Fuki Yamamoto obituary ♥️

 Today, November 2, marks the 13th death anniversary of Masayuki Yamamoto's mother. On late November 2002, he shared a long but poignant obituary, including his experiences on his "New York Walking Tour", on the Bella Beaux website. This was when he announced a tribute concert that would later be held in April 2003.

Good day. This is Masayuki Yamamoto. I just returned from New York yesterday (November 26, JST).

I have a sudden but sorrowful announcement to make. On the evening of November 2nd, my mother, Fuki Yamamoto, beloved and adored by all her friends as 'BABAR', had passed away. Right now, I am in sincere sadness and loneliness. With every step I take, I remember my mother's smile; with every breath I take, I remember my mother's voice. I'm in tears even as I'm typing these words. I couldn't stop crying.

On November 3rd, 11PM New York time, the phone in my room at Riverside Drive rang, and my wife's voice called. "I just got a call from your sister....your mother in Anjo...has died...".

I promised her she'd live another ten years. She'd keep going for another ten more years, she'd enjoyed for another ten more years, but she's already gone.

Apparently, it was an ischemic heart disease (in other words, a coronary artery disease). On that cold night in the bathroom, she fainted and remained unconscious.

On the morning of November 4th, a [vehicle for] hire arrived in front of the apartment and I headed for JFK [Airport]. I couldn't take much longer on my seat on an ANA 090, so I explained to the attendant what happened. I arranged a place where I could cry, and in there, I wept alone. I cried the entire time until I arrived in Japan.

From Narita [International Airport], I took the express train to the Tokyo station, then the Shinkansen Kodama-gou on the Tokaido Main Line from Mikawa-Anjo to Anjo, from the Anjo station to my house along the main street; from the front door now stood my deceased mother inside the house, and on the way to the casket, I kept on weeping. I placed my mom's favorite chocolates from the airport in New York and Tokyo bananas from the Tokyo station in her casket. She had such a beautiful face. I was worried about her leisurely bathtime, but it hadn't swelled up. My wife and sister applied on makeup like a family conference from my kindergarten days.

The wake was held on the evening of November 6th. My close friends Ken and Toku came to assist me, and my childhood friends Aki the attorney, and poet Michio Ihara came to offer condolences. My mother is still there, albeit in a cold figure.

Funeral was on the morning of November 7th. Then came the cremation and collection of remains.

The entire time, the Yamamoto family from Yamazaki, Anjo confronted me. It was an astonishingly cheerful consolation. The Yamamoto family were always cheerful, spreading joke after joke even late at night at the wake and during breaktime at the funeral. Thanks to them, I was tasked as a chief mourner and everything proceeded without a hitch.

Finally, as my mother entered the furnace, I blew her a kiss, just like I always did when we parted. "BABAR, BYE-BYE!"

Farewell, mother!

My mother remarked me from inside the casket, "I love you, Ma-kun!"

The following day on the 8th was the post-funeral service. We received payments to the undertakers, to the priest, to the restaurant and money for the condolence record.

The following day on the 9th, I greeted the neighbors through gratitude and apologies. That night, for the first time in my life, I'm all alone at my parent's house in Asahi-cho (formerly Main Street) in Anjo. As I poured myself a drink, I talked to my mom's portrait, "Mom, I'm sorry you have to endure such loneliness for twelve years."

"Ma-kun, go somewhere. Go wherever you like," her remains called.

On the 10th, I left Anjo, taking Kodama-gou bound for Narita Express. I went to a hotel near Narita Airport but cancelled the booking due to the room odor; I returned home in Nakano and spent the night there, then headed back to Narita Airport again.

On the 11th, I went back to New York on Northwest Flight 18. To the people I love, the people who loved me, aren't ya gonna come to New York?! Maybe you might come! Let's go back and return there!

