Key Facts
• During late WWII, a young commander opposed kamikaze missions in Sō City.
• The Fuji Squadron, led by 29-year-old Masataka Minobe, adopted unique night attack strategies.
• Minobe rejected the military’s “total kamikaze” policy, prioritizing survival and returning to base.
• Katsura Takemaru, a rakugo performer from Kanoya City, shares this story through his art.
• Takemaru grew up near Japan’s largest kamikaze base and began creating kamikaze-themed rakugo 20 years ago.
• In 2025, marking 80 years since WWII, Takemaru highlights the Fuji Squadron’s defiance.
• His performances aim to convey the value of peace and the courage of Minobe’s convictions.
Summary
Rakugo performer Katsura Takemaru, from Kanoya City, uses his art to share the story of the Fuji Squadron, a WWII unit that rejected kamikaze missions. Led by 29-year-old Masataka Minobe, the squadron adopted innovative night attack strategies, defying the military’s “total kamikaze” policy. Takemaru, who grew up near Japan’s largest kamikaze base, began creating kamikaze-themed rakugo 20 years ago. In 2025, marking 80 years since the war, he focuses on Minobe’s courage and commitment to preserving life. Through his performances, Takemaru emphasizes the importance of peace and the enduring legacy of those who stood against the norm.
