"少年団 Shōnendan" (Youth group), 1942 January 30

Date

1942 January 30

Summary

This kamishibai explains the importance of the new system of schools and youth groups to the young boys and girls who are to become a part of these new systems. It encourages them to work hard and dedicate themselves to the country so that Japan may win the war.

Archival processing title

"少年団 Shōnendan" (Youth group)

Creator/Contributor

Author

Nihon Kyōiku Kamishibai Kyōkai

Producer

Nihon Kyōiku Kamishibai Kyōkai

Artist

Nishi, Masayoshi

Transcription

Card 18
大日本靑少年團指導
少 年 団
繪画　西 正世志
製脚・作本　日本敎育紙芝居協會
(表紙の說明)
少年團(と讀みあげる)
國民學校 初等科三年以上の皆さんは 一人殘らず少年團員ですね。今日は、この少年團が生れたわけや、大切なわけを、紙芝居でお見せしませう。 皆さんの中で、兄さん姉さんかぶの人達は、國民學校になる前、
(ぬきながら)
こんなことのあつたのを 覺えてゐませう。

Card 1
試驗の時などに、いつも仲のよい友達で、
互ひにかくし合ひ、疑ひ合って、とてもいやでしたね。
運動會の時だってさうです。
力を合せて 助け合ふよりは、人に負けまい負りまいとして、
先頭の者が轉びでもすると、
かへって後の者が、得をするやうなことがありました。
つまり、むつかしい言葉で言へば、自由主義の世の中だつたのです。 ところがどうでせう。
(やゝ急にぬく)

Card 2
かういふ寫眞や話は、
皆さんも たくさん見たり、きいたりしてゐるでせう。自分を犧牲にして、人のために つくす。どんな時でも、カを合せる。
そして、体も心も、今までよりは 何咅も何倍も、きたへなければならない。
新しい日本ゝ新しい世の中が來たのです。
(ぬきながら)
かうして長い間の、小學校といふ名前が變って、新しい時代に 新しい學校、國民學校が生れました。

Card 3
本も變ります。
お勉强の仕方もかはってゆきます。
(ぬきながら)
殊に大事なのは

Card 4
科學する心。
產業にも戰爭にも、每日の生活の隅々にまでも 勤勞を愛し、新しいものを 生み出し、
研究 工夫を、積んで行かなければ、いけません。
(ぬきながら)
又、何をやるにも先づ大切な体、
(体、といふと同時に殘りを急にぬく)

Card 5
なめし革のやうに自由に、はがねのやうに强く、
かうして皆さんの心と体は，新しい日本人のいしずえとなって行くことでせう。
しかし、それだけが皆さんの なさねばならないことではありません。
(ぬきながら)

心をすまし、姿勢を正して
あらためて、この地圖を ごらんなさい。

Card 6
地球の三分の一を包む大東亞。
そして 全陸地よりも廣い 太平洋。
ここを舞臺に人類が生れて初めての、大きな正しい戰をくりひろげてゐる 私達の祖國日本。
今 血を流し、命を捧げ、それをやりとげてゐるのは、皆さんの父や兄や、又多くの先輩の大人です。 戰は必ず勝ちます。石にかぢりついても、勝たねばなりません。
しかし、このすばらしい時代に生れ、このすばらしい日本をやがて背負ふ皆さんは 國民學校で、ただよく學び、よく遊んでゐるだけでは、足りません。
充分覺悟して下さい。
(やゝ急にぬく)

Card 7
大東亞には十億の人間がゐます。
たくさんの國と人種もあります。
これを愛し、これを導びき、
共に榮える 中心の仕事を、しなりればならないのが、日本です。皆さんです。生やさしいことでは、 この仕事はできません。
第一にケチな心を捨てませう。
どんな家柄の人も、どんな職業につく人も、 どこに生れた人も、色の白い人も、黑い人も、やせた人も、太った人も、顎の とがった人も、 丸い人も、日本人は一億一心。
(急にぬく)

Card 8
鐵の團結、とどろく步調。
そして、先生や大人の號令でなくとも、 喜び勇んで 命令に服し，又 誰もが、 大隊長にも 中隊長にもなれる練習も必要です。
身につけなければならないことは 山程あります。
(やゝ急にぬく)

