Mo Ichido: Once More, an American Family in Japan

This book was the second in the series "An American Family in Japan." In 1978, my wife Lora and I took our daughter Janelle, 9, and son Philip, 12, to a small town on the Island of Kyushu, Japan. The town, Isahaya, is located about 15 miles from Nagasaki. When we arrived there was one other American and a Greek restaurant owner. Other than that we were the only non oriental foreigners in town. MoIchido: is the second year. the Once More is about our deciding on the way to our farewell dinner to stay for a second year to try it again "Once More". The discussion in the taxi cab was started by Philip and Janelle. They said they had learned Japanese, done the hard part which was making friends, why not stay and put it to some use? We had decided we should return because we thought they were homesick for their friends and school. We looked at each other and said, why not go home for the summer, get books and homework, and comeback, rent a car, etc. contingent on the high school and junior college where we worked re-upping our contract. At that point they had found no one to replace us. We announced our decision and the party turned into a welcome back. It all worked out and the second year became a whole new adventure. Gaijin!, MoIchido, and Stained Glass are to be re-released soon in both print and e-editions through Arborwood Press. --The author Kenneth Fenter