Kevin02pd2018 - Identity Portfolio

Kevin’s Identity Portfolio

KAIGEKI By: Kevin Yang

KAISHI A story of my

Grandfather.


My Family Tree, including my grandfather below.

Kougeki Kaishi! By Kevin Yang

The first slivers of a new day slipped through the horizon. All the others were still sleeping in the caves among the hills. In my town in southern Shanxi, we had to hide from the horrible Japanese that came and destroyed. It seemed so strange that although we were at war, although we couldn’t even sleep in our own homes, although we lived in fear, the world stayed so beautiful.

A chill ran up my spine as I lay in my cave. Something felt wrong, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. There was a small buzzing; a tiny little noise bugged me. I looked around to find nothing but a mouse scurrying through the grass. I heard something that seemed like talking, but it sounded like gibberish. Curiosity overtook me, and I scrambled out of my hole. More voices echoed through the soft rises in the golden field. My head popped out of the hillside, and I crouched there staring at the people standing on the other side of the hill.

I examined them; they were wearing khaki shorts and a white shirt. They also wore light-brown jackets. Their arms flew into the air as


their mouths moved. My eyes wandered through the camp and found tents. Guns sat on the small wooden tables at the front.

How strange... maybe more Chinese soldiers are crossing through? How come they’re not speaking Chinese? I thought.

Small white tents stood, which reflected the sunlight. I noticed a peculiar piece of cloth hanging from one of them. It had a red circle in the center of a white background. I remembered that flag. Every time I saw it, destruction followed. Pure terror shot through me.

My mind exploded as I immediately bounded down from the hill. I bolted forward not thinking of where I would go. The soldiers patrolling raised their guns.

“KOUGEKI KAISHIII!” bellowed the Japanese.

The polished wood and metal shined under the blazing sun. Their Arisaka rifles horrified me more than anything. Without hesitation they squeezed the triggers.


I couldn’t think straight; nothing processed. I didn’t think; I just ran. Bullet after bullet zipped after me. My heart pounded harder. Shouts of antagonism arose all around me. Adrenaline

rushed through my veins, causing me to run even faster. The ground zoomed by, but more bullets danced at my feet. Metal bullets sped inches away from me.

The 5 seconds it took for me to run back to the holes seemed like an hour in my head. I sped up once again, dashing through the fields. I didn’t think of a destination; I just wanted to get away from the soldiers. I wanted to get away from the bullets. I wanted to live. Just as I couldn’t sprint anymore a familiar voice erupted in a shout from behind.


“HEY! ITS ONLY A KID! STOP SHOOTING!” exclaimed my Uncle.

“STOP! ITS ONLY A KID!” screamed another adult.

Slowly, the soldiers lowered the guns, and the noises of the bullets shooting around me abruptly stopped. Silence filled the field, but I kept running. For all I knew, the soldiers were going to start shooting again. The fields passed by, and I couldn’t see anyone anymore. Finally, I collapsed, surrendering my body to exhaustion.

I felt lucky now, remembering the times when the Japanese came and decimated everything! Slowly, I slumped down into the tall grass, taking what happened all in. The more I thought about it, the more my body shuddered. Now, for me, the world was a little bit less beautiful.


This is the interview that I did with my grandfather to create the narrative.

1. Was there one de.ining moment from the attack?

When my Grandpa was 9, during World War II, they couldn’t even sleep in their homes at night. What they did, were they dug a hole in the .ields and slept in the dirt caves. Water and dried foods were brought with them. In the morning at 9 my grandpa heard someone talking. He came out of the hole and saw that they had a .lag, so he realized they were Japanese. As soon as he saw them he ran. They started to shoot after him. The bullets were dancing around him, making horrible noises. He was the only one running, the adults told the Japanese “Stop shooting! He’s only a child!” So they stopped. He was so scared he kept running away.

1. When and where did this happen?-‐ 1942, summer at South Shanxi small village, during World War II.

2. Where did you go after you ran away?-‐Another pit area, which was very far away, he felt safe.

3. Were there any defenses in your town?-‐ It was just a regular defenseless village.

4. On the day it happened, what were you doing?My Grandpa was sleeping, and when he went to the bathroom he heard the noises.


