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Volume 8, Number 1
Spring 2001


Chiba Youth Orchestra Farewell at Pembroke Springs

In This Issue:Index of other issues

(Japanese names are presented western style, family name last, except for historical figures and bibliographic entries.)

Walle's Voice

It has been over a year now since I became the Executive Director of the Manjiro Society. The following is a report of our activities over the last year: Our Fundraiser in May 2000 was very successful, what with income from raffle tickets, auction receipts and admission to the fundraiser. As with all Manjiro ventures, our success results from the generous support of the Manjiro board, Manjiro members and volunteers supporting the Manjiro spirit.

In August 2000, Manjiro members and friends supported a Farewell party for the Summer camp for Japanese and American children at the Floyd Farm, now known as the Pembroke Springs Retreat. Members of the Manjiro Society also attended the 10th Japan-America Grassroots Summit in Chicago. This gave us a chance to meet with Jenny Lauth, the former Assistant to Taeko Floyd when she was Executive Director. Jenny is studying law at Northwestern University in Chicago. In the Fall, members met for dinner at Tachibana and enjoyed an outing to the National Arboretum.

Spring 2001 was very busy with preparations for the Chiba Youth Orchestra visit and joint concert with the McLean Youth Orchestra. All 19 Japanese visitors had a great time sightseeing, staying in 11 different homes of McLean Youth Orchestra members, rehearsing together and giving a splendid concert performance on March 25, 2001. After a wonderful reception at the Embassy of Japan, the group went to Jamestown and Williamsburg, then on their last day had a great afternoon and dinner at Pembroke Springs, before heading back to Japan. Again, this Orchestra Exchange would not have been possible without so many cheerful volunteers.


BBQ Fundraiser Buffet

On May 20, we had our 3rd Annual Fundraiser at the Pembroke Springs Retreat. It was combined with the Opening Celebration of the Floyd's Bed and Breakfast and a genuine Japanese Bath. Over 100 people attended this very successful event and even a constant drizzle could not dampen the spirit of those attending. More about that in a separate article.

The next big project is the 11th Japan-America Grassroots Summit in Hiroshima, Japan, October 9-17, 2001. We are happy to report that we have quite a few people interested in participating and some have already signed up for this exciting Summit. Carmela Harris is making sure that Japan has all the proper data on the participants who register through the Manjiro Society.

The McLean Youth Orchestra is already planning to go to Chiba in Spring 2002.

I especially want to thank Hardy Hargreaves, Taeko and Walt Floyd, Carmela and Bill Harris, Barbara Pfeiffer, Joanne Barron, Akiko and Yoshio Yamashita, David and Vicki Thompson, Chris Zabawa, Yuichiro Fujiyama, Carl Finstrom and Barbara Nesbitt and all the other board members and volunteers for their constant support.

Thank you for helping to make this year such a success.

--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.

Fundraiser BBQ and Dedication of BB&B (Onsen)

Who needs sunshine to have fun!!!

After weeks and weeks of rainless days, the rain finally came on Fundraiser/Opening Day. Thank goodness it was mostly just a light drizzle.

Over 100 Manjiro members and friends of the Floyds came to the 3rd Annual Manjiro Fundraiser, which was combined this year with the Grand Opening of the Onsen and Bed and Breakfast at the Pembroke Springs Retreat.

The big Koi, Japanese yukata material stretched around the deck, banners and balloons, the smoke of the barbecue, and tables loaded with food, raffle- and silent-auction items added a festive atmosphere to the event.

The BB&B was ready for inspections: Three rooms, each with private bath, a wonderful big open living room with full kitchen and a large deck overlooking the field and the mountain and Taeko's office comprises the upper level. Downstairs, the jewel of it all: two real Japanese Baths, fed by natural spring water, with buckets and stools, showers, and the famous small Japanese bath towels. Through the sliding glass doors you can view the mountain and the fields. A room with a fireplace for relaxing is right next to the baths. A real paradise in the Shenandoah Valley.

