I too attended St. Joseph’s. I was there in the 60’s. Brother Kraft (1st Grade) was a kind man and I liked him very much. I remember Brother Germain, but had no classes or dealings with him. Brother Imhof should never have been allowed around children. Same with Brother Charles and Mrs. Sakai. What a nightmare, and I finally found out why in 4th Grade. It was because my family was nonreligious and they did not like having a heretic in their midst.
The impact of those years of their Catholic abuse changed my life, eventually leading me to study the Bible for myself to understand these people and find where God said that me and my whole family were going to hell for not being Catholic. I soon discovered that Christ’s Message had nothing whatsoever to do with one’s religiosity, but absolutely everything to do with one’s character aligned with His Father’s Spirit of Selfless Love.
All that Catholic separatism, fearmongering, superstition, idolatry and mystery – nothing but lies and child abuse, totally denying The Way of Christ. I don’t remember the timeline, but I think a year or so before we left Japan the principle was replaced, having been accused of sexual contact with one the boys.
I am glad to have come across your article and that you have wonderful memories of St. Joseph’s. I survived it. Still, it was a great blessing upon my life, as it led me to study scripture, which led to writing books proving how institutionalized Christianity and Christ’s Message are 2 different things entirely.
I would love to go back to Japan and miss it terribly, but those days are gone and never to return. We lived on Yamate-cho near the Ferris Girl’s School. I used to sit on the bluff next to the school and look at an unobstructed view of Fuji for hours on end. I sit on that bluff in my mind sometimes.
God bless, my friend. Wishing you and your family love and happiness.
I wish I had somehow saved the many other comments I received when this article, “Growing Up International” appeared in The Washington Post Education Review before the closing of St. Joseph’s International School (formerly St. Joseph College). Maybe one of your former classmates wrote in.
Last spring I climbed up the steep steps from Motomachi to Ferris Girl’s School and on to Sacred Heart Church. I expected some student to be practicing on the piano or singing as I climbed up. As a commuter (from Zushi to St. Joseph College in my senior year) I stopped along the way to catch my breath. I vaguely recall catching a glimpse of Mt. Fuji. At that time, I was more interested in looking at girls — from St. Maur’s, Futaba, Ferris, etc.
Your comments startled me. But, in my mature years, I can understand the impact the school’s religious rigor had on you. Since this is a public forum, I cannot reveal too much of what I know about the abuses at the school during my 12 years there.
I do remember one incident in my religion class when I responded to Bro. John Sullivan that the more you know about the world, the more difficult it is to keep one’s faith. His response was, in retrospect, ironic. He quoted an aphorism: “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Drink deep . . .” (Alexander Pope?)
Thank you for your comments. If you wish to get in touch with your former classmates, let me know.
Kunio Francis Tanabe (St. Joseph College, Yokohama, Japan, Class of 1961)
I , too, loved Brother Leo Kraft. Such a kind, decent man. He was my first grade teacher but I learned very little about his background during my 12 years at the school except that he was Swiss. I remember Mrs. Sakai hitting my finger tips with a ruler in 2nd grade. As to the Alsatian brothers, Bro. Albert, Bro. Imhoff, they did not leave a lasting impression. Except for Brother Germain, a very colorful man, indeed. He was a former French foreign legionnaire, something I mentioned in the article.
Francis, (since my name is also Kunio, let me address you with your Baptism name–we were baptized on the same day, on December 3, 1955 if my memory service me right, at the SJC Chapel.
Anyway, today I just want to thank you for estblishing the blog site. I think about my SJC days quite often and now I have a depository whenever I want to record a) memories and b) thoughts about my 12 years there.
Kunio Dominic KIKUCHI (SJC Class of 60) from Washington DC
I miss working with you on illustrations for Book World! Earlier today I was emailing with Lisa and talking to Kelly so I thought I should look for you as well, and now, here you are. What a delight. If you have a chance, please keep in touch! I would love to hear about your goings on.
Jen!
Good to hear from you. I do miss working with you and printing your beautiful artwork. I don’t know if you read Book World on paper, but the whole section looks very different from the days when I was art director. The art budget has shrunk considerably and they use mostly stock photos. Hope you are thriving — getting work from other sections of the Post. I see Lisa occasionally but haven’t talked to Kelly in over a year. I am enjoying my retirement with occasional writing assignments. I travel and read a lot. I must continue with my work in progress but there are so many distractions including this beautiful spring flora and mild weather. Let me know when you’re in town. We’ll have lots to talk about.
I was recently searching for any information regarding SJC and was fortunate enough to come across your article “Growing Up International”. I attended St. Joseph from 1972 to 1977, and 31 years later, and I still count my years there as some of my happiest.
I was really touched by your stories of Brother Leo and Brother Germain, as I knew them both very well. I recall Bro. Leo as a disciplinarian, with his pointer/switch, that he used to smack your desk with if your weren’t paying attention. Despite his strictness, I recall that he was a fair and kind man, and never actually hurt anyone. I still count him as one of my better teachers.
Brother Germain was one of my favorites, and I loved the times when he would substitute for a sick teacher. He would tell us all about his bees and the garden, and he would bring out a little jar of honey from his hives and let us taste the fruits of his labor on little crackers.
