Chapter 13 Summary

H and his friends are discussing the drive to ban English expression from the Japanese language and its repercussions among the Japanese. Names of people, cigarettes, food and pencils are being changed because they violate the spirit of the times. English is not the only thing being erased. The Japanese language is being affected as well. H hears talk about postcards being delivered with much of the writing being blacked out.

The purpose of this type of censorship is to prevent spying. Morio tells H not to go up on the roof anymore because the military secrets law prohibits any "bird's eye" photography or sketching from high places. The military secrets law also prohibits the sketching of any naval vessels and requires train passengers to lower their shades when passing by the countryside.

H is frustrated by the law and decides to give...