Pride in the Swastika

The Awa Odori dancers are one of the better known exports of Tokushima, an otherwise obscure prefecture on the Japanese island of Shikoku. Every year, dressed in straw hats and colourfully printed cotton costumes, they perform in their annual festival, across Japan and sometimes abroad. The folk dances involve intricate hand movements; they are accompanied by traditional music on drums, gongs and the stringed shamisen. The dancers have become ambassadors for a region that few people outside Japan have even heard of.

This year a troupe of the dancers will perform in Germany, to support their national team in the World Cup and promote a new Japanese film. There is one problem - the image seen in red in the bottom right of this photograph (by Kyodo) of an Awa Odori dancer.

The Awa Odori dancers flaunt the swastika, the hated emblem of Nazism and a symbol of evil to people all over the world.

Not that the Awa Odori dancers are neo-fascists, of course. The swastika has been used all over the world for millennia. In Japan, it is often seen on Buddhist temples; in Tokushima, it was taken as the crest of the local Tokushima daimyo, or regional warlord, Yoshishige Hachisuka in the 16th century, which is how it found its way on to the dancers's costumes. But now the Tokushima authorities have taken the decision to remove the swastika for their European tour. (There's a report on it from the Daily Yomiuri here.)

I have mixed feelings about this. Inevitably, and rightly, the symbol provokes powerful revulsion in Germany. (To complicate the ironies, the Awa Odori dancers will be promoting a film called Baruto no Gakuen (Baltic Academy), about a group of First World War German prisoners of war held in Tokushima, who put on an orchestral performance of Beethoven's Ninth.) But the swastika was ancient before the Nazis appropriated it as a symbol of the Aryan "race".

It appears on Iranian pot fragments of the 5th century BC and on artefacts excavated from the city of Troy. It is a sacred symbol in Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. Lord Hachisuka used it on his war banner, like this:

His fellow daimyo, Nobuhiro Tsugaru, used the reversed swastika - the version adopted by the Nazis.

Their contemporary, Shigemura Itakura, used the three armed symbol, which to modern eyes hardly looks like a swastika at all.

It's time to reclaim the noble swastika from racists and thugs, and reverse the iconographic fluke that has wiped out seven centuries of history. The Awa Odori dancers should go to Germany, dance their dance, and wear their swastikas with pride.

Comments

[Sam]

I agree. While obviously remembering the atrocities commited under the swastika, and the sorrow and tragedy that it represents for 20th century Europe, it has always seemed wrong to let powers of association make such an interesting and ancient symbol completely taboo. We should not give the people who commited, and continue to commit, such abhorrent crimes and spread such hatred around the world the justification and satisfaction of appropriating a legitimate symbol of civilisation for their own.

[Rida Matsu]

I agree with you analysis of the swastica-problem in Germany, but please allow me to correct your translation of "BARUTO no GAKUEN". It means "The paradise of the beards", referring to the fact that a majority of the German POW´s in Japan grew beards (BARUTO - German: Bart) while they were in the camps. This was something rather unusual for Japanese men at the time and was therefore noted by the local population.
Especially the camp in Naruto/Shikoku was so well organized and the POW´s were treated so comparatively well that it was regarded as "a paradise" (GAKUEN). Many of the POW´s stayed after their release from the camps and began a new life in their host country Japan.

[philip]

The Swastika is an ancient Chinese symbol. Similar to Yan & Yin. It is left or right. Good Luck or Bad Luck. It is male or female. The two Swastikas are shown on old chinese art, houses, etc. Some modern folks call it a "cross with four arms". Auf Wiedersehen. Philip.

[Don]

Another stupid move. Hitler liked Wagner. Now that music is forbidden in many places. Some of the streetlight poles in Glendale, California have swastika emblems on their base. The local Jews want them removed. They have been there since the 1920's. Will the world ever return to normal logic?

