Takashi's Birthday

Doctor: "No alcohol."  Takashi is
drinking 0.0% alcohol beer!
This photo by Tsukasa.

Due to Takashi's recent reduction in mobility, he has left us to explore nearby Japan mostly on our own, so he doesn't have to deal with cars, crowds, & curbs.  He was hospitalized just a couple weeks before we arrived due to a bout of congestive heart failure, but insisted his doctor release him so Takashi could host us in his home.  Takashi rode with his family and us on the Gero/Goji trip, but often stayed in the car while the rest of us walked. 

All the best photos were taken by Jada.

As an English Professor, now emeritus,
Takashi has this displayed in his room.
Of course, it is in English.

This is how the plaque would appear in Japanese.

A nearby school parks this bus near Takashi's home
while they performed ceremonies and
celebrations at the school.

Some of the school activities.

A pomegranate tree we'd pass on
local walks near the Matsunagas.

A property we'd we'd pass on
local walks near the Matsunagas.

One of our dinners prepared by Michiko and Takashi.
The bowl is over a small butane stove so
we cooked our meat and vegetables at the table.

I asked Takashi to write his
and Michiko's names in Kanji.

This picture was taken in 1972
while Takashi was visiting
the US and living with
me & my family for our
senior year of high school.
The red characters are Takashi's
name in hiragana.

Tsukasa, Yuko (his wife), and Mio (his daughter), joined Takashi, Michiko, Jada & I for a local drive to a nearby Bronco Billy Steakhouse to celebrate Takashi's 71st birthday.

Michiko, Mio, and Tsukasa

Michiko, Mio, and Takashi

Yuko & Mio.
Notice that Mio is sitting on a belly pack.

Yuko's belly pack made dealing with
her toddler much easier.

Yuko, Mio, Tsukasa, Jada, Murph, Takashi, Michiko