On November 11th, 4PM New York time, I arrived at JFK. That night, I had dinner at Dorian Bencoil's residence. His daughters Vela and Lily's faces were dazzling... I prepared for the tour on November 12th. At that moment, I realized I had only made reservations for the restaurant on the first day of the tour. Everyone's gonna come tomorrow. All that long-awaited preparations had gone to waste! I'm sorry!

In the early afternoon on the 13th, at Sheraton Hotel on 53rd Street, I met the members of "New York Walking Tour with Masa 2002". Last night, I swept everything away within; with the energetic and carefree Masayuki Yamamoto, we walked together. We saw Chrysler, we saw the [Statue of] Liberty, and we crossed the bridge.

Early on the 17th, the repeater team headed for Boston, then for Salem [in Massachusetts]. This trip was one of the most exhilarating and nerve-whacking journeys I've ever experienced in my life. Of course, my first time in Boston and Salem was in 1986. The goddess's figure holds a dagger on her right hand and shields the sun on her left!

On the 18th, me and the repeater team took a stroll through Harlem; at night, we had pasta and white mousse at the Italian restaurant La Gioconda before their parting.

From the 19th to 24th, I walked New York to and fro: Columbus [Circle], Amsterdam, Lexington (the Turkish Mr. Balaman's crafting emporium is no longer standing), East Broadway, West End, Bleecker [Street] (the café -- with the delicious cakes and noisy dog barks -- next to the music store is gone too), First Avenue, Sutton Place, United Nations (remember that good natured Greek boss who let me play piano for 30 minutes? Tudor Grill is also gone).

On the morning of the 25th, the hire arrived. Watching Manhattan's skyscrapers on my right, on that day, my mom's voice brought me back. "That's Chrysler...that's Empire..."

Oh, mother! How many days, years, or light years should I cry? Oh, mother, I couldn't hug you anymore! "I'll remember you."

Yes, that's what I heard, I'll shape the future guided by your voice and the memories you've left behind.

Dear internet, please tell your friends who aren't internet users too.

April 19, 2003, Saturday 2:00PM at Anjo Cultural Center Matsuba Hall

We'll hold the Masayuki Yamamoto motherly memorial concert "BABAR's Final Message"

In early March, we'll send out direct messages nationwide once again, Please come along and let's send off BABAR together.

I apologize for the sudden bad news. Finally, I hereby attach the eulogy delivered at the funeral of Fuki Yamamoto, held at the Anjo Funeral Hall on November 7, 2002. We thank you all for your kind support.

EULOGY

Thank you very much for attending the funeral of my mother, Fuki Yamamoto, despite your busy schedules today.

My mother was my greatest aspiration. My mother was my beautiful goddess.

That giant beautiful light suddenly vanished. I'm too depressed and lonely I couldn't help myself.

How could I continue on living my confident life, or weave on?

I feel as though I'm standing at the edge of a gloomy profound abyss.

However, this would probably my mother's will.

It was also my father Toshinobu's will. My grandfather Kisou's will.

In the end, it is the eternal will of our ancestors.

Soon, it will be the will of the distant universe.

Before the will, human resistance wouldn't succeed.

Now that it'll come to this, to my mother who perfected the guide to compassion, I once again send you my support.

"Mom, for twelve years, you really did your best all by yourself. I'm sorry.

You can finally go back to my dad's place. That's great.

You always gave me a gentle smile. Thank you.

Deep within my heart, deep within our hearts, Fuki-chan's flowers are in bloom.

Thank you. Goodbye, farewell and see you soon."

To all who've paid their respects to cherish my mother for over a long time, let us join in our endeavors.

Words cannot express my deepest gratitude. Nothing but my humble gratitude.

Please excuse me.

Thank you very much for your time today.

END OF CEREMONY

Ah, my dear fans, my mother's flowers are now in bloom.

--- Masayuki

Original Japanese: https://web.archive.org/web/20021215033047/http://bellabeaux.co.jp/yamamoto/oshirase.html