[shine watanabe]

I agree too.Surpries to know it apppeares on Iranian pot fragment of the 5th century BC. The sign looks so inocent in Japan& U can see it at any Tempel across the land.People here don`t care much for religous& totaly ignorat of race application of it abroad. Japanese are more interested in your Age, Hight or Weight than religen or political affiliation.
Yours Shine Watanabe Japan

[Kris S. Moe, M.D., F.A.C.S]

Dear Sir,
I read your thoughtful article with interest. While I respect your comments, the good that might come by regaining the symbolism of an incient insignia could hardly compare to the pain that would be inflicted on the still-fresh wounds of those affected by the loss of millions of Jews at the hands of the Nazis during World War II. The swastica should remain emblematic of one of the most atrocious periods in history to remind us of the absolute evil that can occur through blind adherance to the whims of a rogue regime.

[Steve Matthews]

As a student of the Buddhist/Japanese martial art Shorinji Kempo I was taught that the swastika, or manji, was a symbol of unity and spiritual balance in the universe - the north-south points of the cross represented heaven and earth, the east-west the opposing and balancing sides of all things, ie yin and yang. The whole thing was in motion, hence the right-angle tails to the arms. The symbol played a large part in the Kempo iconography - but the Japanese masters of the discipline were aware of the cultural sensitivities and it didn't appear in the badges of the European SK federations.
You can't divorce the symbol from the meaning it acquired when the Nazis got their grubby paws on it. It's ironic that such a symbol should have been tainted by association with freaks and thugs whose very nature was so at odds with its true meaning. And they're still out there.

[Richard]

Can we have our language back too please? I would like to be able to use the word 'gay' without tittering noises off, for instance. The Swastika Problem is just another thing in a long list of Political Correctnesses perpetuated by the unthinking mobs.

[Edward]

But the Awa Odori dancers are not using the Nazi swastika: on their emblem, the 'S' is inverted. Surely this is only a problem for dyslexics.

[WB]

I'm living in Berlin, Germany. If the swastika would be allowed in Germany it would definitly boost the already far too fast growing Neo-Nazis. You foreign advocates of a free use of the Swastika in Germany should keep in mind: that would mean still more "no-go-areas" as today for you foreigners, dark haired, coloured or just tanned. That ist the German reality today. It is free for you to use the swastika wherever you want, but let the Germans do it their way on their territory. They are fighting the Neo-Nazis, not you.

[chen yongzi]

Yes,"the Awa Odori dancers should go to Germany, dance their dance, and wear their swastikas with pride"- but,should Prince Hary do,too? ref: BBC NEWS | UK | Harry says sorry for Nazi costume

[Peter]

Interesting debate and one for which there is no definitive answer. A minor point - why is it that when considering offence caused by the swastika and references to the Nazi period in general we refer solely to the Jewish holocaust? Might relatives of the estimated thirty million Soviet citizens also not wish to be included in such a debate?

[Daniel Nobbs]

For any British people out there, there is a 3000 year old neolithic swastika stone on Ilkley Moor , Yorkshire.
Swastikas sure aren't rare.

[Gareth]

At least 95% of people seeing this symbol will always be repulsed by its associations. To attempt explaining its earlier life and significance would be hopeless. The simplistic, and therefore most common, reaction (including mine) would be disgust that anyone would consider bearing the swastika in Germany. Leaving it out is the obvious thing to do - no need for debate I'm afraid.

[Christine]

The Nazis didn´t just steal from the Japanese - they also stole many symbols from the old Norse Mythology and viking traditions. The Swastika is similar to an old symbol, called "Solkorset", meaning the Sun Cross. They also stole an expression of greeting, which is "Heil og Sæl", which was said with your hand pointed out, similar to "Heil Hitler".

[Emil]

Thank you, Chen Yongzi, for reminding of other loses given to Nazis. I am grand-son of one of those victims...
As a matter of fact Nazi name was taken from National Socialists, but did not harm this name. I think they should not be allowed to harm this ancient sign also. If you pay attention to Bollywood (Indian) movies you can see swastika there also.

[Rodolfo Lopez]

Let's go back to the 1980s and imagine for a minute that an Asian fascistic state had decided to use the 2,000-year-old Christian cross as the emblem of a racist, totalitarian regime that fell apart just last year...

