Life can be fulfilling, emotional, filled with awe…and eerie. All at once. In ten short days. In a country far away.
But life and its generations help you live it backwards and forward.
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Ten great days were spent in Tokyo and Hiroshima with my oldest son, Takeshi. He is 24 years old. We had never been on vacation together. My loss. I admit to being worried he was not going to enjoy himself.
There is so much to write about for family and friends but jet lag affects more than sleep. There is a cavernous disconnect between my (normally minimally functioning) brain and my fingers.
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But during this trip…
My son enjoyed his time with my dad’s side of the family immensely – so much so he shed a few tears at a farewell dinner they threw for us. He even found a new drinking buddy – my cousin’s intelligent and beautiful granddaughter, Yuu-chan:
With my cousin Toshio Nakano, we saw my father’s station he served in as part of the 8th US Army’s G-2, Military Intelligence Service in Yokohama; because I carried some photos of him in uniform inside, the Public Relations Officer escorted us to a view from the (unrestricted) roof:
Was able to meet my cousin Masako (78) once again and the family – and we were royally treated:
Took the cremated remains of my Aunt Shiz (95) for internment; she was my dad’s last living sibling. He is now the last one:
Saw the most beautiful parts of Japan:
A most EMOTIONAL meeting with those responsible for finding my dad’s 1937 high school yearbook:
And the most STARTLING and tear-jerking finds of generations past – including those of my father’s younger brother who was KIA as part of the Japanese Imperial Army:
I hope you’ll stay tuned until this old mind functions again. Not that it ever did. Thought it best to say that before someone did.
Masako and Spam Musubi 
Oh Mustang.Koji this was just a teaser for what I know will be fascinating. What an emotional trip this must have been!!!
Would I do that to you? Or is it “could I?” Nyuk nyuk. 🙂
Yes you would! And I like the “nyuk nyuk”!!!! 🙂 I will wait patiently. For a few days….. 😉
I was soooooo nice to be so far away – from your knogging. 🙂
HA!!!! You are glad to be back to knogging and you know it! 🙂
Real men never admit to anything… 😉
Ah…. good to know this NOW.
Glad you had a safe journey Koji. You squeezed years of emotion into days. I can imagine how it feels to come back to your regular world with that weight, and jet lag! I look forward to your stories and photos. Keith
How did you know I’m overweight?!
good to see you back. Can’t wait for more [from Tokyo]
Hope all has been well with you! My internet access was basically non-existent during my stay so there is much to catch up on. 🙂
What a very special trip to take with your son, and I am sure it was life-changing for him to connect with his family through you. I will really be eager to hear more about it. The photos you shared already tell a story! Debra
Thank you, Three Well Beings! There was no time for photography other than snapshots but they hopefully will tell the story.
What a trip! So glad you could spend time with your son. Really looking forward to hearing more.
I had very limited access to the internet for one reason or another while I was gone… I hope all your cuddly passengers traveled safely!
You’re not the only one who’s emotional about this. I’ve got tears in my eyes.
We are one, as human beings, if we could only see.
Touche, seapunk2… and thank you for your gifts for peace.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful trip with us. You have touched our hearts!
With all the stuff going on in the world, I in return thank you and your family…
So glad for you to have been able to make this trip – and glad you are back. I am looking forward to hearing all about it, especially about your uncle.
Thanks, Patrick… Its been just incredibly busy since returning stateside. I hope to be posting something soon. Lots to describe of what happened. I hope all is good at your end…
My Bulldog Brother: Does this mean you’re back? Wow, I am sure that this trip was incredible and better than these wonderful pictures & comments can describe! I would love to hear more about this when we can get together again!
I spent some time with Ralph Moreno last Saturday and one of the first things we talked about was “Koji”! Ralph just committed to the Reunion, will you be joining us? I certainly hope so along with others! Call me when you get a chance! Catch up from jet lag first….LOL!
Catching up after getting hit with jet lag at our age is no easy task…especially if you’re NOT retired like you! lol
Excellent photos – your family is very goodlooking.
Why, thank you!