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“Mrs. Judo: Be Strong, Be Gentle, Be Beautiful” by Yuriko Gamo Romer
San Francisco-based Yuriko Gamo Romer is an extraordinarily talented documentary filmmaker – someone who knows how to combine storytelling and research into a beautifully-presented piece of art.
Released in 2012, “Mrs. Judo: Be Strong, Be Gentle, Be Beautiful,” is a biographical documentary about Keiko Fukuda, the first woman to attain the 10th degree black belt in judo. This film traveled to more than 25 film festivals internationally and was awarded the Grand Jury Award for Best Documentary at the International Festival of Sport Films in Moscow and was broadcast nationally on PBS.
Her current documentary project, “Diamond Diplomacy,” explores the relationship between the United States and Japan through a shared love of baseball. The film is currently in production. More information can be found at DiamondDiplomacy.com. Yuriko appeared on JapanBall’s “Chatter Up!” Zoom call in 2020 – check out our recap of that episode here.
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American Pastime
This dramatic historical fiction film, set in Utah’s infamous Topaz concentration camp for Japanese Americans during World War II, tells the story of a family’s internment and the role baseball played in the camps. Baseball not only provided a diversion and physical outlet – it also cultivated camaraderie amongst the interns and respect from the white American community.
American Pastime was inspired by the work of the Nisei Baseball Research Project and its founder, Kerry Yo Nakagawa. Kerry Yo was a special guest on JapanBall’s “Chatter Up!” in April 2021, and his episode was the most powerful in our series. You can watch the video on YouTube or read the recap here.
The link below is for streaming options on Amazon; to buy the DVD, click here.
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Ballparks of NPB 2024 Calendar
$44.00The 12 ballparks of Nippon Professional Baseball – have you visited them all yet!?
This 2024 calendar depicts each of the 12 NPB parks – one per month – in a way that only the brilliant artists of Ballpark Blueprints can. From the brand-new and world-class Es Con Field all the way up in Hokkaido, to the five stadiums in the Tokyo region, and all the way down to Hiroshima and Fukuoka, each ballpark has its own unique architectural charm or flare, and it’s captured with each turn of the page!
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Carry-On Suitcase – Samsonite Spinner
My wife and I put two suitcases on our wedding registry, and I’m sure glad that I ended up with this one! It is pretty much as large as it can be to still pass for a carry-on, which is why I chose it. It rolls smoothly through the airport or train station and I’ve found that the dividers and straps inside come in handy too. The hard sidewalls make it ideal for collecting precious Japanese souvenirs!
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Diamonds in the Rough: Zeni and the Legacy of Japanese American Baseball
Using the life of Kenichi “Zeni” Zenimura, the godfather of Japanese American baseball, as the foundation, this 35-minute documentary captures the rich and overlooked history of Japanese American baseball. A must-watch for any baseball history buff who prides themselves on knowing the most influential characters in the game’s history, and for anyone with an interest in the Japanese experience in America. Noriyuki “Pat” Morita, famous for his role as Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid series, narrates this informative and enlightening film.
This documentary was inspired by the work of the Nisei Baseball Research Project and its founder, Kerry Yo Nakagawa. Kerry Yo was a special guest on JapanBall’s “Chatter Up!” in April 2021, and his episode was the most powerful in our series. You can watch the video on YouTube or read the recap here.
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Gentle Black Giants: A History of Negro Leaguers in Japan
Between 1927 and 1934, the Philadelphia Royal Giants of the U.S. Negro Leagues embarked on several goodwill tours across the Pacific. They were relegated to second-class citizenship at home, but abroad they were treated with tremendous respect. Unlike the well-known tours of major league stars who ridiculed their opponents through embarrassing defeats, the Royal Giants made the games competitive, dignified, and enjoyable for opposing players. This book makes the argument that the mutual respect – and spirited competition – between the Black and Japanese players played a significant role in the founding of professional baseball in Japan. For more, check out our book review.
Co-author Bill Staples, Jr. appeared on JapanBall’s “Chatter Up!” Zoom call in 2020 – check out our recap of that episode here. Kazuo Sayama, the other co-author, was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 2021.
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Growing the Game: The Globalization of Major League Baseball
I picked up this book shortly after it came out in 2008. I was a senior in college, and looking to pursue a career in baseball. This book meticulously described to me how baseball was in the process of becoming a truly global game, and I wanted to be part of that movement. I immediately tried to figure out how I could combine my love of baseball with traveling the world. And hey, what do you know – here we are!
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Hanshin Tigers Adjustable Baseball Cap
I used to only wear game-style baseball hats, thinking that the floppy hats were “dad hats.” Well, now that has changed. I always bring a hat like this when traveling so that I can cram it in my luggage without worrying about it losing shape. I like this vintage-style Hanshin Tigers hat because of the classic Tiger graphic and the “rising sun” in the background, but more importantly, it says “Hanshin Tigers” on it, which is often a conversation-starter for curious American baseball fans!
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Hiroshima Toyo Carp Red “Dad Hat”
Hiroshima’s Mazda ZOOM ZOOM Stadium, home of the Carp, is a sea of red on game day and home to arguably the best fans in all of Nippon Professional Baseball. Make sure that you fit in with this beautiful travel-friendly cap!
This American Needle dad hat is super high quality and features the official Hiroshima Carp “Carp Boy” logo patch on the front, and a stylish and functional buckle closure on the back making it a good fit for everyone. When visiting Hiroshima, you’ll notice that you see this logo just about everywhere, including the manhole covers of the city’s sewer system. Dad hats like this one are perfect for travel because unlike structured caps, they can be packed without losing their shape.
Whether you’re sporting this comfortable classic curved brim cap at a Carp game, or wearing it around town back home, it’s sure to become a staple in your wardrobe, and quite the conversation starter as well!