Tei-san, three years passed. Unbelievable. Time flies! Remembering our pleasant last drive to Norfork, VA.

Tei-San. Didn't realize our B-days were close. Now you
pick up a venue wherever you like, Santa Cruz, Reston,
or even Dogo, Japan. Let's get toast together to
celebrate!

Tribute to Tei Matsushita Scott. Became friend
in Santa Cruz before my return to Japan after
retirement. But in touch with her after her move
To VA & NY. Also met her in Matsuyama when
she spoke re her artwork, Haiku, and music.
Now missing her as I noted her Adios message.
RIP!

thinking of you Tei:

Monarch butterfly--
from one language to another
she migrated her/their story

This is one of Tei's last notes to June Hymas and me:

Feb 23, 2012

Dear Pat and June,

I'm sorry I left you wondering what had become of [me]. First, I'll be 89 on March 1st. I can't walk fast, I can't remember other's names, etc. etc. But my son and his wife are taking care of me very well . . . so that I am still painting and writing HAIKU in English. Once a week I attend Jewish Community meeting where I can be with retired professionals. I am grateful of having this opportunity.
  Do you remember Jim Arnold? A few years ago he died on the Highway near Half Moon Bay. He was on a motorbike. He gave me his collection of pebbles whish now [is] in a glass jar holding flowers.
  Thinking of you at the holidays and wishing you every happiness in the New Year.

exposed roots
squat tight
posture of SAMARAI

Tei

My wife, Mariko, and I just learned of Tei's passing last year. We hadn't been in touch for decades, but Tei was a strong influence on both of us in the important first years just out of college. I met her when I accepted a position working with Japanese maps for a US government mapping agency. Tei was there with a team of mainly Japanese women, including Dr. Kayo Yotsukura (a classmate of Tei's at Tokyo Women's University) and Fumiko Minami Norcia, among others. "Yotsukura-sensei" and "Sukotto (Scott)-san" provided me with much valuable advice about life choices and what to do with my future during the brief 15 months we worked together--especially regarding the "girl" I had met and was dating. Introducing Mariko to them was almost as tense for me as if I were introducing her to my own parents. At first I couldn't tell if they approved or not ("Her Japanese is too informal," was one criticism I heard), but eventually they came to grow fond of her as well. We are now married with two grown children, and have been together for 37 years. Tei generously lent me a large folding screen with her painting on it to decorate my bare room for several months. I didn't want to return it to her, but eventually I did, since we were relocating to Japan.

Mariko and I miss her strength, her always laughing eyes, and her huge heart.

Rest in peace.

Lawrence & Mariko Marceau
Auckland, New Zealand