The following article is reprinted here with the kind permission of Gaku Homma Sensei of the Nippon Kan in Denver, Colorado, USA

January 3rd, 1969. The Founder writes brush calligraphy on the second floor of Hombu dojo. The person making the ink is Mr. Kaneko. At the top right hand side of the photo is the Founder’s futon where he slept.

The week before, I had returned to my hometown of Akita in northern Japan. That was the last time I was to see the Founder. I was eighteen years old. The announcement of his passing reached me in Akita and I started out immediately for Tokyo. For me at that time, even one way train fare was beyond my means. My family had been very happy that I had finally returned home, so I really couldn’t ask them for enough money to leave again once more. Finally, with the stubborn courage only the young possess, I hopped the night train for Tokyo without any ticket at all.