When I first got to Innoshima I wrote about a 76 year old woman, Kazuko Matsuura, who kidnapped Gen, put us in taxi and treated us to a few hours of karaoke and a taxi ride to her house. After this encounter, I have been looking for her for over a year and a half. Anytime I would recognize the figure of an old woman, I would check the face...whether at the supermarket or in the car. I had both Aoki-san and Katahira-san on a mission to find out where she was. They took maps out, made phone calls. I even had sent her a new years card back in 2006-2007.
But, it was not until this week, the day after I arrived back in Innoshima, that I got the news that she had passed away at the age of 79, of an annurism. From what I understand she had been sick and in the hospital, and it must have happened in her sleep. Kiyoko san told me and she brought be to the wake. I never thought I would experience this during my time here. There was a room with many flowers and a photo of Kazuko. As music played announcements were made and people lined up to sprinke incents 3 times in a dish and bow to the family. Then at the end, I got to go see her in the casket.
They say in Japan, that when someone dies, so does a library.
After all of my months of searching, I finally found her, Matsuura Kazuko, 1337-1 Nakanosho, 79. And I was able to see her one last time. And although I know she has passed, I will continue to look for her in the streets of Innoshima,
Until next time, Kazuko.
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