As in previous years, neighbors of the Floyds helped with the cooking of the usual barbecue food: hot dogs and hamburgers. But that was not all, there was venison roast, venison ribs, rabbit (the cooks called it country chicken) and deep fried turkey. Rolls, salads, desserts, soft drinks, wine and beer were also on the menu. Tarps spread over the deck kept the rainwater from diluting the wonderful spread below.


Yamashita-san and Chiba-san:
Raffle Tickets Anyone?

The many donations of raffle and silent auction items helped make this fundraiser a great success. Guests happily bought raffle tickets for treasures they could not see, since everything was covered, to protect them from the rain. All silent auction offerings were snapped up: stays at the new BB&B, a long weekend in Fairhaven, MA in a home where Manjiro once lived, old happi coats and yukatas, two tickets to a baseball game, Japanese prints, handmade quilts and lots more.

The highlight was the live auction conducted by Vicki Thompson: four hot bidders were after the offer by Walt Floyd's friend Eugene Renner, a Shenandoah local resident and expert guide and fisherman: a day of fishing on the river of their choice everything included: expert guide, boat, lunch, bait, fishing rod and license, and all the fish they caught to keep. We are happy to say that a long-time Manjiro member finally made the highest bid and won a day of fishing on the river with Eugene.

We had plenty of music to entertain us by members of the McLean Youth Orchestra and the WTWC Chorus.

A big thank you to all you people who came to the 3rd annual Fundraiser combined with the Bath Opening. Your generous support is greatly appreciate. It was fun to see so many friends and have a chance to talk to almost everybody, since we were all crowded together in the Floyd's home.

As always, the biggest "Thanks" goes to Walt and Taeko Floyd, who open their home and hearts. No effort is too big to make sure everybody who comes has a good time, rain or shine. This time the Floyds imported Walt's sister and husband from North Carolina to help to get ready for the event, son Winston came for a short visit from Tokyo and daughter Lisa and friend David were hard at work getting everything ready. Akiko and Yoshio Yamashita, Carmela Harris and JoAnne Barron managed all the details of the silent auction and the raffle, making sure everybody bought a least one ticket. Bill Harris was in charge of carving all the venison roasts, and the onions and tomatoes for the hamburgers. Hardy Hargreaves put up all the decorations (and took them down, wet and soggy), Chris Zabawa and Linah made sure everybody could find the place following the balloon trail. They also made sure the salad bowl stayed filled. Donnet (granddaughter of local volunteers Mr. & Mrs. Belt) kept an eye on the chips, kept the bowls filled and also tasted them to make sure they were still good.


Thank You Quilt for Taeko Floyd (Click for closeup of quilt)

Finally, at the end of the fun- and rain-filled day, Taeko received a "THANK YOU" quilt Vicki Thompson had sewn together. All through the year she had gathered signatures and short messages to Taeko written on quilt squares by Taeko's friends and people connected with Manjiro. It was a wonderful moment when Vicki presented it to Taeko.

McLean/Chiba Youth Orchestra Exchange


CYO Members at Concert

After many weeks of preparations, 19 members from the Chiba Youth Orchestra (CYO) finally arrived at Dulles airport on March 21. Naturally this was the day it rained hard all day long, but the group went off anyway to do sightseeing in Washington, trying to see the important sites through fogged up windows.

Nothing could stop them from making the most out of their week-long stay in the DC area: rehearsal with the McLean Youth Orchestra (MYO) right away, meeting their Homestay families at Pulcinella at the Welcome dinner, adjusting to all the different customs of their homestay family, speaking English, eating different food and playing together at rehearsal and the concert.

Everybody was amazed how well the two groups played together after just three rehearsals. The concert under the direction of Tina Anderson (MYO) and Rikiya Nagano (CYO) was a pleasure to listen to. Speeches, recognitions and the announcement of creation of the "Sister Orchestra" between MYO and CYO were additional highlights of the evening. All the CYO members had a chance to experience a day in an American School together with their homestay brothers and sisters. After the truly memorable farewell reception hosted by the Japanese Embassy it was time to say good-bye to the families and new friends. On the bus trip to Williamsburg the travelers from Japan could experience the wide open land and learn about early American History in Jamestown and Williamsburg.

The last meal in the US was a great picnic at Walt's and Taeko's place at Pembroke Springs Retreat. The time to fly back to Japan came much too fast for everybody involved.