Your account of sharing lunches brought back fond memories as well, as I recall our lunches being veritable international food bazaars. Your memories of Motomachi, the park, the bluff all brought back fond memories.
I currently live in Chicago, and I was fortunate enough to visit the area twice. Once in 1983, just as my former classmates were graduating. Fr. Gerber, who gave me my First Communion, and was the Principal briefly while I was there, was then semi-retired, and actually took me to the faculty area and personally served me a Coke. I was so touched by his hospitality even though he barely remembered who I was. I visited again in 2004. I had know that the school had closed, but I did not expect to see a condo complex where it used to be. I could barely make out the former outline of the school, so I had to satisfy myself by going down the hill where the back of the school used to be, and going back up to Motomachi Park and walking down the steps to the shopping district.
I was a little shocked at Mr. Cord’s words about Bro. Charles. He was my first grade homeroom teacher, and while he spanked us with his stick when we forgot our homework, he never really did anything that would be considered truly abusive in light of the revelations of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy.
Perhaps I was just lucky and managed to avoid all that. I could go on and on, but I just wanted to express my thanks to you for writing about your memories.
Interestingly enough, my “internationalist” lifestyle lives on – I was born in the Philippines, but I am now an American, but I am currently doing business in Ethiopia. I guess the environment at St. Joe’s prepared me for this kind of a life.
Manuel:
Just returned from lunch and saw your new posting. Yes, we graduates of SJC/SJIS are an international bunch. Just had lunch with a few graduates, upperclassmen from St. Joe’s. It was a fabulous lunch at the World Bank where one of the participants, Mr. Kunio Kikuchi (class of 60) worked for several decades. The others were Albert Yamada and Larry Okuda, both from my brother’s class (1957). We all like to travel to exotic places. Mr. Okuda just returned from Buenos Aires where he took tango lessons and visited vineyards. Mr. Yamada returned from the Burgundy region in France. Let me see: I visited Dublin and several cities in France and Spain along the Atlantic Coast. There was a proposal years ago from Shun Kanda (class of 1960) who teaches architecture at MIT that perhaps we should create an international community for our retirement years, say, in Italy. Just a dream, but it may work since we all have a very open, international background. I know about the condo that replaced the SJC campus. I was chased away when I took photographs while they were building the place. I was very fortunate for being able to attend the last graduation back in 2000. There was a graduation party in the cafeteria and a dinner dance at YCAC a few days later. NHK filmed the event and turned it into a lovely documentary that was aired throughout Japan. You may know that the yearbook (“Forward”) has been digitized from the earliest years until 2000 and is available for sale. All the best in your current endeavors.
Francis
P.S.: Rejoice! An international-minded politician is about to become president of the United States. Go, Obama!
Rejoice, indeed. I am an ardent supporter of Obama for this very reason. I was tickled by story I recently read, regarding Obama’s conversation with President Yudoyono of Indonesia. He greeted President Yudoyono in fluent Indonesian, saying, “Apa kabar, Bapak Presiden.” You can probably imaging the jaw dropping at the other end of the line. And forgive me for being a bit shallow, but I am absolutely thrilled to have a President who has relatives that look like all of us – African, Asian, Caucasian, and everything else in between.
Another bit about the condo – perhaps a bit of schadefreude. When I was there in 2004, there was some kind of a protest going on, as the pressure of the building’s foundation was causing boulders from the retaining wall on the downhill side to literally shoot out into the street like cannonballs.
I love the idea of an international retiremetn community in Italy – perhaps I will join you there someday. In the meantime, be well.
Oh, It has been forever! I hope you are still checking in on this lovely spot of yours. I see the last post was nearly 2 years ago. Are you writing your lovely stories elsewhere?
On Thursday I received the most incredible article to illustrate for the magazine (WP). For some reason each page made me think of you. Perhaps I just enjoyed it so much that it reminded me of your knack for sending life-altering articles. Those reviews so often sent me in search of something… in the direction of some subject or another, that I still think of jobs with you as a road map to the interesting moments in life!
I hope all is well with you and yours! I miss working with you, even all these years later. If you have a space moment sometime I’d love to hear from you..
Hi, Jen!
Good to hear from you. I do miss the Book World tabloid and the wonderful illustrations that you and others provided. We had the creme de la creme of art. The entire Post has changed so much and they are no longer spending as much money for illustrations. I remember your summer reading illustrations vividly, with conch shells and the sea that evoked so much of my favorite season. I’m happy to hear of your latest assignment. I will certainly look out for it. Besides this blog, you can write to me directly: kftanabe at yahoo dot com.
And a happy new year to you. A bit of a coincidence to hear from you because this morning I was reading a magazine devoted solely to the history of Yokohama. It is written in Japanese and published as a centennial celebration of “Yokohama Honmoku.” The publisher is the chief librarian of Naka-ku. I found out that where we lived–#62 Honmoku Motomachi in front of the beach, is, according to Commodore Perry’s map, between Mandarin Bluff and Haycock (arbitrary names that he used). In the Japanese period maps of the Meiji Era, it would be between Ju-ni Ten (the “nose” of Honmoku where the Shinto Shrine used to be located along with a popular inn. Mandarin Bluff was bulldozed to build Area One and the Shinto Shrine was relocated in what was Area Two, up on a hill, on the other side of what was the tram tracks. There is a photo of a sign that stood on the corner of Area One: “Nasugbu Beach Area.” The name doesn’t sound Japanese at all. Was there a person named “Nasugbu?” Is it another arbitrary name like “Haycock”? Perry, by the way named Negishi Bay as “Mississippi Bay.”
