My Showa Kayou 3　　"Tokyo Olympic Ondo"

Japanese Title　"Tokyo Gorin Ondo"
Recently,
the controversy over LGBT issues
has made the sports world
disheartening for women.

The Showa era was long. Therefore, I divide Showa people into those who have seen the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and those who haven't. Of course, those who have seen it are considered superior Showa people.

Ahem. I am a superior Showa person!

I watched the Tokyo Olympics twice (boasting a little).

The first time was in 1964, Showa 39.

Japan relinquished its right to host the Olympics in Showa 15 (1940), but after the end of the war, it bid again in Showa 29 (1954). However, Rome was chosen. My grandfather used to talk about this with great regret.

Japan bid again later and won the vote by a majority. Why?

It is said that the candidacy speech by diplomat Kazushige Hirasawa, the efforts of Japanese-American businessman Isamu Wada to garner support from Latin America, and the contributions of Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly member Yoshihiko Kitajima and Ichiro Hatta, known as the "Father of Japanese Wrestling," played a significant role.

All of Japan eagerly awaited the Olympics while listening to Haruo Minami's 'Tokyo Olympic Ondo.' This song embodied the collective spirit of the Japanese people at that time.

I watched the footage of the Japanese athletes waving politely in their red blazers designed by Hanae Mori at the opening ceremony at school, in the cinema, and on the neighborhood TV. It was the first time I experienced a sports festival like that, and it was exciting.

People today might not understand the excitement of an era when Japan was stepping out into the world. For my grandfathers, who had been crushed by the war, the achievements of Japanese athletes were far more thrilling than the usual entertainment like sumo, baseball, or boxing.

That's why when a Japanese athlete won a medal, my grandfather would give me pocket money. I think this is why it remains so vivid in my memory. (Laughs)

The Olympics were held in the year when Prime Minister Ikeda was succeeded by Prime Minister Sato. Eisaku Sato was the prime minister representative of my youth. It was a long time.

For today's young people, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (which happened in 2021 due to COVID-19) and Shinzo Abe will become nostalgic memories.

I think I was lucky to witness both Tokyo Olympics. That's why I spent my retirement money on an 8K big-screen TV.

I was especially moved by the table tennis events. I was the captain of the table tennis club in middle school, so I was amazed by the new mixed doubles event and danced with joy in front of the big screen watching the Mizutani-Ito pair play.

However, there is one clear difference when comparing the two Tokyo Olympics. There was no 'ondo' (traditional Japanese dance song) this time. Whenever a world event is held in Japan, there must be an 'ondo.' What happened?

Haruo Minami's 'Tokyo Olympic Ondo' was magnificent. Oh, if only Eiichi Ohtaki were alive. He would have composed a modern, crazy 'ondo,' if not a 'Niagara Ondo.' That's my complaint.

I think today's Japanese are ashamed of Japan. Even without experiencing the war, there are Japanese people who are ashamed of Japan. That's the baby boomers. I can't forgive that.

At that time, Japanese people were not ashamed of losing the war. After all, it was Japan that fought against the major powers, including the United States. We fought on equal terms. A country that does not fight for its beliefs is no good. Japan had that spirit back then.

Afterwards, many Asian and African countries gained independence. Japan led the fight for liberation from white colonial rule. Meanwhile, the United States got involved in the Korean War and the Vietnam War, showing little sign of learning from the past.

Ondo (traditional Japanese dance song) has its roots in gagaku (ancient Japanese court music). A skilled singer would sing first, and everyone would join in with chorus words, creating a lively atmosphere.

Lyrics like 'Let's meet again in four years' and 'Sore totonto totonto' are impressively well thought out.

I, and the children of our non-baby boomer generation, sang this song and danced the Bon Odori. We loved it, and we were proud that its singer, Haruo Minami, returned from Siberian detention.

After returning to Japan, he thrived as a singer and even wrote books in his later years. He leaned strongly to the right and wrote wonderful books like 'The Constitution of Prince Shotoku Lives On.' This book is a must-read. Everyone should read it.

Seeing Japanese politicians today losing confidence to such a pathetic extent makes me sad.

I want to say that the pride of the Japanese people lies in the ondo!

The government named the disaster the Great East Japan Earthquake. Similarly, since it was named the Greater East Asia War, we should not remember it as the Pacific War or World War II.

We Japanese must return to the proud Japanese of those days.

Come on, let's sing the ondo!

I cannot read or write in English.
This text has been translated by ChatGPT.
I haven't edited it, so there may be some strange parts.

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