Does anyone honestly think it would be reasonable to despise the cross and regard it as a symbol of hatred because of the crimes of that crazed nation? Why don't black Americans show that kind of rejection? After all, the infamous Ku Klux Klan has made extensive use of the (burning) cross. Is it just a matter of numbers? Nazi ideology is more evil because it's killed more people?

[markku heikkilä]

The problem of swastika is well knon here in Finland, too. Our air forces used this symbol in all planes long before the nazis made it appaling. It is also a very honored sign of our old womens national defence organisation. We decided to keep symbols thinking that it is not the symbols fault that the nazis polluted its fame.

[Geoff Wood]

You have to decide which is the more important history to remember- as maintaining parallel use devalues the strength of the symbollism for both. Personally I favour keeping it as a reminder of the horror and tragedy of the nazism period - as that is more relevant to the issues of today.

[Anil]

Some historical context: The swastika symbol is almost undoubtedly of hindu origin ("svastika" in sanskrit means "good to be.") It's been around for thousands of years, and is included in many Hindu religious texts in connection with Hinduism's take on philosophical/spiritual concepts (life, death, rebirth etc...) It's in ample evidence throughout India, on all kinds of buildings, artworks etc From India it spreads to the rest of the world--particularly as Buddhism departs from India and spreads to China and other parts of Asia, and then finally Japan.

[Kevin McGuinness]

The swastika is no more German (or Chinese) than Yorkshire pudding. It is found on Middle Eastern coins and other European artefacts dating back thousands of years. It was widely used by many cultures ranging from China to Middle American. It can be found in the ruins of a Roman temple in Northumberland. The actual name swastika is Indian in origin, being derived from the Sanskrit savisti (meaning good or welfare). It is sacred to Hindus.

In Germany the swastika has been almost exclusively associated with anti-semitism since the late 19th Century, when it was adopted as a symbol by the German Gymnasts' League. It has no other current connotation in Western European cultures than with Nazism. However, the growing cultural diversity of Western Europe, and the increase in international travel and cultural exchange, make it unrealistic to equate every use of the swastika with anti-semitism, must less to ban its use (as has been proposed in the European Parliament).

[Hai]

If we try to get ourselves used to what is happening against the common sense about Swastika and something else that would remind us of NAZIs or Japanese Army's atrocities in WW2, what else couldn't we tolerate or forget?

[Andro]

Once while flying from India to Europe on a Lufthansa flight, I overheard the flight attendants talking about the prevalance of Swastika in India. These symbols are visible on the threshold of houses, in temples and in other cultural symbols. An Indian flight attendant was trying to explain this to his German counterparts.

Obviously the appearance of these symbols does not have the slightest to do with National Socialism or the Nazis.

Personally though, I barely spare a glance to the swastika when I am in India, but it makes my blood run cold when I am in the West because like it or not it has too strong a link to some terrible things. There is nothing wrong with it being used by some people but probably the Japanese are doing the right thing by showing cultural sensitivity in wanting to take this off before a Western tour.

[Matt, Germany]

Hitler stole gratuitously from mythology. The Norse mythology is another example that has been tainted. However, I'd say that 99% of the people here, both Germans aswell as visitors do NOT know that the Swastika symbolizes anything but Hitler's Nazi fascism. In that light, flaunting that symbol, especially on banners and stuff, would be an extraordinarily bad idea. Is it fair to those for whom it is an old religious symbol, that one man can hijack their thing for his evil propaganda? Surely not. But it has happened, and can't be changed now.

[Glyndon Townhill]

Rida Matsu wrote:
"BARUTO no GAKUEN". It means "The paradise of the beards", referring to the fact that a majority of the German POW´s in Japan grew beards (BARUTO - German: Bart) while they were in the camps.
BARUTO could very well refer to 'beard' rather than 'Baltic.' But GAKUEN does NOT mean 'paradise', only 'academy' or 'school'.
'Paradise' is RAKUEN. You can refer to 'Daijirin', which is one the two most authoritative Japanese dictionaries.

[That's a great pity. 'Academy of the Beards' is good, but 'Paradise of the Beards', or even 'Beardies' Eden' is unimprovable. Perhaps we can agree on 'School for Beardies'. RLP]