter from a book called `Totto-Chan, the girl who stared out the window.` For me,it is a powerful reminder of how the violin and music in general can, irrespective of our race, religion or upbringing, transcend and ridicule humankind`s ridiculuous propensity for violence.
It is the true story of Totto chan, a six year old Japanese girl whose unquenchable energy and single minded curiosity resulted in her being kicked out of various schools and sent to a unique and wonderful `school` where students were allowed to grow at their own pace with the support of many fascinating lessons. For example, the headmaster was, I think, the first person to use the Delacroix (?) rythm and movement music education classes in Japan.

VIOLIN
Suddenly the war`s fearful shape began to to be seen Totto chan`s daily life. Everyday, next door and neighbouring uncles and elder brothers, brandishing the Japanese flag and cheered on to the shout of `Banzai, Banzai.` were no longer there. Little by little, food disappeared from the shops. Tomoe Elementary School`s rule that the students` packed lunch must include `something from the mountains,` and `something from the sea,` became harder and harder to follow. To do this, the mothers resorted to the desparate measure of putting some seaweed and an umeboshi (Japanese dried apricot) in their child`s lunchbox. However, little by little, this too became extremely difficult. Everything became rationed. As for candy, you couldn`t see it anywhere.
One station before Totto chan`s home stop, at the bottm of the stairs there was a machine you could put money in and caramel came out. Above this machine was a picture of the most delicious looking caramel. A small box was five cents and a longer one was ten. However, for a long time this machine had had no caramel in it. No matter how many times you put money in and bashed it, nothing would come out. However, Totto chan was more stubborn than most people. `If there just happens to be one last box left in there, won`t it come out? Probably it is somehow jammed in there!` With this in mind, Totto chan went to the machine and tried to get caramel everyday. However, her five cents always just went `kajin!` and came back.
At that time, her father got a telephone call. It was from the Army Supplies Factory,` which made weapons and other things used in the war. If Papa were to come to the factory and play war songs on the violin, on going back he would be presented with rice, sweetened bean paste jelly etc. Was the supposedly welcome news. At that time her Papa was an officially ranked `excellent musician,`and very famous violinist. `Because of this he could get many invitations that would result in him receiving `presents.` The voice on the phone informed him.
`What will you do? Go?` Her mother asked Papa.
Certainly, the number of concerts was decreasing. For one, the number of people going to the front was increasing. Orchestra members were not getting together. Most NHK broadcasts were simple concerned with war news. Papa`s line of work, concerts, had become few and far between. Thus this offer would seem to be a godsend. However, after thinking about Mama`s question for a while Papa answered:
`My violin doesn`t want to play war music.`
`That`s right. You are going to pass, right? As far as food is concerned , I will muddle through somehow.` Mama said.
Papa was well aware not only that he was not providing his daughter with decent food, but also that everyday she went to desperately put money in the caramel machine. He knew that if he went and played war songs his family could have some enjoyment, and that finally he could ensure Totto chan`s stomach was satisfied. However, more than this, his music was the most important thing. Mama understood this, too. She never even murmured
`Just go and play a little....`
Papa apologized with great sadness to his daughter. Totto chan still didn`t understand art, ideology,
principles and so on. Furthermore, work was something she didn`t really understand either. However, that Papa really loved the violin and because of this he was disowned by his distant family and relatives thereby enduring real hardship but absolutely refusing to give in, Totto understood very well. As such, she sincerely believed that her Papa was right not to play such music. So, Totto chan would skip around her father cheerfully crying `it`s nothing, it`s nothing! I too love Papa`s violin.`
However, the next day she would go back to the caramel machine and peer into its mouth. Without fail, nothing would ever come out.....

Cheers,
Buri