Chūkon no uta
By: Nihon Kōdō Kakai teikyō ; Kokumin Gageki Kenkyūkai kyakushoku narabini sakuga
Publisher: Gageki Hōkokusha
Published: 1942
Place of publication: Tōkyō-shi
Language: jpn
Number of pages: 20
Subjects: Kamishibai plays; Loyalty; Juvenile drama; World War, 1939-1945
Other titles: Gekiga, chūkon no uta
Description: A sergeant who had suffered from serious injury on the battlefield was sent to a hospital back in Japan. He was hospitalized for 2 years, losing one leg followed by a major abdominal surgery, but the wounds did not heal well. A nurse recommended that he should try creating waka to cheer his spirits. However, his condition became worse. When Hospital Chief Commander visited his bedside, someone suggested that he should recite his poem, but he couldn't finish his short poem and died. It said "Half my body is already dedicated to the Emperor, but I still have the other half [to dedicate]." Later, a stone monument was erected at his alma mater to honor his loyalty