Japanese Proverb

Meaning

I grew up hearing stories about my grandfather, Sukeyasu Sugiyama,

a man who was born of privilege and died an artist. He was a man

adrift, an artist from another generation.

My Grandfather had many professions before finding his calling.

As a young man he served in the Japanese Army, proud to represent

his country and his emperor. He was also a long distance runner,

and qualified to be in the Olympics. For decades, my Grandfather

provided for his family by teaching art at the local grade school.

Later in life he became a sculptor, his final profession and the one

he found most rewarding.

My Grandfather was a very brilliant man, but never understood

the concept of money. In fact, he would have only had to work one

more month as a rail road worker in Manchuria, China to receive his

pension, yet he decided to pursue his art.

He may have been bored or dissatisfied

with his job. Whatever his reasons,

my Obachan (Grandma) was livid

when she found out he had quit.

There would have been no

explanation that would have

satisfied my grandmother. She had

to find a way to feed four children

with no income.

Japanese Proverb

Meaning

When my Grandfather quit his job as a school teacher, he began to

pursue his work as a sculptor. He did not have money to buy wood

for the kiln, so he would wake up my uncle in the middle of the night

and they would gather old tires from the nearby junkyard. To this day,

my aunt remembers the distinct smell of the burning tires.

Occasionally, my Grandfather would manage to trade some sculptures

for services. Once he made a sculpture for the local dentist’s office and

in return, his family would receive free dentistry. The problem was he

never signed a contract. My Grandfather was under the impression

this barter would provide free dentistry for the rest of their lives,

when in reality each child only received one cleaning. When my aunt

recalls the receptionist reminding them of their last “free” checkup,

she remembers her and my Obachan’s embarrassment.

Although my Grandfather had his faults and was not a perfect man,

he was a talented artist and had a love for his heritage. His legacy

has been passed down to me. In many ways, I am very much like

him—whether I like it or not.

My Grandfather was of the 21st generation of the Sugiyama family,

and he was very proud of his family legacy, just as I am. I honor my

Grandfather, Sukeyasu Sugiyama, through this book. I present these

pictures which show him at his best and liveliest.

Pictures of my family from my last trip to Japan in late 2004. Photos from top to bottom left to right, Christmas Eve 2004: Me (Miki), (Mom) Yoko Noland, (Aunt) Kazuko Jones, (Cousin) Akiko Sato, (Uncle) Saki Sugiyama. Winter morning 2004: Me. My mom and I. My cousin Akiko Sato and I at the anniversary dinner of 1st year of my obachan’s death and the 50th year of my grandfather’s death. Our last family portrait: Uncle Sam (Saki), me, Akiko, Uchan (cousin), (aunt) Yachan, my mom, (cousin) Uta, (Aunt)Masako. At our family’s cemetery: me, my mom, Aunt Kathy, Aunt Masako.

Japanese Proverb

Meaning

“A frog in a well does not know the great sea.”

People are satisfied to judge things by their own narrow experience, never knowing of the wide world outside.

I no naka no kawazu taikai wo shirazu

Japanese Proverb

Meaning

This is one of the earliest pictures of Sukeyasu Sugiyama, on the far left wearing a solid color kimono with some of his school friends. Late 1930’s

Japanese Proverb

Meaning

“Let flow in the water.”

Forgive and forget; water under the bridge.

Mizu ni nagasu

Japanese Proverb

Meaning

Sukeyasu Sugiyama is pictured on the left with one of his buddies. He reminds so much of my Uncle and Cousin. The smile and mannerism are so like the two of them. Early 1940’s

Japanese Proverb

Meaning

“Wake from death and return to life”

To come out of a desperate situation and make a complete return in one sudden burst.

Kaeru no ko wa kaeru

Japanese Proverb

Meaning

Sukeyasu Sugiyama is on the left with one of his friends from the military. Early 1940’s.

Japanese Proverb

Meaning

Sukeyasu Sugiyama worked in Manchuria China during the Manchuria campaign in the early 1940’s.

Japanese Proverb

Meaning

“If you do not enter the tiger’s cave, you will not catch its cub.”

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. You can’t do anything without risking something.

