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I was sad to hear about Takakura Ken’s death. He was one of the great actors of the Japanese screen. Actually, he didn’t plan to be a movie actor. Someone from the Toei movie studio found him and put him in a movie. He started out in “yakuza” movies, and he became known as the Clint Eastwood of Japan. In his later movies he played many parts. I remember seeing him as a policeman in “Black Rain” and as the manager of the Chunichi Dragons in the comedy, “Mr. Baseball.” He made more than 200 movies in his lifetime. (by Prof. Douglas Jarrell)
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Last year five friends of mine, our English teacher and I read the book “Tuesdays with Morrie” in English. Through the year, we read it slowly and carefully, and sometimes we discussed it. The book is about Mr. Morrie. He had a disease, ALS, which means his body muscles got weaker and in the end he couldn’t even breathe. Of course he must have been really distressed, but he kept loving his family, his friends and…his life. He accepted his condition with his beliefs. I was moved by his way of living and his words. In addition, I was glad to have such an opportunity to read it with my friends and the teacher. I really enjoyed the seminar, and I want to thank them for the opportunity. (written by student  Kobayashi, edited by Prof. Douglas Jarrell)
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