The sensitivity of the Chinese to the events of the 1940s involving Japan comes up surprisingly often in conversation, and in the media. Even on a walk around the Tsinghua campus with a friend and one of her research students, the young student made the observation given in this haiku.
The comment was not made as a historical observation, but rather as if something very recent had been described, with a feeling of some substance.
In Europe, the events of the second World War are seen as being the conflicts of our great-grandfathers, from which we must learn, but which are as remote to modern life as horse-drawn carriages. In China, it is not this way.
The image shows the old lecture theatres at the centre of the campus, which is where the bodies of the Chinese soldiers were lain, according to the student. There is just teaching taking place, these days.
On Armistice Day (yesterday, at the time of writing), our college service had the reading "we will remember them". Nowhere else is this more true than in China.
Can't believe you put your JOB before providing content for us readers... I'm very disappointed in you, Hobbes.
On a serious note, I wish you good luck with your job. Hope you can find some time for you to write some content for us (hungry) readers to consume, but I'll be satisfied with the Wednesday morning haikus until then.
5 comments:
The sensitivity of the Chinese to the events of the 1940s involving Japan comes up surprisingly often in conversation, and in the media. Even on a walk around the Tsinghua campus with a friend and one of her research students, the young student made the observation given in this haiku.
The comment was not made as a historical observation, but rather as if something very recent had been described, with a feeling of some substance.
In Europe, the events of the second World War are seen as being the conflicts of our great-grandfathers, from which we must learn, but which are as remote to modern life as horse-drawn carriages. In China, it is not this way.
The image shows the old lecture theatres at the centre of the campus, which is where the bodies of the Chinese soldiers were lain, according to the student. There is just teaching taking place, these days.
On Armistice Day (yesterday, at the time of writing), our college service had the reading "we will remember them". Nowhere else is this more true than in China.
Toodlepip,
Hobbes
Love haikus like this, just a simple statement that might come up anytime.
Are you planning on posting a review this week? I've been missing that the past few Friday mornings.
Dear Jake,
Thank you for the comment, and for asking! I am praying for some time to write, but the start of term is not a gentle beast. :)
With best wishes,
Hobbes
Can't believe you put your JOB before providing content for us readers... I'm very disappointed in you, Hobbes.
On a serious note, I wish you good luck with your job. Hope you can find some time for you to write some content for us (hungry) readers to consume, but I'll be satisfied with the Wednesday morning haikus until then.
You have a very nice blog. I wish you the best.
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