Mr. Big Tree: The Kind Stranger Who Helped Me Start Over in Japan

Mr. Big Tree

In the depths of despair, from out of the blue, came an angel in the form of an ordinary Japanese businessman. A black silhouette of a businessman in a suit holding a briefcase, with large feathered wings spread behind him

A black silhouette of a businessman in a suit holding a briefcase, with large feathered wings spread behind him

After parting ways with one’s first employer in Japan, there was a very short stint in as the export manager of a construction machinery rental company. This was the last real “job” one would ever have. With limited Japanese language skills, and a confused and very nervous new young wife (the marriage lasted 23 years), one was left one with a deep sense of aloneness. For it was at this time one thought, “Here you are truly on your own.” A monochrome pencil-style drawing of a small boy in shorts standing at a window with one hand on the glass, looking down; the artist's signature is at the lower left.

A monochrome pencil-style drawing of a small boy in shorts standing at a window with one hand on the glass, looking down; the artist's signature is at the lower left.

This was reinforced by the new wife, who said in her own sadness, and to one’s deep consternation, “I am miserable.” Fortunately, there was still one private lesson remaining from where good fortune arose. Mentioning my dilemma to Mr. Big Tree, the father of the private student, he was so very kind to point me in the right direction. He had a building near the station in a mid-sized rural city and this charming old building has an empty 2nd floor. He said “I will make you a pamphlet to distribute through this city, and you can make this into your own English school.” For this he charged just a small percentage of the gross sales, which was so very reasonable. A red distressed rubber-stamp graphic reading “GREAT DEAL” on a banner across a scalloped seal, with the same words repeated around the rim.

A red distressed rubber-stamp graphic reading “GREAT DEAL” on a banner across a scalloped seal, with the same words repeated around the rim.

After the school got going in about 6 months, he switched the payment to a monthly rental fee that was significantly below the monthly sales volume, thus giving one another boost up. Always looking for interesting things to do, there was a rental business boom going on Japan at that time. The second floor of the building had a very unique charm to it, and there and then it was decided to imported limited edition Canadian art from my father's frame shop and gallery. There, an art gallery was created and these wonderful limited editions were also rented out to businesses including dentist and doctors offices, boutiques, and restaurants, among others. A misty autumn woodland at dawn, red and gold leaves on slender trees above a grassy clearing, pink light in the sky behind.

A misty autumn woodland at dawn, red and gold leaves on slender trees above a grassy clearing, pink light in the sky behind.

Eventually this old building was simply too old and was scheduled for demolition. Perfect timing for certain, as life had become much busier with corporate classes, as well as a nascent import-export business, and it was time to move on from that chapter of life.

Here I say to you Mr. Big Tree Wherever today you may be Appreciated so very much Your kindness and generosity

Helping a wandering stranger Into a life-long journey Cherishing Japanese people In this exceptional society

The two kanji for gratitude rendered in green brush strokes