The Manjiro Society - Manjiro Society Newsletters

Volume 7, Number 2
Summer 2000

Taeko Floyd with the Manjiro Tree presented to her at the fundraiser for
her founding of the US Society and her years of service to its cause.
In This Issue: Index of other issues

Walle's Voice
2nd Annual Fundraiser BBQ
Letter from Robert Whitfield
Private Side of Michi
Personal Profile: Michi Joseff
Notices
Opening Night at the 10th Japan-America Grassroots Summit in Chicago
Manjiro Lunch at the Tachibana
Upcoming Events
(Japanese names are presented western style, family name last, except for historical figures and bibliographic entries.)
Walle's Voice
Several month have gone by and my "job" as Executive Director of the Manjiro Society is still not a job but an exciting, rewarding venture.
I have lots of help from a very active board and volunteers. Many of the tasks needing to be done are taken care of by cheerful volunteers, many of whom also happen to be Manjiro board members doing double duty.
The preparations for our annual fundraiser were done with enthusiasm and expertise by our many Manjiro volunteers: buying food and paper goods, bringing balloons, putting up signs, decorating, signing-in people, slicing onions (were those volunteers happy?---they did cry a lot), cooking hamburgers, replenishing the food, getting the desserts ready, entertaining us with music, arranging and marking all the beautiful donated raffle and auction items and then selling raffle tickets. It was a beehive of happy, active friends, talking, eating, enjoying, listening, relaxing and taking care of our youngest Manjiro Members who took in all the activities with big, smiling eyes from their strollers or their parents' arms.
I want to thank all of you, the volunteers, the Manjiro Members and their friends for coming and participating. But most of all I want to thank Taeko and Walt again for all their support and for opening their country place so we can have the Manjiro Fundraiser in such a beautiful location.
We already are invited to have our 3rd annual fundraiser at the Floyd Farm in 2001. We will let you know the date as soon as possible so you can mark your calendar.

Richard Holbrook
Hiroko Imamura

Living in the Washington area makes you aware that changes are always on the horizon. Our board member and legal advisor Richard Holbrook informed me that he and his family are moving to Tokyo this summer. The shock of my first crisis as Executive Director was eased right away when Richard suggested that Hiroko Imamura, a brand new member of the Manjiro Society and working in a legal capacity for the World Bank, might like to take on his job. Hiroko gracefully agreed to be the legal advisor for the Manjiro Society and was voted in at the board meeting in June. To Richard, Junko and their 1/2 year old daughter Karina, many thanks for your hours of help and support. We wish you all the best for your time in Tokyo. A warm welcome to Hiroko, her husband Kamala and their twin daughters into the Manjiro Family.
We are planning some informal get togethers with Manjiro members throughout the year. We are always open for suggestions from our members. Also, we are always looking for articles for our newsletter exchanges. Please do not hesitate to send us stories you think might interest our readers.

--Walle Hargreaves, Executive Director, Manjiro Society

• The Manjiro Society for International Exchange, Inc. is a not-for-profit educational and cultural exchange organization incorporated under the laws of the State of Virginia. The Society is not currently organized as designated under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, so contributions to the Society are not currently tax-deductible.
• The United States Manjiro Society was launched in late 1993. It serves as the counterpart and partner of the similarly-named Japanese organization founded in 1991 in response to the recommendation of the government-to-government Tokyo Declaration that more grassroots exchanges between Americans and Japanese were needed. The Society works to supplement the work of the numerous "Japan-America" societies located throughout the U.S. The Manjiro Society is a membership organization seeking to interest those who: (A) have a serious, but perhaps not professional interest in Japan; (B) wish to visit Japan and meet Japanese in the U.S.; (C) may prefer to concentrate their involvement in annual sessions of no more than ten days, keeping in touch outside the "Summits" through Society publications and electronic communications; and (D) wish to support the Society's service as a coordinating point for special exchange programs that grow out of developing member interests.
• exchanges newsletter
Editor: Dave Thompson
© 2000 by the Manjiro Society for International Exchange, Inc. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to use the material herin freely as long as credit is given to the Society, and a copy or notice of the usage is supplied to the Society at its U.S. address.

