I remember the first time I met Toshiharu 4 years ago.  He would have been around 86.  I knew he was a former Japanese soldier and I wasn’t sure how he would receive me.  Think about it.  His granddaughter was bringing her future husband over, a future husband who very well may be the grandchild of one of the Americans he faced down so many years earlier.  He shook my hand and asked me if I can do any push-ups. He suddenly dropped to the ground and knocked out 10 push-ups.   I was impressed. He then asked me (this is all through translation, by the way – he didn’t speak a word of English) if I knew who MacArthur was.  Of course I did, I said.  He told me MacArthur was a great man who really helped Japan after the war and he is a main reason why Japan is such a great and stable country today.  That blew me away.  And it showed me how strong of a man Toshiharu was.  Instead of harboring anger, resentment and guilt over the war, he went on to create a wonderful life for himself and his family.

Last year, the second time I met him, his health was beginning to fail and he spent much of his time in bed or in pajamas.  When he heard I was coming over to visit, he insisted on getting dressed in a suit.  There was no way his granddaughter's husband was going to see him in pajamas.  He thought it would be disrespectful to me.  It was probably one of the last times he ever wore that suit.

And believe me when I say this.  His property in the mountains two hours from Nagoya is beautiful!  There are pristine steams, rolling hills, rice patties and even monkeys in the trees!  Yeah, I’m trying to figure out a way to end up there when I retire.

So, goodbye to a warrior.  A good man who faced the devil and found heaven. 

Sayonara, old man.   You will be missed.