Comments from some homestay families: "just when we got used to each other they had to leave. It would have been fun to do more things together and have more time to hang out," or: "we enjoyed our two girls who stayed with us and are glad we participated in the exchange." One mother was so happy that her homestay son was reminded of home when he saw all the little plants in her winter garden. Everybody enjoyed shopping: Department stores (creating bears), grocery stores, music stores, museum shops and souvenir shops. All the CYO kids were delighted with the big hotel rooms.

Comments from our CYO guests and the pictures will give a much better idea about this wonderful exchange which could only happen through the hard and cheerful work and support from many volunteers and homestay families.

Taeko Floyd

My First Visit to America

My visit to the United States was truly a valuable experience. This was my first trip to the United States, and I had never dreamed that I could experience a "home stay." I was very surprised and at the same time impressed by my host family, the Landwehrs. The family seemed very loving, which is vanishing in many families in Japan. There, I was able to see the fireplace with real fire. The warmth of the fire from the fireplace gives people such "richness." In Japan, we hardly ever find such spaciousness at home---may be in some weekend house. For me, a person who lives in busy Tokyo, seeing their lifestyle was like a dream.

Also, another impressive thing I found was the rehearsal itself. Of course it was for the planned joint concert with McLean Youth Orchestra, which was the main purpose of our visit. When they were rehearsing, I did not see or feel any difference in the attitude between the American and Japanese children---when they were creating the same music together I did not see any difference in countries. While practicing some children are very quiet and serious, but when the rehearsal is over, suddenly the children are happy and get noisy---even in that they are the same! Music is really a funny thing. While practicing, I sometimes felt like asking American children "Why don't you speak Japanese?" We perfectly understood each other while playing music, yet we speak different languages---that was rather unnatural for me. Was that my misunderstanding? Maybe so.

The wide streets, and the huge portion of beefsteak for lunch served at a restaurant (at least three times Japanese size)---when I think of these things, I really did not know anything about America and the American people. Maybe we need to know the differences between us also. Everything I saw in McLean was such a surprise that I did not even have a chance to think about what American people are thinking or how they live and how they want to live with Music, etc.

The music united the hearts of Japanese and American children to be as "one." Through this exchange, we found pleasure and were moved by the friendship and love beyond the difference of our countries or languages.

Let me express my deepest appreciation to the people of McLean who warmly took us into their homes and the people of the Manjiro Society who worked so very hard to organize this program.

Thank you very much.

Rikiya Nagano, Conductor. Chiba Youth Orchestra

Excerpts from Essays by the CYO Visiting Musicians

HOME STAY WAS FUN, Satomi Inoue (Percussion)

My host family's house was very big and they had cute dogs and cats. It was more comfortable than a hotel. The family members were so nice to me and I had wonderful four days.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE LANGUAGE, Shizu Tokuyama (Violin)

The days in America passed so quickly. Everything was a continuation of surprises and discoveries. I worried about my English before I left, but somehow I was able to communicate. But I was so frustrated that I could not tell the other person exactly what I want to say. I really felt the importance of the language, then. My host family was so kind to me, and I really appreciate it. I hope Jill can come to Japan and, I really hope this exchange will continue.

I WANT TO SPEAK ENGLISH BY MYSELF NEXT TIME, Ikuno Saito (Violin)

At my host family, Mrs. Casey was always concerned about our health and food. When I got home one day, she asked me if I wanted to drink something. So I thought I said "Water please," in English, but she did not understand me. Mr. Casey took us to many places and we "shopped to death!" I was so shocked at the size of McDonald's coke. We watched the movie of the old war---I understand that is called the "Civil War." I was so scared that I put my hands over my years and everybody laughed at me, but I did not understand the conversation in the movie anyway, which actually was good for me. Till next time I see the Casey family, I will study English and want to speak English without help.

TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE IS IMPORTANT, Megumi Kugawa (percussion)

Through my homestay, I felt that rather than the difference between the languages, it is more important to know the difference between the culture and the customs. Not only simple things like the meals and bathing, if we live longer we must face the difference between the way of thinking or religion. It should not be which is good or bad, we just realize the differences. We need to have a big heart to appreciate other cultures, and also we should recognize our identity as ``Japanese.''

