Tuesday, March 14, 2023
CHAPTER THREE: HAPA
Hapa, (half and half) a Hawaiian word for people of multicultural ancestry regardless of their specific blend.Image credit: Jennifer Qian for NPR
Kip Fulbeck interview (below).
Hapa.me, the book by Kip Fulbeck (right).
Of all the hapas I know...
Hapa #1 John Trosper is the first to come to mind. I met John when I was 10 years old. He would become the first hapa in my life. We were in the 5th grade together and not yet worldly enough to know what hapa meant. It would take another 10 years to hear the term 'hapa' for the first time. But later, in junior high school I began to sometimes feel like I was different from the kids I knew. John must have felt the same but we never talked about it though we were friends for 8 years through high school.
As a kid, John Trosper was at the top of my list when it came to honesty and integrity We met at Monte Vista Street School in Highland Park, California. I mentioned John when my Catechism teacher, a young priest, told us one Saturday that everyone that was not Catholic was going to hell. He was a wonderful teacher. I found his classes always interesting especially since last Sunday when I was in the vestibule of Saint Ignatius Church where I found a list of books banned by the Catholic Church. On it was Letters From the Earth by Mark Twain. I couldn’t believe Mark Twain was banned! I had to know why. That was Sunday. On Monday I went to the nearby Arroyo Seco Regional Branch Library after school and checked out this banned book. I couldn’t read it fast enough! Twain’s witty, funny and bold, I thought. But why ban his book? So I read on. By Saturday questions were spilling out of my head. My cup runneth over, so to speak. As usual my catechism teacher (wish I could remember his name) was very mindful about answering all of my questions. There were many. Too many some might say. But he was earnest and consistent in backing Catholic dogma, and kind all along the way. So when he repeated John was going to hell, I had to stand up for John.
I said: “John is half Chinese and probably comes from a family of Buddhists. He is also the most honest kid I’ve ever met. When we see Saint Peter and line up to get into heaven, based on goodness, John should be up front, the first in line. And me... I should be way back toward end of the end line.”
The priest said: “John is going to hell.”
I said: “My God would never allow that to happen!”
That was my last day in catechism. My wonderful teacher asked if I could stay after class for a short talk. I’d been asking way too many questions, partly influenced by Mark Twain. And other kids were starting to ask questions too.
This kind priest asked if I’d stop coming to class because he was having a very difficult time with my questions. I was heart broken because the class was so interesting.
John Trosper top left, Toby on the right of this photo.
John enlisted in the Marine Corp after graduating from Franklin High School in Los Angeles. He became a Marine Air Corp Air Traffic Controller. If the military gave medals for ethics, I’d nominate John Trosper for the highest honors. He will always be the most honest kid I ever knew. He inspired integrity and that’s quite a feat for a 5th grader!
Not long after the first week of class Chuckie stayed after school to tell me about Outward Bound Adventures: “OBA takes inner city kids on backpacking trips to the High Sierras. You should volunteer as a credentialed teacher. A week behind, I was up to my eyeballs with papers to grade but he kept asking for the rest of the year. Somewhere in that first term together he told me he was half Japanese. The following year he enrolled in Anatomy and Physiology where he continued to sell me to become an OBA volunteer. He taught me how to be relentless. After a few more months he had me meeting Helen Mary Williams and volunteering to supervise inner city kids on a hike in Angeles Crest National Forest. Persistence pays off.
Now he is the CEO of Outward Bound Adventures. He’s doing plenty of good now making the world a better place. https://www.obainc.org/
Click HERE for: Who Gets To Be 'Hapa'?
Four hapas at Cal Tech
Hapas #3-6. Being half Japanese, I sought Matthew Mori's advice before my first genealogy trip to Japan. He too is half Japanese A student genius I met as an educator in 1985. He knew exactly what documents were needed besides a birth certificate showing my mother’s name: Tamaki Patricia Ishihara. What else would I need? He had all the details. Last I’d seen him we’d met at Cal Tech in Pasadena California. He brought his twins. I instantly knew he’d have his hands full managing their genius.