Card 9
大人になっても泳ぎの出來ないのや、
女だからと言って、自轉車にも乘れないやうな、そんなことではいけません。
(普通にぬく)

Card 10
テントもはれるし、御飯もたける。
地圖もよめるし、木にも登れる。
どんな苦しい生活にでも、決して負けない少年少女。
(ぬきながら)
かうして、いろいろのことを學び、 いろいろのことを經驗するばかりでなく。

Card 11
子供とは言っても、
皆さんは もう赤ん坊ではありません。
日本が、これほどの難儀にあひながら、每日幸福に育てられ、學ばされてゐる その感謝の氣持を、いろいろの勤勞奉仕に あらはして下さい。
(ぬきながら)
殊に 皆さんに一番ふさはしい、又 大事なことは、

Card 12
護國の英靈、或は 戰地の兵隊さんの遺家族や 留守宅を訪問し、 おなぐさめして上げることです。 皆さんで造った お野菜などを、上げるのもよいでせう。 仕事を手傳ふのも、よいでせう。或は歌をうたつたり、 芝居をやったりして、お目にかけるのもよいでせう。
(ぬきながら)
このやうに 國民學校で學ぶ外に、
日本の少年少女は、心を一つにかたく結び， 共に勵まし 共に みがいてゆくために

Card 13
昭和十六年の一月十六日、文部大臣を團長に、
大日本靑少年團が生れたのです。
本部は、東京の 明治神宮外苑にあります。
(ぬきながら)
かうして 今まで、バラバラだった種々の少年團が、大きな一つの少年團と、靑年團とも一緖になって、

Card 14
每月二十二日には、
全國一齊に 靑少年常會が 開かれてゐます。 部落や町目の分團單位に、 お宮でもよいし、どつかのお家でもよい、 みんなでいろいろのことを相談するのです。
(ぬきながら)
大東亞戰爭が勃發して、全國の青少年常會では、四つのことを誓ひました。

Card 15
(以下カ强く讀み上げる)
靑少年團戰時實踐指針
我等ハ必勝信念ヲ緊持ス
まだ一度も、負けたことのない日本だ。大東亞戰爭の勝利も必ず我等にある。 勝つことを信じ、勝つために頑張る。
我等ハ國土防衛二挺身ス
　 このたつとい國柄を、一センチでも、　
　　　　 敵に許して なるものか。
我等ハ職域奉公ニ邁進ス
子供は子供の仕事を守り、
出來るだけの 手傳ひをする。
我等ハ身心ヲ積極的ニ鍛錬ス
早起だ、かけ足だ、心も体も 汗を出せ。
(ぬきながし)
かうした誓ひをかためるために、去年の末の二十二日に、日本中から代表の靑少年が， 東京に集まりま した。

Card 16
聖恩旗の下、橋田團長の發聲で、天にもひびけと叫ぶ、天皇陛下萬歲!
その後、全國靑少年を代表して
天機を御奉伺申上げてから、明治神宮、靖國神社の參拜、市內行進、 又 全國靑少年を代表して、陸海軍省の訪問など力强い一日でした。
(間)
日本の少年少女諸君、起て。一齊に!
行け、戰ひに。
明日の日本、明日の東亞、
明日の世界は諸君のものだ。
(ぬきながら)
(團歌をうたふ)
(三番を歌ひ終る間に、すべてをぬき終る)
若き者　はがねときたえ　火ともゆる

Card 17
我等　大日本青少年団
ああ、まこと　つらぬくところ
かたく結びて結びて
いざ共に　荊の道　ひらきつゝ　興亞の使命　我等　遂げん。
(終)

Translation of transcription

Card 18
Empire of Japan Youth Group Instruction
Youth Group
Illustration: Masayoshi Nishi
Production and Script: Nihon Kyōiku Kamishibai Kyōkai (The Association of Japanese Educational Kamishibai)

(Explanation of cover)

NARRATOR
(Read out loud)
“Youth group.”
Everyone above the third grade in elementary school is in the Youth Group without exception, yes? Today, we will talk about why this youth group came to be, and its importance. Those of you here who are older may remember a time before we entered the current school system,

(Pulling the slide)

NARRATOR (continued)
When something like this would happen.

