<html><div style='background-color:'><DIV class=RTE>
<P>Hello all,</P>
<P>I was recommended to join this list by staff members at SOAS, London. Since joining the list I have been reading the various conversations with interest but as a novice to this area of study I have not felt brave enough to post - nor could I possibly contribute at this stage! </P>
<P><BR>Thus, I'm afraid my first post is to ask a question. I am currently watching Kinoshita's Rikugun and puzzling over the scene in which Tanaka Kinuyo, whilst washing out her yard, breaks down. She sits down and repeats a mantra under her breath. Each line begins with "gunjin wa.." and ends with "hitotsu". From what I can make out it is a list of goals for the Japanese mother in order to produce a "rippana gunjin". However, it is spoken so low and with my limited Japanese I am having trouble making it out. I wondered if anyone knows what it is she is saying. I'm not sure if it is her own personal mantra or a commonly used set of phrases by mothers at that time. Either way it's very moving.</P></DIV>
<P>Apologies that my first post should be asking rather than giving. I won't make a habit of it!!<BR><BR>Many thanks</P>
<P><BR>Toni Malone </P>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV></div><br clear=all><hr>Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! <a href="http://g.msn.com/8HMBEN/2728??PS=47575" target="_top">MSN Messenger</a> Download today it's FREE!</html>