So I boarded a plane with Matthew’s recommendations: “Take all forms of ID, then take anything else related to your mother and her family. And finally, take more than you think you'll ever need.”
He was right as I discovered when I walked into City Hall in Niimi, Okayama Japan, it took 4 hours to search their archives. What did the trick was a card from my mother's funeral. I'd enlisted both buddhist and Catholic priests to celebrate her life. Buddhists are given a new name when they pass that's recorded on a memorial card. This was the evidence that convinced Shoji Ishihara at Niimi City Hall that I was legitimately half Japanese.
Wednesday, August 11, 2021
TEN THOUSAND PEOPLE CHAPTER 2: NORTH AMERICA
Kindness surrounds us but it doesn't make the six o'clock news. We run into the very people that are making the world a better place every day. There are thousands.
#2001
of 10,000 People.
I sought Matthew’s advice before my first genealogy trip to Japan. He has a photographic memory and is fluent in Japanese. I knew he'd be an excellent source concerning the documents I would need to carry on my quest to find my Japanese ancestors in Niimi Japan.
At one point we met at Cal Tech in Pasadena California. He brought his twins. #2,002, & 2003. Hannah and ___, instantly I knew he’d have his hands full managing their genius. A few years later I meet his third child: Darwin #2,004.
Soon I boarded a plane with Matthew’s recommendations: “Take all forms of ID, then take anything else related to your mother and her family.” Then take more documents, you never know what will help.
He was right as I discovered when I walked into City Hall in Niimi, Okayama Japan, one of my mother's cryptic documents was the key that opened her official Japanese almost impossible-to-get-into archives.
#2,005 of 10,000 People: It was Monday August 9th, 2021 when I met Landon Langly at the gym. I needed his help.
A rotator cuff surgery makes it unwise to lift heavy objects above my head so I asked Langdon if he’d raise the heavy pulley on an exercise machine. He happily raised the pulley mechanism, then we talked for a time. Langdon has an honest charm: he could sell ice cubes in Iceland. He is in the U.S. Air Force, aspiring to be a Chaplain. So this is what someone looks like before officially becoming a chaplain. One day he’ll be a highly respected Chaplain, someone a soldier can seek out for guidance and a moral compass.
Not long after the first week of class Chuckie stayed after school to tell me about Outward Bound Adventures: “OBA takes inner city kids on backpacking trips to the High Sierras. You should volunteer as a credentialed teacher. A week behind, I was up to my eyeballs with papers to grade but he kept asking for the rest of the year.
Now he is the CEO of Outward Bound Adventures. He’s doing plenty of good now making the world a better place. https://www.obainc.org/
#2,007 #2007 Like the kind people we met in Japan, Kathy Gagliardotto of California lives the samurai principle of community building. This characteristic can be reflected in her last quote:
"My motto is living life to the fullest because life is about seizing the moment and choosing to be happy in everything we do.My idea of happiness is seeing my kids successful in their chosen careers that are oriented to helping others.My biggest flaw is doing my best to please others even if it’s at the expense of my own happiness. "
Bushido, samurai principles, were visible as she engaged with people at the gym: Honor, Justice, Respect, Honesty. They recognized these qualities in Kathy.
#2,008 We were only 5th graders and yet John Trosper was at the top of my list when it came to honesty and integrity. We met at Monte Vista Street School in Highland Park, California. I mentioned John when my Catechism teacher, a young priest, told us one Saturday that everyone that was not Catholic was going to hell. He was a wonderful teacher. I found his classes always interesting especially since last Sunday when I was in the vestibule of Saint Ignatius Church where I found a list of books banned by the Catholic Church. On it was Letters From the Earth by Mark Twain. I couldn’t believe Mark Twain was banned! I had to know why. That was Sunday. On Monday I went to the nearby Arroyo Seco Regional Branch Library after school and checked out this banned book. I couldn’t read it fast enough! Twain’s witty, funny and bold, I thought. But why ban his book? So I read on. By Saturday questions were spilling out of my head. My cup runneth over, so to speak. As usual my catechism teacher (wish I could remember his name) was very mindful about answering all of my questions. There were many. Too many some might say. But he was earnest and consistent in backing Catholic dogma, and kind all along the way. So when he repeated John was going to hell, I had to stand up for John.