Card 1
NARRATOR (continued)
Whenever it was time to take a test, even friends who normally got along would hide their answers and be distrustful of one another. It was awful. The same thing happened during sports festivals. Instead of working together and helping each other, we only thought about not losing to others, and if the person in front fell, those behind him would benefit. To explain using difficult words, it was a world ruled by liberalism. But how about now?

(Pull slide rather quickly.)

Card 2
NARRATOR (continued)
Everyone here has seen many pictures and heard many stories like this. Sacrifice yourself to serve others. Cooperate with one another in any situation. And finally, strengthen your body and mind more than ever before.
A new age has arrived for Japan.

(Pulling the slide)

NARRATOR (continued)
In this way, the long-standing name shōgakkō, or elementary school, was renamed kokumin gakkō, or citizens’ school, and a new school for a new era was born.

Card 3
NARRATOR (continued)
Books have changed as well.
The way we study will change too.

(Pulling the slide)

NARRATOR (continued)
Most importantly,

Card 4
NARRATOR (continued)
The spirit of science.
For both industrial development and the war, we must love labor and create new things in every aspect of our lives, and accumulate research and ingenious solutions.

(Pulling the slide)

NARRATOR (continued)
And, in everything we do, our precious bodies

(At “bodies” pull the rest of the slide suddenly.)

Card 5
NARRATOR (continued)
Must be flexible as tanned leather and as strong as steel. In this way, everyone’s hearts and bodies will become the cornerstone of a new Japan.
However, these are not the only things you must do.

(Pulling the slide)

NARRATOR (continued)
Listen carefully with your heart, straighten your posture, and look once again at this map.

Card 6
NARRATOR (continued)
The Great East Asia covers a third of the earth.
The Pacific Ocean is larger than any land mass. On this stage, our fatherland unfolds the first great righteous war in the history of mankind.
Right now those who bleed and sacrifice themselves for this country are your fathers, brothers, and your many seniors. We will certainly win the war. We must win at any cost.
However, everyone here, who was born in this splendid era and who will eventually carry on their backs this splendid country, must do more than study hard and play hard.
You must be thoroughly resolute.

(Pull slide rather quickly.)

Card 7
NARRATOR (continued)
There are a billion people living in the great East Asia. There are many countries and races too. To love, and lead, and stand in the center for these countries to support one another, is our country’s responsibility. Everyone here, it is your responsibility. The job cannot be done easily.
First, you must abandon any narrowmindedness.
It does not matter what someone’s family’s social standing is, what kind of job someone has, where they were born, whether they have white skin or black skin, whether they are skinny or fat, whether their jaw is pointed or round. A hundred million Japanese are all one at heart.

(Pull the slide suddenly.)

Card 8
NARRATOR (continued)
Solidarity as strong as steel, and thundering footsteps. To be happy and high spirited when obeying orders even without being instructed by your teachers or other adults. Likewise, everyone must practice to become a battalion commander or a company commander.
There are countless things you must learn.

(Pull the slide rather quickly.)

Card 9
NARRATOR (continued)
If you are unable to swim even when you are an adult, or cannot ride a bicycle just because you are a woman, that is no good.

(Pull the slide.)

Card 10
NARRATOR (continued)
You must be able to put up a tent, and cook rice. You must be able to read a map, and climb a tree. No matter how hard life may get, you young men and women must never give up.

(Pulling the slide)

NARRATOR (continued)
In this way, you must learn and experience many things, but not only that,

Card 11
NARRATOR (continued)
Even though you are all children, you are no longer babies.
Even though Japan is undergoing such hardship, your days are filled with happiness and you are being allowed to learn. Show your gratitude through various kinds of labor service.

(Pulling the slide)

NARRATOR (continued)
Something that is especially suitable for you, as well as important,

Card 12
NARRATOR (continued)
Is to visit the spirits of the people who died defending the country, or the families of the soldiers who are fighting or who have died on the battlefield, and comfort them. Sharing with them the vegetables and other foods you grew may be a good idea. Helping them with their work is also good. Perhaps you may sing or put on a play for them.

