I would like to have an autobiography that paints the portrait of a principal who embodied the profound grace and subtlety of Oriental philosophy. I have been contemplating it for four years. Though I truly wanted to catapult myself into the editing of her autobiography, as well as so many other facets of my life, it is a pity that I lack talent and ability. Isn’t there someone who is up to the task? I thought and thought about it all alone.

Suddenly, accompanied by her humble smile, the principal delegated to me this great task. I am helpless to resist her smile.

In a hurry to complete the autobiography, I have been writing for four years, using mainly her private papers and dictation I took in the principal’s office, in the car, and even in waiting rooms before our various meetings and appointments. It is because her eightieth birthday and the fiftieth anniversary of Anjo Gakuen’s founding were approaching.

Regarding being able to meet expectations, this work would certainly fall short. As mentioned in the preface, I had really hoped that this autobiography could have been compiled much earlier.

It is certainly true that “fact is stranger than fiction”. But, this is not a work of fiction. The point of this endeavor is not to arouse idle curiosity but to foster interest in Anjo Gakuen. Though of course it is incumbent upon us not to fall into the temptation of exaggeration, I am slightly concerned and it is my sincere hope that through inexperience and subjectivity and after careful consideration, I haven’t twisted or distorted the character of the principal, who spoke of herself only in modest understatement.