In the last days of WW2 the Japanese armed forces continued their
relentless campaign of death from the air in the form of Special
Attacks against Allied targets. The pomp and ceremony of each
final departure became even more ritualistic, as young men in
their teens were motivated to make their ultimate sacrifices.
Here a young pilot prepares to enter his tomb carrying a bouquet
of cherry blossoms with which to adorn his cockpit. Such scenes
were common all over Japan.
Signed by the artist. |