Poplar Publishing Co., Ltd. (Shinagawa, Tokyo / President and CEO: Hiroki Kato) released the non-fiction reading book "Athletes Who Perished on the Battlefield" (Author: Masuhiro Ohno) on July 8, aimed at upper elementary school students and above.
This book is a non-fiction reading that encourages reflection on war and peace through the lives of 12 athletes who died in the Pacific War. By tracing the glory and final moments of these athletes, it is a book that allows readers to feel the irrationality of war and the preciousness of peace.
Contents
This book features 12 athletes who were active in the world of sports before and during the war, including popular professional baseball players and Olympic medalists, but who ultimately perished on the battlefield.
It delves into how these individuals, who once shone in the world of sports and earned the respect of many, became involved in, and even exploited by, the war, leading to their deaths, based on extensive research. The life stories of each athlete are depicted as poignant narratives.
Featured Athletes
The book covers athletes with diverse backgrounds and circumstances. It includes the only female Olympian casualty and the governor of Okinawa Prefecture during the Battle of Okinawa who was from university baseball, offering a multifaceted portrayal of the realities of war.
・ Eiji Sawamura (Legendary ace pitcher for the professional baseball team Giants)
・ Shinichi Ishimaru (Ace pitcher for the professional baseball team Chunichi, whose story was made into a movie)
・ Takeichi Nishi (Gold medalist in equestrian at the Los Angeles Olympics)
・ Tatsugo Kawaishi (Silver medalist in swimming at the Los Angeles Olympics)
・ Masanori Uchida (Pioneer who popularized the crawl stroke in Japan)
・ Masayo Osawa (Diver, the only female Olympian casualty)
・ Itaru Matsunaga (Member of the Japanese national soccer team, instrumental in a legendary victory)
・ Tokio Oe (Pole vaulter known for his medal of friendship)
・ Kinta Suzuki (Sprinter used to promote national prestige)
・ Tokio Kubo and Shirou Mori (Ski jumpers who aimed for the phantom Sapporo Olympics)
・ Akira Shimada (Governor of Okinawa Prefecture, formerly of Tokyo Big6 Baseball League)
From the book's table of contents. Introduction of featured individuals.
National popular athletes were drafted into the battlefield, sometimes utilized for their high physical abilities as soldiers, and at other times as propaganda material to boost national prestige, before meeting their deaths.
Although these events occurred over 80 years ago, similar tragedies continue to occur around the world today, such as in Ukraine and Gaza. It is precisely for such times that this book is recommended for children to read.
From the "Introduction"
We hope you will witness how these individuals, who once achieved glory in the world of sports, closed their lives with immense regret.
At the same time, we ask you to imagine that all those who died in the war met their end with similar feelings of regret, amidst fear and despair.
The enjoyment of sports is only possible in a peaceful world.
As the anniversary of the end of the war approaches, we encourage you to pick up this book with your children and reflect on war and peace.
The cover illustration and interior illustrations are by illustrator Jiro Iha.
Author Profile
Masahiro Ohno
Born in Tokyo. Writer and editor. Graduated from Aoyama Gakuin University, Faculty of Business Administration. Completed a Master's degree at the University of Tsukuba, Graduate School of Human Comprehensive Sciences. After leaving a publishing company, he established an editorial production company. In addition to editing numerous sports-related books, he also engages in non-fiction writing. He has served as a director of the Japan Olympic Academy and a part-time lecturer at the University of Tsukuba's Faculty of Art, among other positions. His books include "Stories of Olympic Heroes," "The Shoes of the Gold Medalist," and "Amazing Stories of the Olympics and Paralympics" (all Poplar Publishing), "A Cheering Song for You: The Story of Yuji Koseki" and "The Man Called Mr. Olympic: Masaji Tabata" (both Kodansha), and "Coubertin" and "Kinuko Hitomi" (both Komine Shoten).
Bibliographic Information
"Athletes Who Perished on the Battlefield"
Author / Masahiro Ohno
Cover Illustration / Interior Illustrations / Jiro Iha
Contribution / Shinsuke Sano
Release Date: July 2026
Size: 195mm x 135mm
Pages: 199 pages
Price: 2,090 yen (10% tax included)
Bibliographic Information >> https://www.poplar.co.jp/book/search/result/archive/4047052.html
Amazon >> https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4591189600/
FACT BOX
- Source: PR TIMES
- Category: 書籍発売