The forced execution by the Meiji government against the Yanaka remnants continued until July 2, when the remaining houses were thoroughly demolished and the remnants lost their homes and all livelihoods. Witnessing the devastation, Shozo Tanaka grabbed an official about the age of his son by the chest and yelled at him.
"Why should these unarmed villagers be subjected to such terrible treatment！ They're the same people, aren't you!! Don't you be heartbroken?Say something！"
The official said coldly. "Mr. Tanaka, you are not a good listener. If you have served as a delegate, you know that once the administration moves, it does not stop."
Shozo then spoke out against his career to date.
"I , I am just peasant from the Shimotsuke！"
The official were silent and took Shozo and the remainder of the population away. It was a week later that Shozo and the others were released.
Shozo felt helpless, but the sight he saw at the site in Yanaka moved his soul. There, on the little land that remained, people were building temporary huts with materials they had on hand and continuing to make a living.
Shozo realized that he had been mistaken. He realized that he was not the one leading the people, but he was one being led.
Shozo continued his campaign to rebuild Yanaka, but with less intensity than in the past.He devoted himself to documenting the recklessness of public works projects that destroyed nature for the government by conducting water quality survey and documenting floods.