Second Annual Manjiro Society Fundraiser BBQ
On Sunday, May 7, the annual fundraiser for the Manjiro Society commenced in the usual fine style at Taeko and Walter Floyd's farm.
The weather was very "summerlike," and wonderful for a picnic. About 80 people from ages under 8-months to over 80-years old attended, and many new friendships were made both during the preparations for the event and later in the day.
With Walle Hargreaves heading up this affair in her new position of Executive Director of the Manjiro Society, everyone who offered was given a job to do, so we all felt we were participating in a fine cause. Thanks first of all to the Floyds for opening their Farm and hearts, to Michi for buying all the food and drinks, to Yoko (in charge of signups), Carmela and Akiko (for setting up the raffle and silent auction), Bill and Phil (meat carvers) and local friends of the Floyds (for manning the BBQ). Special thanks to Vicki for her many contributions from baked beans, her famous cookies, bringing all the paper goods and to a hand-sewn quilt for the auction, as well as to the many people who brought food, raffle and silent auction donations. Thanks to all of you who came and made this a successful, fun event.
The day was made more special by a presentation of a cherry tree and a plaque, and a framed collage of Manjiro memories---photos of the many people Taeko has brought together over 10 years. Members signed quilt pieces for a Memory Quilt to be made for Taeko by Vicki. Taeko, with the help of daughter Lisa, also ``broke ground'' for the new Floyd B&B&B (Bed, Breakfast and Bath) to be built next to their house. Art played dramatic tunes on his Swiss alphorn to commemorate the event.
There was a short meeting of members to vote on Board Members for the year 2000. They are: Taeko Floyd, Hardy Hargreaves, Walle Hargreaves, Richard Holbrook, Barbara Nesbitt, David Thompson, Christopher Zabawa, and for Michi Joseff as Treasurer. This was followed by a concert by three members of the McLean Youth Orchestra. Their beautiful music enhance the surroundings and was enjoyed by all.
Some guests still had enough energy to enjoy a game of tennis. Others kept the party going with music on the guitar and singing.
The proceeds from the raffle, contributions, and silent auction were around $1,500. This will greatly benefit future programs of the Manjiro Society.
All in all, a wonderful day, and everyone is already looking forward to the Fundraiser next Spring.
--Barbara Pfeiffer

Letter from Robert Whitfield
On behalf of the Whitfield family I would like to thank you for coming to today's fundraising BBQ. Due to a previous family commitment, Kathi and I could not attend this event. I have asked that Walle share this letter with you on my behalf.
First, let me thank Taeko and Walter for donating their beautiful country home for this event. I know that you will be well fed on the food, the fellowship and the view.
Second, to Taeko, I send my family's gratitude for the years of service you have given in the purssuit of sharing Manjiro's story with others. Along the way you've enccouraged many people to learn about the real Japan and the real America. As some of you may know, Taeko played an instrumental part in assisting Ms. Emily Warner in researching her books on Manjiro. Most of us know that from there she was bitten by the "Manjiro Bug" and has never slowed down. Somewhere along the line Taeko became an adopted member of the Whitfield family. We are so pleased that she will continue sharing our story with others as they visit her summer camp.
Finally, Walle, I know that the Manjiro Society of Virginia could not be in better hands. As in the past, our family is eager to support the efforts of the group.
Thank you for your kind support.
--Robert Whitfield
(5th generation descendant, Captain William H. Whitfield)

The Private Side of Michi

Michi Joseff

When you listen to Michi, you will have a hard time hearing any accent. No wonder, since she came to the US when she was 16 years old, went to high school here, and college, where she received a degree in Business Education.
Michi did go back to Japan, teaching business at an International school in Yokohama for eight years. She was very glad to have many international friends there since she missed the easier lifestyle of America.
Among those friends was Gary. On one of their first dates he brought her a bunch of flowers. Michi was not very excited about those flowers and told Gary not to bring her flowers anymore. She never told him that the bouquet of flowers he bought her at the flower shop was used only when you visit the cemetery!
Michi feels very comfortable in her Reston home. There are many beautiful Japanese antique pieces of furniture tastefully arranged, and modern Japanese prints compliment everything. Two-year old granddaughter Kayleigh loves it when she is allowed to take one of the Japanese dolls out of its glass case.
Naturally she misses her family, all of whom live in Japan. On her visits there she looks forward to visit with her four brothers and her sister and, naturally, her mother, who lives in a very nice nursing home. With her friends she goes out and eats all the food she misses in the US, especially ramen. Nevertheless, she is glad not to live under the cultural restrictions which are still so strong in Japan, especially for women. For example, her mother does not like it when Michi wears jeans; according to her mother, women over 30 should not wear jeans. Also going back to school to study and become a CPSS and a Certified Financial Planner would have been very difficult in Japan, especially if you were already married.
Michi feels very comfortable in her life in the US. She cooks both Japanese and American food at home, except breakfast is always American. She and her husband go skiing every year, they love walking on the many paths in Reston, enjoy the grandchildren and watch movies when there is time.
She loves her job and feels very good when she can help her clients to achieve financial security and success. She deals with people from different backgrounds, and feels she can be of special assistance to anyone who is not used to dealing with financial advisors or is intimidated by the idea of financial planning.
Personal Profile: Michi Joseff
This "Personal Profile" is the first in a series of articles on the backgrounds and careers of individual members of the Manjiro Society. This profile features Michi Joseff, a long-serving Manjiro Society member who takes an active role in organizing and helping to manage the day-to-day activities of the Manjiro Society for International Exchange in McLean, VA.
Michi is Treasurer of the Manjiro Society and contributes important professional services to ensure the Society's financial accounts are maintained in good order. She also contributes her professional expertise to ensure all reports are prepared in accordance with the tax laws of the US Government and the Commonwealth of Virginia. Michi's many reasons for becoming involved with the Manjiro Society include the rewards of seeing grassroots exchanges help build bonds between communities in different parts of the USA and Japan.
Michi is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Financial Planner. She maintains a professional financial planning practice at the First Financial Group, a Bethesda, Maryland-based company providing personal and corporate financial consulting services.
Michi is a native of Tokyo, Japan who has received her professional training in financial planning in the US. She resides with her husband in Reston, Virginia and is active in Japanese cultural organizations in the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Michi also often returns to her native Tokyo to visit family and renew old friendships. She also takes an active role in fund-raising activities of the Japanese-USA student exchanges.
You can contact Michi Joseff at First Financial Group, 7220 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 200, Bethesda, Maryland 20817. Phone 301-907-9030, ext. 178.
--Christopher Zabawa

