tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-237657502024-03-07T13:10:25.935-08:00Rainbow Over Hell | The Blog<i>Rainbow Over Hell</i> (Pacific Press: 2006 | ISBN: 0-8163-2134-5 | ISBN13: 9780816321346) is the true story of one man's transformation from World War II assassin on Saipan to preacher for God. This blog tracks news and events related to the English edition of <i>Rainbow Over Hell</i>.Sharon Fujimoto-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07898410054928775858noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23765750.post-25083073902402801322008-06-09T00:28:00.000-07:002008-06-09T00:46:28.463-07:00Portuguese Edition Released<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY58X-PgBEvHeaSBrabNgKBKmknj69p4skvtFENanXVqNlhr9LdQh0EYEsqaxGeTAM1uoRLaVPE_bia9PF8UulEYghh7luueWc_yAFqqV25cIiz0CCXhqVYmYwyShCBnIEPTm7JQ/s1600-h/brazil.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY58X-PgBEvHeaSBrabNgKBKmknj69p4skvtFENanXVqNlhr9LdQh0EYEsqaxGeTAM1uoRLaVPE_bia9PF8UulEYghh7luueWc_yAFqqV25cIiz0CCXhqVYmYwyShCBnIEPTm7JQ/s320/brazil.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209780955831320162" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Arco-Íris Sobre o Inferno</span><br />The Portuguese edition of <span style="font-style: italic;">Rainbow Over Hell </span>has been published in Brazil. The book is available from Casa Publicadora Brasileira (Brazil Publishing House).<br /><br /><a href="http://www.cpb.com.br/mostra.asp?clie=3&en=&gtx=&cr=&cat=&c=&hr=&rtd=78hje&j=&idped=134&p=4346600&idpart=&hj=34545354353&cliecr=&lf=doo234&l=&e=12312&ger=354&set=1&org=rtf4&j=4512&grp1=0&idprod=1023&grp=1">Order the Portuguese Edition</a><br /><br />With the release of this new edition in Brazil, <span style="font-style: italic;">Rainbow Over Hell </span>is now available in three languages: Japanese, English, and Portuguese.<br /><br />*****<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ordering the Japanese edition </span><br />Readers occasionally inquire about the availability of non-English editions in the U.S. The Japanese edition appears to be available from <a href="http://bookweb.kinokuniya.co.jp/guest/cgi-bin/wshoseaohb.cgi?W-NIPS=9979607548&AREA=02&LANG=J">Kinokuniya BookWeb</a>. In Japan, the book is available from <a href="http://www.amazon.co.jp/s/ref=nb_ss_fg_eng?__mk_ja_JP=%83J%83%5E%83J%83i&url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=%92n%8D%96%82%CC%93%F8&x=0&y=0">Amazon.co.jp</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ordering the English edition</span><br />The English edition continues to be available from <a href="http://www.adventistbookcenter.com/Detail.tpl?sku=0816321345">Adventist Book Center</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rainbow-over-Hell-Deliverance-Assassin/dp/0816321345">Amazon.com</a>.Sharon Fujimoto-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07898410054928775858noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23765750.post-90956435481467567582007-08-22T21:31:00.000-07:002007-08-22T21:37:36.789-07:00Pastor Saburo Arakaki to Visit U.S.<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">News: </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Pastor Saburo Arakaki to conduct evangelistic series in Westminster, California. Here are the dates I've received:<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:85%;">Sunday, September 16, 7:30 p.m.<br />Monday, September 17, </span><span style="font-size:85%;">7:30 p.m.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"> Tuesday, September 18, </span><span style="font-size:85%;">7:30 p.m.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"> Thursday, September 20, </span><span style="font-size:85%;">7:30 p.m.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Worship Service Saturday, September 22</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Fellowship Time on Sunday, September 23<br /></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;"> <!-- Start of StatCounter Code --> <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript"> var sc_project=1489068; var sc_invisible=1; var sc_partition=13; var sc_security="ee015838"; </script> <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript" src="http://www.statcounter.com/counter/counter.js"></script><noscript>From what I understand, these meetings may be presented in the Japanese language. </noscript>For more details, please contact <a href="http://www.westminstergoodsamaritan.org/">Westminster Good Samaritan Seventh-day Adventist Church</a>.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Westminster Good Samaritan Seventh-day Adventist Church<br />14362 Willow Lane<br />Westminster, CA 92683<br />(714) 897-4026 </strong></span></p>Sharon Fujimoto-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07898410054928775858noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23765750.post-1176251865548588542007-04-10T17:32:00.000-07:002007-04-10T17:37:45.556-07:00What Readers in Saipan are SayingPastor Saburo Arakaki recently visited Saipan, and bloggers Bev and Mr. Grant shared their thoughts on his visit and <span style="font-style:italic;"><a href="http://rainbowoverhell.com">Rainbow Over Hell</a>. </span> <br /><br />Bev: "Earlier this year I read a book called Rainbow Over Hell. This past Sabbath during church we were treated with a surprise visit by the author of that book! I couldn't believe it." <a href="http://bevecaba.blogspot.com/2007/03/rainbow-over-hell.html">Read the entire post</a>. <br /><br />Mr. Grant: "The way God reached this young man drowning in hate gave me chills. His unshakable belief in the power of prayer opened new avenues to me. And here, I was still shaking his hand and hearing his story in first person." <a href="http://grantnsaipan.blogspot.com/2007/04/rainbow-over-hell.html">Read the entire post</a>.Sharon Fujimoto-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07898410054928775858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23765750.post-1160606856657784882006-10-11T15:37:00.000-07:002006-10-13T12:32:25.566-07:00Review: Reader Views<span style="font-style:italic;">Rainbow Over Hell</span> has received a glowing review from <a href="http://www.readerviews.com/ReviewMohriRainbow.html">Reader Views</a>.<br /><br />Excerpts: <br />"Translator Sharon Fujimoto-Johnson succeeds beautifully in bringing the well-loved Japanese book <span style="font-style:italic;">Rainbow over Hell</span> to the English-speaking world. This touching true story is both timeless and meaningful, regardless of race or religion as it tackles hatred, suffering, betrayal, despair, and ultimately, forgiveness and peace."<br /><br />"Award-winning author Tsuneyuki Mohri and translator Sharon Fujimoto-Johnson shine as they team up to release <span style="font-style:italic;">Rainbow over Hell</span> in English." <br /><br />In addition to being posted on Reader Views, the full review appears on Amazon.com as the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rainbow-over-Hell-Deliverance-Assassin/dp/0816321345">third four-star review</a> for <span style="font-style:italic;">Rainbow Over Hell</span>.