Japan Part II

We visited many of the usual sites with the family including Hakone (Mt. Fuji), the Happoen Garden Restaurant, where we were initiated into Gheng [Genghis] Khan barbecue style of cooking, the beautiful Sanno Hotel and other interesting places in the Tokyo area.  We even saw Mary Martin's rendition of Hello, Dolly! there!

Kim Michael, Hammy, Bert, and Kent on the Hakone trip (1965)

Bert introducing Kim Michael to rocks
(at Zaō volcano in Sendai)

Hammy and the tour group
(at Zaō volcano in Sendai)

Hammy and a jizo, a Buddhist deity who is protector
of travelers, women and especially children, and is often
given a red cap and bib to protect a loved one

Kim Michael is standing with a girl at a temple

Hammy in an unusual room

It was an all day trip to Yokohama driving over bumpy roads in our VW rooftop Beetle.  The beautifully carved Indian screen we’ve enjoyed all these years was purchased at a BX [Base Exchange] there!

Hammy shopping for china

Hammy shopping with Vicky C

I was still substitute teaching in the Chofu schools in 1967.

Kim Michael receives the God and Country medal (circa 1967)
from Reverend Mike with Hammy and Bert in attendance

Travel was important to all of us, so we were most interested in seeing what was available.  The boys were able to take trips to Hong Kong with their history classes, and I made the trip with four other ladies Mary A, Lola O'T, and Peggy B, to name a few.  We shopped on the ship - the President Line, as well as all the shops [in Hong Kong.]  My purchase of a Dynasty gown + brocaded coat was elegant.  Since we didn’t have credit cards yet, I had to borrow from Mary, $20.00 the bargain price of the gown + coat!

Hammy, Lola O'T, Mary A, unknown, and Peggy B:
ready for the shopping trip to Hong Kong

The President Wilson ship

We left Bert at the Yokohama port

After five days of shopping – nonstop - it was time to leave for our ship to Yokohama.  Our rick shaw driver dropped us off at "the best restaurant" in town.  I don’t know what we ate, but Mary + I were deathly ill most of the way home, and had to be treated in the infirmary.
Enough travel - time to take a permanent teaching job at Chofu.  I'm glad I did.  The pay wasn’t all that good - $5500 for the 9 months, but the experience was beneficial - team teaching with Joan S, an excellent teacher hired in the States + we shared many ideas.  (We still keep in touch.  She’s a widow now, living in Colo. Spgs + has 5 darling grandchildren.)

Hammy in the classroom at Chofu Elementary School

Elementary school students

One day while teaching in Chofu, I felt ill + called from my desk to get a sub.  The secretary told me all the teachers were calling for the same reason – flu - but we were experiencing an earthquake.  (We got used to the earthquakes + typhoons!!)
Another great event in 1967 was Kent's graduation from high school.  He and Mike spent that summer on the golf course as they couldn’t get jobs.  They got on the bus at 7:00 or 8:00 am and got home around 5:00 [6:30], really tired + ready for baths + bed.

Kent, Hammy, and Kim Michael (1967)

Kim Michael, Kent, Al S, Glenn S, and Ken T;
the boys are seeing Kent off to college in the U.S. (1967)

Kent flew from Tokyo International Airport to the States for college, stopping off in various cities to visit friends.  He seem so self assured, we felt relieved although we knew we’d miss him.  He was headed for Miami U., Oxford, Ohio.
About that time Mike was busy in Explorer Scouts + was able to board a plane for South Korea. What a wonderful experience that was - seeing the DMZ!

Explorer Scouts and chaperones

Kim Michael, waiting to go to the airport, with the A brothers

Explorer Scouts boarding the plane to go to South Korea

Bert's organization was known as APRFE [Air Procurement Region-Far East], and we were about 20-24 in number.  We got together at the various clubs for fun + entertainment. Bert's boss, Col. L liked to close the clubs - so we were always the last ones to leave.  What fun!

Bert & Hammy at an event with Jan & Tobe T (circa 1967)

Bert and Hammy at a formal (circa 1967)

One of our APRFE couples - Anna + Dave B were transferred to Taiwan, and invited us to fly down for a visit.  The three of us Bert, Mike + I boarded a 727 + what a trip.  We enjoyed the trip immensely, visiting with the Bs + their two [three] young sons.

