Dear List Members,
     The following book may be useful to writers on the FFML.

Samurai by Saburo Sakai with Martin Caidin and Fred Saito.

Saburo Sakai was Japan's leading fighter ace during WWII with sixty four 
confirmed kills. I believe this book will be of interest as if gives a first 
hand account of life in an impoverished samurai family in pre-war Japan. IMO 
this first hand account from one of Japans greatest warriors of home life, 
courtship and marriage, military training and combat, gives an insight into 
Japanese life that makes clear some more obscure parts of Amine/Manga. It 
will also, IMO, be helpful to writers in crafting believable stories, 
situations and characters.  I have exerpted the following passages for 
informational purposes:
 From the Bantam edition/May 1978
ISBN: 0-553-11035-7

Saburo Saki " . . .was a school dropout, juvenile delinquent, and family 
disgrace . . ."


     Concerning Samurai upbringing:

"My own ancestors were members of the Japanese forces which in 1592 invaded 
Korea from Saga. . . .The nineteenth century abolition of the caste system 
proved a crushing blow to the proud Samurai people . . .most of the Samurai 
became destitute, struggling to eke out a living through the most menial 
labor. . .The task of tilling the one-acre household farm near Saga City fell 
heavily on the shoulders of my mother . . .a woman steadfastly at work, my 
youngest sister strapped to her back . . .toiling under brutal conditions . . 
.one of the bravest women I have ever
known, a typical Samurai, proud, stern, but not without a warm heart when the 
occasion demanded.

     "I sometimes returned home from school, whimpering after having been 
thoroughly beaten by older and larger schoolboys. She had no sympathy for my 
tears, only scowls, and admonishing words. 'Shame on you,' was her favorite 
retort. 'Do not forget that you are the son of a Samurai, that tears are not 
for you.'


     Training in the Navy:

     
     "On May 31, 1933, I enlisted as a sixteen-year-old Seaman Recruit . . . 
.harshness of the discipline . . .petty officers . . .severest beatings . . 
.I was dragged physically from my cot by a petty officer.

     'Stand to the wall! Bend down, Recruit Sakai!' he would roar. 'I ma 
doing this . . .because I like you and want to make you a good seaman. BEND 
DOWN!'

     And with that he would swing a large stick of wood . . .at times I 
counted up to forty crashing impacts . . .often I fainted . . .no escape . . 
.petty officer simply hurled a bucket of cold water . . .bellowed for me to 
resume position, whereupon he continued his 'discipline'. . . .



     As a prospective fianc�:

     "A visit from the family! It was an honor indeed . . .

     'Pilot Saki! Get a move on! Your fiancee is downstairs waiting to see 
you!'

     Everyone laughed and cheered as I reddened and hurried out. .  .

      . . .it was obvious----to them, Fujiko, and myself----that I was being 
studied and examined as their daughters potential groom.



          End of the war:

     "Before I left for Nagoya, Hatsuyo had made me promise to purchase for 
her a small dagger . . .famous for its outstanding swords and daggers . . .my 
wife insisted upon a blade . . .

     Upon my return Hatsuyo silently inspected the gleaming length of steel . 
. .
     'Saburo, it is not sharp enough.' She looked at me. 'Tomorrow, at 
Oppama, will you hone the steel to a fine edge?'

     ' . . .What on earth do you want a dagger for, anyway?'

     'You are my life, Saburo,' she said quietly, 'All that matters in this 
world is you. There is only one thing for me to do if you are killed.'"


End