Thank you. I found the answer from a contributor on another website “The Navy Exchange in Yokohama Is Where?” on a Japanese site for travel information. There was a sign not far from where I lived in Honmoku, Yokohama, at the corner of Area 1 (near the Niles C. Kinnick school). This was back over 50 years.
I meant to say our house was located in front of the beach between Area One and Hachioji Beach, where the cliffs and valleys begin. This magazine shows a photograph of our house that has long been demolished. The landscape has changed so much it would be difficult to recognize it.
The internet always seems to have the answer. “Nasugbu Beach” is the name of a beach in the Philippines where the American forces landed toward the end of World War II. Seems to be a popular beach resort southwest of Manila.
I was about to mention “Nasugbu” was from the PI but you found it while wife and I were taking a walk through our woods at noon here. We have a sunny day today with about five inches on snow on the ground. It’s refreshing to get outside when the weather improves.
You might check recent posts at Japan Guide. It’s still going albeit haphazardly.
Nous sommes les cousins de Belgique. Nous nous permettons de prendre de vos nouvelles, car nous n’en n’avons plus depuis plusieurs années. Nous espérons que vous vous portez bien et que vous nous enverrez un petit mot
quand vous le pourrez.
Viviane et Georges
Viviane et Georges:
Quel bon surprise! C’etait plusieurs annee que nous avons vous voir — a la plage, je crois. Knokke le Zoute; et aussi a Cointe. . Nous avons visite Italia il y’a deux ans. Elle a dit que vous avez parti votre belle ville–Liege. Marie-Elise est a bonne mine aussi. Elle repondra immediatement a votre e-mail. Merci a votre correspondence. Salut!
Going through some papers the other day I came across a yellowed article I had cut out of the paper some years ago-“Growing Up International” I meant to contact you then, but never did. Though I did not attend your school, I wonder if our paths crossed? My father was an army officer,stationed at the port. We lived in Yamashita Park,across from the Grand Hotel. I have so many happy memories of that time.I was in 7th Grade at Yokohama High School. My best memory is going to Motomachi on Sat. with my allowance(350 yen) to shop. I could buy a shell that, when put in water sprouted a paper flower,a barrette, a small notebook with beautiful paper and maybe some caramel candy,too. I understand the canal, then filled with people who lived on boats,is now a subway!? My husband and I are planning a trip to Japan this spring for our 50th anniversary. I wonder if we should see Yokohama as it is now,or just keep it a beautiful memory? Always enjoyed your work in the Post.
Hi Francis, My name is Leslie Helm. I was born and raised in Japan and returned to Tokyo as correspondent for the Los Angeles Times. Sometime ago, I came across your reminiscences of Honmoku. I’ve recently completed a book called “Yokohama Yankee:My Family’s Five Generations as Outsiders in Japan.” I would love to send you galleys of the book and get your thoughts if you would send a snail mail address to me at lesliehelm@comcast.net. Thank you for your consideration. Best, Leslie
Hi Leslie: Good to hear from you. Congratulations on writing a book about your family. Yes, I am very familiar with your family name since many of the upscale homes in my old neighborhood were Helm houses. Many of my friends rented a Helm house. Some of your relatives probably attended St. Maur’s or St. Joseph College. We may even have mutual friends. I did read somewhere, a while back, that the book was in the works. Possibly on the school alumni page. Or another Helm wrote, or is writing, yet another family history? Your book is definitely one that I would love to read and possibly review. I will email you directly and provide you with my address.
Hi Francis, At the dentist this morning I commented to a Japanese man that looked about our age and after we talked briefly I asked him a question. I had a silly hunch for whatever reason. I never met him before. I asked him if he was from Yokohama. He said yes. I asked if he went to St. Joseph HS. He said yes, class of 60. I said I think I know some students you may know from there. I mentioned Hiro Morimoto and the conversation led to you, Tom Haar, Risa and the architect in Boston. His name is Kunio D. Kikuchi who wrote to you above in 2008. Did you know him in school there?
Hi, Joel
Kunio Kikuchi, who made a career here in D.C. at the World Bank, lives not far from here in Bethesda. Indeed, he was a student at St. Joseph College, a year ahead of me in Tom Haar’s and Shun Kanda’s class. He and I spent 12 years at St. Joseph’s, through grade school and high school. Hope you and Alice are stoically surviving through this cold winter. The daffodils are supposed to be poking out of the ground around this time but not this year. Let’s hope they will be blooming very soon. Just spoke to Risa Kimura an hour ago. Told him about the Time magazine cover (the current one) of the New York cityscape taken from the top of the new World Center. The compiled photo collage resembles Risa’s prints.
Francis, I have enjoy story about your memories of Honmoku which made me very happy to share my comments with you. I used to live in Honmoku Motomachi I recall when I was about 10 years old going to Saint Joseph with my fellow classmates. Till this day, we all talk about memories of Yokohama. Honmoku is where I made lots of Japanese friends and I have kept in touch with them. I recall going to Sankeien to rest my mind from my English studies and attending the class in the weekend to study Japanese calligraphy. After that I go with couple of my friends to spend our free time to see some caves were there before the war. As I was born in Osaka in 1951 and going to Saint Joseph was most enjoyable moments. Your story reflected me very much, it bought many memories and please continue to share your stories of Honmoku for those who work and play as well. Thank you Francis.. May, I hear from you soon.