I said: “John is half Chinese and probably comes from a family of Buddhists. He is also the most honest kid I’ve ever met. When we see Saint Peter and line up to get into heaven, based on goodness, John should be up front, the first in line. And me... I should be way back toward end of the end line.”
The priest said: “John is going to hell.”
I said: “My God would never allow that to happen!”
That was my last day in catechism. My wonderful teacher asked if I could stay after class for a short talk. I’d been asking way too many questions, partly influenced by Mark Twain. And other kids were starting to ask questions too.
This kind priest asked if I’d stop coming to class because he was having a very difficult time with my questions. I was heart broken because the class was so interesting.
John Trosper top left, Toby on the right of this photo.
John enlisted in the Marine Corp after graduating from Franklin High School in Los Angeles. He became a Marine Air Corp Air Traffic Controller. If the military gave medals for ethics, I’d nominate John Trosper for the highest honors. He will always be the most honest kid I ever knew. He inspired integrity and that’s quite a feat for a 5th grader!
#2,009 Second from the left in the photo below. I met Roy Beer in elementary school or was it two years later at Luther Burbank Junior High School. Roy taught me how to surf (at the “Cliffs” at Huntington Beach), he taught me how to ski (we’d drive to Mammoth Ski Area in time to be the first on the lifts). Roy was seconds away from being a military casualty in Vietnam. Click HERE for Roy’s Vietnam Journal.
His dedication and earnest character have been an inspiration that dates way back. He’s been a good friend since we were little kids.
#2,010 Archie Tier Wednesday April 12, 2023 "I try to *help at least one person every time I'm in the gym. You're my guy today." See the definition below.
From Merriam-Webster: Help tansitive verb
1. To give assistance or support to (someone) with something that is useful or necessary.
2. To make more pleasant or bearable.
3. To be of use, BENEFIT. To further the advancement of: PROMOTE
4. To change for the better.
Syn: confort, guidance, support, assist, lift, nourish
Phrases: So help me: upon my word.
Time Traveler: The first known use: circa 12th century in English. Probably earlier in other languages.
Syn: confort, guidance, support, assist, lift, nourish
Phrases: So help me: upon my word.
Time Traveler: The first known use: circa 12th century in English. Probably earlier in other languages.
#2,011 Ginger and Mike (owners of New Mandarin Gardens)
My favorite Chinese Cuisine in Orange County.
#2,012
Wednesday, April 3, 2024 A perfectly excellent day to ski the Town Lift in historic Park City, Utah.
Spontaneity had swept us here to 7,000 feet though I'd not done my proper 6 week physical pre ski training, but the mountain tops were calling. After 4 falls, I decided to call it a day, then I saw the Bridge Cafe and sat long enough to have a soda. The pause was so restorative, the mountain tops were calling, the Town Lift was just a few feet away, and still, no lift lines! You guessed it. Felt like I had enough in me for another short run.
That's when I took this photo riding up a chair lift into a mistake hidden inside a gorgeous day. That "one more run." was not a completely bad idea except that I'd not counted on missing the turn to King's Run, the easiest way down the mountain. Long story short, I'd missed that turn 3 times, including two additional falls, found myself on a run called "Quit N Time." Turns out, not as easy as it sounds.
That's where I took my 7th fall, ending up flat on my back in a painful knot from which I had no way out. I could lift my helmet off the snow, and move my right hand, but I could not release the ski binding lever holding my right boot.
There's a Japanese proverb:
"Nana korobi ya oki".
Fall down seven times, get up eight.
But how was I going to get up?
