In January this year, when going through e-mails on the computer (without any specific purpose other than try to clean up some old messages), we came across an email dated nearly 14 years ago (Saturday, March 20, 2010 to be exact). It was addressed to us and three other members of Friends of MacDonald. The subject was “Ranald Stamp”. We became very curious and decided to read it again because we had been very much aware that this year – 2024 – Ranald MacDonald would be 200 years old …

The following is the message sent to us:

“Hi,   Many years ago I asked an FOM officer in Japan if we might get the Japanese P.O. to issue a stamp in 1994 or 1998* for one of Ranald MacDonald’s big anniversaries. I was told then it was impossible because rules proscribed having stamps of foreigners. That may have been true then, but I was just looking at some (current, e.g., 2010) Japanese stamps. Two caught my eye. One was a double frame, 80

yen each, showing a bird’s eye view of Dejima in the center background.

On the left is a Dutch sailing ship identified as Liefde, perhaps. On the right is a stylized illustrations of a Dutch trader. The words Japan- Netherland are in the kanji caption. The other stamp of interest is an 80 yen stamp with a handsomely drawn face of Philipp Franz von Siebold, 1796-1866. [I received the letter on April 2, 1996. I have taped these two stamps into my copy of Fred Schodt’s book, Native American in the Land of the Shogun.]

I may not be around in the year 2024, but if I am, I sure would like to see Ranald’s face on a stamp honoring him on his bicentennial. Maybe even a joint issue with Japan, U.S.A. and Canada!  Is this an idea worth working on?”

* – 1994 would have been the 100^th Memorial of Ranald’s death; 1998 would have been the 150^th Anniversary of Ranald’s landing on Rishiri Island – both significant dates and events.

Indeed, it was an excellent idea!  We immediately got into action after re-reading that email by contacting the Consular Office here in Portland. Council Naoto Shigehisa and we discussed the possibility of this ‘project’; he kindly provided us with the contact information of Nippon Yusei Kosha in Tokyo (formerly ‘Postal Services Agency of the Ministry of Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications’) which is now used for ordering new memorial stamps. We contacted the office

directly by phone; the lady of the office in Tokyo and I exchanged a few telephone calls and a few e-mails regarding this. In the meantime, my partner was hard at work designing the “Ranald MacDonald

memorial stamp” per SPECIFIC design requirements by Nippon Yusei Kosha. The last hurdle was the payment AND we already had a unanimous donor for the project. We contacted a long-time member of FOMJ in Rishiri for some help with logistics and the following, as they say, is HISTORY !

RANALD MACDONALD BICENTENNIAL STAMPS!!!

This stamp is only good for use in Japan – but anyone can have a sheet as a collector’s item. One sheet has 20 stamps of 84 yen each. In Japan, this stamp is available through through FOMJ in Rishiri. Hopefully, many stamps will be sold and used in Japan. That way it promotes the awareness of Ranald MacDonald as Japan’s first (native-English speaking) English Teacher!

Friends of MacDonald extends its congratulations to Fred Schodt ~~~~~

FOM extends its congratulations to Fred Schodt, whom we agreed most deservedly received a prestigious award from the Japanese government in 2009.  The presentation of the “Order of the Rising Sun with Gold Ray Rosette” was held in San Francisco at the Official Residence of the Japanese Consul General, Mr. Yasumasa Nagamine, and was awarded to Fred for his contribution “to the introduction and promotion of Japanese contemporary popular culture in the United States of America. The award is given on behalf of the Japanese government, and signed by the Prime Minister and emperor. 

Schodt was befriended by the Japanese “God of Manga”, Osamu Tezuka, in the late 1970s and maintained a close relationship with him until his death in 1989. Schodt frequently served as Tezuka’s interpreter and is the translator of several of Tezuka’s manga, including the 23-volume Astro Boy series. He has also translated numerous other manga into English, including Tezuka’s Phoenix and Keiji Nakazawa’s Barefoot Gen. Schodt received an award at the Manga Oscar Awards in 1983 for his groundbreaking book, Manga! Manga! The World of Japanese Comics (Kodansha). The now classic book includes an introduction by Tezuka and has been reprinted several times. In 2000, Schodt received a Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize from the Asahi Shumbun for his work in popularizing manga overseas. 

More of Fred’s books –>

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Mihama Delegation Visits Makah Nation

Mr. Koichi Saito and his wife, Yuriko, led a “Goodwill” Friendship delegation of 28 Otokichi-no-kai members to the annual Makah Day Festival in Neah Bay, WA on August 29, 2009.  Mr. Saito is the former Mayor of Mihama (Aichi Prefecture).

 

The day began with a brief visit to the Makah Cultural Research Center in Neah Bay – which is recognized as the nation’s finest tribal museum – and the group was able to enjoy the replica of the Hojun-maru, donated by Hyogo Scout Council, Boy Scout of Nippon in 2006. It was the Makah ancestors who saved the lives of three sailors from Mihama who were washed ashore on Cape Alava in the disabled ship named Hojun-maru in the winter of 1834. The delegation from Mihama came to express their appreciation to the present day people of the Makah Nation for saving the three sailors from their hometown and to exchange goodwill with them by not only observing the parade, canoe racing, dancing, etc., but also actively participating in their day-long “Makah Day” festivities – the biggest annual event for the people of the Makah Indian Nation.

The delegation was first treated to a traditional Baked Salmon lunch near the center stage of the festivities before Mayor Saito and Michael Lawrence, Chairman of the Makah Tribal Council, exchanged gifts. Some of the Mihama delegation members could not help but envy the scene where more than one hundred little boys and girls under the age of 12 dressed in their traditional costumes and danced proudly on the outdoor center stage. It was a beautiful sight that sent a message to everyone that the Makah Nation will continue for many more generations to come.

 

The next day the entire group from Mihama hiked through the Olympic National Forest for few miles to reach the shores of Cape Alava where the ancestors of the present-day Makah saved the three shipwrecked sailors, Otokichi, Iwakichi and Kyukichi in 1834.  Mayor Saito talked about how hard it must have been for the three sailors in the frigid weather, surrounded by strangers who wore ‘odd’ clothing and spoke an unfamiliar language. It was noted and stressed by Mayor Saito that the three sailors were able to regain their health under the care of Makah people and eventually they were able to sail to England.

What the Sankichi experienced with the Makah people then was what we call these days a true “home stay”. “We must not forget that!” former Mayor Saito stated – and everyone heartily agreed.

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