7/1: Monday - Sendai

Monday is Gilbert's weekly day off, so we 4 changed pace too with a trip into Sendai city.  But first, we just had to make a quick stop for a team meeting at the newly opened Starbucks in the Aeon mall in Ishinomaki.  Amazing - and a nice touch from our Seattle home!

Wow!  Starbucks in Ishinomaki makes for a touch of home...

Then we drove into downtown Sendai and met our good friend and former staff member, Mika Takana.  She has been a bright spot of service and outreach to her neighbors during the disaster, and also joined our Dickens Christmas Carolers team in December, 2011.  We went for lunch with her, and were joined by Yuko Muhling, a colleague of Mika's and sister to Wakako Clark.  

Sylvia, Mika, Gordon, Mike, and Yuko enjoying a traditional Japanese lunch.

Gordon and Mike ready for lunch - and Mike is happy because the fish isn't raw.

In the afternoon, we joined Yuko and her family for a short walk along the Hirose River to the Ohashi Bridge.  It was at this site in 1623 that 8 Christians were martyred during the national persecution of Christians in the Tokugawa era.  I was aware of sites like this in southern Japan, especially Nagasaki, but didn't know about this one. Rather thought provoking.

The Ohashi Bridge across Sendai's Hirose River

We 4 with Mika and Yuko and her kids in front of the 3 statues representing the 8 martyrs

The sad memorial at the site

We 4 continued across the river and up the hill to the site of the Sendai castle.  It was home to a famous shogun, Masamune Date (Dah-tae), whose fascinating history is partly tragic and partly heroic, and includes a significant openness to Christianity.  A side note for modern cinema fans: his famous black warrior armor was a model for Star Wars' Darth Vader costume.

The statue to Masamune Date is a tricky photo in the afternoon

Mika pointing to the building where she lives near Sendai station

Having a little fun... 

Mike and Gordon goofing off too

Great day to connect with current friends and historical figures.