Tsao- Harp of Burma

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In the Harp of Burma, the story revolves around a young soldier named Yasuhiko Mizushima, who was sent to the mountains after the Japanese army has surrendered to the opposing side to ask for peace from the army in the mountains. Upon leaving his army, he remains missing and does not return to his comrades. We then discover that on his journey home from the mountains, he experiences a conflict within himself when he sees a land full of dead Japanese soldiers left to decay. On one hand he wants to desperately go back to his comrades and return home together, but on another he feels it is his responsible to bury his dead brothers and let them rest in peace.

From Letters of Iwo Jima it can be seen that dying with dignity is a big issue in Japanese culture. The soldiers in the cave killed themselves before the Americans could get to them even if they didn’t want to die, because suicide if it was in honor of their emperor and Japan itself was considered a noble and heroic act. This taboo is not seen much in western films because the idea of a hero in American cultures is portrayed as more of an “invincible” type of character rather than one who takes their own lives.

Throughout the movie, the personal conflict of doing what they feel is their destiny/duty to do, or what they actually want to do (giving a proper burial for the dead soldiers or going home with his comrades) can be clearly seen. As like in the previous anime we have watched, this topic is also touched on in Akira, Cowboy Bebop, and Perfect Blue. Mizushima feels that it is his destiny to help bury his brothers (of Japan) even if it means giving up returning home with his troop. Music is also an issue worth talking about in this movie; the soldiers would sing together when they felt no sense of hope because singing would bring them to a better state. It is important then, to understand that this art is universal and plays a role in lifting spirits. Mizushima’s harp is a part of his identity, and throughout the movie he is recognized by the sound of his harp even when his body is not present in the scene.