Two months ago (May 2003), I had lunch with my senior from my alma mater,
Tatsuo Nakamura, and my junior, Tomoko Watanabe. We met at gTowadah on
Asakusa Sushiya Street in Tokyo.
Mr. Nakamura graduated in 1941, Ms. Watanabe in 1980, and myself in 1964
roughly in between.
@
Ms. Watanabe noticed my article titled gCherry Blossoms in Full Bloom along
the Sumida River!h and realized that Mr. Nakamura and I had visited the
Sumida Local Culture Museum, and then went to the Japanese restaurant gTowadah
in Asakusa. She immediately sent me an email saying,
"What a nice way to finish off cherry blossom viewing at Towada. It reminds me of those days."
When I conveyed this,
gThen let's go to Towada together,h
the senior agreed readily.
As usual, we had gsesame misoh as a snack and a little hot sake as an aperitif.
After chatting for a while, we let ourselves get a little tipsy, and Ms.
Watanabe and I said,
"Senior, you were an active athlete during the heyday of rowing at our alma mater, weren't you? In the year of the February 26 Incident, you entered the preparatory school of our alma mater, and due to the outbreak of the Pacific War, you graduated early in December 1941 and were immediately drafted into the military. You entered a turbulent life."
gThe alma mater and the academic community must have been in turmoil as
well.h
gYou witnessed the turbulent times leading up to the turmoil and the subsequent
upheavals of the Showa era, or rather, you were right in the midst of it.h
gIf possible, we would like to hear your story...h
When I suggested this,
gSure. If that's what you want,h
he agreed readily.
Ms. Watanabe took on the role of coordinator and handled the publicity.
There were 13 attendees. Though a small number, the ages were well-distributed,
ranging from students (two members of the rowing club) to an 84-year-old
senior.
cccc
July 12, 2003 (Saturday).
The sky was overcast with the rainy season, and it was so hot outside that
one wanted to take off their short-sleeved shirt.
The 5th-floor meeting room of the Sumida Local Culture Museum in Sumida Ward, had been prepared for this meeting thanks to the kindness of Ms. Y and the museum staff.
At 2:30 PM, gI'm sure everyone knows him...h
Ms. Tomoko Watanabe introduced Mr. Tatsuo Nakamura.
With a microphone in hand and his sleeves rolled up, he began his talk
in his usual humorous tone.
As the person in charge of the agenda, I decided to use the gvoice recorderh I had recently purchased.
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