In the beginning they were frightened not knowing what kind of people Americans were. By and by, however, they came to find out that the American soldiers were very nice people -- cheerful, friendly, magnanimous, and kind to small children. They were childlike themselves. They ate and whistled in the street -- especially at pretty girls -- and loved to sit on railings. I often saw them sitting on the railings of the bridge in front of the station or on the wicket at the entrance to the platform while waiting for the train. They looked like birds perched on a boar. Such kinds of behavior were considered ill-mannered among Japanese, but with those care-free soldiers, it looked very natural.
What struck the Japanese as a characteristic of Americans was that all of them without exception carried a picture of his wife or sweetheart. After a few minutes of acquaintance they would take out their pictures and cherishingly showed them around. In the train, at a souvenir shop, or in a private home, Japanese people were shown pictures of many American women.
"They must be longing for home very badly," townspeople said remembering our unrepatriated soldiers abroad.
On the other hand, Americans were surprised to find no trace of resentment or malice on the part of the natives.
"We were prepared to meet some violence or at least resistance and we were quite surprised because Japanese people are so peaceful and hospitable to us," one of them remarked.
Japanese are a peace-loving people, but their attachment to the Emperor was so strong that they did anything they were ordered to do in his name. They fought desperately because they were told that it was for his sake and they threw away their arms when the Emperor told them to do so. They had not felt particular enmity against Americans, and it was through elaborate propaganda that they came to hate America.
Japanese are an emotional people. They do not do much reasoning. Everything for the Emperor! This attitude is seen in a smaller scale in their daily life. They pay particular attention to their own family or personal friends and less consideration to strangers. When getting on a train they would push others away and occupy seats for their companions. They don't care if a woman with heavy baggage is standing in front of them. Indeed, loyalty and filial piety have been our two outstanding virtues. Just as our language is written lengthways, so did we pay attention only to vertical order of society without looking sideways at our fellow human beings.
As it was with a sense of relief that we were shaken out of our long nightmarish dream, it was not surprising that people generally showed no enmity or resentment against the Americans when they knew that they did no harm to innocent people. At the same time, they realized that it was the best opportunity for them to make money.
Souvenir shops appeared
like bamboo shoots after a rain. A widow I knew kept a small
fancy goods store and was very pessimistic when the coming of
the troops was announced. She thought of retiring into their
native village. However, when I dropped in to see her after a
month or so, she told me excitedly about the money she made during
one month.
"Souvenir Shop" sign was pasted on the window pane and such commodities as fans, silk handkerchiefs, and what not were displayed in the front row. Two or three bright colored kimonos also were hanging on the wall.
"I have sold my wedding kimono," she said, "but I was told that I sold it at a loss. I sold it at only 300 yen, very cheap for a kimono like that."
"These kimonos are on commission sale," she pointed to the hanging kimonos. "Evacuees from cities are selling their kimono to buy food."
One of the repercussions of the coming of the troops showed itself in rising prices. Five hundred yen for a second-hand kimono! We marvelled. But it was only the beginning.
There were at least seven souvenir shops in that small town and all of them prospered. The favorite article with the soldiers were lacquer wares, china, and kimono. And what surprised the people was the taste of the soldiers in choosing a kimono. Most of them preferred a red one or one with shockingly bright colors. A somber colored kimono of refined taste had difficulties in finding a customer. "They don't appreciate our refined taste," was the shopkeepers' unanimous opinion.
In Japan, a somber colored kimono is considered of finer taste: red is only for very young girls, and purple is very popular. Older woman wear grey, dark blue, brown or black. There is a story about a kimono contest held in the Tokugawa Era. There were many women in gay colors but a woman in black was chosen the winner of the contest. At some distance, her kimono looked just black with no designs on it, but people who came closer were surprised to find how exquisite her kimono was. On the black texture were some small designs of flowers and pearls were inlaid on them.
As it was, shopkeepers were naturally amazed when a soldier customer came in and chose a bright red kimono for "My girl" or even for "My mother".
Another thing the soldiers liked very much to take back home was a Japanese sword. "Where can I get a Japanese sword?" was the question I was asked dozens of times. But the problem was solved when Japanese swords were given to all the men.
