--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Berge, C. M. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 32 number: 9 published: 1929-07 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: "C. M. Berge, “From the Land of Cherry Blossoms,” *Improvement Era* 32, no. 9 (July 1929): 733–735." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera3209unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera3209unse start_page: 733 end_page: 735 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1929-07) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera3209unse publication_year: 1929 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1929, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # From the Land of Cherry Blossoms From the Land of Cherry Blossoms By C. M. Berge Y principal reason in coming to America was one of religion," says Takeo Fijuwara, Japanese student of Brigham Young University. Takeo (tack-e-o), as he is favorably known about the campus, is the fifth child in a family of twelve boys. In the United States he is twenty-one years of age, but when at home in Japan, he is twenty-two. The difference of one year is due to the Ja- panese way or custom of counting age. When their baby is born they say that it is one year old, instead of waiting one full year after birth to give it its first birth- day, as is the custom in Amer- ica. Fijuwara joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Sapporo, Japan, in 1924, just before the mission, opened by President Heber J. Grant (he was then an apos- tle), Elders Horace S. Ensign, Louis E. Kelch and Alma O. Taylor, was closed. Two years later he became acquainted with Dr. Franklin S. Harris, pres- ident of Brigham Young University, who was then making a world tour, studying world agricultural conditions and visiting the "Mor- mon" missions. Encouragement from Dr. Harris, supplemented by a frank ex- planation of conditions here, stimulated and speeded up young Fijuwara's coming to "learn more about the theology of the 'Mor- mons'." His thirst for knowledge was whetted prior to graduation from a Japanese middle school (high school), and he worked as reporter of the Sapporo Provincial Prosecutor's office for ten months. This office is given only to those Japanese students who attain an ^E & mt A Jg^T^fl vm * '' ir E^Sk ■ 3 m \ '« Takeo Fijuwara in His Costume as Court Reporter 734 IMPROVEMENT ERA July, 1919 exceptionally high scholastic standing while in middle school. Takeo was later advanced to court reporter of the Kushiro Provincial Court and as such he worked for one and one-half years before leav- ing for America. School momentum at B. Y. U. was in full swing when he arrived. This only served to increase his scholastic difficulties; but this was offset by his diligent application of effort. Fiju- wara matriculated as a special student, taking part high school and some college courses. Combined language and financial limitations did not crowd success from his ef- forts, for during his first year he graduated from B. Y. high school and made a fine record in his college work. Takeo is a very happy little fellow and looks to each day with a new desire to do some- thing for his friends. His cheery expressions, "sank you," "can I help you?" and "let me buy you a drink," well explain what is in the depths of his heart. He has entered into the real college life, yet leads in the realm of helpfulness. Takeo's daily routine carries him through early hours and perilous angles as he puts the "shine on" the third-story windows of the university buildings. His ability and technique at climbing from window to window, with bucket and window washer in his hands, would make most monkeys envious. The shine on the windows is nothing short of that on the proud housewives' water glasses. Takeo says "its fun to work when you can pay your own way through college." He is entirely self-supporting. In studying and taking notes on his lessons, Takeo makes wide use of the typewriter. He says that "the fingers think faster when they punch the keys than when they have to move the pencil." Due to the Japanese custom of letting the finger nails on the little fingers grow long (supposedly to indicate high-class standing), it is really interesting to see Fijuwara sit down to the typewriter and write out his lessons with three fingers on each hand. Especially is this true when he is getting his French lesson and tries to put the markings over the letters with the typewriter. With his Japanese, Chinese. English and French languages, Takeo is in the class of a linguist. Takeo Working His Way Through School July, 192-9 FROM THE LAND OF CHERRY BLOSSOMS 735 Fijuwara's social aspirations are taken care of by his ability and desire to entertain. He takes an active part on the Public Service Bureau's programs, which are sent out by the university student body. High schools respond enthusiastically to his combined talks and musical renditions on his Shakuhachi ( this has the appearance of an eighteen-inch bamboo fishing pole, with all the joint-knots re- moved from the inside, and holes cut to resemble a flute) . Although he doesn't dance, he browses around the dances and watches the dancers. He admits that he really gets quite a "kick" out of seeing others indulge in this pastime. Takeo feels that the American people do not understand the Japanese spirit, nature, or customs. Japanese social sentiment is suggested in his remark, "A girl should never go out with a boy, or a boy should never bring a girl to her home; of course they should not go to picture shows." Fijuwara understands that we think they have very peculiar customs, but says that "the American cus- toms are even more queer to the Japanese people." He gave as an example the "Mormons" dancing in their houses of worship on a Saturday night and the next morning going to the same place to worship their God. This freedom of activity in the house of wor- ship cannot be understood by the Japanese people. "One reason why the missionaries could not make themselves understood by the Japanese people," he explains, "was because of their inability to see each other's point of view." The rapid ad- vancement of the Japanese people, through their adoption of Euro- pean and American civilization, has brought them to a state of confusion. They haven't had time to study religion, but have studied science with pronounced vigor. "Another reason why 'Mormonism' was refused by the Ja panese people was due to the fact that the Americans refused it — that is, Americans who belong to other churches. They have told my people many unfavorable stories about the 'Mormons,' and this created much prejudice against 'Mormonism,' so that most of the people entirely refused their doctrines. "I hope the Japanese mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints may be re-opened at some time in the near future, and when it is, I hope to be able to explain better the Gospel of Christ among my people. The Japanese people are very reasonable and quick to learn if the Gospel can be explained to them. So I hope also to establish, or to be instrumental in having established, a Church school in Japan where it will be possible for my people to attend. This, I am sure, would help very much in spreading the knowledge of the true religion." With this opportunity for future service stimulating him Takeo Fijuwara continues his many duties at Brigham Young University.