We have a friend, Urabe-san, 76, who is as Higo-ko as one can get. He came over …

We have a friend, Urabe-san, 76, who is as Higo-ko as one can get. He came over today as he knew I had a “computer” which can access the “internet” - he has no idea what these are but he does know what they can do. He wanted to look up the history of a certain politician - particularly, genealogical history. This did not surprise me. When I first arrived on these shores, in Osaka, during a job interview, I was asked where I was from, and I answered “America,” and the interviewer said, “No - I mean, your ancestors.” Being aware of this fascination of ancestry is important for non-Japanese here in Kumamoto. (Hint: make it up. I am nephew of the Earl of Noughtstuff.) - William