There I was, a tangle, knotted on the snow looking up to cerulean, a perfectly blue shade of sky. Unsure of the passing of time I hear the rasp of approaching skis...
"Are you okay? Do you need help?" Later I'd learn that Annia Orendain Gomez was her name. I pointed to the heel of my right ski binding, she knew exactly what to do. Taking the small tip of her ski pole, placing it in exactly the right place on the heel clamp and giving it a bump, the binding popped, releasing my right foot. It took a while to get my feet pointing down the mountain and in position to stand up. (My 8th time standing today after my 7th fall.)
#2,011 Annia Orendain Gomez
"On a clear day, you can see forever." It was clear to Annia that my right leg was not well enough to ski, I'd have to walk down this steep terrain.
Annia, as it turns out, is another one of those people that make the world a better place. Which leads me to a question: How do people grow up to be kind? What happens to them along the way that allows empathy and thoughtfullness to unfold?
I'll ask her and put her answer here. -->
"I’ve honestly not always been a nice person, life has taught me that you have to help as much as you can and try to be a better person every day. Growing up my parents always tried to educate us to be polite and kind with the people around us, to include the people who are left out, they wanted to teach us that a small act of kindness can change another’s person hole life, to have someone that actually cares even if it’s a stranger, can change anyone’s perception of life. So as live goes on, I always try to be kind, even if is to say good morning or good afternoon to the people I encounter, because I know, it will make their day better and that makes me genuinely happy. It grows on you and I believe small acts can make a difference."
I sense another story. When you wrote: “I’ve honestly not always been a nice person, life has taught me that you have to help as much as you can and try to be a better person every day.
Which leaves a question. Was there something that happened that changed Annia into a nice person? Seems this would further illuminate what is already posted.
...There are people who say today's kids don't care. My theory is... those people watch too much television news.
Monday, March 9, 2020
CHAPTER 1: Ten Thousand People... The Blog That Dreams of Becoming an Art Book in Japan
Is it possible to meet 10,000 people as we live out our remaining days? Now that I'm thinking about it, I'll keep a record going forward of new people I meet, and add names and photos of those from my past that cross my memory.
Ten Thousand People: The Art Book was conceived on a bright tsunami-wave of a cherry-blossom day in Ginza. We climbed to street level after leaving the Tokyo Art Book Fair... Billions and billions of pink sakura blossoms softly drifted to earth but unlike snow... instead of melting... there remained a confetti carpet of pink petals on the street as we crossed to the Ginza Antique and Craft Fair.
And like those beautiful cherry blossoms, everywhere we encountered pleasant, polite friendly people like we were clouds floating over a sea of kindness. That's when I met Chieco and had an epiphany, the genesis of this Art Book: Ten Thousand People. The people that make the world a better place.
April 7, 2019
#1,001 The very first of 10,000 People
I meet Chieko Iwase, the inspiration for this 10,000 People Art Book. She and her family were selling their Japanese antiques at the Ginza Craft Fair in Tokyo. Though she spoke no English, she understood everything. Her son was quick to translate but I bet left on our own, we would have understood all the essentials. On her face and in the kindness of her character I recognized the virtues of bushido, the code of the samurai: Honor, Integrity, Compassion, Honesty, Courage, Respect, and Loyalty. We were together for less than an hour, but she launched in me a lifetime of wanting to photograph and come to know 10,000 people. Scroll down #2 of 10,000 People.
#1,002 Yuji Ishihara, my first friend in Japan. Before I knew it, I felt that we were born into the same family.
Yuji, left in the wake of our friendship so many impressions and precious moments I was inspired to film our together journey in the short 12 minute documentary below.
Morita-san is now a principal of his own high school in Japan.
#1,003 Japan Fulbright International Science Exchange Colleague Yoshihiro Morita. We met at Nara Super Science High School. I was invited by the Japan Ministry of Education to write an International Science Program for high school students. A year later, I was to take our top MIT and Harvard bound science students from Montebello High School for a 7 day science expedition to Japan. In addition to Yoshi, that trip would connect me with Akiko Murakami who would open many doors for my future in Japan (see below).