I AM A LUCKY CHILD, Naruki Mutoh (violin)

My host family mother even took days off from work and showed us many interesting places. I was so sad when we had to say ``good-bye'' to the host family after the reception at the Embassy. I could not speak English well, but I learned a lot about American culture. I am such a lucky child. I want to utilize this experience in the future.

I WANT TO GO TO AMERICA AGAIN, Yuuki Nakamura (trumpet)

I was so happy that I was able to stay at Keith's home. He is 17 years old and busy with study, but he went shopping with me to buy some magic cards. His mother was thoughtful and chocolate was always in my room so that I didn't get hungry. The Aerospace Museum was most impressive. I want to be kind to MYO people when they come and I want to visit McLean again.

GREAT TO EXPERIENCE AN AMERICAN SCHOOL, Taiki Mutoh (violin)

My homestay was wonderful. They were so kind to me. The house has a basement and a big yard and is surrounded by the beautiful nature. Also I was surprised to know that the older child already has a driver's license and drives to school everyday. I thought it was so cool. I took the high school sophomore's classes. The school was huge, with a two story building . We moved to different classrooms. Also some people were doing volunteer work. We, Japanese school should learn that too.

I AM THANKFUL THAT I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND, Ikuko Kono (parent)

Because our music director/conductor Mr. Nagano came along with us, I feel that we truly had a wonderful music exchange with the MYO. The MYO's preparation was perfect to accept us, and the CYO children's seats were already prepared. The music came across the countries. With only four practices, MYO's music changed every time. When "The 5th Symphony" began at the concert conducted by Mr. Nagano, the couple sitting in front of me looked at each other. Good music moves people.

Annual Membership Meeting

The Annual membership meeting was held at the 3rd Manjiro fundraiser on May 20, 2001 at the Pembroke Springs Retreat. After a short report by Executive Director Walle Hargreaves regarding last year's events, the Society voted unnanimously to make Hiroko Imamura, legal advisor, and Michiko Joseff, financial advisor, full members of the board.

Congratulations to our two new board members. We are happy to let our members know that because of their generous support it was possible that the Chiba Youth Orchestra’s conductor, Mr. Rikiya Nagano, could come along on the March exchange tour. Part of his trip was paid from Manjiro funds.

Announcements

  • Carl Finstrom spent many hours cataloging Japanese and Russian stamps that were donated to the Manjiro Society. He assessed the value of the whole collection and recommended it not be sold for less than $150.00. If you are interested please get in touch with the Manjiro Society.
  • Manjiro Member Deborah Morris (morrisdeborah@aol.com) offers the Allie Whitfield Omey House in Fairhaven, MA for rent to interested Manjiro Friends. Please get in touch with her regarding times and price.
  • The Pembroke Springs Retreat is open for business. Also, the cabin at the pond can be rented, or a day at the Onsen can be enjoyed. Contact Taeko Floyd (pembroke@shentel.net).
  • If you want to know more about the Springfield Linguistics Project please go to: www.springfield.com or get in touch with Manjiro member Linah Hsieh (lh@springfieldlp.com).

Upcoming Events

  • The Manjiro Society is planning a fun trip this summer to the Asian store ARISE in Takoma Park (Washington DC, NW). This is as close as it gets to going to one of the many early Sunday morning shrine sales in Tokyo. More about this later via e-mail and mail
  • October 9-17, 2001. There is still time to sign up to go to the 11th Japan America Grassroots Summit in Hiroshima. The cost for this almost all inclusive trip is $1,999.00 per person (double occupancy) from Dulles airport via ANA (some meals are not included). You will spend spend two nights with a Japanese family, learn about the special culture and traditions of the Hiroshima area (15 different sessions to choose from), attend Opening and Closing ceremonies and enjoy the last day in the old part of Tokyo, which is within easy reach of the Asakusa View Hotel. Many volunteers in Hiroshima and its precinct are eager to welcome the 11th Summit visitors. For more information please contact the Manjiro Society (manjiro@manjiro.org).
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