An Admirable Character - Mizushima - Harp of Burma
...nions about certain subjects. During his travels in Burma, many times he wished to be one of the Burmese. The Burmese were the exact opposite of the Japanese, the country he was fighting for. Instead of compulsory military service like the Japanese, the Burmese forced their citizens to spend some of their years as a monk. Mizushima respected this lifestyle. He also respected the musicians, who were seen to be vagabonds, and did not have an acceptable occupation. Mizushima is also very simple in his views. He longed to wander around Burma, doing nothing but praying and playing his harp, his one love. Mizushima said, “Somehow, I like Burma,” when asked his opinion on the country, nothing else. He longed for the simple lifestyle of a monk, and disguised himself in a longyi when he went scouting. Perhaps the most admirable aspect of Mizushima was his peacefulness. He served in the Japanese army during World War II, but did not kill anyone. Instead he used his talents to scout for the army. Even in the toughest of situations, when threatened by a cannibal, and asked how many heads he has taken, Mizushima replied, “Never in a...