<br /><br />___________<br /><br />Technorati tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Rainbow Over Hell" rel="tag">Rainbow Over Hell</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/translation" rel="tag">translation</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/review" rel="tag"> review</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Tsuneyuki Mohri" rel="tag">Tsuneyuki Mohri</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Sharon Fujimoto-Johnson" rel="tag">Sharon Fujimoto-Johnson</a>Sharon Fujimoto-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07898410054928775858noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23765750.post-1154846738427633492006-08-05T23:22:00.000-07:002006-08-05T23:45:38.436-07:00Kinokuniya Book Web<span style="font-style:italic;">Rainbow Over Hell</span> is <a href="http://bookweb.kinokuniya.co.jp/guest/cgi-bin/booksea.cgi?ISBN=0816321345">available on back order from Kinokuniya Book Web</a>, the online ordering site of Japan's largest bookstore chain. <br /><br />The book isn't stocked at Kinokuniya warehouses, so it takes 6-8 weeks for Kinokuniya to acquire and deliver the book to customers. However, long delivery time aside, this means that potential readers in Japan can order the English edition of <span style="font-style:italic;">Rainbow Over Hell</span> through a trusted, easily accessible site.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.kinokuniya.co.jp/english/index.html">Kinokuniya</a>'s Book Web has a database of 2 million Japanese books, as well as 2.5 million books in English and other languages. <br /><br />___________<br /><br />Technorati tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Rainbow Over Hell" rel="tag">Rainbow Over Hell</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/translation" rel="tag">translation</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/online bookseller" rel="tag">online bookseller</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Kinokuniya" rel="tag">Kinokuniya</a>Sharon Fujimoto-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07898410054928775858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23765750.post-1154724630474929782006-08-04T13:40:00.000-07:002006-08-04T13:50:30.486-07:00Amazon.comI'm happy to announce that after a long wait, <span style="font-style:italic;">Rainbow Over Hell</span> is finally available from Amazon.com. <br /><br />If you are going to purchase a copy from Amazon.com, please consider going first to the <a href="http://rainbowoverhell.com/order.htm">Order page</a> on the <span style="font-style:italic;">Rainbow Over Hell</span> site and clicking on the Amazon.com link. I will receive a small commission from Amazon.com for referring customers from my site. <br /><br />Please also consider reviewing the book on Amazon.com. Thanks so much!<br /><br />___________<br /><br />Technorati tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Rainbow Over Hell" rel="tag">Rainbow Over Hell</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/translation" rel="tag">translation</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Amazon.com" rel="tag">Amazon.com</a>Sharon Fujimoto-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07898410054928775858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23765750.post-1153935771694640382006-07-26T10:24:00.000-07:002006-07-26T14:16:46.840-07:00LLBN InterviewMy interview about <span style="font-style:italic;">Rainbow Over Hell </span>on <a href="http://www.llbn.tv/index.html">Loma Linda Broadcasting Network</a> aired for the first time yesterday, July 25, 2006, at 6 p.m., on "Christian Connections."<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Re-broadcasts (Pacific Standard Time)</span> <br />Wednesday, August 2, 2006 | Midnight - 1 a.m.<br />Thursday, August 3, 2006 | 7 - 8 a.m.<br />Friday, August 4, 2006 | Noon - 1 p.m.<br /><br />It will also be re-broadcast in the future at undetermined times. <br /><br />I was interviewed by Marlon Paley at the LLBN broadcast center in Loma Linda, CA, on June 12, 2006. <br /><br />LLBN is a Christian viewer-supported worldwide television ministry that is broadcast via satellite, cable and internet stream.<br /><br />___________<br /><br />Technorati tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Rainbow Over Hell" rel="tag">Rainbow Over Hell</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/translation" rel="tag">translation</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Loma Linda Broadcasting Network" rel="tag">Loma Linda Broadcasting Network</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/TV interview" rel="tag">TV interview</a>Sharon Fujimoto-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07898410054928775858noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23765750.post-1153272352602414122006-07-18T18:14:00.000-07:002006-07-18T18:25:52.613-07:00Promotional Activities ConcludedI've returned from <a href="http://ccc.adventist.org/campmtg/">Soquel Campmeeting</a> near Santa Cruz, CA, where I promoted <span style="font-style:italic;">Rainbow Over Hell </span>at the Adventist Book Center sale, and this officially concludes the promotional tour for <span style="font-style:italic;">Rainbow Over Hell. </span><br /><br />I will continue to post links to reviews and other references as they appear, but I won't be updating this blog as frequently. Thanks so much for following this blog as I promoted the book. <br /><br />Although I've concluded my scheduled speaking appointments, I will continue to promote the book behind the scenes. I believe <span style="font-style:italic;">Rainbow Over Hell</span> will continue to make an impact, and I look forward to sharing more good news in the future. Thanks again!Sharon Fujimoto-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07898410054928775858noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23765750.post-1152933045765962122006-07-14T20:02:00.000-07:002006-07-14T20:13:33.566-07:00Bookhitch.com<span style="font-style:italic;">Rainbow Over Hell</span> is now listed at <a href="http://bookhitch.com">Bookhitch.com</a>. If you're so inclined, feel free to <a href="http://www.bookhitch.com/ratebook_freelist.aspx?listid=1851">rate the book.<br /></a> It's quick and only takes a couple of clicks. Thanks!<br />___________<br /><br />Technorati tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Rainbow Over Hell" rel="tag">Rainbow Over Hell</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/translation" rel="tag">translation</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/bookhitch.com" rel="tag">bookhitch.com</a>Sharon Fujimoto-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07898410054928775858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23765750.post-1151823658301011802006-07-01T23:47:00.000-07:002006-07-02T00:00:58.310-07:00Campmeeting Special<span style="font-style:italic;">Rainbow Over Hell </span>is one of the <a href="http://www.pacificpress.com/index.php?pgName=abc_ca_ncamp">featured books</a> for <a href="http://www.nccsda.org/article/articleview/151/1/61">Redwood Campmeeting,</a> the Northern California Conference summer gathering for Seventh-day Adventists. During this event, <span style="font-style:italic;">Rainbow Over Hell</span> will be on sale for $11.99.<br /><br />Coincidentally, one of the featured speakers at Redwood Campmeeting will be Roy Adams, associate editor for <a href="http://www.adventistreview.org/"><span style="font-style:italic;">Adventist Review</span></a> and <span style="font-style:italic;">Adventist World.