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Speech at the Japanese International Marriage Friendship Club, Seattle Convention (Sept. 13, 2011)
Good Morning, President Forrester, distinguished guests, and members of the International Marriage Club. Thank you for inviting me to your club meeting. I am honored to say a few words at your convention.
I. "My War Bride”
Some months after my arrival in Seattle, Mr. Michael Forrester gave me a book called "Tsuchino, My Japanese War Bride." My wife read it first and told me „you should love me like Mike loves Tsuchino!" Reading the book myself, I came to know the amazing story of the Japanese war brides. I was surprised by the tough lives they lead and the difficulties they overcame.
II. What I Learned About the Lives of War Brides
Since reading “My War Bride,” I have become very interested in this subject and I have learned many things. Here are some points which stood out as the most surprising ones for me.
My first shock was how much the U.S. Forces did to discourage American soldiers from marrying Japanese women, even 10 years after the end of the war. Even after managing to marry, the couples faced many challenges. Often, one or both sides of the family were unhappy with the marriage and disowned their son or daughter. For Japanese women beginning lives in the United States, in addition to language and culture barriers, they also faced prejudice and misconceptions.
III. In the Name of Love
I would like to take this opportunity to pay full respect to you for your lifelong strength and courage. You made the difficult decision to cross the Pacific to an unknown land in the name of love. You dedicated yourselves as wives to your American husbands and mothers to bi-cultural children. You worked hard, not only to learn about American culture, but also to preserve your Japanese heritage to share it with your families, and have even influenced American cuisine! For instance, soy sauce owes a lot of its popularity to Japanese war brides. You served as grassroots cultural ambassadors.
After bringing up your children and you had time of your own, many of you have contributed to your neighborhoods through volunteer work, for example at Seattle Keiro Home, and overcoming prejudice through making friends in your communities.
You have supported each other through networking with fellow war brides, sharing your experiences and uniting to conquer challenges.
There hasn't been a meeting of this club in a few years, so it is my pleasure to report to you that, in 2010 the Emperor of Japan decorated Mrs. Kazuko Umezu Stout, the former president of this club who unfortunately was unable to join us today. This decoration recognizes of all of your efforts to improve the perception and status of Japanese war brides. All of you are winners.
IV. Beautiful Lives
I would like to pay my respect to you today for all your courage and determination.
I have noticed a difference between the gardens of Japan and the United States. In Japanese gardens, the flowers and trees are beautiful, but each year they are cut back to conform to a certain size or shape. They cannot grow as they please. Trees and flowers in the United States are allowed to grow naturally. Even sakura donated from Japan are larger and more vibrant when replanted in American soil. It seems to me that it is the same for Japanese ladies. Looking out at all of you today, I see a room full of beautiful, open-hearted and active women. I am impressed by how much younger and lively you look than ladies of your generation in Japan! You have made beautiful lives in your new home.
I wish you all good health and a good fun at this convention.