Eastern Nishikigoi's 2007 Koi Seminar . . .

[schildkoi]

My dad gave me all of his WWII stuff a few years back. He was a "Corpsman" attached to the 4th Marine Division and survided Roi-Namur, Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima. As a coorpsman, he treated many marines but also a few Japanese. He had (now me) a number of "personal" Japanese items including a diary of sorts along with pictures. I have tried contacting a Japanese consulate in hopes of returning these items but as of yet have had no success. Perhaps on my newxt trip to Japan I can find help in this project.

Steve

[KoiCop]

Quote: Originally Posted by mitten Thanks for the pics Don. I was shocked in one of them to see some old fart with his hand on Brenda's leg. Thought you'd like to know.

Mickey, Mickey, Mickey -- you geriatric reprobate, you! Old Fart, indeed.

Keep it up, Hipster: The Nurse Ratchet equivalent in your Old Folks Home will soon be revoking your internet privileges!!!

[KoiCop]

Quote: Originally Posted by gspotmc Who bought that sanke? I was asking for that when it first came in. Michael

Mikey . . .

Missed seeing you at the Seminar. What happened?

Like you, I was there last Feb when this sanke was unboxed straight from Japan. I remember looking at Sakuma-san's photos of his many, many koi, with his handwritten ratings (A, AA, AAA) of each one. As I remember, this was the only tosai in his shipment that he labled 'tategoi' -- and I do seem to remember you calling for it?

Imagine my surprise when we saw it swimming in one of the back tanks last Saturday! Ken said it was female, which Nakayama-san later confirmed.

So, a beautiful female sanke with a maruten 4-step pattern, tsubo sumi on the shoulder (and in all the shiro breaks straight back to the tail), excellent shiro, even hi, and acceptable conformation for her age and size: What's not to love?

If the pepper sumi (Matsunoske line) consolidates, and the somewhat yellowed head lightens, she should be stunning when she finishes.

And this time, I didn't pass on her.

[KoiCop]

Nancy . . .

OK, here goes.

Like Steve, I came into possession of some of my father’s WWII mementos and souvenirs -- one of which was a rather dilapidated looking Japanese Rising Sun battle flag which he’d brought home from the war. About 4’ x 3’, I’d kept it folded in the bottom of my dresser drawer for over twenty years.

When I was a young boy, Dad would tell me that he’d captured it in battle; that the holes were from bullets and the stains were from blood. I was wowed.

Nowadays I realize that since he was an Army/Air Force Mustang fighter pilot (who flew with some of the remnants of the famous Flying Tigers in the China, Burma and India Theatre of Operations) he obviously didn’t capture the flag himself in gory hand-to-hand combat. Furthermore, that the holes were probably from wear and tear and the stains probably weren’t blood.

After reading an article about a military museum in Michigan repatriating a captured Alabama Confederate battle flag from our own Civil War (or War Between the States), I was moved to someday repatriate Dad’s souvenir in a similar manner.

Nakayama-san’s visit to our home seemed an auspicious occasion. So before they left I brought out the flag and asked if he would accept it in the spirit of friendship and respect? Would he, please, take it back to Japan where it belonged?

I think he was moved when he accepted it. After some thought, he said he would donate it to a nearby military museum on the base at Sasebo, near Nagasaki (where both US and Japanese Self Defense Forces are housed and trained) and asked if that would be alright?

I was honored to agree and the flag went home.

[Nancy M.]

Don,
What a wonderful story to be able to pass on to your Grandchildren. I am sure it was a very touching moment for all of you.