I have no association withSt Joseph’s but lived in Yokohama around the time you described, I think. My fond remembrances of that time are already posted. Nasugbu Beach Elementary School was the American military school in Yokohama. The names of the streets in the military housing ares were all named for Pacific battles, I believe. I remember friends’addresses such as Tarawa Court and Leyte Court and asking where the names came from. From a modern perspective, it seems a little post-war “in your face” to do that. I wonder how that choice was made. Still have not made a return trip to Yokohama but hope to, even though I am 75. I often think of my year there with great affection.
Yokohama has changed quite a bit with a new town center east of Sakuragi-chi called Minato-Mirai. As for the Yokohama Navy Exchange area near YoHi, Nasugbu Beach, Area One and Two, most of that is gone and replaced with a shopping center and housing for the upper middle class Japanese families. But Sankeien Gardens is still there and well worth a visit. Chinatown is flourishing and so is the Motomachi shopping district. You should go visit before too long.
My name is Shinya Sugizaki, a Japanese journalist of the Asahi Shimbun, the most influential liberal and leading newspaper in Japan. I am writing to ask you an interview about Haruki Murakami. I would be grateful if you could give me a response via email or on this webpage. My email address is sugizaki-s@asahi.com.
We are now planning to publish special feature story about Mr. Murakami and his novels in October. For that, I am really interested in his promotion in the US, and how the US literary circle has perceived Murakami’s novels. As I had read your distinguished review on “A Wild Sheep Chase”, I am sure that you are one of the best person who know and explain on what points of Murakami’s novels are superior to the others.
Although so many articles and books showed how the books of MURAKAMI won popularity among the US readers, it seems to me that it is rare to shed the light to the feeling and way how the US literary world and literary professionals recognized and received his novels. In addition, as I wrote, it would be great if we could offer the view from the US literary world concerning what kind of points in Murakami’s novel were outstanding or the reason why his novel had been accepted. I am sure that we could deliver fruitful article to Japanese readers if we have an interview with you.
On that basis, it would be a great help if you could give me an opportunity for interview with you during my stay in the US from 15 to 27 of August. I would be more than happy to visit anywhere in the US and anytime. I would be willing to suit your schedule, and be grateful if you could allow me an appointment during my stay in the US. I would appreciate if you could accept my request and let me know which date is best for you.
To give you some more information on our publication, the Asahi Shimbun newspaper was first published in 1879 and is widely regarded as Japan’s leading and most influential newspaper. The morning edition has a nationwide circulation of over 7 million copies, and the evening edition over 3.5 million nationwide. The Asahi Shimbun also publishes the English language ‘The International Herald Tribune/The Asahi Shimbun’ in Japan in partnership with The Herald Tribune and its publisher, The New York Times.
GLOBE website (in Japanese): http://globe.asahi.com/
I haven’t looked at my blog in donkey’s years but found Mr. Sugizaki’s request which I fulfilled. He flew in from Tokyo and talked to editors and writers involved in publications of his book here in the U.S. The resulting article the interview by Mr. Sugizaki appeared in Asahi Shimbun in their Global section. I explained to him why Haruki Murakami probably would not win the Nobel Prize for Literature. With Kazuo Ishiguro winning the prize, it seems even more unlikely.
Thank you for your commentary on SJC. I only attended 1st and 2nd grades but remember the experience vividly. Brother Leo was wonderful and I learned so much! Mrs. Sakai also memorable for her slaps with a ruler. I lived on Bluff Route (at least that is what I remember) from 1953-1956, son of a US Army officer. Made many friends at school and the neighborhood, I only wish I could have remained in contact.
I may be able to contact some of your classmates. Mrs. Sakai did hit my hand with a ruler. Bro. Leo Kraft was an amazing teacher. A very kind man. My mother kept referring to him as Kraft cheese.
Thanks for your quick reply! Wish I had a class list – I remember students from a wide variety of backgrounds but have forgotten names. One memory of my first days was all the students taken to view the open casket of one of the faculty in the chapel – might have been a headmaster. I was so young and didn’t understand what was happening. Also remember learning to play soccer.
Class work prepared me too well and after I left SJC I didn’t have to put much effort into schoolwork for a couple of years.
The deceased religious brother must have been either Bro. Gache, the former principal, or my third-grade teacher Bro. Gessler, both from Alsace, France. The reason for the numerous Alsacian presence was that their land was taken by the Germans during WWII and they did not want to fight for the Germans. Bro. Germain joined the foreign legion (Zouaves) in North Africa before joining the Marianists.
The international faculty at St. Joseph helped me broaden my education.
Dear Mr. Tanabe:
I too attended St. Joseph’s. I was there in the 60’s. Brother Kraft (1st Grade) was a kind man and I liked him very much. I remember Brother Germain, but had no classes or dealings with him. Brother Imhof should never have been allowed around children. Same with Brother Charles and Mrs. Sakai. What a nightmare, and I finally found out why in 4th Grade. It was because my family was nonreligious and they did not like having a heretic in their midst.
