Black Rain

The symbolization of bamboo spears and the situation during the Hiroshima bombing In the novel, Black Rain, by Masuji Ibuse, the bamboo spears symbolize the situation that the Japanese were in during the Hiroshima bombing. The Japanese have many traditions and just because their country is at war, does not mean that they should stop these traditions and give up all of their symbols of honor, pride, and dignity. During the war, one such symbol …

…they retreat out of the war. In this book there are many cases of symbolization and one such instance is that of these bamboo spears symbolize the accolade of being a soldier and also the engagement of war. These spears give a sense of hope and faith to the soldiers and give wings to them to fly into battle as though they would come out unscathed and able to fight on to the bitter end.