Although after my banishment I had made up my mind not to return to the classroom, I could not stand the situation. So, in 1952(Shōwa 27), I set about managing the school as earnestly as if I were reviving the old tailoring school. At that time, my first daughter, Fumiko, was working in the research lab at Japan Women’s University, but I insisted she come back and manage the junior college.

With the current school management situation, it was difficult for us to provide a substantial salary to a president. So, after some consideration of the candidates whom we hoped were available to do sincere service and voluntary work, the choice fell on Dr. Kenzō Futaki, the current vice-chancellor and a Tokyo University honorary professor with a Ph. D. and an MD, who had been awarded the title of Order of Cultural Merit.

My acquaintance with Dr. Futaki went back many years earlier, to 1931(Shōwa 6). At that time, I had been seriously ill and had seen several noted doctors in Aichi, but my condition had only grown worse, and I had become bed-ridden. Upon the recommendation of Mr. Uraji Takeuchi, who was in charge of Shūyō-Dan, a club of self-improvement, mental training, and self-discipline, Dr. Futaki from Tokyo University Hospital was summoned.

Dr. Futaki’s advice was that, rather than suffering from a disease, I was just experiencing general fatigue due to a lack of nutrition. If you get enough nutrition and your body absorbs it, then you’ll no longer have a need for medication. I was truly surprised to learn this. When I described my typical daily diet, the doctor remarked, “That’s like giving premium fertilizer to a dying palm tree, but in the end, it cannot sustain you. More than that, it can’t possibly survive without the help of water. Even a sick person can ingest the following natural nutritional foods: (1)brown rice (2)fruit (3)vegetables (4)seawee… (5)especially carrots and raw grated white radish. Follow this diet and you’ll get better,” he explained. I did as instructed, gradually recovered, and am where I am today.

It was 1953(Shōwa 28), and twenty years had passed since I had last visited Dr. Futaki’s residence with heartfelt entreaties for help. That day he was absent attending a meeting of the Tokyo University medical faculty, so I found him there, and asked him whether he would serve as the president of the junior college for a few years. His easy going reply was, “Only because you are my old brown rice frien…” In the ten years since then, he has held the position of school president and has been a source of pride to Anjo Gakuen.