17th February 2011

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Nuclear Weapons = Deadly Psychological Weapon (Barefoot Gen)

“I named my main character Gen in the hope that he would become a root or source of strength for a new generation, one that can tread the charred soil of Hiroshima barefoot, feel the earth beneath its feet, and have the strength to say “NO” to nuclear weapons. I myself would like to live with Gen’s strength, that is my ideal, and I will continue pursuing it through my work.” - Keiji Nakizawa in 2004 on Barefoot Gen

No one should go through the horrors of war. However, in this age we live in, the threat of war seems to be present & ready to strike, with regards to nuclear weapons. Devices made by humanity with only one sole purpose: to destroy. Keiji Nakazawa’s epic tale, Barefoot Gen, highlights the truth of the bombing of Hiroshima, Japan back in 1945 and its effects upon Japan the next few years afterwards. Not only is the series an emotional powerhouse, it also reflects why the governments of certain countries have an unhealthy need for nuclear proliferation.

Barefoot Gen goes through the life of a boy named Gen Nakaoka as he struggles to support himself, his family, and his friends after going through the bombing of Hiroshima. Gen experiences the bombing firsthand as people all around him start dying and becoming injured (this is shown in great detail). His father and two of his siblings were left to die, due to an inability to save them. Since then, Gen showcases his hatred for both the Japanese & American governments and becomes resistant of any form of propaganda involving both of them. He believes that courage can get anyone through hardship. Gen is one of the most influential manga protagonists out there even to this day. Barefoot Gen is also an autobiographical tale of Keiji Nakazawa’s experiences growing up as he personally witnessed the bombing at the age of 7.

Nuclear proliferation is an extremely serious issue and you have to wonder why nukes are still being made. Yes, you can say that countries want to show off their superiority compared to others. It’s an intimidation factor. However, there’s another factor in that decision. It’s the leaders’ conception of their own country. According to Jacques E.C. Hymans, author of “The Psychology of Nuclear Proliferation”, leaders who are heavily frightened by a foreign rival & have a lot of pride in their country taking down a foreign enemy are more likely to acquire and/or make nuclear weapons. Was Harry S. Truman (U.S. president at the time) afraid of Japan after what happened in Pearl Harbor, but held a strong belief that the U.S. could put Japan out of its misery? Was he desperate to win at all costs? Did Truman love America so much that he was willing to do anything to protect it? Sometimes, an extreme nationalistic view of your own country combined with power can cause serious complications.

In Volume 5, Gen quotes what his father said about Japan only starting the war because a “handful of rich people” (quoted from Volume 5) could profit from it. In a sense, important decisions were made on personal values. What Barefoot Gen teaches us is how we need to look at the leaders that are chosen so that future nuclear weapon tragedies can be prevented. Yes, credentials are important, but are they more important than the lives of innocent people?  Gen resents the Emperor of Japan because he feels the Emperor is a leader who has disappointed his people. The Emperor was someone who went with his personal beliefs and was possibly influenced by those who shared his views.

So what can we do besides raising awareness? One thing is that we cannot completely rely on lockdown politics to save us. That can lead to secrecy behind closed doors. Another thing is that there needs to be more people heavily supporting leaders in making the correct decisions regarding nuclear technology. We need to learn what makes their brains tick. Understanding one’s thought process can go long way in determining how much they will be influenced by nuclear weapons. Nakazawa has said that he plans to present all 10 volumes of Barefoot Gen to U.S. President Barack Obama & initiate a stand against nuclear proliferation. Let’s hope this move becomes the start of something greater.

(A story I would like to share with others right now: last year, I got a chance to be around an actual atomic-bomb survivor (hibashuka) from Nagasaki, Japan during Japan Day NYC 2010 at Central Park. She was surrounded by Japanese press and when asked if she harbored any resentment towards those responsible for the bombing, she said, “No, I just wish for all nuclear weapons to go away”.)

Barefoot Gen is February 2010’s manga for the Manga Movable Feast (hosted by Sam Kusek). For more MMF entries related to Barefoot Gen, you can check them out at the Barefoot Gen MMF Archive.

Tagged: Barefoot GenKeiji Nakazawanuclear proliferationmanga psychologypsychology of nationalismManga Movable Feast