5. Did the Japanese destroy your house, or take any of your possessions?-‐That time the Japanese left, but before, his house was burned. -‐His courtyard around his house was burned because they saw that his family had taken care of anti-‐Japanese soldiers.

6. What were you emotions as the Japanese attacked?-‐His mind went blank; he kept running from extreme fear.

7. Were you or anyone hurt by the attack?-‐No one was hurt, and he also felt happy that the Japanese didn’t kill the people around him. So usually the Japanese would try to kill them.

8. What were the Japanese doings?-‐They were patrolling it.


Research about the Sino-Japanese War

The Sino-Japanese war started Japan’s efforts to prevent Chinese unity, and development. Fighting started during 1937 between the Japanese and Chinese around Beijing. The Chinese Army fought fiercely but the Japanese Army got significant coastal cities, and cities of industrial importance. There was always rebellion in the cities the Japanese occupied, due to the patriotism and determination of the Chinese.

Around 1941, the Chinese joined the Allies after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in Florida by the Japanese.

The Chinese were unprepared for total war, and many Chinese were scared and angry at the Japanese, hearing of the massacres that took place.

In the field, Japanese soldiers, wore Khaki’s and trousers.

The most common gun used by the Japanese in WW2 was the Arisaka Type-99. It was made out of polished wood, it had a cover to be used in tropical areas, and it also had space for a bayonet.


Bibliography

Dopenker, Max R. "Modern Firearms." World Guns. NaGaNo Shishmintsev V.S., n.d. Web. 24 Oct. 2012. <http://world.guns.ru/rifle/repeating- rifle/jap/arisaka-3-and-99-e.html>.

Invasion of Nanking. n.d. Web. 25 September 2012. <http:// www.kidport.com/RefLib/WorldHistory/WorldWarII/ WorldWarIIPacificEvents.htm#Nanking>.

Japan and China: The Unforgotten War. n.d. Web. 25 September 2012. <http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/rough/2006/04/ japan_and_china.ht

"Sino-Japanese War." Britannica Online School Edition. Pudong Secondary. Web. 12 October 2012. <http://school.ebonline.com/eb/art-74552>.

"Sino-Japanese War of 1937-1945." World Book - Student. Pudong Secondary. Web. 27 September 2012. <http:// www.worldbookonline.com/student/article?id=ar751997&st=sino- japanese war>.

"Varieties of Japanese Uniforms." Varieties of Japanese Uniforms, WWII Tactical and Technical Trends, No. 16, January 14, 1943 (Lone Sentry). Lone Sentry, 2009. Web. 16 Oct. 2012. <http:// www.lonesentry.com/articles/ttt08/varieties-of-japanese- uniforms.html>.


http://world.guns.ru/rifle/repeating-rifle/jap/arisaka-3-and-99-e.html




http://www.kidport.com/RefLib/WorldHistory/WorldWarII/WorldWarIIPacificEvents.htm#Nanking






http://livepage.apple.com/
































1.How has working on this project helped you learn about your family’s history and given you a better sense of your identity?

Working on this project really gave me a better view of how tiny things could have changed my life completely. It makes me feel proud of my Grandpa. It makes me feel that he’s been through a lot more than I have. Also, I feel as if the ‘problems’ I face, are trivial compared to the things my Grandpa has faced.

2.Why do you think doing a project like this is important?

Doing this project was important to really understand where I came from. It’s also important to know all the things that must have happened to make me. Knowing where my roots are, help people shape their future.

3.What part of this project did you enjoy the most? Why?

I definitely enjoyed writing it the most. After interviewing my grandpa, I knew that it would be great to put his memories into words. Finishing it was a huge reward. Being able to show the world what happened to my Grandpa, I think, is very important.


4.What specific challenges did you face during this project and how did you over come them?

It was hard really showing and displaying the emotions felt by my Grandpa. This is because I’ve never encountered something life-threatening, and as terrifying as the ordeal he went through. To overcome it, I had to further ask him about his specific emotions as it happened, and I tried to use descriptive words to show the situation.

5.What advice would you give future students as they begin this project?

Future students, remember to ask lots of questions during the first interview. It’s of paramount importance to be able to get all the important things down, and asking for lots of details will greatly help you in the writing process. Also, remember to research well in the beginning, you don’t want to leave it all until the end.


Kevin02pd2018 - Identity Portfolio

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