前のエピソード――Part Ⅰ　(7) From the vigil to funeral and cremation

　1. Relics tell

2. Mr. Takagi talks about the accident

3. Buddhist priest tells

1. Relics tell

　Hisako returned to Kazuo's dormitory with the jar of Kazuo's ashes. The room was empty and desolate lacking its master. She was so sad. She felt full of tears.

　She thought, she would never return to this room from where the hopper could be seen.

　In the room, there were a television, a refrigerator, a cassette deck, a stereo, and a guitar. These were Kazuo's favorite possessions. Late in the night he came home , took a bath, had supper with colleagues. Then he used to play the guitar at which he was skilled. Takagi, who played the guitar too made a good partner.

　Katu-chan says, Suzuki-san was smart and good at playing the guitar.

　As the darkness drew in, she saw the stars twinkle far over the mound of sands where the hopper in which Kazuo died was set. It was an unbearably cruel sight for a mother who had lost her son.

　Katu-chan, Mr. Takagi and I also visited the room worked hard to bring out every article from the room, from the tools, futon to closes as well as various things to be thrown away as soon as possible.

　The shirt that she had sewn desperately before he had departed to Japan was there, but its sleeves had torn off. * Copies of letters to his wife and Hisako in Brazil were also found. To his wife he had written [I miss your salty cooking]. She remembered Kazuo's words that his wife whose name was Simone was of a careless character, for instance her coffee tasted different every time she served it, sometimes it was salty, like a poison and other times it was closer to the taste of tea. To Hisako he had written that Japan is a wonderful country. [I love this country.]

(*Note: Kazuo came to Japan on his own, prior to Hisako decided to work in Japan.)

2. Mr. Takagi talks about the accident

(As I had asked Mr. Takagi to say what had happened to Kazuo on the day of accident he agreed. As he was preparing Kazuo's personal effects to send Brazil by sea, he made a tape recording. Sometimes he sobbed and lost words or trembled with anger.)

"On that morning, I was ignored by the 'scary man' (as Suzuki-san call him). Then manager asked me to do various job s which I thought would take half s day. But he said 'Do them in two hours.’, when I had a brief sight of Mr. Suzuki working with a shovel. After a while the manager suddenly asked me ’Where is Mr. Suzuki?’ I did not quite understand why he wanted me to look for him. I searched here and there, but I could find him nowhere. After someone said, ’He might be inside the machine.’, the other workers also began to search in the hopper.

We saw the helmet at first, then the head appeared. Holding the head, we removed the surrounding sand. Then the ambulance arrived after that the police."

"I do not see why Suzuki-san would choose to go into the hopper. He must have done so by someone's order. If I had been ordered to enter and clean it, I might have done so because I knew the machine's halt. Why had the machine moved when it should not have done? "

" 'Scary man' had treated us very badly. He could become suddenly angry and shouted at us, sometimes had thrown stones at us. When Suzuki-san made a mistake, he treated him as if he were an animal, but Suzuki-san was wise enough not to hold a grudge against him. Once he had leaned that Suzuki-san was going back to Brazil he had become friendly. Maybe he must have thought that Suzuki-san had learned the job quickly and worked well. He might have thought he needed Suzuki-san."

"Suzuki-san used to say, 'Japan is a wonderful country with advanced technology, but she has to learn lots about human relations.' "

3. Buddhist priest tells

Hisako visited Enshou-ji to receive Kazuo's ashes as the day of going back to Brazzil was drawing near. I had also accompanied her. While waiting for the priest she lit a candle and offered his favorite tobacco before Kazuo's tablet. She remembered that a long time ago she had used to visit the temple with her parents.

The priest was busy with hearing the parishioner's troubles including nuisance from industrial waste. He finally appeared. He offered zabuton, saying that he had something to tell her about Kazuo's death. "That company has lots of money. Accept the sum they propose without hesitation. I will find a lawyer if you wish. Please remember that you are negotiating with a company. The money is useful anyway.

You should accept the sum and leave them free from responsibility thereafter. That is the best way for the deceased and the bereaved family." Hisako had said, "Yes, I

understood." But I was not sure that Hisako really understood. There were many points which were beyond comprehension.

Then Hisako asked the priest, "I am a Christian, and never fail to pray for twenty minutes daily. Did my son meet such an accident because I prayed too little or too much?"

"It is not a question of insufficiency. The important thing is to do one's best before praying. Prayer alone does not work", he said.

Hisako was relieved by his answer and after a while resolved that despite everything that had happened, she would do her best.

（End of　Part I)