"However, my oldest sister, now deceased, used to say, 'You were a strange baby.' Apparently I emerged from my mother's womb without uttering a sound, but with my hands firmly clasped together. When at last they were able to pry my hands apart, I had bruises on both palms." (3)

"In the early Taisho era, 1912-1926, when I started school, the word 'teacher' was synonymous with 'scary person.' The fact that at such a time I encountered such free and innovative education with such creative impulse behind it—that I encountered a teacher like Mr. Tachikawa at such a time—I cherish among the rarest of blessings." (13)

"Perhaps it is the power of memory that gives rise to the power of imagination." (30)

"When someone is told over and over again that he's no good at something, he loses more and more confidence and eventually does...