</span> In 1999, Adams interviewed Pastor Saburo Arakaki and printed a cover story about Arakaki in <span style="font-style:italic;">Adventist Review</span>. <br /><br />___________<br /><br />Technorati tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Rainbow Over Hell" rel="tag">Rainbow Over Hell</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/translation" rel="tag">translation</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/campmeeting" rel="tag">campmeeting</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Adventist Review" rel="tag">Adventist Review</a>Sharon Fujimoto-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07898410054928775858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23765750.post-1150769291674253942006-06-19T18:59:00.000-07:002006-06-19T19:08:11.696-07:00Review: Pacific Islands ReportA review of <span style="font-style:italic;"><a href="http://rainbowoverhell.com">Rainbow Over Hell</a></span> appears in Pacific Islands Report, a publication of the Hawaii-based organization, <a href="http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org/pireport/graphics.shtml">East-West Center</a>. <br /><br />Lindsay M. Timarong Pangelinan, assistant editor of the journal, writes that <span style="font-style:italic;">Rainbow Over Hell</span> is "beautifully written and colorfully descriptive of the ravages of war and the objectivity of duty. It is not overly religious and yet it captures the spiritual basis of emotional and psychological transformation. It is an easy and interesting read for casual readers and serious war history buffs alike."<br /><br />Read the entire review <a href="http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org/pireport/2006/June/06-16-rv.htm">here</a>. <br /><br />Pacific Islands Report exists to facilitate communication within the Pacific basin and among developing Pacific nations. The service is underwritten by the East-West Center and is supported by the Center for Pacific Islands Studies/University of Hawaii.<br /><br />___________<br /><br />Technorati tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Rainbow Over Hell" rel="tag">Rainbow Over Hell</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/translation" rel="tag">translation</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/World War II" rel="tag">World War II</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Hawaii" rel="tag">Hawaii</a>Sharon Fujimoto-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07898410054928775858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23765750.post-1150054998016850852006-06-11T12:00:00.000-07:002006-06-11T12:48:48.386-07:00Behind the Scenes: Filming "Testament"Musician/artist <a href="http://www.geocities.com/yoshika_recreation_cd/">Yoshika Caraig</a> was instrumental in orchestrating the English translation of <span style="font-style:italic;">Rainbow Over Hell</span>. I knew of Yoshika--and even corresponded with her briefly--starting in 1999 when she and one of her friends were eagerly pressing for the book to be translated into English. More recently, I've had the privilege of becoming friends with Yoshika, and I was surprised to learn that she is connected, not only to the long-awaited publication of the English edition of <span style="font-style:italic;">Rainbow Over Hell,</span> but also to Pastor Saburo Arakaki and an earlier broadcast of his story. <br /><br />Before the book, <span style="font-style:italic;">Rainbow Over Hell, </span> a TV documentary called "Testament" aired on Japanese television. "Testament" documented Pastor Arakaki's return to Saipan, Guam, and Hawaii in 1987 to retrace the steps of his amazing story. <br /><br />Author Tsuneyuki Mohri and a camera crew from <a href="http://www.kbc.co.jp/">Kyushu-Asahi Broadcasting Company</a> accompanied Pastor Arakaki on this trip to film the documentary. (This trip would subsequently help to inspire Mr. Mohri to write <span style="font-style:italic;">Rainbow Over Hell.</span>) Yoshika, who lived in Guam at the time, became involved as a translator for the group, and she provides here a behind-the-scenes view of the making of a segment of this documentary and the people involved. <br /><br />Here is Yoshika's story, which for me, gives insight into Pastor Arakaki as a person, and also Mr. Mohri as a writer: <br /><br />___________<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Behind the Scenes: Filming "Testament" </span><br /><br />One day in July, 1987, I received a call--I don’t remember exactly who it was from, but I think it was someone from the <a href="http://gmmsda.org/">Seventh-Day Adventist Guam Micronesian Conference</a>, or it could have been the pastor of my church. He said that a group of Japanese people was here to film some documentary called “Testament” and they were looking for a translator. Being the only native Japanese in the Adventist church in Guam, he thought I could help them. “Sure,” I said. One of the people’s name was Pastor Saburo Arakaki, whose famous evangelistic meetings I had attended a couple times in the past. He was also the father of my high school classmate and of my former roommate.<br /><br />I met the group: Mr. Yukawa, director of Kyushu Asahi Broadcasting Company and two cameramen (unfortunately I don’t remember their names), playwright Mr. Mohri, and Pastor Arakaki. Since it was my first time to encounter people who had anything to do with TV, I was naturally very curious. My memories are a blur now; I can hardly remember the details, but each man gave me an unforgettable impression. Mr. Yukawa strode about with contagious energy, always radiant. He had that air, or aura, which makes you want to work for him. He and his cameramen seemed to have a great working relationship. Listening to them talk about their work, I was mesmerized by their passion, a genuine passion, and by their child-like single-minded devotion. I thought then that they were the most beautiful people on the planet.<br /><br />Mr. Mohri was rather quiet, totally different temperament from the TV men, but you could tell he was listening and observing, missing nothing that was happening around him. I wanted to ask him all sorts of questions, but, assuming that he was already constructing the story in his mind, I was afraid I might disturb him. Still, whatever silly questions I asked him, he was very patient and kind in answering me. And Pastor Arakaki, of course, still very strong in his 60s, down-to-earth, friendly, cheerful, and kind. He was the kind of man you’d immediately come to trust and to feel at home with.<br /><br />They were looking for the POW prison site from the WWII. We went to the library and researched. I don’t think I was much of help, since I was not into researching at that time--I was just a naive, ignorant young woman. A reporter from the local newspaper came and interviewed them. As I translated, I became increasingly frustrated, because, from what I could peek on his notebook, his chicken-scratch memos, he didn’t take the information accurately. I tried to correct him but didn’t get anywhere with him.<br /><br />A local American man came to help, but no one remembered exactly where the prison used to stand. Some suggested that it was where the police department was, some suggested some other place. I don’t recall in the end what we decided.<br /><br />In the evening, Dr. Nozaki, a physician at the <a href="http://www.guamsdaclinic.com/">Seventh-Day Adventist Clinic</a> and a passionate missionary, gathered some of the local Japanese people in a hotel conference room, so that they could hear Pastor Arakaki’s story. And of course, Pastor Arakaki, always ready to speak, once again told his story with a great passion. This time, having gotten to know him on a more personal level, his story became even more real to me, that the father of my high school friends’ had gone through such incredible experience. I couldn’t imagine my own father going through it!