Come On-A
KANMON ♪
KANMON is a STRAIT between mainland “Honshu” and the southern island “Kyushu”.
The Strait is a significant route, with about a thousand ships passing through it every day. This narrow, fast-flowing strait changes four times a day and has witnessed history and many battles. The Strait has also been the setting of significant wars and milestones, and it used to serve as a gateway to the battlefield.
In 1999, I met an old G.I. through my music project. He was a prisoner of war during the Pacific War and entered Moji from the Philippines
In Kanmon, we have histories which had almost been forgotten.
Allied POWs in the Pacific War, and large numbers of casualties of the Korean War, were transported to the Kanmon area.
So, I became a guide and will convey their story. It is a promise to my friends.
Although time has passed, we remember them with prayers.
Come On-A Kanmon♪
Then you may tell them, “I Remember You”
Seina’s Essay
P.S. I Love You♪
-
I visited the World Peace Pagoda in Moji and learned about the history of the Death Railway.
Yesterday, I visited The Moji World Peace Pagoda, which I wrote about a little bit the other day. My last visit was two years ago. The pagoda was built through the efforts and dedication of those who survived the Burma Campaign, their bereaved families, the then Mayor of Moji City, and cooperation with the Burmese…
-
The War-related Memorials in my town | Time passed, and getting forgotten
When I was little, my dad loved driving his car. Sometimes he would take us to Memorial Cross. He said it was where he used to take my mom on dates. I had never visited on dates, but the Memorial Cross gave me chances for meetings with Americans related to the war. When I started…
-
The U.S, Cuba and Venezuela | I am sad because they gave me love, and I love them.
Yesterday, I felt weighed down and didn’t want to do anything. In the late afternoon, I went outside and started cutting back the overgrown trees around the abandoned house. Sometimes, doing work outside in a natural environment, aware of unconscious thoughts. I knew I was sad. Just sad. In recent days, I have been trying…
-
Dear Mom & Dad Letters | “US APO #24 Kokura Pair-Occupied Japan”
Yesterday, I was looking for my cats Doris (Day) and Glenn (Miller), which I had in the late 1980s, but I couldn’t find them. I then opened the boxes in a closet. Then I found these letters, which I had forgotten where I had put them In 2012, when I was exploring the post-WWII occupied…
About Me
Shoko “Seina” Shiraishi
In 1989, I began my vocal training in a New York apartment where the hit song ‘Sentimental Journey’ was born. At the time, I didn’t know that my own journey would eventually lead me back to my hometown of Kanmon, to honor the memories of the ‘Boys’ who carried that very song in their hearts during the war. Now, the song has a new purpose.
Beyond the Music… > As a vocalist of mid-century American songs and a world traveler, I see history not just as facts, but as a melody of human lives. Whether exploring the nature of Kanmon or sharing a quiet moment with a local cat, I am an adventurer at heart. Now, I am here to guide your journey through the hidden stories of my home.
Come Fly With Me ♪
Rather than think,
FEEL!
Unexpected
ENCOUNTERS!
Visit me like
FRIENDS!
History
For 1,800 years, the Strait has witnessed countless battles. The final battle of the Genpei War, which took place in the late 12th century, marked the beginning of the samurai era. The Meiji Restoration ended the samurai era in the late 19th century. Thus, Kanmon is one of the most important sites in Japanese history.
Local Food
The various seafoods are incredibly fresh. During the winter, pufferfish and anglerfish are the highest catches in Japan. I can take you to a market, and you can try local foods, if you like. And Ramen is great, too.
Beautiful Scenery
I have traveled a lot, yet Kanmon’s scenery is my favorite. If you allow your imagination to run wild, you will be taken on a journey through Kanmon’s dramatic history.
On this website, I added some words from mid-century American songs as seasoning, such as those by Frank Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney, Ella Fitzgerald, and Bob Hope, among others. Enjoy the music I love.