Notices

We have a collection of Japanese and Russian stamps (cancelled and new). Two books with Russian stamps 1970, 1972 and six books with Japanese stamps 1954, 1964, etc.---Olympic and World's Fair, among others---plus a reference book from 1996. If you know of anyone who would be interested in knowing more about them and hopefully buying them, please call the Manjiro Society.
Getaway in the country. Walt and Taeko Floyd offer their cabin in the Shenandoah Valley, which sleeps up to 10 people, for individuals or groups. Please call Taeko at 540-877-9705 if you would like a brochure.
Congratulations to Bob Green and Yuki Fujiiwara. Bob and Yuki met at the 7th Japan-America Grassroots Summit in Yamagata and kept in touch via e-mail and visits. Yuki moved to beautiful Boulder and they got married in December 99. We hope to meet both of them again at the 11th Summit in Hiroshima in 2001.
This space can be used by any member to post notices. If you have something of interest and the newsletter gets published in time for your information and there is space available, we will try our best to include it.

Opening Night at the 10th Japan-America Grassroots Summit in Chicago

Taeko Floyd, Hardy Hargreaves and Walle Hargreaves attended the Opening Ceremony of the 10th Summit in Chicago. The location of the Hotel right on the lake was spectacular, it also gave all the guests, American and Japanese, a chance to easily explore downtown Chicago on their own. The Japanese participants, especially, took advantage of the possibility and visited the Sears Tower, the Hancock Tower, and the Miracle Mile with all its famous stores in the short time they had. The opening ceremony featured many greetings, speakers, and wonderful music and dance performances. All the speeches were translated into Japanese or English and into both sign languages. This is always fascinating to watch. One puzzling thing occured several times during the ceremony: the lights kept being dimmed---did the organizers try to tell the people on stage to make it short? How rude; people were wondering what was going on. Finally Hardy realized what happened; he stood next to a woman who was leaning against the back wall listening to the events on stage. All of a sudden she gave a small cry as she realized she turned the lights off and on by leaning against the light switch next to the door. I sure hope nobody got too upset by that mishap.
It was fun to meet so many old friends. Some people come to as many summits as possible. There were participants from the Summits in Shizuoka and Yamagata, and people who were involved in the Colorado Springs Summit and the Summit in Williamsburg. Let's hope many interested Americans will have a chance to go to the 11th Japan-America Grassroots Summit in Hiroshima in the Fall of the year 2001.
Manjiro Lunch at Tachibana

A small group of Manjiro members gathered at the Tachibana Restaurant in McLean for an informal get together. The food was delicious and the conversation was animated. We hope you can join in the future when we will meet there again. Some of the participants are pictured above.

Upcoming Events

The Manjiro Society is planning another informal get-together in October. We plan to meet at the National Arboretum in Washington DC on Sunday October 22, 1:00 PM at the Information building at the R-Street entrance. The fall colors should be just perfect. This is also a good time to admire the bonsai collection there.
Please keep your calendar open for several get-togethers next year with the Chiba Youth Orchestra. This wonderful group will come for their second visit with the McLean Youth Orchestra. Their last visit was in Spring 1997. They will be here March 21 through March 27. There will be about 20 people coming from Japan. They will play with the McLean Youth Orchestra in concert on Sunday, 25 March. We will need homestays and volunteers to help organize this fun exchange and, naturally, many people in the audience at concert time.
The 11th Japan America Grassroots Summit is scheduled for Fall 2001 in Hiroshima. As soon as we have more detail, we will inform you.

Newsletter Index

Comments on the Society's programs should be sent to the Executive Director.
Comments on the website should be sent to the Webmaster.
Page last updated Nov 26, 2000. Copyright 1998-2002, The Manjiro Society.