Summary

In Chapter 9, Takao Fukuda emigrated to America in 1912 after he discovered the religion of Oomoto. In his family tradition it was his place to take charge of the family’s honor and pursue a military career but his new religion that encouraged peace was at odds with what his family expected of him. When he arrived in California Takao had a family photograph, two changes of clothes and his family’s ancestral samurai sword. He became a gardener. In less than ten years he earned enough money to send for a wife from Japan. He chose the woman because he liked her name, Heideko. She turned out to be outspoken with a strong character. Ichimei was born the last of the couple’s four children. He was premature and his parents did not name him because they were afraid he would not survive...