This is the eighth installment in the series “Siberian Detainment Records.” It is also an episode of forbidden love with a Russian woman from an enemy nation, Kristal Tanya.

80 years after the war, this is a tale he had kept sealed away for 80 years, but with his permission, it is now being revealed here. As an unknown record of Siberian detainment experiences.

After saying goodbye to Tanya, Haruo Nagasawa set foot on Japanese soil at Maizuru Port in Kyoto Prefecture. Although he initially planned to go to Yamagata, his brother, who came to pick him up, earnestly begged him to stop by his home, so he returned to Nagoya. However, he revealed his true feelings: “I really wanted to return to Yamagata.”

In Yamagata, preparations were being made for a “Welcome Home Haruo-kun Party,” with all the residents ready to celebrate. At that time, there was a trend to praise the Yamato spirit of those who had endured and survived the harsh environment of Siberia. It was probably an event that reminded the people of Japan’s spirituality, which they had begun to forget as the country started a new path under America’s umbrella.

However, at the same time, in a Japan that was being Westernized under American rule, repatriated soldiers like Haruo, who had lived in the Soviet Union, even as prisoners, were labeled as communist “Reds.” Invisible prejudices mercilessly tormented the returnees from Siberia, but Haruo paid no mind.

Instead, he began to walk through life by leveraging his experience of Siberian detainment and turning it into a positive.

Siberia

Siberia is a vast geographical region in Russia, known for its harsh climate and expansive wilderness. Historically, it was a place of exile for political prisoners during the Tsarist and Soviet eras, and it is also home to significant natural resources like oil, gas, and minerals. Culturally, it is inhabited by a diverse array of indigenous peoples, each with their own unique traditions and languages.

Maizuru Port

Maizuru Port is a major natural harbor on the Sea of Japan in Kyoto Prefecture, historically significant as a key naval base for the Imperial Japanese Navy. Today, it serves as an important Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force facility and a commercial port, also known for its scenic views and the seasonal “Maizuru Red Brick Warehouses” that have been converted into museums and shops.

Kyoto Prefecture

Kyoto Prefecture is a historically rich region in Japan, serving as the nation’s imperial capital for over a thousand years until 1868. It is renowned for its unparalleled cultural heritage, including thousands of Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, such as the iconic Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion). This legacy makes it a premier destination for experiencing traditional Japanese arts, architecture, and gardens.

Yamagata

Yamagata is a mountainous prefecture in Japan’s Tohoku region, historically known as the Dewa Province. It is famed for its scenic beauty, historic temple complex of Yamadera, and as a major producer of cherries and safflowers.

Nagoya

Nagoya is a major Japanese city and the capital of Aichi Prefecture, historically known as a center for samurai culture and the Tokugawa shogunate. Its most famous landmark is Nagoya Castle, built in the early 17th century by the shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. Today, the city is a modern industrial and economic hub, renowned as the home of the Toyota Motor Corporation.

Yamato spirit

“Yamato spirit” (Yamato-damashii) is a Japanese cultural concept rather than a physical place, referring to the traditional values, pride, and national spirit of the Japanese people. It historically emerged from the ancient Yamato region, the political and cultural heartland of Japan, and became strongly associated with ideals of loyalty, courage, and purity, particularly during periods of nationalism. The term reflects a deep connection to Japan’s imperial history and cultural identity.

Soviet Union

The Soviet Union was a socialist federal state that existed from 1922 to 1991, formed after the Russian Revolution. It was a one-party state governed by the Communist Party and became a global superpower, engaging in the Cold War with the United States. The union ultimately dissolved due to economic stagnation and nationalist movements within its republics.

Japan

Japan is an island nation in East Asia with a history spanning millennia, from its legendary foundation in 660 BCE to the rise of its imperial court, samurai culture, and eventual modernization. It is renowned for its unique cultural heritage, including traditions like tea ceremonies and kabuki theater, as well as iconic sites such as ancient temples in Kyoto and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial.