WIT Life #193: Spending Time in Ichiro-Land, aka Seattle
Translating/Interpreting, WIT Life, Writers 
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WIT Life is a periodic series written by professional Writer/Interpreter/Translator Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03). She starts her day by watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese, and here she shares some of the interesting tidbits and trends together with her own observations.
I am wrapping up a business trip here in Seattle, where the Japanese influence is huge. Not only do they have great Japanese shopping centers like Uwajimaya, located in the International District area, but they have Ichiro! The man himself is not here at the moment, having headed to Japan with the Mariners to play two exhibition games against Japanese teams before opening up the Major League season in two games against the Oakland A’s. All four games will be played in Tokyo. Today’s Seattle Times features an article highlighting the Ichiro Museum that his parents run in his hometown outside Nagoya. Featuring items such as his high school bike and pictures from growing up, it sounds like a must-see for any Ichiro fan.
Speaking of Japanese famous sports figures, in the midst of Linsanity the name of a Japanese-American predecessor has repeatedly come up. This would be Utah-born 2nd generation Japanese-American Wat Misaka, the first person of color to be drafted into the NBA. He played for the Knicks in the 1940’s, amidst the extreme prejudice that Japanese-Americans were forced to endure (Misaka was not put in an internment camp, but he had friends who were sent to Topaz). You can read more about his amazing story as well as purchase the documentary which tells his story on his website.
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