Kim Michael with three B boys and turkeys
(1967, Taiwan)

Kim Michael and boys in a bamboo hut

Hammy and Kim Michael with Atayal indigenous women

with facial tattoos (1967, Taiwan)

Kim Michael and Hammy with Atayal girls (1967, Taiwan)

Hammy with Tobe and Jan T

Hammy and Jan T

Hammy shopping

Hammy & Bert

Kim Michael and snow in Kanto Mura (1967-1968)

Chofu Elementary School yearbook photo

After three full years, we were ready to go home.  One thing I forgot to mention was the Chinese Cooking Course I took from the Benedictine Nuns in Tokyo.  They taught us wonderful recipes, we made them for homework, + for years after returning to the States they were favorite recipes we used for entertaining.  Mike + Kent's families have these recipes now also.

Our 1965-68 tour of Japan was now over, and it was time to pack for home.  I made a last minute purchase with the help of Hatsue.  We purchased a futon in Tokyo, and she pushed both the futon and me on the crowded train to Kanto Mura.  Would you believe I carried this on my back nearly a mile from the train through the “back gate” to our quarters!!
The next day the packers came + with the exception of our deep freeze which we sold to missionaries, we were all packed + ready to go.
We bought a used Datsun for $100.00, and drove it on the base for the three years, then sold it for the same price.

Mount Fuji

The saying goes that if you see Mt. Fuji when you’re flying home, you will go back to Japan.  Well it hasn't happened to Bert, Mike, or me, but Kent has returned several times.
Our layover in Guam was long enough for the boys to get out + stretch, but Bert + I stayed on the plane.  Our last leg was beautiful Hawaii, and a most welcome relaxing 8 days on the beach.
One of the Chofu teachers who lived in Oahu drove us all over the island and pointed out interesting sights; otherwise we wouldn’t have seen anything but the beautiful beach.  We did go to a Don Ho type luau and that was fun.

Hammy, Kim Michael, and Kent sampling fresh pineapple (1968, Hawaii)

Former Chofu teacher, Kent, Kim Michael with coconuts, Bert
(1968 in Hawaii)

Kim Michael and Kent with Diamond Head in the background
(1968, Oahu, Hawaii)

Our next stop was mainline U.S.A. where we landed at the San Francisco Airport.  I was so excited to see our dear friends, Millie + Tom F, I rushed past Security + was chastised for it!

Tom, Mary, Hammy, Gene, Millie, and John (1968 in San Bruno, CA)

We spent a few wonderful days in San Bruno with Millie + Tom before flying home to Cleveland.  We promptly began car + house hunting after being picked up by Art + Helen C.  They found a motel for us on Center Ridge Rd. in Rocky River, and after calling my folks, we began our housing search.

Japan Part I

It was off to Japan in Aug. [July] ‘65 after saying "Sayonara" to our friends, the Ts in Cincinnati and the Rs in Fairborn.
The first leg of our trip to Japan was driving to Wellsville to visit with Mom + Dad H and to leave [the dog,] Snoopy, with his new "parents."  We had good intentions, but he couldn't adjust to his new environment, and they had to find a new home for him.  It was a sad day for all of us!

Snoopy

Our 45 mile drive to the Pittsburg Airport was uneventful, and our TWA flight to Calif. went well.  From there we flew via PAA [Pan American Airways] to Alaska, then on to Tachikawa.  It was sad saying sayonara to our family + friends, but exciting looking forward to moving to a foreign country for a three year tour.
Our friends from W/P met us with a jug of martinis because they knew we would be tired from the long trip.  We were!  They located a motel nearby.  It was comfy + we slept for 12 hours, then ready to go.  Our first stop was the billeting office where we decided to move into a comfortable 3 BR nicely furnished apartment at Kanto Mura, a housing area for military + civilian employees.  Our apartment had a dining area, living room, kitchen + ½ bath on the first floor, and 3 bedrooms + bath on the second.  There was a theatre, chapel, commissary + large high school, elem. and junior h. s. on the grounds.
Tachikawa Air Base where Bert worked was about ten miles from our home.  Kanto Mura was just ten miles from Tokyo.  The rail system provided plentiful trains out our back gate.
Japan has many celebrations and we arrived in July, so we were there in time to witness the Obon Festival.  This is a celebration of the well being of the spirits of their departed loved ones.
It didn’t take long to learn the secret of the "good life" in Japan.  You don’t stay home.  You get outside the prison walls + join the other okasans [okaasans/mothers] for coffee, luncheon, and bridge.
One of the perks was getting good help at a reasonable price.  Hatsue came to us + we hired her for three days a week.  After she was there a short time, she asked if she could come just two days a week as there wasn't enough to keep her busy!

