The seniors who gathered for the filming of this work said afterward, “It was really fun” and “I’m glad I participated.” Opportunities for people who actually lived through that era to come together are now almost nonexistent. They were overjoyed to have such a chance.
The experience of singing “Umi Yukaba” together with those who had sung it in their youth had virtually disappeared after the war. For that reason, the act of singing it again itself brought joy.
‘Umi Yukaba’ was sung by the boys and girls who lived through that era, leaving a lasting mark in their memories. Its lyrics are drawn from the Man’yōshū, the Classical Japanese anthology of poetry(AD759), and thus have no direct connection to the war itself, for those who sang it during wartime, it became deeply tied to sorrow, grief, and tears. Due to this, some even decided not to participate in the project at the last moment.
Yet the fact remains: they truly did sing this song in that era. That memory should not be sealed away or erased. It must be passed on.
ーConvey the tragedy of warー
This work is not an anti-war documentary, nor a heroic tale glorifying those who sacrificed their lives. It is not a celebration of war, nor a critique of militarism. Rather, it is a musical work grounded in the simple fact that this song was sung. Could such an approach help connect memories across generations? That was our intention as producers.