Election

Election

An even steeper mountain path
We are now entering.
Proceed with great care
On the journey of kosen-rufu.

     The election campaign of June 1956 was beset with obstacles. The members struggled mightily to combat election rule disobedience and official indifference to their complaints. Authorities carried out unwarranted arrests and interrogations, violating, in some cases, members civil rights. In spite of this, the members continued to fight admirably.
     Urged on by Shinichi Yamamoto, the Osaka members fought valiantly until the very end. He reported to President Toda that everything was fine in Kansai.
     President Toda, deeply concerned about the outcome of the campaign, meditated deeply throughout the night. He felt that the movement for kosenrufu had entered a steeper section of its path. Oblivious of the passage of time, he continued to think of the rugged terrain of mountains and valleys which stretched far into the future.

Points to ponder

     The courage of the members as they fought the campaign against huge obstacles.
     Shinichi Yamamoto’s devotion to Knasai.
     President Toda’s confidence in Shinichi ans his intuitive concern for the Tokyo campaign.