A year after our International High School Science Exchange Expedition to Japan, we would host students from Nara Super-Science High School on an exchange in California. The hispanic families of the students that went to Japan were so excited to host our new science friends from Nara. Our parents hosted neighborhood block parties for our Japanese guests who were treated to the brightness of the Latino culture of Los Angeles while I hosted Mr. Morita and his colleague at my home in Long Beach, California.
I pointed to my camera... she waved me closer. Clicking off photos on the approach, I was suddenly intercepted, stopped short and quickly escorted away by tree photographers. Didn't understand their words but unmistakable was their crystal clear body language: "Hey look buddy, we're paying this girl hundreds of thousands in yen. You're not going to waltz in here and take free photographs." They were clear like yakuza clear. I looked back at her as I was swept away... One of those unforgettable moments: was it the kimono, the girl, her welcoming smile or the yakuza?
After 8 additional journeys to Japan... I've looked but haven't seen her since.
Then. I found my very own Japanese Bride. True... Patricia is half Scottish, half Irish... but she lives in the heart and soul of a Japanese woman. You should see her in her Kyoto Kimono!!!
#1,005 October 21, 2005 Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan. Kyoko Jones, our Japan Fulbright Administrator and handler.
Kyoko ran our 2005 Japan Fulbright 20 day tour of Japan for American Educators. She brought to us far reaching resources like the Minister of Education, a Member of the Japanese Parliament, a Kabuki actor in 2 hour session while she applied her make up... and many more including ...
One of our stops to visit a Japanese Elementary School... [the next 3 photos were taken by my teacher colleagues while on our Japan Fulbright Educators 20 day tour of Japan.]
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or was it a preschool?
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Visiting our first Japanese High School...
#1,006 October 25, 2005 I meet an EYEWITNESS TO HIROSHIMA
In all my journeys across Japan I may have crossed paths with Hiroshima Survivors unknowningly, but Koji Ikeda was holding his newborn infant in Hiroshima on that day of infamy, August 6, 1945. By 8:15 am his wife had walked into the city for groceries.... The last he saw was a bright flash then... nothing. Later, he doesn’t know how long, he digs himself out of the splintered rubble of his families home. Then frantically he scours the debris for his baby... relieved when finally finding the suddenly quiet child alive and well.
There's more to his story that I'll include in a future post.
#1,007 Tomoko Nagani, Hiroshima Survivor Laison
#1,008 August 27, 2015
In Search of the Japanese side of the family, my first taxi driver in Japan takes me to Okayama City Hall... notice the white lace back seat covers, common to taxis in Japan.
#1,009 August 28, 2015 Shoji Ishihara and colleagues at Niimi Shiaksho, Niimi City Hall searching for my mother's Japanese family... the family that did not venture to America... the family that stayed behind...
The koseki [official family records] search took Hiromi Fujii [left] 1,010, Yuki Tomiya 1,011, Miki Watanabe 1,012, and Shoji Ishihara [far right] nearly four hours... I watched their eyes brightened when they found the document linking my mother's parents to one of the 3 Kobayakawa families of Niimi, Okayama.
From left: Hiromi Fujii, Yuki Tomiya, Miki Watanabe, and Shoji Ishihara.
Shoji [above] took me home to have dinner with his father
There's more to his story that I'll include in a future post.
#1,007 Tomoko Nagani, Hiroshima Survivor Laison
#1,008 August 27, 2015
In Search of the Japanese side of the family, my first taxi driver in Japan takes me to Okayama City Hall... notice the white lace back seat covers, common to taxis in Japan.
#1,009 August 28, 2015 Shoji Ishihara and colleagues at Niimi Shiaksho, Niimi City Hall searching for my mother's Japanese family... the family that did not venture to America... the family that stayed behind...