<br /><br />Around two in the morning, suddenly the phone rang. I woke up and answered, wondering who would call at this hour. It was Mr. Yukawa, bursting with energy and jubilance. They were at the Hilton hotel restaurant, and he was inviting us to join them for a drink (or a snack). “I guess that’s how TV people are,” my husband laughed, “they never sleep.” We both had to work that same morning, but neither of us could resist Mr. Yukawa. He was a magnetic man. So we went. They were there, all of them, including Pastor Arakaki, with no trace of fatigue, just having a wonderful time.<br /><br />The group left for Hawaii that day, and I was sorry to see them go.<br /><br />And then I forgot all about it.<br /><br />Twelve years later, in Texas, I received a video tape titled “Testament” from a friend of mine in Walla Walla, WA. I was surprised--even more so when I found out that the narrator of the English version of the “Testament” happened to be the pastor who had baptised me when I was 13. I told her that I was involved in the filming of it. It was her turn to be surprised. Immediately the word got to Mr. Mohri, and I received an autographed copy of <span style="font-style:italic;">Jigoku-no Niji (Rainbow Over Hell)</span>, dated January 5, 1999. My excitement knew no end. I read the book in one breath. This book had to be read by American people as well, my friend and I decided. Mr. Mohri agreed, and thus the process of publishing in the U.S. started. Our biggest concern was to find the right translator, but that concern was taken care of in no time. The first draft of the translation arrived. Then the second. Once the ball started rolling, there was not much we could do but wait.<br /><br />It is 2006 now. And I am very excited to see <a href="http://rainbowoverhell.com">the book in print</a>, in English! Though it was a long wait, it was published at the right time, as the U. S. is, once again, in war. It’s an awesome story, and I’m confident that it will bring hope and blessings to many people who read it.<br /><br />-June, 2006, Yoshika Caraig, musician/artist<br /><a href="http://www.geocities.com/yoshika_recreation_cd">Yoshika Caraig's CD: "ReCreation"</a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crystalcolors">Flickr Photos</a><br /><a href="http://www.kilroywashere.org/005-Pages/Reviews.html">Review of Rainbow Over Hell</a><br /><br />___________<br /><br />Technorati tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Rainbow Over Hell" rel="tag">Rainbow Over Hell</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/translation" rel="tag">translation</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/World War II" rel="tag">World War II</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Guam" rel="tag">Guam</a>Sharon Fujimoto-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07898410054928775858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23765750.post-1149626444429015072006-06-06T13:32:00.000-07:002006-06-06T13:40:44.440-07:00New Event on the CalendarA new event has been added to my <a href="http://rainbowoverhell.com/media.htm">calendar</a>:<br /><br />June 24, 2006<br />6 p.m.<br />Presentation: "The Well"<br /><a href="http://roseville.netadventist.org/">Roseville SDA Church</a> (Roseville, CA)<br />914 Cirby Way<br />Roseville, CA 95661<br />(916) 786-8350<br /><br />I will give a 30-minute presentation, which will include a slideshow of photos related to <span style="font-style:italic;"><a href="http://rainbowoverhell.com">Rainbow Over Hell</a></span>. Order forms for the book will be provided (since the event will take place before sundown on Saturday).<br /><br />_________<br /><br />Technorati tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Rainbow Over Hell" rel="tag">Rainbow Over Hell</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/translation" rel="tag">translation</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/World War II" rel="tag">World War II</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Sacramento cultural events" rel="tag">Sacramento cultural events</a>Sharon Fujimoto-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07898410054928775858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23765750.post-1149290601785703362006-06-02T15:54:00.000-07:002006-06-02T16:23:21.796-07:00Event Report: Adventist Health (Douglas Office)This morning, I was interviewed at the Douglas Office of the <a href="http://www.adventisthealth.org/">Adventist Health</a> corporate headquarters for their Friday morning worship. <a href="http://rainbowoverhell.blogspot.com/2006/04/interview-adventist-health-creekside.html">Once again</a>, I was interviewed by our friend, Wayne Judd, director of mission and planning at Adventist Health.<br /><br />As part of the program, Wayne and I read some passages from Rainbow Over Hell--I read the original Japanese, and he read the English translation. We also showed the five-minute promo DVD for the book, which gives a synopsis of Arakaki's incredible story, and played a recording of Charlotte Church singing "Pie Jesu," which I had listened to continuously while translating the Suicide Cliff scene.<br /><br />Once again, I was moved by the enthusiastic and sometimes emotional response to the book. One man was overcome with emotion as he shared that his father had fought in the Battle of Okinawa and still struggles with his memories of taking lives in battle. <br /><br />This reminded me that the non-physical wounds of war run deep in the psyche and that healing for World War II veterans is still very much an on-going process. My wish continues to be that <span style="font-style:italic;">Rainbow Over Hell</span> will be a <a href="http://rainbowoverhell.blogspot.com/2006/03/bridge-of-healing.html">bridge of healing</a> for those World War II veterans. <br /><br />_________<br /><br />Technorati tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Rainbow Over Hell" rel="tag">Rainbow Over Hell</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/translation" rel="tag">translation</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/World War II" rel="tag">World War II</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Pacific War" rel="tag">Pacific War</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Saipan" rel="tag">Saipan</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/veterans" rel="tag">veterans</a>Sharon Fujimoto-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07898410054928775858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23765750.post-1148367633833356862006-05-22T23:22:00.000-07:002006-05-23T00:00:33.843-07:00WWII Veterans and Rainbow Over HellThrough promotional activities for <span style="font-style:italic;">Rainbow Over Hell</span>, I've been honored to meet and hear from many Pacific War veterans and their family members. It's a humbling experience to come into contact with men who, years ago, fought on Saipan as young men. <br /><br />Many of them have quietly kept their wartime memories to themselves. When I meet the children or brothers of these veterans, the words I hear most often are, "My father/brother fought in the Pacific War, but he never spoke of it."<br /><br />Today, I heard about another Pacific War veteran who fought on Tinian and Saipan against the Japanese and who has recently read <span style="font-style:italic;">Rainbow Over Hell.</span> He was so moved by the story that he is encouraging others to read it as well.