Scope and content:

"Japanese Customs and Ceremonies" Kamikaze Ceremony. (Postwar reenactment) Front view of a Shinto shrine. As the scene opens, four pilots of the Japanese Army Air Force enter through the massive doors and align themselves in one rank. Together, they bow in reverence to the shrine. Three of the pilots are dressed in flying togs, while the officer on the left, is dressed in his Army uniform. He is a First Lt. of the Japanese Air Force and acts as the squadron leader. Same as above, another angle from 90 degrees. Same as above, reverse angle. At the flying field the four pilots are gathered in front of a small table with a white cloth on it. On the table are five Sake cups and one Sake jar. As the scene opens, the Commanding Officer of the base gives a farewell address to his members of the Special Attack Force that stand before him. After the pep talk, the Commanding Officer takes the Sake jar and pours a drink for each pilot, who in turn takes a few steps forward, bow to the CO and picking up the Sake cup he steps backward and awaits until all have their cups, then they all drink a toast together. After this ceremony, all five bow toward the CO. They then leave the ceremony and head out to their planes. Tea Ceremony: MS Garden scene in rear of a middle-class home. Scene shows young Japanese girls playing a game which is similar to our paddle tennis. MC Japanese tea ceremony (Chanoyu) performed in the higher-class Japanese families. In this scene the wife in the center of picture folds cloth in a ceremonial manner, wipes the holder and then places the holder on tray. Cu Hand on bowl raises the kettle, places hot water in bowl, takes mixer and mixes the solution. CU Entire process covered all the above scenes. MC Tea drinking ceremony. Action is continuous. CU Same as above. A series of shots taken in front of the Imperial Palace showing the age-old custom of the people paying their respects to their Emperor on New Years Day. Ex-Japanese Officer with cap removed and overcoat bows in direction of Palace. Another ex-soldier, with his wife and child. A group of girls. A family group of four adults and three children paying their respects. Short scene of another family paying their respects to the Emperor. Several takes of the Buddha at Beppu, a place where many Buddhists come to see the many Gods that are inside the large Buddha. In the several passages built within the Buddha, there are many various Gods that represent different things in the Buddhist religion. In the center of the Buddha, there is a large chamber where the principal Gods are congregated. MLS Small shrine within the grounds of Papan Iron and Steel Works showing a Japanese worker as he passes the Shrine, turns toward the shrine, stops and bows in typical Japanese fashion. CU Identification cloth attached to the left side of a primary school boy's jacket. LS Matsuzaki Shrine located in the city of Bafu showing a large Torii gateway. CU Front part of Torii. MS Three-quarter view of the shrine. The blossoms in the foreground are called plum blossoms. (color, unedited, silent) (late 1945-early 1946)

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