My Family Ties to Fukuoka
When you’re a JET, you go on a journey of self-discovery. For many, they discover who they are as people, while others connect to their heritage. For me, a tall White guy with no Japanese ancestry, this has been a rather surprising journey. If you had told me prior to JET that I had family ties to Fukuoka, I would’ve laughed at you. Now, it’s coming all together.
The Self Introduction Presentation: Where It All Began
Upon my arrival in Fukuoka, I refined my self-introduction presentation. Many JET program participants create and present a short PowerPoint introducing themselves to their students. Mine was pretty generic at first, focusing on my immediate family and dogs. After spending my first two days getting registered with my town hall and opening a bank account, my supervisors encouraged me to include the following information.
I’m Related to Joe DiMaggio
Yep, the big bold heading says it all. I am related to famous baseball player Joe DiMaggio. During a fateful car ride, I shared with my supervisors how I was related to Joltin’ Joe. I discussed how he contributed to the rise of Baseball in Japan, courtesy of Lefty O’Doul, and how DiMaggio continues to hold the oldest record in baseball: his 56-game hitting streak set back in 1941. I also mentioned how Joe was married to Marylin Monroe for nine months.
My supervisors encouraged me to include these facts in my presentation slides. I then decided to see if Joe had any additional connections to Japan. That’s where my journey of self-discovery really began.
Joe and Marilyn’s Honeymoon
Joe and Marilyn honeymooned in Japan for three weeks back in February, 1954. While there, they stayed at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, one of the nicest hotels in the city at that time (and coincidentally enough, where my friend Makoto previously worked). That was a cool fact, so I included it in my slides. Next, I searched for “Joe DiMaggio Fukuoka,” and was in for a treat.
Turns out Joe and Marilyn visited Fukuoka from February 8-10, 1954, during their honeymoon! Small world. While in Fukuoka, they dined at the recently-opened Royal Nakasu Honten, a French restaurant which quickly became notable for their French Onion Soup. According to local legend, Marilyn loved the soup so much, she and Joe ate there every day they were in Fukuoka! The restaurant, now called “Hananoki,” is currently located at Ohori Park. In fact, Hananoki brags about Joe and Marilyn’s love for their soup on their website! In case you’re wondering, I will be eating at Hananoki at some point, simply because of family obligations.
More Fukuoka Connections?
Eight years later, Marilyn Monroe passed away from an apparent suicide. I recently learned that the coroner who examined her, Dr. Thomas Noguchi, was born in Fukuoka! Dr. Noguchi, who is still alive as of the post’s publication date, later served as the chief medical examiner of the County of Los Angeles, until he stepped down in 1982. Other notable examinations included Robert F. Kennedy and Natalie Wood.
One More Fukuoka Connection, But Not Quite As Close As The Above
My grandfather (1924 – 2017) loved Frank Sinatra. In fact, during his funeral speech, we referenced Sinatra’s hit song “My Way,” to describe the way he lived his long life. Recently, I was reading about the Fukuoka PayPay! Dome, home to the SoftBank Hawks baseball team, when I learned about the following fact.
I could not believe it. After further research, I found that Sinatra’s last-ever concert was a private event held in February, 1995. With further digging, I confirmed that Sinatra’s last-ever public concert was, in fact, in Fukuoka.
All of this is to say I feel an even stronger connection to The Gateway to Asia. I continue to get to know the bustling city for what it is and the rich history it has to offer. I regularly dine at its many restaurants to taste the unique flavors that make up the food. Now, I continue to find roots that were planted by my ancestors over the past 100 years, right here in Fukuoka.
Little did I know that my two-night visit to Fukuoka back in 2018 would unlock the door to such rich history.