<br /><br />For me, these responses from World War II veterans--and especially those who fought in the South Pacific--are the most rewarding reviews of all. To have someone who once considered Saburo Arakaki an enemy read this book and embrace the story with such openheartedness is truly humbling and fulfilling. <br /><br />_________<br /><br />Technorati tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Rainbow Over Hell" rel="tag">Rainbow Over Hell</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/translation" rel="tag">translation</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Pacific War" rel="tag">Pacific War</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Saipan" rel="tag">Saipan</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/veterans" rel="tag">veterans</a>Sharon Fujimoto-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07898410054928775858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23765750.post-1147990367047868602006-05-18T14:05:00.000-07:002006-05-18T15:12:47.056-07:00Event Report: Sierra Christian WritersOn Tuesday (May 16), I spoke to a small Christian writers' group based at the <a href="http://www.placervillesda.org/">Placerville SDA Church</a>. During the Q & A session at the end of my presentation, I was pleased to receive some questions about the process of translation. <br /><br />I believe in translation, not only as a literary tool, but also as an important bridge-building tool between human beings in a fragmented world. Translated literature gives us glimpses into other cultures and belief systems, and this exposure in turn invites us to be open-minded and accepting of other human beings. <br /><br />Translation is currently a popular topic in the literary world. The <a href="http://www.pen.org/">PEN American Center</a> recently hosted <a href="http://www.pen.org/page.php/prmID/1304">"PEN World Voices: The New York Festival of International Literature,"</a> which featured a panel discussion on the challenges facing translated world literature in the current publishing world. <a href="http://www.wordswithoutborders.org/">Words Without Borders</a>, an online journal for international literature has a <a href="http://forums.wordswithoutborders.org/?q=forum/6">forum</a> dedicated to the discussion of translation. <a href="http://www.poetrymagazine.org/">POETRY </a>magazine's most recent issue is dedicated to translation. <br /><br />As a translated story about transformation and forgiveness, <span style="font-style:italic;">Rainbow Over Hell </span>reminds us, I think, of what binds us together as a human race. As such, my hope is that it will be a book that transcends social and religious boundaries. <br /><br />_________<br /><br />Technorati tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Rainbow Over Hell" rel="tag">Rainbow Over Hell</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/translation" rel="tag">translation</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/world literature" rel="tag">world literature</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/PEN American Center" rel="tag">PEN American Center</a>Sharon Fujimoto-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07898410054928775858noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23765750.post-1146984593440980232006-05-06T22:54:00.000-07:002006-05-18T17:43:42.213-07:00Event Report: Woodside SDA Church<span style="font-weight:bold;">A Connection to Saburo Arakaki</span><br />Tonight I had the privilege of participating in a special presentation and signing for <span style="font-style:italic;">Rainbow Over Hell </span>at <a href="http://www.woodsidesda.org/">Woodside SDA Church</a> in Sacramento, California. I was interviewed for about an hour by our good friend, Jim Lorenz, pastor of the Woodside Church. <br /><br />During the interview, I learned that there is a connection between Saburo Arakaki and Woodside SDA Church. Apparently, one of the first pastors of this church was Louis Venden (whose acquaintance I had the pleasure of making just last week). Elder Venden left Sacramento for Japan, where he served as a missionary. In Japan, he attended the pastoral ordination ceremony of Saburo Arakaki. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Incredible Stories</span><br />At the reception and signing that followed, I heard a number of incredible stories. I'm honored to share some of them here (names removed for privacy):<br /><br />-One attendee's brother was on the <a href="http://www.ussrobinson.org/">USS Robinson</a> during the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Saipan">Battle of Saipan</a>. He told me that his brother still vividly remembers the horrific scene of Japanese women leaping from Suicide Cliff. This American war veteran was 18 years old--the same age as Saburo Arakaki--during that brutal battle. <br /><br />-Another attendee said that his brother was actually shot in the hand by Saburo Arakaki himself. In 1987 when Arakaki returned to Saipan, Guam, and Hawaii for the filming of the Japanese TV documentary about his experiences, he met this man he had shot years earlier. These two men who had once fought against each other became friends. Their friendship continues to this day.<br /><br />-A woman told me that her husband has difficult emotions about the Japanese people, because he was held in one of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Japanese_POW_camps_during_World_War_II">Japanese POW camps</a> during World War II. She hopes that <span style="font-style:italic;">Rainbow Over Hell</span> will be a healing story for him. I share her wish.<br /><br />-Another woman participated in prison ministries between 1946-1948 in Hawaii and believes she may have visited Saburo Arakaki in prison. <br /><br />-One U.S. Navy veteran was on a ship involved in shelling the island during the Battle of Saipan.<br /><br />I am truly amazed and honored to have heard all of these stories. My only regret is that I did not have my guestbook out for people to sign, so that I might have some record of those who generously shared these stories with me. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Call for Stories</span><br />If you attended the Woodside SDA Church event and shared your story with me, I would love to hear from you. <br /><br />If you did not attend this event but have stories to share from the Battle of Saipan or if you have a connection to Saburo Arakaki, I would love to hear from you as well. <br /><br />Please send me your stories. Sharing stories like these continues the healing process for those who fought on either side of that battle, and it creates a bridge across what was once enemy lines. <span style="font-style:italic;">Rainbow Over Hell</span> is a story about hope, grace, and forgiveness, and as such, it has the power to create bridges between hearts. <br /><br />Email: <a href="mailto:webmaster@rainbowoverhell.com">webmaster@rainbowoverhell.com</a> <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Sharing the Book</span><br />Author Tsuneyuki Mohri has said that his wish is that this book be like a rainbow of light encircling the earth. If your father, brother, uncle, friend, or neighbor fought in World War II, please consider sharing <span style="font-style:italic;">Rainbow Over Hell</span> with him so that this circle of light and healing might continue to expand. <br /><br />War stories like <span style="font-style:italic;">Rainbow Over Hell</span> are important in any age, but perhaps even more so in times like these. As such, it is a privilege for me to be a part of the effort to bring this story to American audiences. <br />_________<br /><br />Technorati tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Rainbow Over Hell" rel="tag">Rainbow Over Hell</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/translation" rel="tag">translation</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Battle of Saipan" rel="tag">Battle of Saipan</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Pacific War" rel="tag">Pacific War</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/World War II" rel="tag">World War II</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Japanese POW camp" rel="tag">Japanese POW camp</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/USS Robinson" rel="tag">USS Robinson</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Suicide Cliff" rel="tag">Suicide Cliff</a>Sharon Fujimoto-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07898410054928775858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23765750.post-1146674794073041052006-05-03T09:29:00.000-07:002006-05-03T09:47:58.566-07:00Upcoming Events: PreviewHere's a recap of promotional events in the near future. