Paul Maruyama Conferment Ceremony Japanese Imperial Decoration

http://www.denver.us.emb-japan.go.jp/en/culture/topics/2013/06212013.html

The award is the Order of the Rising Sun, 4th Class

Paul Maruyama was a member of the US 1964 Olympic team. Congrats !

His an amazing man and judoka. I had the privilege to attempt to do Judo with him many many years ago at the USOTC. His advice: Learn how to stand up, as it seemed as soon as he took a grip I fell down via ashi barai.

A book Paul Maruyama wrote about his father's exploits in Manchuria after WWII.  Only $3.03 for Kindle.  Fascinating history.   And his efforts saved my mother in law and countless others, for which I am grateful excepts when Mrs. NBK gives me a hard time.



Paul Maruyama's Escape from Manchuria

NBK wrote:... for which I am grateful excepts when Mrs. NBK gives me a hard time.

That sweet little thing?  I cannot imagine her uttering anything approaching a cross word, or disapproval, or telling you to keep your fat-assed American friends (and the occasional Brit) off her antique chairs lest they break them with their super-sized, hamburger-gobbling, beer-guzzling corpulence ...

P.S.  ... of course Mr. NBK knows I read Mr. Maruyama's book, enjoyed it, and learned a lot of history that isn't much discussed in the US yet is critical to a vaguely educated opinion about current events in East Asia.  Plus, wow, what an interesting life one of our finest judoka has had!

Mr. Natural, why don't you present a copy ... we can probably get it signed ... to the the granddaughter of Caligula's horse?  Would make fine welcome snapshot for your dojo wall.