Talking about Taiji

 Another report regarding dolphin hunt in Taiji.  I've been wondering if Sea Shepherd is operating these days especially after the earthquake.  Apparently they are back in action as the Taiji people are back in the hunting.

 Several months ago, I saw the video footage by NHK reporting dolphin hunt in Taiji and persistent harassment by SS.  Basically, I was so sorry for people living in Taiji.  They were going through such a tough time.  They were caught between their longtime tradition and a new, foreign, unfamiliar idea in the most unwanted way.  What we shouldn't forget is this kind of conflict can occur to any of us.  Taiji people were unlucky, because their traditional way of living happend to be dolphins - not cattle, chickens or pigs.

 I have a mixed feeling towards dolphin hunt.  I think killing dolphins is harsh and will never want to see them being killed.  I feel the same way towards pigs and chickens.  I think killing pigs is harsh.  I will never want to see them being killed.

 I'm not teasing.

 Every species has the equal quality to each other.  Life is life.  One life is not either superior or inferior to the other.  I'm not sure if this idea is a Shinto thing or not, but there will be many Japanese who feel the same way as me.  Yes, we are brutal.  We cannot survive without killing other living creatures.  They die because of us, and it is quite possible that we are totally ignorant of it.  That's the reason we should be humble anytime.  In any moment, we may hurt someone or something without knowing it.

 A theory that dolphins are not allowed although pigs are looks just bizarre to me.  Sea shepherd forces such a funny theory on us and I feel very uncomfortable.  It's just like, I presume, the SS people feel very uncomfortable to watch dolphins get killed.  This is an issue of personal feeling.  All logics are attached later.  You search for a reason because you were somehow disturbed.

 To be honest, I don't think this problem will be solved in a way that everyone is happy with.  There is a huge gap between those who loathe dolphin hunt and people who back Taiji.  Since this is a sensitive issue which can disturb your feeling very badly, arguments can end up just hurting each other without rational discussions.

 In the video footage, a teenage girl in Taiji was distressed because her so-much-loved father's job was fiercely threatened.  But she didn't complain.  She was trying to find a way that both her father and Sea shepherd can get along.  Adults will never think such a thing.  She was very sweet and I was fond of her.  SS will not like a daughter of a dolphin killer, though.

 I can't help thinking that dolphin hunt will have no choice but go exterminated after the current generation of fishermen is gone.  Whales and dolphins used to be an important source of protein for Japanese people.  However, in modern times, we can go without eating those animals.  Even so, it's a longtime tradition in Taiji and I pay respect to it.  What I just hope is that the Taiji people will get out of dolphin hunt without losing dignity in their identity.  And hopefully that teenage girl will not give up the world.