T. Martin Bennett wrote a screenplay, then a “nonfiction novel” about three intersecting stories that took place during WWII. The main protagonist is Commander Mitsuo Fuchida of the Japanese Imperial Navy’s air force who survives the Pearl Harbor attack and the Hiroshima bombing on August 6, 1945, and many years afterward. He is the “wounded tiger” of the title.  The 2nd story is about a Baptist missionary family who lived in Japan for almost 20 years, then had to flee to the Philippines once WWII broke out.  The 3rd story is about a “Doolittle Raider” Jake DeShazer who was captured by the Japanese during WWII and spent the war in captiviity as a P.O.W. More I won’t say, as I don’t want to disclose the ending of any of these amazing true stories.

After reading an advance copy  I wrote a book review for the Tucsoncitizen.com and published it on December 7, 2013 (the 72nd anniversary of the infamous bombing in my home state of Hawaii), but that online review was removed when Gannett Publishing abruptly shut down the Tucson Citizen online news source on January 31, 2014.

So I just republished my book review in the political blogsite Blog for Arizona (click here).  If you would like to read more about this compelling book or purchase it, contact the author at www.woundedtigerbook.com.

Join in the celebration of Japanese traditional Children’s Day on May 3rd at Yume Japanese Gardens (1 to 4 p.m.)

Goldfish netting will test their dexterity, summer yukatas will keep them cool and colorful, origami lessons will give them a chance at making their own paper creations,  and there will be more traditional Japanese toys than ever to intrigue them.

This event will end our Spring garden viewing season, so come for a last look at the gardens before we close for the summer.To purchase tickets go to: www.tucsonjapanesegardens.org. Tickets prices: $10 member adults, $15 nonmember adults; children under 10 years are  free.

Childrens’ Day is celebrated in Japan on May 5th, which used to be Boys’ Day.  Girls Day is still celebrated on March 3rd with doll displays.  In Hawaii the Japanese tradition of Boys’ Day is still alive, so families fly the koinobori (koi fish wind socks) on bamboo poles outside their homes, representing the number of boys in the family.  Special treats are also served for the boys in the families.

Enjoy Childrens’/Boys’ Day.