Kyuuchan, about 65
Day Laborer in Osaka
Behind a homeless shelter in Osaka I walked the narrow streets looking for an NPO office. A homeless man stopped me and, with mild hostility, asked me what I was doing there. He indicated I should go away. As I walked on I saw slums that I never imagined existed in Japan: run down buildings, homeless men sprawled out here and there or purposelessly wandering the street. Another man, who I later interviewed below, asked me with curiosity what I was doing there. He was a bit drunk, but kind.
Where’s your hometown?
Okinawa.How long have you been in Osaka?
Forever. When I don’t drink I don’t drink. I didn’t have any money.You have a job in Osaka?
Today a typhoon is coming so I can’t do it. Today I overdrank a little because it’s a holiday.Usually what job do you do?
See the green there? (points to highway divider) You see those stones there? I set those up.How many days a week do you work?
Because I’m old, well, three or so.How much do you make in a month?
Very cheap. Well, I’d say 100,000 yen. I have money for food and for a room. The room is 600,000 yen (laughs). Would you like to have a go at it? Try! (laughs heartily).I heard about an American who lived with the homeless for nine months.
No, try for just ten days! (laughs) (Shows me his gnarled and powerful hands). I lift stones 90kg.Do you have difficulties in your life?
Yeah, when there’s no work. Now I have one.Because you have no money or because it’s boring with no job?
Because I’m old. Almost retirement age. It’s tough. If you find a place on the streets, you can stay.What about the future?
With me, during World War II, my mother and father both died. That’s the way of war. I was a kid. I didn’t understand war. Grandmother worked the fields… It was war. America was bad. Japan was bad. I was a kid. Soldiers looked cool. Grandmother said, “That’s it. Come I’ll carry you on my back (ombu suru).” The final declaration came ending the war.
Now then, Hiroshima and Nagasaki were not the end of the war. Bombs fell terribly. The last battleground was Okinawa. What did I know? It was war.When I took Mr. Kyuuchan’s picture another homeless man scolded him and led him away. Five minutes later he came back and warmly shook my hand.
the end