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">May 6, 2006</span><br />7 p.m.<br /><br />Woodside SDA Church<br />3300 Eastern Ave<br />Sacramento, CA 95821-4010<br />Phone: 916-482-6444<br /><br />An hour-long <a href="http://www.woodsidesda.org/index.php?option=com_na_content&task=view&id=5">presentation and signing</a> at <a href="http://www.woodsidesda.org/">Woodside SDA Church</a> (Sacramento, CA). <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">May 7, 2006</span><br />1-3 p.m.<br /><br />Adventist Book Center (Sacramento, CA)<br />5207 Madison Avenue Suite G<br />Sacramento, CA 95841<br />(916) 486-7730<br /><br />A signing with two other authors: Donna Nicholas, Compiler of <span style="font-style:italic;">The New Amplified Pilgrim's Progress</span> and Karen Easter, author of <span style="font-style:italic;">The Promise</span>. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">May 16</span><br />7:15 p.m.<br />Sierra Christian Writers Group (Placerville, CA)<br /><br />Placerville SDA Church <br />6831 Mother Lode Drive<br />Placerville, California 95667<br />(530) 622-2446<br /><br />An hour-long presentation and signing. <br /><br />_________<br /><br />In other news: <br />I am also scheduled to be interviewed <a href="http://www.llbn.tv/">on Loma Linda Broadcasting Network</a> television. LLBN is broadcast worldwide via satellite, cable, and internet streaming media. My interview is scheduled for June 12, but I'm not yet sure if the broadcast will be live or pre-recorded.<br /><br />_________<br /><br />Print ads: <br />An ad for <span style="font-style:italic;">Rainbow Over Hell </span> and four other books appeared in the <a href="http://pacificunionrecorder.com/">Pacific Union Recorder</a>. <br /><br />Ads are forthcoming in <a href="http://www.spectrummagazine.org/">Spectrum </a>and <a href="http://www.adventistreview.org/">Adventist Review</a>. <br /><br />_________<br /><br />Technorati tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Rainbow Over Hell" rel="tag">Rainbow Over Hell</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/translation" rel="tag">translation</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Saipan" rel="tag">Saipan</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Pacific War" rel="tag">Pacific War</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/World War II" rel="tag">World War II</a>Sharon Fujimoto-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07898410054928775858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23765750.post-1145772198172865272006-04-22T22:14:00.000-07:002006-04-22T23:16:20.970-07:00Recent Reviews & NoticesTwo reviews of <span style="font-style:italic;">Rainbow Over Hell</span> have been posted at <a href="http://www.kilroywashere.org/005-Pages/Reviews.html">kilroywashere.org</a>. <br /><br />Musician/artist <a href="http://www.geocities.com/yoshika_recreation_cd/">Yoshika Caraig</a> has read <span style="font-style:italic;">Rainbow Over Hell</span> in both Japanese and English. She calls it a "one-of-a-kind story, which no one should miss" and says, "Once one starts reading it, one cannot put it down." <br /><br />Patrick Tillery, editor of Kilroywashere.org, calls the book a "gripping read" and "one of the best personal descriptions of warfare I have seen." He heartily recommends this book to anyone "but especially those Marines who fought on Saipan." <br /><br />Patrick Tillery also gave it a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0816321345/002-2097975-8759232?v=glance&n=283155">five-star review on Amazon.com</a> (<span style="font-style:italic;">Rainbow Over Hell</span> is not yet available on Amazon.com, but I anticipate that it will be in the near future.) <br /><br />Many thanks to Yoshika and Patrick for the wonderful reviews!<br /><br />Announcements about <span style="font-style:italic;">Rainbow Over Hell</span> also appear on <a href="http://stonebooks.com/">Stone & Stone Second World War Books</a> and <a href="http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=98903&sid=a1f9e7b7f16b8c68ee3c62ff990160c0">Axis History Forum</a>. It is also mentioned in the most recent <a href="http://www.spectrummagazine.org/weblog/060420blogosphere.html"> Spectrum blogsphere.</a><br /><br />Technorati tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Rainbow Over Hell" rel="tag">Rainbow Over Hell</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/translation" rel="tag">translation</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/book review" rel="tag">book review</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Saipan" rel="tag">Saipan</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Pacific War" rel="tag">Pacific War</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Marines" rel="tag">Marines</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/World War II" rel="tag">World War II</a>Sharon Fujimoto-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07898410054928775858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23765750.post-1145769092377758192006-04-22T20:02:00.000-07:002006-04-22T22:11:32.416-07:00Presentation: Pacific Union College Pre-VespersYesterday, I had the pleasure of speaking about <span style="font-style:italic;">Rainbow Over Hell </span>to a small group of English majors and professors at my alma mater, <a href="http://www.puc.edu/">Pacific Union College</a> in the Napa Valley. <br /><br />The students I spoke to were around the same age as Saburo Arakaki was during the Battle of Saipan. As such, I focused on the idea that we are all chosen for lives of significance. Saburo Arakaki's life was preserved and renewed, I believe, so that he might live a life of significance. Likewise, I wanted to emphasize the idea that no matter what the specifics of our lives may be, we are each meant to make a positive impact in the world. <br /><br />I also spoke briefly about what it has been like for me to work as a writer. Being a writer and a person of faith brings a certain tension to one's work. Jewish writer Chaim Potok often said that this was a constant but beautiful struggle. I encouraged students to own that struggle and to explore it in their writing. <br /><br />Perhaps more interesting than my presentation--and certainly more exciting--was the fact that our trip to PUC coincided with <a href="http://www.napavalleyregister.com/articles/2006/04/22/news/local/doc444a5e7ce8f03088647027.txt">the arrival of President George W. Bush in the Napa Valley</a>. President Bush helicoptered in and out of <a href="http://www.puc.edu/AngwinAirport/">Angwin