(Pulling the slide)

NARRATOR (continued)
In this way, besides learning at the citizens’ elementary school, young Japanese boys and girls must bring their hearts together, encourage each other, and better each other.

Card 13
NARRATOR (continued)
Showa 16 (1883), January 16th, the Empire of Japan Youth Group was born, with the Minister of Education as its leader.
Its headquarters lie in the outer garden of the Meiji Shrine.

(Pulling the slide)

NARRATOR (continued)
Thus, the many scattered youth groups and young persons’ associations combined to become one big Youth Group.

Card 14
NARRATOR (continued)
Regular Youth Group meetings are being held simultaneously throughout the country. In every hamlet, and every city block, each branch will meet to discuss various things, whether it be at a shrine or someone’s house.

(Pulling the slide)

NARRATOR (continued)
When the Greater East Asian War broke out, all youth and young persons’ groups across the nation swore the following four things.

Card 15
NARRATOR (continued)
(Read the following with force)
Youth Group Wartime Guiding Praxis

First, we will hold firmly to our belief in certain victory.
Japan has not lost once yet. Victory in the Greater East Asian War is surely ours as well. Believe that we will win, and work hard towards that goal.

Second, we will volunteer to defend our country.
How could we allow the enemy to touch even a centimeter of this country’s precious national character.

Third, we will strive to dedicate ourselves to occupational service.
Children shall do what children must do, and help out as much as possible.

Fourth, we will actively work to train both our minds and bodies.
Whether it be getting up early, or running, both our minds and body should work up a sweat.

(Pulling the slide)

NARRATOR (continued)
In order to strengthen this resolution, last December 22nd, representatives from youth groups across the nation gathered in Tokyo.

Card 16
NARRATOR (continued)
Under the imperial flag, along with the delegation leader Hashida’s voice, everyone shouted “Banzai for the Emperor!” as loudly as if to reach the heavens.
After that, representing all youth groups across the nation, they expressed their wishes for the emperor’s well-being, visited the Meiji and Yasukuni Shrines, paraded through the city, and again representing the nation’s youth groups, visited the Imperial Army and Naval Base. It was a powerful day.
(A pause)
Young boys and girls of Japan, stand! Together!
Go, to fight.
Tomorrow’s Japan, East Asia, the world, is all yours.

(Pulling the slide)

NARRATOR (continued)
(Sing the Youth Group song)
(Before you finish the third verse, pull the slide completely)
Youth be strong as steel and burn like fire.

Card 17
NARRATOR (continued)
We, the Empire of Japan Youth Group,
Ah, to persist in the truth,
Strengthen your bonds,
And now, together, we tread the path of thorns, our mission of Asian development we shall carry out.

(The end)

Scope and contents

Nishi Masayoshi 西 正世志 (artist); Nihon Kyōiku Kamishibai Kyōkai 日本敎育紙芝居協會 (author, producer); Nihon Kyōiku Gageki Kabushiki Kaisha 日本教育画劇株式会社(publisher). Empire of Japan Youth Group Instruction 大日本靑少年團指導.

Language

Japanese

Script

Japanese (alias for Han + Hiragana + Katakana)

Genre/form

Prints

Collection information

Collection title

Kamishibai collection

Collection ID

2018C32.12417284

Collection abstract

Japanese illustrated paper play sheets, intended primarily for children and women at the homefront and dealing with World War II propaganda themes.

Rights

No known restrictions.

Holding repository

Hoover Institution Library & Archives

Preferred citation

"少年団 Shōnendan" (Youth group), 1942 January 30, Kamishibai collection, Hoover Institution Library & Archives, https://n2t.net/ark:/54723/h32c8v

Identifiers

Record ID

2018C32.00015

Permalink

https://n2t.net/ark:/54723/h32c8v

RefID

3597426445759b0a73a3a3c660bc8b80

EZID

ark:/54723/h32c8v

Digitization information

Imaging system

iXG 100MP, Phase One

Capture date

2020-11-11T14:35:13-08:00