the old men carried their stones in silence, keeping time with the boys.
The snow never stopped. As the procession passed Motomura, the dawn broke.
From Motomura they ascended the hillside to Yotani. All those carrying stones slowed their footsteps.
As they approached the house of Ozawa in Yotani, shrinking from cold, wind and snow, old Ogawa and other comrades from Yotani met them, cleaning the snow and digging into about half a metre of earth.
When they had hollowed out the earth enough, they threw in smaller stones to strengthen the foundations and placed on them the stones they had brought with them, which they then covered with cement. The boys directed the work.
The snow never stopped.
When the cement had all been poured over, all present removed their hats and bent their heads. The monument was ready.
“In honour of the Father of the Peasant Union in Osawa—Hamamato Sendzo,” such was the inscription engraved by the inexperienced craftsmen.
The monument stood firm, rearing its mass against the never-ceasing snow.
“Long live the Peasant Union of Osawa!”
“Long live the All-Japan Peasant Union!”
“Long live the Communist Youth Section!”
They shouted the slogans one after another, the snow beating into their faces.
“Long live the Japanese Communist Party!”