Airport</a> on the PUC campus, bringing unusual excitement and bustle to the normally bucolic town of Angwin. <br /><br />Bush spent the weekend at the upscale <a href="http://www.meadowood.com/">Meadowood Resort</a>, just down the hill from the college, and on Saturday morning <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2006/04/22/state/n115112D19.DTL">rode his mountain bike in the woods behind PUC</a>. <br /><br />Apparently, Napa Valley had been crawling with secret service agents for a week, and over the weekend, the normally quiet Angwin skies were abuzz with the sounds of helicopters and a fighter jet patroling the area. <br /><br />This afternoon, we found ourselves in a small crowd of onlookers at Angwin's main intersection, which had been blocked off by CHP cars. A line of armed sheriffs stood along one side of the street. Twenty minutes later, the Presidential motorcade rolled into Angwin, preceded by a line of CHP cars marked "Forward Sweep" and "Forward Escort." <br /><br />The Presidential motorcade consisted of about ten black SUVs with tinted windows, a SWAT team, an ambulance, dark vans marked "staff," and white vans with the press corps. It appeared that the President's car was the only one driving on the far side of the street away from the crowd. What seemed like an excessively long line of CHP cars and motorcycles followed. <br /><br />My husband managed to snap a photo of the motorcade as they rolled through the intersection at full speed. (We only had a camera-phone, hence the low resolution):<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1256/2000/1600/Bush.0.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1256/2000/320/Bush.0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Bush was scheduled to helicopter out of Angwin and make a visit to the <a href="http://www.fuelcellpartnership.org/index.html">California Fuel Cell Partnership</a> in West Sacramento, and as we made the return trip to Sacramento, Interstate 80 came to a complete stop for several minutes just outside of West Sacramento. <br /><br />Bush's visit to Northern California has <a href="http://www.napavalleyregister.com/articles/2006/04/22/news/local_top_story/doc4449c5e97dc59937569901.txt">brought out protesters and supporters</a> alike. On Friday afternoon, Silverado Trail in the Napa Valley was lined with about 2,000 protestors--some calling for him to step down--and a few Bush supporters among them. In Angwin, one skate-boarding student held up an amusing sign that read "I don't like your face or politics, George," while others cheered and waved American flags at the President's motorcade. <a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/states/california/northern_california/14406782.htm">A bomb squad was called in</a> during Bush's Sacramento visit. <br /><br />With the U.S. at war in Iraq, there seems to be a growing and volatile split between Bush supporters and critics. Saburo Arakaki's life serves, I think, as a reminder of the impact of war on an individual level, and that's something we need to be reminded of in times of war and peace alike. <br /><br />Technorati tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Rainbow Over Hell" rel="tag">Rainbow Over Hell</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/translation" rel="tag">translation</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Saburo Arakaki" rel="tag">Saburo Arakaki</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Chaim Potok" rel="tag">Chaim Potok</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/English major" rel="tag">English major</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Pacific Union College" rel="tag">Pacific Union College</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/President Bush" rel="tag">President Bush</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/George W. Bush" rel="tag">George W. Bush</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Napa Valley" rel="tag">Napa Valley</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/protest" rel="tag">protest</a>Sharon Fujimoto-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07898410054928775858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23765750.post-1144977268105999802006-04-13T16:37:00.000-07:002006-04-13T18:17:45.266-07:00Interview: Capital Public Radio<span style="font-weight:bold;">Audio File</span><br />For those who are interested, an audio file of my interview on Capital Public Radio is now available <a href="http://capradio.org/programs/insight/default.aspx?showid=1817&programid=10">here</a>. (To listen, click on the link, scroll halfway down on that page, and click on the "Listen" button. My interview starts about one-third of the way into the program and lasts about 15 minutes.)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Behind-the-Scenes</span><br />It was a privilege to be interviewed by Jeffrey Callison on "Insight" and to be able to talk about <span style="font-style:italic;">Rainbow Over Hell.</span> I don't think I've ever stepped into a radio studio before. As such, the production side of it was fascinating to me. Here are some behind-the-scenes tidbits: <br /><br />-The "Insight" studio was a small sound-proof room with a table in the center and mics on the table. The host, <a href="http://capradio.org/programs/bios/biodetail.aspx?bioid=13">Jeffrey Callison</a>, sat on one side of the table, facing me and a window into the next room, where the producers were overseeing the show. <br /><br />-Before the program, <a href="http://capradio.org/programs/bios/biodetail.aspx?bioid=31">Mark Jones</a>, technical director, and James Scott, associate producer for that day's program, gave me directions as far as where to sit, what excerpt I would be reading, and how close I should be to the table mics. (The mics have the size, shape, and color of healthy eggplants, I might add. Very large and purple.)<br /><br />-The first few minutes of the program consisted of a pre-recorded segment and the news, and Jeffrey wasn't even in the studio yet. About six minutes into the show, he came breezing down the hallway and stepped into the studio to pick up when the pre-recorded segment ended.<br /><br />-While waiting to be called into the studio, I sat in the waiting room and listened to the show as it was being broadcast on the radio. Interestingly, since there's an 18-second delay, and you can hear the radio broadcast and the muffled sounds from the studio across the hall at the same time, and they don't match.<br /><br />-Between the first segment and my interview, there was a 60-second break, during which the associate producer whisked me from the waiting room into the studio. Within seconds, the producers ran a sound-check, Jeffrey greeted me, we were told to stand by, and then we were on-air.<br /><br />-Jeffrey prefers not to meet his guests before the program, in order to reserve the freshness of first conversations for air time, and so I literally met him seconds before we were on-air. Although Jeffrey appeared to have some notes or questions in front of him, I wasn't provided with a list of questions prior to the interview, and our conversation was fairly unscripted.<br /><br />-When my interview was completed, there was a 90-second break, during which I was whisked out of the studio.<br /><br />It was absolutely fascinating to see how live radio is produced. I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to talk about <span style="font-style:italic;">Rainbow Over Hell</span> on "Insight" and to meet some of the hardworking people who put this show together each weekday. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Favorite Moment</span><br />I think my favorite moment was being introduced as a Sacramento writer. It's nice to feel like you belong to a place and that this place claims you as its own.Sharon Fujimoto-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07898410054928775858noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23765750.post-1144687219184099452006-04-10T09:05:00.000-07:002006-04-10T09:40:19.783-07:00FAQ: Upcoming Radio InterviewPeople have been asking me about my upcoming radio interview, and so I thought it might be helpful to post answers to some frequently asked questions: <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">When is the interview? </span><br />It's on Wednesday, April 12, 2006. It will air sometime between 2 - 3 p.m. (Pacific Time). <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">What program are you being interviewed for? </span><br />I will be interviewed on Jeffrey Callison's <a href="http://capradio.org/programs/insight/">"Insight"</a> program on <a href="http://capradio.org/default.aspx">Capital Public Radio</a> (KXJZ). Capital Public Radio is the Sacramento, California region's <a href="http://www.npr.org/">National Public Radio</a> affiliate. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">How long will the interview be?</span><br />I've been told that it will be about 20 minutes long. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">How can I listen to the interview?</span><br />No matter where you are in the world, you can listen to the interview streaming live on the internet. To do so, around 2 p.m. Pacific Time on Wednesday, April 12, 2006, go to <a href="http://capradio.org/default.aspx">CapRadio.org</a> and click on the "Listen Live" link at the top left corner of the page. In the Sacramento, CA region, you can also tune your radio dial to 88.9 FM. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">What if I miss the live interview?</span><br />An audio file of the program will be posted in the Capital Public Radio site archives the following day, and you will be able to listen to it there.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Where can I find more information about this radio interview?</span><br />Information appears on <a href="http://capradio.org/programs/insight/">Capital Public Radio's "Insight" page.</a> <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Have you ever been interviewed on the radio before? </span><br />No--so please keep me in your thoughts and prayers! And check back here after the interview for a report on how it went. Thank you all for your kind wishes.Sharon Fujimoto-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07898410054928775858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23765750.post-1144646223322327032006-04-09T22:00:00.000-07:002006-04-09T22:30:10.340-07:00Battle of Saipan LinksOn the sidebar on the right, I've added links to some sites that discuss the Battle of Saipan. I'd like to highlight a few that may be particularly interesting to readers of <span style="font-style:italic;">Rainbow Over Hell:<br /><br /></span>The <a href="http://www.nps.gov/amme/wwii_museum/battle_for_saipan/battle_for_saipan.html">American Memorial Park</a> site showcases photos of artifacts from the Battle of Saipan. <a href="http://www.wanpela.com/holdouts/index.html">Profiles of Japanese holdouts</a> features a brief biography of Captain Sakae Oba, leader of that famous last group of men to surrender on Saipan, including Saburo Arakaki. <a href="http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hayashi/love/trip_to_saipan.htm">A Trip to Saipan</a> is one individual's travel diary, complete with photographs that give glimpses into Saipan's geography. <a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/pacific/peopleevents/p_shiroma.html">PBS tells Koyu Shiroma's amazing story</a> of leaping from Suicide Cliff only to survive, and the site includes Shiroma's plea to help him find his long-lost sisters. <br /><br />If there are other sites that you believe should be added to the list of links, please let me know. Thank you.Sharon Fujimoto-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07898410054928775858noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23765750.post-1144562609008840472006-04-08T22:53:00.000-07:002006-04-08T23:03:29.036-07:00Excerpt: Japan Focus<a href="http://japanfocus.org/index.asp">Japan Focus</a>, a refereed electronic journal and fully-indexed archive that chronicles contemporary Japan and the Asia Pacific, has included in its library of articles, a excerpt from <span style="font-style:italic;">Rainbow Over Hell</span>, along with a thorough introduction written by Laura Hein. <br /><br />The excerpt is from Chapter 7 of the book. It describes the horrific "banzai attack" that took place during the Battle of Saipan. <a href="http://japanfocus.org/article.asp?id=568">Read the article.</a> <br /><br />Japan Focus draws on the contributions of researchers, journalists, policy analysts and writers throughout the world. Its fully indexed website provides a permanent resource for students and researchers on Japan and the Asia-Pacific. Japan Focus has 3,500 subscribers to its email newsletter and 50,000 visits to its web site each month.Sharon Fujimoto-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07898410054928775858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23765750.post-1144429850021653222006-04-07T09:42:00.000-07:002006-04-07T10:12:03.210-07:00Interview: Adventist Health (Creekside Office)This morning, I was interviewed at the corporate headquarters of <a href="http://adventisthealth.org/">Adventist Health</a> (Creekside office) for their Friday morning worship. The interviewer was our friend, Wayne Judd, director of mission and planning at Adventist Health and human being extraordinaire. <br /><br />As part of the program, we showed my five-minute promo DVD for the book, which gives a synopsis of Arakaki's incredible story. We closed with a recording of Charlotte Church singing "Pie Jesu," which I had listened to continuously while translating the Suicide Cliff scene. <br /><br />I would estimate that about 40 people attended the event, and I sold 11 copies of the book, which was actually more than my bookseller anticipated. <br /><br />For the most part, the Creekside office of Adventist Health is comprised of information systems personnel, including my husband. Wayne and I have discussed the possibility of duplicating today's program for the Douglas office, which houses Adventist Health's corporate executives and finance people. <br /><br />Adventist Health, headquartered in Roseville, California, operates health care facilities throughout California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington. The system includes 20 hospitals with more than 3,100 beds, 19,000 employees, numerous clinics and outpatient facilities, 16 home care agencies and three joint-venture retirement centers. It seems to me that Adventist Health is in the business of giving hope to those it serves, and so it felt very natural to talk about <span style="font-style:italic;">Rainbow Over Hell</span> as a message of hope there. <br /><br />I'm grateful to our friend, Stan Adams, vice president of finance for Adventist Health, for his enthusiasm for <span style="font-style:italic;">Rainbow Over Hell </span>and for going out of his way to set up this opportunity for me.Sharon Fujimoto-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07898410054928775858noreply@blogger.com0