The impact of those years of their Catholic abuse changed my life, eventually leading me to study the Bible for myself to understand these people and find where God said that me and my whole family were going to hell for not being Catholic. I soon discovered that Christ’s Message had nothing whatsoever to do with one’s religiosity, but absolutely everything to do with one’s character aligned with His Father’s Spirit of Selfless Love.
All that Catholic separatism, fearmongering, superstition, idolatry and mystery – nothing but lies and child abuse, totally denying The Way of Christ. I don’t remember the timeline, but I think a year or so before we left Japan the principle was replaced, having been accused of sexual contact with one the boys.
I am glad to have come across your article and that you have wonderful memories of St. Joseph’s. I survived it. Still, it was a great blessing upon my life, as it led me to study scripture, which led to writing books proving how institutionalized Christianity and Christ’s Message are 2 different things entirely.
I would love to go back to Japan and miss it terribly, but those days are gone and never to return. We lived on Yamate-cho near the Ferris Girl’s School. I used to sit on the bluff next to the school and look at an unobstructed view of Fuji for hours on end. I sit on that bluff in my mind sometimes.
God bless, my friend. Wishing you and your family love and happiness.
I wish I had somehow saved the many other comments I received when this article, “Growing Up International” appeared in The Washington Post Education Review before the closing of St. Joseph’s International School (formerly St. Joseph College). Maybe one of your former classmates wrote in.
Last spring I climbed up the steep steps from Motomachi to Ferris Girl’s School and on to Sacred Heart Church. I expected some student to be practicing on the piano or singing as I climbed up. As a commuter (from Zushi to St. Joseph College in my senior year) I stopped along the way to catch my breath. I vaguely recall catching a glimpse of Mt. Fuji. At that time, I was more interested in looking at girls — from St. Maur’s, Futaba, Ferris, etc.
Your comments startled me. But, in my mature years, I can understand the impact the school’s religious rigor had on you. Since this is a public forum, I cannot reveal too much of what I know about the abuses at the school during my 12 years there.
I do remember one incident in my religion class when I responded to Bro. John Sullivan that the more you know about the world, the more difficult it is to keep one’s faith. His response was, in retrospect, ironic. He quoted an aphorism: “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Drink deep . . .” (Alexander Pope?)
Thank you for your comments. If you wish to get in touch with your former classmates, let me know.
Kunio Francis Tanabe (St. Joseph College, Yokohama, Japan, Class of 1961)
I , too, loved Brother Leo Kraft. Such a kind, decent man. He was my first grade teacher but I learned very little about his background during my 12 years at the school except that he was Swiss. I remember Mrs. Sakai hitting my finger tips with a ruler in 2nd grade. As to the Alsatian brothers, Bro. Albert, Bro. Imhoff, they did not leave a lasting impression. Except for Brother Germain, a very colorful man, indeed. He was a former French foreign legionnaire, something I mentioned in the article.
Francis, (since my name is also Kunio, let me address you with your Baptism name–we were baptized on the same day, on December 3, 1955 if my memory service me right, at the SJC Chapel.
Anyway, today I just want to thank you for estblishing the blog site. I think about my SJC days quite often and now I have a depository whenever I want to record a) memories and b) thoughts about my 12 years there.
Kunio Dominic KIKUCHI (SJC Class of 60) from Washington DC
Dear Francis,
I’m so glad to have found you and your blog!
I miss working with you on illustrations for Book World! Earlier today I was emailing with Lisa and talking to Kelly so I thought I should look for you as well, and now, here you are. What a delight. If you have a chance, please keep in touch! I would love to hear about your goings on.
All the best,
Jen
Jen!
Good to hear from you. I do miss working with you and printing your beautiful artwork. I don’t know if you read Book World on paper, but the whole section looks very different from the days when I was art director. The art budget has shrunk considerably and they use mostly stock photos. Hope you are thriving — getting work from other sections of the Post. I see Lisa occasionally but haven’t talked to Kelly in over a year. I am enjoying my retirement with occasional writing assignments. I travel and read a lot. I must continue with my work in progress but there are so many distractions including this beautiful spring flora and mild weather. Let me know when you’re in town. We’ll have lots to talk about.
Dear Mr. Tanabe,
I was recently searching for any information regarding SJC and was fortunate enough to come across your article “Growing Up International”. I attended St. Joseph from 1972 to 1977, and 31 years later, and I still count my years there as some of my happiest.
I was really touched by your stories of Brother Leo and Brother Germain, as I knew them both very well. I recall Bro. Leo as a disciplinarian, with his pointer/switch, that he used to smack your desk with if your weren’t paying attention. Despite his strictness, I recall that he was a fair and kind man, and never actually hurt anyone. I still count him as one of my better teachers.
Brother Germain was one of my favorites, and I loved the times when he would substitute for a sick teacher. He would tell us all about his bees and the garden, and he would bring out a little jar of honey from his hives and let us taste the fruits of his labor on little crackers.
Your account of sharing lunches brought back fond memories as well, as I recall our lunches being veritable international food bazaars. Your memories of Motomachi, the park, the bluff all brought back fond memories.
