From March 23 to June 18, 1945, the Himeyuri, ひめゆり, ひめゆりの塔, a band of teenage nurse aides from Okinawa worked side by side with the Japanese Imperial Army in the end of World War II. Of the 222 girls and their teachers who volunteered to care for wounded and maimed soldiers, over half perished as the American armies advanced upon the island.
The Himeyrui symbolize great courage under terrible odds.
External Links
Animated Videos "The Last Himeyrui" on Youtube
Bibliography
石野径一郎『ひめゆりの塔』Star Lily Tower
伊波園子『ひめゆりの沖縄戦 Star Lily of the Battle of Okinawa - a girl living in a storm