Of Maples and … 1 Monks Japanese maples, moved by awful sympathy for Tibetan monks, are immolating themselves beside the Buddhist temples. 2 Mothers As if they, too, were beseeching the Bosatsu to save their children, the maples adorn the worn Jizo stones with blood-red bibs. 3 Marxists Mao’s cadres wore red stars on their uniforms. With similar stars the maples memorialise the millions whom they murdered. Andrew Lansdown 4 Martyrs i.m. the 26 Nagasaki Martyrs, 1597 Shogunal maples are stakes with copious flames: all that is needed to complete their purpose is some Kirishitans for burning.…
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