I currently live in Chicago, and I was fortunate enough to visit the area twice. Once in 1983, just as my former classmates were graduating. Fr. Gerber, who gave me my First Communion, and was the Principal briefly while I was there, was then semi-retired, and actually took me to the faculty area and personally served me a Coke. I was so touched by his hospitality even though he barely remembered who I was. I visited again in 2004. I had know that the school had closed, but I did not expect to see a condo complex where it used to be. I could barely make out the former outline of the school, so I had to satisfy myself by going down the hill where the back of the school used to be, and going back up to Motomachi Park and walking down the steps to the shopping district.
I was a little shocked at Mr. Cord’s words about Bro. Charles. He was my first grade homeroom teacher, and while he spanked us with his stick when we forgot our homework, he never really did anything that would be considered truly abusive in light of the revelations of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy.
Perhaps I was just lucky and managed to avoid all that. I could go on and on, but I just wanted to express my thanks to you for writing about your memories.
Interestingly enough, my “internationalist” lifestyle lives on – I was born in the Philippines, but I am now an American, but I am currently doing business in Ethiopia. I guess the environment at St. Joe’s prepared me for this kind of a life.
Thanks again!
Manuel
Manuel:
Just returned from lunch and saw your new posting. Yes, we graduates of SJC/SJIS are an international bunch. Just had lunch with a few graduates, upperclassmen from St. Joe’s. It was a fabulous lunch at the World Bank where one of the participants, Mr. Kunio Kikuchi (class of 60) worked for several decades. The others were Albert Yamada and Larry Okuda, both from my brother’s class (1957). We all like to travel to exotic places. Mr. Okuda just returned from Buenos Aires where he took tango lessons and visited vineyards. Mr. Yamada returned from the Burgundy region in France. Let me see: I visited Dublin and several cities in France and Spain along the Atlantic Coast. There was a proposal years ago from Shun Kanda (class of 1960) who teaches architecture at MIT that perhaps we should create an international community for our retirement years, say, in Italy. Just a dream, but it may work since we all have a very open, international background. I know about the condo that replaced the SJC campus. I was chased away when I took photographs while they were building the place. I was very fortunate for being able to attend the last graduation back in 2000. There was a graduation party in the cafeteria and a dinner dance at YCAC a few days later. NHK filmed the event and turned it into a lovely documentary that was aired throughout Japan. You may know that the yearbook (“Forward”) has been digitized from the earliest years until 2000 and is available for sale. All the best in your current endeavors.
Francis
P.S.: Rejoice! An international-minded politician is about to become president of the United States. Go, Obama!
Rejoice, indeed. I am an ardent supporter of Obama for this very reason. I was tickled by story I recently read, regarding Obama’s conversation with President Yudoyono of Indonesia. He greeted President Yudoyono in fluent Indonesian, saying, “Apa kabar, Bapak Presiden.” You can probably imaging the jaw dropping at the other end of the line. And forgive me for being a bit shallow, but I am absolutely thrilled to have a President who has relatives that look like all of us – African, Asian, Caucasian, and everything else in between.
Another bit about the condo – perhaps a bit of schadefreude. When I was there in 2004, there was some kind of a protest going on, as the pressure of the building’s foundation was causing boulders from the retaining wall on the downhill side to literally shoot out into the street like cannonballs.
I love the idea of an international retiremetn community in Italy – perhaps I will join you there someday. In the meantime, be well.
Manuel
Dear Francis,
Oh, It has been forever! I hope you are still checking in on this lovely spot of yours. I see the last post was nearly 2 years ago. Are you writing your lovely stories elsewhere?
On Thursday I received the most incredible article to illustrate for the magazine (WP). For some reason each page made me think of you. Perhaps I just enjoyed it so much that it reminded me of your knack for sending life-altering articles. Those reviews so often sent me in search of something… in the direction of some subject or another, that I still think of jobs with you as a road map to the interesting moments in life!
I hope all is well with you and yours! I miss working with you, even all these years later. If you have a space moment sometime I’d love to hear from you..
All the best,
Jen
Hi, Jen!
Good to hear from you. I do miss the Book World tabloid and the wonderful illustrations that you and others provided. We had the creme de la creme of art. The entire Post has changed so much and they are no longer spending as much money for illustrations. I remember your summer reading illustrations vividly, with conch shells and the sea that evoked so much of my favorite season. I’m happy to hear of your latest assignment. I will certainly look out for it. Besides this blog, you can write to me directly: kftanabe at yahoo dot com.
Hello Kunio;
Happy New Year!
Are you still blogging?
Regards,
Eric
And a happy new year to you. A bit of a coincidence to hear from you because this morning I was reading a magazine devoted solely to the history of Yokohama. It is written in Japanese and published as a centennial celebration of “Yokohama Honmoku.” The publisher is the chief librarian of Naka-ku. I found out that where we lived–#62 Honmoku Motomachi in front of the beach, is, according to Commodore Perry’s map, between Mandarin Bluff and Haycock (arbitrary names that he used). In the Japanese period maps of the Meiji Era, it would be between Ju-ni Ten (the “nose” of Honmoku where the Shinto Shrine used to be located along with a popular inn. Mandarin Bluff was bulldozed to build Area One and the Shinto Shrine was relocated in what was Area Two, up on a hill, on the other side of what was the tram tracks. There is a photo of a sign that stood on the corner of Area One: “Nasugbu Beach Area.” The name doesn’t sound Japanese at all. Was there a person named “Nasugbu?” Is it another arbitrary name like “Haycock”? Perry, by the way named Negishi Bay as “Mississippi Bay.”
