TSPS turned sixty this year, and as part of our preparations for the anniversary party held on June 11, we came into possession of a collection of scrapbooks assembled by Past Commander George Purdy and his wife Midori. Commander Purdy arrived in Japan with U.S occupying forces in 1945 and over the following fifty years, he became a pillar of the expat and business community, starting up many organizations like the Boy Scouts and the original Power Squadron in Yokohama, among others.

The articles in the scrapbook are largely in good condition and provide an interesting look back at the early years of the squadron, and come from sources such as The Pacific Stars and Stripes, Tokyo Weekender magazine, and The Japan Times. For a full version of a Tokyo Tiller squadron newsletter from 1984, click on the banner below. Additionally, a slideshow of images from the 1965 Change of Watch (see above) can be viewed from this page.

We hope you enjoy the stories below from the Purdy time capsule as much as we did. More will be added soon.

Shots from 1995 Misaki Spring Rendezvous (Tokyo Tiller, August, 1995)

Fantasy Day on the ‘Indy’ (Tokyo Tiller, August, 1995)

Erie (PA.) Squadron Members Drop in For Lunch (Tokyo Tiller, October, 1991)

Safe Boating Week (Asahi Evening News, June 17, 1963)

Training Cruise (Pacific Stars and Stripes, 1963)

Power Squadron Cites Member (Pacific Stars and Stripes, 1966)

28 TACsters Pass Power Squadron Course (The Tokyo American, February, 1971)

Bob Tufts Named ’76 Power Squadron Commander (Tokyo Weekender, December 1975)

Land Ho! …But the Salty Ones Spurn it for the Sea (Pacific Stars and Stripes, 1960)

Cabin Talk – Sailing in Japan? Ah, So: Arranging a Charter (Unknown, December, 1973)

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Evan Burkosky lives in Tokyo and is currently working on a Sparkman & Stephens 30 sailboat. He has been writing a blog detailing the alternately frustrating and fascinating process of restoring a well used old sailboat. Go here to absorb yourself in the gritty details. Caution: his enthusiasm for the project might infect you!

On October 4th under clear blue sky and sunshine, with family and friends, TSPS Member Yoshikazu Aoki ( Yoshi ) returned to the place he loved best for the last time. Yoshi passed away at sea last November. On August 26th he had returned to the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Nova Scotia and on the 4th of October he returned to the Pacific Ocean near Saru-Jima.

As expected there were mixed feelings shared by all in attendance, but it was ultimately a shared experience of fond memories and and a collective feeling of thanks for the time that Yoshi shared with all. Anyone who had met and spent time with Yoshi was present, if not in body, than certainly in spirit. Gone in a sense,but absolutely never to be forgotten. Fair winds forever good friend.

TSPS Past Commander Stuart Milne has recently had an Oyster 54 built in the UK named Fujin II.  He is sailing her  on her maiden voyage bound for Gibraltar, Mallorca and Valencia. You can follow the trip on Stuart’s on-line log here. Bon voyage and fair winds to him and his crew!

Ahoy TSPS Members (and Wannabe Members, see below)!
Our friends at Hayama Marina are once again inviting TSPS members and their guests to join them for a day on the water. As last year, we’ll gather at Hayama Marina, board four or five boats, spend a pleasant morning and afternoon sailing, sit at anchor for lunch and a swim, and following our return to the marina join the Hayama Marina’s annual Hachigatsu da yo Zenin Shugo, or roughly, “Hey, It’s August, Dude. Let’s Party!” event. Last year we had live music, hula, belly, Tahitian dancers and more. We have been told that this year it will be even better. The event wraps up at 8:30 pm.
Here are the details as provided by Maruo-san at Hayama Marina:

Date: August 15th Saturday 2015
Time: 10:00AM at Hayama Marina,
Fee: Adults ￥4,000, Kids ￥2,000

Schedule:
Part I “Joint Sailing”
10:00: Meeting time (in front of the yellow building near the boat launching facility)
10:30: Set sail
11:30: Anchor at Morito Bay area for lunch, a swim, and drinks on the boat
14:00: Back to marina, shower
14:30: Beer & Refreshments at TSPS Guest Tent
Part II “Summer Festa: Hachigatudayo Zenin Shugo”
16:30: Bar Open, Food & Drinks
Dancers & Live Music
20:30 Sayonara
Deadline:
List of participants by Aug. 3 Monday (an early date in order to arrange enough boats)
PS:

There will be a TSPS guest tent and drinks back in the marina for the time between the events. Positively no climbing on the boats in the boat yard.

Lunch & drinks on the boats, drinks back in the guest tent are covered by the fee.

Food and drinks at the Summer festa are not included in the fee.

SIGN UP HERE (Deadline AUG 3)

We prefer you sign up online (it’s ridiculously easy), but if necessary you can send an email providing your full name and the full names of any guest(s) to commander@tspsjapan.org

NOTE: Non-members are welcome to attend if they become TSPS members by paying the membership fee at the event. Membership fees are here. If you can’make it to the cruise, come for the Festa.

Getting there:
Directions to Hayama Marina
By Car:
Take Yokohama-Yokosuka Toll Road, get off at Zushi-Interchange Exit 6, take left road to Hayama, pay ¥100 at toll gate after driving through tunnel, drive about 4 kilometers, go straight under overhead bridge for pedestrian with signal, drive through tunnel, turn left at next crossing with signal (AM-PM shop right side), go straight at next signal and Hayama Marina is 50 meters ahead of the signal, right side of the road. Parking is available.
By Train / Bus
Train time is around 1 hour from Tokyo to either Zushi or Shin-Zushi stations
If by JR (Yokosuka Line) to Zushi Station
Take bus no. 11 or 12 from bus stop no. 3
Get off at “ABUZURI HAYAMA MARINA MAE.” Travel time is about 10 minutes.
Proceed about 100 meter along the road the bus is on to Hayama Marina on right side of the street.
If by Keihin-Kyuko (to Shin-Zushi) station.
Exit the platform from the exit nearest the front of the train, Go to bus stop no. 2. Same bus no. 11 or 12 stops there.
Hope to see you in Hayama on August 15.
Eugen Mall
TSPS Commander

For those who prefer their water rushing chaotically at incredible speeds, the whitewater rafting trip on Saturday June 13 this year was great. Conditions were perfect for the trip. Late-week rains in Gunma meant the water level in the Tone River was high, enabling the rafting company to begin the trip further north than is typically possible. This was only the second day this season that Canyons (our rafting guide company) has been able to raft the beautiful Momiji section of the river. Blue skies and snow capped mountains made for a terrific day.

Our sailors skillfully navigated all the rapids the river had for us, under the careful tutelage of our rafting guide, Sally. After a 16 km journey, with a couple of opportunities for a swim in the “refreshing” water, the group returned to Canyons base camp for a BBQ lunch and some much-needed refreshment. Intrigued by the bungee jumping we witnessed from the river, the group moved to the jumping platform to watch the excitement up close – and one of our members worked up the courage to take the leap himself! Late afternoon BBQ and yard games at Bamboo House rounded out an enjoyable day.