Base housing in Kanto Mura

Base housing

Hammy in the kitchen

Rob A and Kent with a lonnng carrot (1965)

Neighbors Major Les and Jan A, Lt Colonel Bert and Hammy

Hammy, Kim Michael, Kent, and Bert at a ryokan/

Japanese inn, wearing yukatas/summer kimonos (1965)

Lieutenant Colonel and Mrs S ready for the ball
at the Sanno Hotel in Tokyo (1965)

Kim Michael, Bert, and Kent at cherry blossom time (1966)

Find Bert and Hammy, Kent and Kim Michael!

Bert & Hammy feeding deer at Nara Park

Kim Michael feeding a deer

Hammy in front of the Nandaimon Gate at Nara Park

Bert and Kim Michael with parasols

Bert at Nara Park

Hammy on a ship or ferry...

Chofu High School Homecoming Parade;
Kent is in the passenger seat as escort
to the Homecoming Queen (1966)

Viking ship float for the Chofu HS Vikings (1966)

Chofu High School Marching Band (1966)

Kim Michael in his band uniform (1966)

Explorer Scout Kim Michael (1966)

Kim Michael, Kent, Hammy, and Bert (October 1966 in Fuchu, Japan)

Kent, Kim Michael, Hammy, Bert (1966 in Fuchu);
used as the Christmas card photo

Kent + Mike were both happily settled in school, each meeting new friends + happy in Jr. High and high school - making good adjustments, so I decided to sign up for substitute teaching at Chofu Elem. and the ASIJ – Amer. School in Japan (out the back gate).
I also joined the Tachi Wives Club, and attended the monthly meetings. I was nominated to run for Asst. Treasurer, although I really objected, but as the boss's wife insisted, I accepted. They voted me in!
One of the most interesting luncheons was when Lola O'T + I were seated with two very interesting ladies, Miss M and Mrs. Honda. We exchanged mementos + Mrs. Honda graciously invited us to come visit her. Miss M insisted we should visit her friend, Mrs. Honda. We missed our chance of seeing this lovely lady's home by declining the invitation. She was the real Mrs. Honda, of Honda Motors!

Christmas at the Ambassador's home (1966)

Kim Michael, Kent, and Hammy,
Christmas in Kanto Mura (1966)

Kim Michael, Kent, and Bert,
Christmas in Kanto Mura (1966)

Hammy (Christmas 1966)

Our tour of Japan was from 1965-1968, and it was during the Vietnam War period. The boys and I took advantage of that period to tour the area, but Bert was busy at work. He traveled to the Philippines, Taiwan, Bangkok and Saigon on business, while we had fun traveling on the trains locally to see the sights in the Tokyo-Yokohama area.

Hammy and Kim Michael on the local train

We did have an interesting trip - the four of us - to a riachan [ryokan] - a Japanese inn where we slept on the floor Japanese style.

A friend, Kim Michael, and Hammy in yukatas/casual summer
kimonos, enjoying shabu shabu, a hot pot meal

In the ryokan dining room

Hammy in a yukata

Bert in a yukata

Kim Michael is outside in his bathrobe!

We did have fun meeting different people in Japan.  One of our favorites who became a long-time friend was Yasuo K, better known to us as Y.K.
Hatsue, our maid, asked us if we’d like to have “an office boy" come for conversational English.  We jumped at it.  Bert met him one evening at the “Back Gate.”  He handed Bert his card which read Yasuo K, PhD Mechanical Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology.  He was a delight!  He came once a week for the three years we were there.  We always had a topic for discussion weekly.  He was very formal that first night, but after that, he played his guitar, with feet up on our couch + sang his favorite tune "Jeanie with the Light Brown Hairs!"

YK and Kim Michael (1966)

Kent, YK, Kim Michael, and Bert (1966)

Interestingly, our friendship continued over the years - first in Japan and then in the States.  No matter where he was in the U.S., giving his lectures of "Heat Transfers," he would come see us.  He got a year's sabbatical at Purdue [University], and brought his wife + two small sons with him to visit us one Christmas in Rocky River, Ohio.  What fun!
In addition to our Y.K. + family, we enjoyed our friend, Haru D whom we met in Mariemont when she was an Exchange Student there.  She visited us in Kanto Mura, and she + her husband Mitani-san invited us to come to Osaka which we did.  We visited her parents, and we spent the night with them at their lovely farm house.  Haru's father owned a large onion farm which I am sure was a great money maker for them.

Hammy in kimono, Haru's parents, Mitani, and Haru

Hammy in kimono

Hammy feeding deer at Nara Park with Haru and Mitani to the right

Nara Park

Haru's friend, Hammy, Haru, and Mitani