This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
YMAA Publication Center, Inc. Main Office PO Box 480 Wolfeboro, NH 03894 800-669-8892 • www.ymaa.com • [email protected]
Paperback edition 978-1-59439-253-5 1-59439-253-6
Ebook edition 978-1-59439-254-2 1-59439-254-4
© 2012 Goran Powell
All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.
Editor: Leslie Takao
Cover Design: Axie Breen
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Publisher’s Cataloging in Publication
Powell, Goran, 1965-
Chojun : a novel / by Goran Powell. -- Wolfeboro, NH : YMAA Publication Center, c2012.
p. ; cm.
ISBN: 978-1-59439-253-5 (pbk.) ; 978-1-59439-254-2 (ebk.)
Summary: When Kenichi Ota retires he decides to honor his own teacher, Chojun Miyagi, by writing his memoirs. As a young man Ota accompanied Miyagi to China searching for the meaning of karate. Upon their return to Okinawa, they learn the Japanese have just destroyed Pearl Harbor. Ota is conscripted as a runner to the Japanese general staff and finds himself in the epicenter of the Battle of Okinawa. After the war, Ota and Miyagi are forced to adapt to a new world order, to rebuild their island, and preserve Miyagi’s brand of karate.--Publisher.
1. Miyagi, Chojun--Fiction. 2. Karate--History--Fiction. 3. World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Japan--Okinawa Island--Fiction. 4. Okinawa Island (Japan)--History--Fiction. 5. Americans--Japan--Okinawa Island--Fiction. 6. Historical fiction. 7. Martial arts fiction. I. Title.
PR6116.O944 C46 20122012951859
823/.92--dc23 1212
Most characters in Chojun are fictitious, but in the case of Chojun Miyagi himself, the major events described are true and only the dates have been changed to fit the narrative. The Battle of Okinawa is also accurately portrayed, as are the real-life characters of the officers in charge of the Japanese army: Lieutenant General Ushijima, Major General Cho, and Colonel Yahara. The events described in post-war Okinawa are fictitious, but reflect similar happenings during the American occupation that lasted until 1972.
More details on the thin line between fact and fiction can be found in the historical notes at the back.
The truth is near but hard to reach Chojun Miyagi
Contents
A PASSAGE TO FUZHOU
SINGING CRANE
MANJU BRIDGE
THE HOLY WAR
THE TYPHOON OF STEEL
SEA OF BLACKNESS
THE STONE DOOR OF HEAVEN
HENOKI
D-DAY OKINAWA
THE NORTH OF THE ISLAND
THE BATTLE OF OKINAWA
SUGAR LOAF HILL
A PILLOW FOR THE MASTER’S HEAD
THE FALL OF SHURI
THE SINKING OF THE KONANMARU
THE JOURNEY TO CAPE KYAN
THE SUICIDE CLIFFS
THE DEATH OF JUN
THE CORAL TOMB
A BED IN GENKOKU
THE FINAL AIR RAID
A VISITOR FROM THE PAST
THE LIGHTS OF KOZA
YUKA’S STORY
GUSHIKAWA
A BOAT TO IEJIMA
A GAME OF GO
AN ORANGE SOLDIER
TURNING PALMS
THE WITNESS
THE MESSAGE
THE RED ROOSTER
HAWAII