Koketsu ni irazunba koji wo ezu

Japanese Proverb

Meaning

“Ten men, ten colors.”

To each his or her own. Different strokes for different folks.

Junin toiro

Japanese Proverb

Meaning

Sukeyasu Sugiyama is seen here pretending to dive into the Sagami-nada Sea. My uncle always laughs when he looks at this picture. This picture was taken at high tide, and if Sugiyama were actually dive into the water he would seriously injure himself, since the water is only about 3 feet deep. Late 1940’s.

Japanese Proverb

MeaningFall down seven times, get up eight times. An encouragement to persevere.

“Seven falls, eight getting up”

Nana korobi, ya oki

Japanese Proverb

Meaning

Walking along the coast of Sagami-nada Sea. Late 1940’s.

Japanese Proverb

Meaning

I never thought that I inherited any features from my Grandfather, besides the streak of grey hair right in the front. However, my Aunt advised me that I also have his eyes, which I never noticed until looking more closely at this picture. I am the only grandchild that inherited this trait. Late 1940’s.

Japanese Proverb

Meaning

“One who chases after two hares won't catch even one.”

Trying to do two things at once will make you fail in both.

Ni usagi wo ou mono wa ichi usagi wo mo ezu

Japanese Proverb

Meaning

“Pulling water to my own rice paddy”

Doing/speaking about things in a way to benefit yourself.

Gaden insui

Japanese Proverb

Meaning

When I saw this picture I knew it would make a perfect New Year’s card that year, as it was the Year of the Goat. They cards were so well received so I have carried on the tradition every year. Late 1940’s.

Japanese Proverb

Meaning

“Continuance is power and strength.”

Don’t give up. Just continuing to hold on will yield and reveal strength and power. Continuing on after a setback is its own kind of strength. Perseverance is power.

Keizoku wa chikara nari

Japanese Proverb

Meaning

Sugiyama is pictured here on the land that holds the ruins of Usami Castle, a castle once owned by my ancestors. Late 1940’s.

Japanese Proverb

Meaning

It is very rare that a Japanese male can grow a beard let alone have wavy hair. My grandfather had both. The rumor is that my grandfather had these pictures for a publicity event. For whatever the reason these are just stunning photos of him. Late 1940’s.

Japanese Proverb

Meaning

“Clear sky, cultivate, rainy, reading”

Farm when it’s sunny, read when it rains.

Seiko udoku

Japanese Proverb

Meaning

“Child of a frog is a frog.”

Like father, like son.

Kaeru no ko wa kaeru

Japanese Proverb

Meaning

My grandfather was commissioned to create a sculpture for the elementary school yard. The model he used for this sculpture was my uncle. When the school remodeled its grounds the school asked if he wanted the sculpture back. He declined to take it. Late 1940’s.

Japanese Proverb

Meaning

“An apprentice near a temple will recite the scriptures untaught.”

The environment makes our characters.

Mon zen no kozo narawanu kyo wo yomu

Japanese Proverb

Meaning

This is one of my favorite picture of him. It appears that he is looking off in the distance possibly contemplating life. Late 1940’s.

Japanese Proverb

Meaning

Overlooking the Sagami-nada Sea. The original Usami Castle would have been located here. Our house which is located at the bottom of this mountain is now called the ruins of Usami Castle. Late 1940’s.

Japanese Proverb

Meaning

“Not seeing is a flower.”

Things will never be as you imagine, so you're better off not seeing them. Reality can't compete with imagination.

Minu ga hana

Japanese Proverb

MeaningPerseverance is better than defeat.

“Stumbling seven times but recovering eight.”

Nanakorobi yaoki

Japanese Proverb

Meaning

The pinnacle of sugiyama’s career was when he was asked to sculpt Prince Takamatsu-No-Miya bust. He is shown here on the left and on the left is Prince Takamatsu-No-Miya who is the Showa Emperor’s younger brother. Sugiyama was so proud of his heritage that he signed the piece and picture Sukeyasu Usami. Usami, was our last name and the name of the towm where our family resides. We gave up the right to that name many generation back when we lost a war with a neighboring clan.

Japanese Proverb

MeaningSukeyasu Sugiyama 1900-1953