The koseki [official family records] search took Hiromi Fujii [left] 1,010, Yuki Tomiya 1,011, Miki Watanabe 1,012, and Shoji Ishihara [far right] nearly four hours... I watched their eyes brightened when they found the document linking my mother's parents to one of the 3 Kobayakawa families of Niimi, Okayama.
From left: Hiromi Fujii, Yuki Tomiya, Miki Watanabe, and Shoji Ishihara.
Shoji [above] took me home to have dinner with his father
#1,013 Yuji Ishihara after we finished researching my Kobayakawa Family Geneology.
Yuji was the Genius who early on envisioned the map that would lead me to my mother's Japanese cousins. Click HERE for his short documentary.
# 1,014 Shoji's research above led me to Yasuo Kobayakawa [standing behind Patricia] first cousin, his wife Kuniko #1,015, grandson Takuya #1,016, and Kaori, his mother #1,017. Part of our Japanese family lives in Niimi, this part of our family lives in Tokyo.
Yuji was the Genius who early on envisioned the map that would lead me to my mother's Japanese cousins. Click HERE for his short documentary.
# 1,014 Shoji's research above led me to Yasuo Kobayakawa [standing behind Patricia] first cousin, his wife Kuniko #1,015, grandson Takuya #1,016, and Kaori, his mother #1,017. Part of our Japanese family lives in Niimi, this part of our family lives in Tokyo.
#1,018 "The best okinomiyaki in Hiroshima" is a one woman restaurant... she is the chief cook, dishwasher, accountant, buyer, customer service specialist, and entertainer. Click on the video below.
From my camcorder August 2005. Ryokan staff teach us a Japanese song and dance. I don't know how... but I vow to get back to that peerless ryokan. Hey that would'nt be the name of the ryokan on their kimonos... would it?
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#1019 through #1,027 Hiromi (far right, standing) and her family. August 2005. My first homestay in Japan where I learn... there's no better way to find the soul of Japan than to stay with a three generation family.
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July 15, 2006. #1,028 through #1,031. Our Nara High School science student partners take us to visit Kyoto University.
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October 26, 2016 Kurashiki, Okayama
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Nara Super Science High School Teacher and International Science exchange colleague Yoshihiro Morita stayed with me for a week while his advanced science students were in home stays with my advanced science students in Montebello California. We first met when we visited his science lab in Nara Japan
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July 2006. My advanced science students from Montebello High School meet #1,032 Akiko Murakami on our last evening in Nara Japan. We exchange email addresses... but in one of those never anticipated possible futures... nine years away... we will meet again, but this time in California... and two years beyond that, she would introduce me to Megumi's family who would give Patricia her beautiful wedding kimono. Her father, Yoshio, a retired Sakura City Hall employee would introduce me to the oldest Samurai Sword making family, crafting swords for warriors and Emperors for 600 years!
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August 31, 2015 Gassan Sadatoshi,#1,033 the Master Swordsmith of Sakura City, in his home museum and sword making studio near Nara Japan. We enjoy tea in his living room overlooking his serene Japanese garden. He me to quote him: "Samurai Swords are not for fighting."
March 17, 2017 On a Kyoto adventure we find five new friends who take time out of their day to help us find Mokumeganea jewelry store where Patricia's engagement ring awaits... no matter where she goes... there she is making friends among admiring followers...
Senjyu Shrine, Tokyo [below]
April 2019, Tokyo
10,000 People: The Art Book back story
April 4, 2019. April 4, 2019. In search of the biggest Art Book Vending Machine in the world... This is where the 10.000 People Art Book idea began in Jimbocho, Tokyo's book town.
Jimbōchō has its own train station, not far from Ginza where we found...The Largest Art Book Vending Machine in the world (see photo below) at the Ginza Art Book Show.
Taps, the trumpet call unique to the Unites States military, is sounded at funerals, wreath-laying and memorial services. Originally it was the call to extinguish lights. It's been said that soon in this digital age, books that is books, made of paper, will only be found in museums. Is it time to play taps for the age of books?
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