The Japanese Storyteller in Lethbridge, Alberta.
(Photos by Kevin Castro Guillin
The Japanese Storyteller.
(Story by Kevin Castro Guillin)
One 91- year-old Lethbridge resident was recently recognized for the incredible amount of volunteer work he does in the community. Tad Mitsui, who is part of the board of directors at the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden received the Queen’s Medal on Jan 31, 2023, in the Bunka Centre, at the gardens. “It was a big surprise, a nice surprise, I didn’t know that people knew what I was doing,” he joked. Mitsui moved to Lethbridge and retired working as a religion professor in Africa. Since then, he has been a storyteller at the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden. The Queen Medal or Platinum Jubilee Medal, as it’s also known, was created on the 70th anniversary of the Majesty’s accession to the throne as Queen of Canada.
This medal recognizes the services from Albertan-’s that are dedicated to their family, community, and country. Eric Granson, marketing manager at the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden expressed his admiration from Mitsui. “He’s definitely a huge part of our organization. As part of our board, as well as contributing the number of hours that he’s been volunteering, and being part of the board is tremendous,” Grason said.
The Story
Garson also says what the Queen’s Medal means lot to their organization. “It’s wonderful to have that link to use and really, ultimately it’s all Tad’s” Grason said.
Mitsui has been telling stories at the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden for 17 years.
Mitsui was kicked out of the country for being outspoken against the government at that time. Mitsui also expressed how happy he is about the growth ofinterestd from the youngest ages about Japanese culture. “I’m happy, but I hope they get it right, because there is so much nonsense going on like Judo, Karate, Kendo and Japanese martial art, they are defending art,” Mitsui said. When he was in Africa, some of Mitsui’s students found out he was Japanese and they came to him and asked him and asked if he could teach them Karate. “I said no, why do you want to learn Karate? They said I want to fight people who are oppressing me, I said no that’s not the spirit.” Mitsui said. His goal now is to make people learn about martial arts and Japanese culture in the right way. “There is so many miss understanding about Japanese culture, that’s why I believe in doing the right thing here, teaching people the right way Japanese culture that it’s a peaceful culture,” Mitsui added.
Mitsui’s volunteering work at the Japanese gardens includes telling Japanese stories to kids and adults every Saturday at the new attraction the Dome experience, where people can enjoy the company of Mitsui’s stories with a beautiful presentation of the Northern lights and Sakura trees above the visitor, thanks to the high-definition projectors that are part of this new experience.
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