On the background of the cheerful events in Japan, the international circumstances were about to step an outrageous landmine, so to speak.
In the fall 1939, the previous year, in Europe, German Military invaded Poland, and right after that the UK and France declared war on Germany, which led to European War.
Besides, in June 1940, Soviet Union started the blunt action of the territory expansion like the annexation of Baltic three countries. In the same month, Italy participated in war to help Germany, and the battle between Germany and Soviet Union was escalated.

* Japan World Exposition
* The 12th Olympic Games in Tokyo

In Japan, while the Cabinets were changed again and again like a chameleon since several years before, the party politics was gone in the Diet because Imperial Rule Assistance Association was organized in October 1940, and the national unity government was established. This made the control over the people's living stronger and stronger. It was also this year that the rationing system was adapted to rice, wheat, salt, match, milk, etc.
The lantern parades were held all over Japan during that time.

The next year,
in October, the cabinet of Hideki Tojo was formed,
in November, the imperial council was held,
in December, Japanese Army attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii and landed on the Malay Peninsula, which led to the Pacific War.
Together with European War, the battle fields were in Asia and Europe, but most of the countries the world over were involved in the two wars, which moved rapidly toward the 2nd World War.

2. Blessed with a child

Kuma's younger sister, married into Maruyama family in Kinokawa, died after giving birth to Yoriko, the first baby.
In the result of the relative conference, Kyozo couple adopted the girl baby as the product of Heaven.
After one year, it was recognized that Kuma became pregnant.
What? Did Kuma? Isn't she a barren woman? No one could believe it right away.
Actually she had not have a period for a while. She wanted sour food and choked during eating.
"I am a little strange, omahama."
She confessed to him thinking "might possibly be". Kyozo had a big smile on his face, but returned to "never" at once.
He said.
"Let's go to a doctor just to make sure. It would be bad if you had illness."

They visited the usual obstetrician at Shingu Hospital. The doctor's diagnosis was "very good luck". He swept the doubt away in an assertive tone.
"Congratulations, Kyozo! Kuma is pregnant for 3 months. She will give birth to your treasure around May next year in Kigen 2600.

About one month before Kuma's delivery the doctor put a stethoscope to her stomach fixing his ears, and said half like a joke.
"Maybe a boy."

On a fine day in May, three carp-shaped streamers were fluttering. Large black and red carp are pleasant with a blue baby carp.
A man looking up is giving a smile of satisfaction and Yoriko, almost 2 years old, is romping beside him.
Just as the doctor predicted, a boy was born healthy and strong. It was the nicest happening in the 8th year since Kyozo came back from Arafura Sea. He was 40 years old and Kuma 32.

- - - - -
"Yoriko pulled a new life for us, for sure. She is an angel."
They kneeled in prayer.
The baby was named "Kyota". He was born in May 1940, on the day the doctor predicted.
Kyozo stopped smoking.
"You don't need to do so."
Kyozo never accepted Kuma's claim.

Son Kyota was an irritable child. He had a convulsive fit. Examining him, the home doctor said, probably both with a comfort and flattery, "This boy baby is surely wise and good. Promising."
After half a year, the little boy became a pet of his father adding to sister Yoriko. Before that time the cross-legged knees of papa had been the sister's monopoly, then one of the knees was for Kyota on.
If Kuma said "It's dangerous" even in a joke, papa Kyozo knitted his eyebrows.
It was Kyozo's greatest happiness to see his son sucking his mother's breast in satsfaction. He rubbed the baby's cheek with his pine-cone hand and was pleased with himself.

The baby's irritability was cured by moxibustion rather than by medicine.
Mama Kuma, carrying the baby on her back, often went to Nachi by train, then walked to the moxibustion practitioner at Hamanomiya. She did not mind that a little long distance. The moxa received there was also helpful to the boy. He wept every time the lit moxas to be put, but the effect was perfect.
When he came to be able to walk, daddy gave him a ride on his shoulders, and sang the folk song of the South Seas in a hoarse voice up to the sky. The song is the one he sang while dancing with the local people in New Guinea Island, joining the village festival.

Japan started the Pacific War in the next year of Kyota's birth. It was going to be hard side by side with the growth of the three children.
Kyozo, father, could not be applied for a soldier due to the after-effect of overwork in Arafura Sea.
As the next means to help the country, he volunteered to work in Yamada Coal Mine in Fukuoka prefecture at the beginning of 1943 just after the second son was born.
It was at the time in the world, both the East and the West, that the situation was said to take an unfavorable turn for the Three Axis Powers.