The Toyotomi Blades (Ken Tanaka Mysteries Book 2)
Page 21
They rushed me into my seat and fitted me with the earphone so that I could hear the translation. When they got back from commercial, they introduced me and they immediately went to a clip that showed me entering the Nissan building and working with Kiyohara-san and the rest of the Nissan crew to develop the computerized maps we used to find the treasure. After the clip they cut back to me and the interview. Nagahara-san and Yukiko-chan started peppering me with questions about how I solved the mystery, what happened when they were shooting at us in the forest, and what Hirota said to me during our final confrontation.
Before going on camera, I had sworn that I would try to be suitably modest. After the events of the last few days, I figured that I would have to carry my head onto the plane resting in a wheelbarrow if I didn’t watch it. By acting modestly in the interview, a strange thing happened. The more modest I became, the more effusive the two anchors were with their praise. It was as if my modesty gave them permission to lay it on thick when they talked about me and what had been accomplished. It was a valuable lesson and one that taught me the old adage about less is more.
During a lull in the conversation, Junko whispered to me through my earpiece, “Keep it up, the producers are loving it.”
As the show came to a close, Nagahara-san said to me, “So what are your future plans?”
That was a good question, and one I hadn’t planned for. Most of the questions were about the mystery, and I had either been told or could anticipate what they were. This gave me a chance to work out some reasonably cogent answers. This was one I hadn’t thought of, so I just answered from the heart.
“Well, first I’ll return to the United States. It’s been a joy to come to Japan, and it’s an experience that every Japanese-American should have. A part of me will always be Japanese because it’s in my blood. But like most people in America, visiting the home of my ancestors has reminded me of the sacrifices my parents and grandparents made to make a new home in America, and I realize I am truly an American.
“Before the show I talked to Mr. Sonoda, and he made a very generous offer to buy my sword. I’m sure he’s offering more than it’s worth, but I’m going to take advantage of his generosity because the money will allow me to pursue something I’ve been toying with for a couple of months.” Mariko was in the back of the studio watching my interview. She couldn’t understand the question because she didn’t have an earpiece for the translation, but she could understand-my answer.
“When I get back to California, I’m going to investigate what it will take to make me a licensed private investigator. If I can qualify, I’m going to use Mr. Sonoda’s money to pursue that goal.” I glanced over at Mariko. She wasn’t shaking her head yes, but she wasn’t shaking her head no, either. That’s a start.
DALE FURUTANI is the first Asian-American to win major mystery writing awards and his books have appeared on numerous bestseller lists. He has spoken at the US Library of Congress, the Japanese-American National Museum, The Pacific Asia Museum, and numerous conferences. The City of Los Angeles named him as one of its “Forty Faces of Diversity” and Publisher’s Weekly called him “a master craftsman.” He has lived in Japan and traveled there extensively. He now lives with his wife in the Pacific Northwest.
Website: DALEFURUTANI.COM
BY DALE FURUTANI
Death in Little Tokyo
The Toyotomi Blades
Death at the Crossroads
Jade Palace Vendetta
Kill the Shogun
The Curious Adventures of Sherlock Holmes in Japan
“Dead Time,” Shaken: Stories for Japan (anthology written to aid victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsumami)
“Extreme Prejudice,” Murder on Sunset Boulevard (anthology to benefit the L.A. chapter of Sisters in Crime)
Author watercolor portrait by Shannon Perry