"While the book rests on the backbone of the Vietnam experience, it aspires to go beyond the confines of that particular war and lead the reader to question an American foreign policy that has, especially since 2001, been militarily driven. The harm done to American and allied soldiers and to the indigent peoples and societies of the countries the U.S. has so thoughtlessly invaded has secured no advantage to the U.S. or any other country. The author delves into the human physical and psychological cost of war and implicitly makes the case for diplomacy over force, restraint, and modesty over hubris. He establishes the importance of cause to the combatant's ability to fight winningly and to remain psychologically sound in battle and afterward. It is especially relevant today because it connects the human and societal consequences of the decisions made in and around that war with the recent squandered ventures in the Middle East."
"As the Japanese battleship Yamato steams towards the island of Okinawa in the closing months of World War II, a naval officer on board makes an unexpected discovery among the stores of rice, leeks, and pickled radishes. A child has stowed away there, hoping to return to her mother on Okinawa. His reluctant decision to protect her prompts a voyage of inner discovery and stirs emotions as deep as the seas that threaten to swallow his "unsinkable" ship.
Recorded live in performance at the Doubletree Guest Suites, Santa Monica, in July 1995.
Directed by Mako
Producing Director Susan Albert Loewenberg
June Angela as Maiko Ooshiro
Francois Chau as Chef Koukichi Tsuji
Shizuko Hoshi as Ichikawa's daughter Maiko
Jim Ishida as Broadcasting Station Chief
Dana Lee as Captain Ariga
James Saito as Leading Seaman Eiichi Kondo
Shaun Shimoda as Boy Seaman Takeo
B.D. Wong as Sub-Lieutenant Takeshi Ichikawa
Keone Young as Old Ichikawa
Associate Producer: Robert Robinson
Radio Producer: Raymond Guarna
Foley Artist: Amy Strong"
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