Nasugbu Beach was the site of a battle in WWII in the Philippines. That’s how our school got its name. When the Navy took over they changed it.
Thank you. I found the answer from a contributor on another website “The Navy Exchange in Yokohama Is Where?” on a Japanese site for travel information. There was a sign not far from where I lived in Honmoku, Yokohama, at the corner of Area 1 (near the Niles C. Kinnick school). This was back over 50 years.
I meant to say our house was located in front of the beach between Area One and Hachioji Beach, where the cliffs and valleys begin. This magazine shows a photograph of our house that has long been demolished. The landscape has changed so much it would be difficult to recognize it.
The internet always seems to have the answer. “Nasugbu Beach” is the name of a beach in the Philippines where the American forces landed toward the end of World War II. Seems to be a popular beach resort southwest of Manila.
I was about to mention “Nasugbu” was from the PI but you found it while wife and I were taking a walk through our woods at noon here. We have a sunny day today with about five inches on snow on the ground. It’s refreshing to get outside when the weather improves.
You might check recent posts at Japan Guide. It’s still going albeit haphazardly.
Eric
Nous sommes les cousins de Belgique. Nous nous permettons de prendre de vos nouvelles, car nous n’en n’avons plus depuis plusieurs années. Nous espérons que vous vous portez bien et que vous nous enverrez un petit mot
quand vous le pourrez.
Viviane et Georges
Viviane et Georges:
Quel bon surprise! C’etait plusieurs annee que nous avons vous voir — a la plage, je crois. Knokke le Zoute; et aussi a Cointe. . Nous avons visite Italia il y’a deux ans. Elle a dit que vous avez parti votre belle ville–Liege. Marie-Elise est a bonne mine aussi. Elle repondra immediatement a votre e-mail. Merci a votre correspondence. Salut!
Going through some papers the other day I came across a yellowed article I had cut out of the paper some years ago-“Growing Up International” I meant to contact you then, but never did. Though I did not attend your school, I wonder if our paths crossed? My father was an army officer,stationed at the port. We lived in Yamashita Park,across from the Grand Hotel. I have so many happy memories of that time.I was in 7th Grade at Yokohama High School. My best memory is going to Motomachi on Sat. with my allowance(350 yen) to shop. I could buy a shell that, when put in water sprouted a paper flower,a barrette, a small notebook with beautiful paper and maybe some caramel candy,too. I understand the canal, then filled with people who lived on boats,is now a subway!? My husband and I are planning a trip to Japan this spring for our 50th anniversary. I wonder if we should see Yokohama as it is now,or just keep it a beautiful memory? Always enjoyed your work in the Post.
Hi Francis, My name is Leslie Helm. I was born and raised in Japan and returned to Tokyo as correspondent for the Los Angeles Times. Sometime ago, I came across your reminiscences of Honmoku. I’ve recently completed a book called “Yokohama Yankee:My Family’s Five Generations as Outsiders in Japan.” I would love to send you galleys of the book and get your thoughts if you would send a snail mail address to me at lesliehelm@comcast.net. Thank you for your consideration. Best, Leslie
Hi Leslie: Good to hear from you. Congratulations on writing a book about your family. Yes, I am very familiar with your family name since many of the upscale homes in my old neighborhood were Helm houses. Many of my friends rented a Helm house. Some of your relatives probably attended St. Maur’s or St. Joseph College. We may even have mutual friends. I did read somewhere, a while back, that the book was in the works. Possibly on the school alumni page. Or another Helm wrote, or is writing, yet another family history? Your book is definitely one that I would love to read and possibly review. I will email you directly and provide you with my address.
Hi Francis, At the dentist this morning I commented to a Japanese man that looked about our age and after we talked briefly I asked him a question. I had a silly hunch for whatever reason. I never met him before. I asked him if he was from Yokohama. He said yes. I asked if he went to St. Joseph HS. He said yes, class of 60. I said I think I know some students you may know from there. I mentioned Hiro Morimoto and the conversation led to you, Tom Haar, Risa and the architect in Boston. His name is Kunio D. Kikuchi who wrote to you above in 2008. Did you know him in school there?
Hi, Joel
Kunio Kikuchi, who made a career here in D.C. at the World Bank, lives not far from here in Bethesda. Indeed, he was a student at St. Joseph College, a year ahead of me in Tom Haar’s and Shun Kanda’s class. He and I spent 12 years at St. Joseph’s, through grade school and high school. Hope you and Alice are stoically surviving through this cold winter. The daffodils are supposed to be poking out of the ground around this time but not this year. Let’s hope they will be blooming very soon. Just spoke to Risa Kimura an hour ago. Told him about the Time magazine cover (the current one) of the New York cityscape taken from the top of the new World Center. The compiled photo collage resembles Risa’s prints.
Francis, I have enjoy story about your memories of Honmoku which made me very happy to share my comments with you. I used to live in Honmoku Motomachi I recall when I was about 10 years old going to Saint Joseph with my fellow classmates. Till this day, we all talk about memories of Yokohama. Honmoku is where I made lots of Japanese friends and I have kept in touch with them. I recall going to Sankeien to rest my mind from my English studies and attending the class in the weekend to study Japanese calligraphy. After that I go with couple of my friends to spend our free time to see some caves were there before the war. As I was born in Osaka in 1951 and going to Saint Joseph was most enjoyable moments. Your story reflected me very much, it bought many memories and please continue to share your stories of Honmoku for those who work and play as well. Thank you Francis.. May, I hear from you soon.
I have no association withSt Joseph’s but lived in Yokohama around the time you described, I think. My fond remembrances of that time are already posted. Nasugbu Beach Elementary School was the American military school in Yokohama. The names of the streets in the military housing ares were all named for Pacific battles, I believe. I remember friends’addresses such as Tarawa Court and Leyte Court and asking where the names came from. From a modern perspective, it seems a little post-war “in your face” to do that. I wonder how that choice was made. Still have not made a return trip to Yokohama but hope to, even though I am 75. I often think of my year there with great affection.
Yokohama has changed quite a bit with a new town center east of Sakuragi-chi called Minato-Mirai. As for the Yokohama Navy Exchange area near YoHi, Nasugbu Beach, Area One and Two, most of that is gone and replaced with a shopping center and housing for the upper middle class Japanese families. But Sankeien Gardens is still there and well worth a visit. Chinatown is flourishing and so is the Motomachi shopping district. You should go visit before too long.
Dear, Mr. Francis Tanabe
My name is Shinya Sugizaki, a Japanese journalist of the Asahi Shimbun, the most influential liberal and leading newspaper in Japan. I am writing to ask you an interview about Haruki Murakami. I would be grateful if you could give me a response via email or on this webpage. My email address is sugizaki-s@asahi.com.
We are now planning to publish special feature story about Mr. Murakami and his novels in October. For that, I am really interested in his promotion in the US, and how the US literary circle has perceived Murakami’s novels. As I had read your distinguished review on “A Wild Sheep Chase”, I am sure that you are one of the best person who know and explain on what points of Murakami’s novels are superior to the others.
Although so many articles and books showed how the books of MURAKAMI won popularity among the US readers, it seems to me that it is rare to shed the light to the feeling and way how the US literary world and literary professionals recognized and received his novels. In addition, as I wrote, it would be great if we could offer the view from the US literary world concerning what kind of points in Murakami’s novel were outstanding or the reason why his novel had been accepted. I am sure that we could deliver fruitful article to Japanese readers if we have an interview with you.
On that basis, it would be a great help if you could give me an opportunity for interview with you during my stay in the US from 15 to 27 of August. I would be more than happy to visit anywhere in the US and anytime. I would be willing to suit your schedule, and be grateful if you could allow me an appointment during my stay in the US. I would appreciate if you could accept my request and let me know which date is best for you.
To give you some more information on our publication, the Asahi Shimbun newspaper was first published in 1879 and is widely regarded as Japan’s leading and most influential newspaper. The morning edition has a nationwide circulation of over 7 million copies, and the evening edition over 3.5 million nationwide. The Asahi Shimbun also publishes the English language ‘The International Herald Tribune/The Asahi Shimbun’ in Japan in partnership with The Herald Tribune and its publisher, The New York Times.
GLOBE website (in Japanese): http://globe.asahi.com/
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Shinya SUGIZAKI
I haven’t looked at my blog in donkey’s years but found Mr. Sugizaki’s request which I fulfilled. He flew in from Tokyo and talked to editors and writers involved in publications of his book here in the U.S. The resulting article the interview by Mr. Sugizaki appeared in Asahi Shimbun in their Global section. I explained to him why Haruki Murakami probably would not win the Nobel Prize for Literature. With Kazuo Ishiguro winning the prize, it seems even more unlikely.
Thank you for your commentary on SJC. I only attended 1st and 2nd grades but remember the experience vividly. Brother Leo was wonderful and I learned so much! Mrs. Sakai also memorable for her slaps with a ruler. I lived on Bluff Route (at least that is what I remember) from 1953-1956, son of a US Army officer. Made many friends at school and the neighborhood, I only wish I could have remained in contact.
Karl Godsey
I may be able to contact some of your classmates. Mrs. Sakai did hit my hand with a ruler. Bro. Leo Kraft was an amazing teacher. A very kind man. My mother kept referring to him as Kraft cheese.
Thanks for your quick reply! Wish I had a class list – I remember students from a wide variety of backgrounds but have forgotten names. One memory of my first days was all the students taken to view the open casket of one of the faculty in the chapel – might have been a headmaster. I was so young and didn’t understand what was happening. Also remember learning to play soccer.
Class work prepared me too well and after I left SJC I didn’t have to put much effort into schoolwork for a couple of years.
The deceased religious brother must have been either Bro. Gache, the former principal, or my third-grade teacher Bro. Gessler, both from Alsace, France. The reason for the numerous Alsacian presence was that their land was taken by the Germans during WWII and they did not want to fight for the Germans. Bro. Germain joined the foreign legion (Zouaves) in North Africa before joining the Marianists.
The international faculty at St. Joseph helped me broaden my education.
I believe it must have been Brother Gasche. I just looked him up and his photo is exactly how I remember him. Thanks for the info.