I recall a quote that I am moved by that was from Bill Gates that said in sentiment “You will be disappointed by what you have achieved in a year but be amazed by what happens in 10”.

I say this because for my project for Seattle Sister City relationship to Kobe, Japan was a seven year task. The inception of this project began following the war and city relations in 1959 where Seattle commissioned Joseph Hillaire of Lummi Nation to carve a pole and live there for three months and make a monument to represent our region.

All things age and following the earthquake disaster where there is a museum to honor the tragic loss for the people who survive it, the pole itself was standing as long as it could before it had to be taken down and put in the forest.

Dan Friday, great grandson of Joseph Hillaire looking over the pole in its’ resting place

I’ve met a lot of people and I am happy to say my connection with Dan came from working at Pilchuck Glass school, carving on the pole that stands there in Standwood, WA. Some times the things that are meant to be come together. From all my years when few people understood the nuances of tribal arts I had followed the work of Joseph Hillaire and Chief William Shelton.

I made four trips over the coarse of seven years. I met some amazing people along the way and learned small parts of Kobe with what time I had to appreciate it. As people would ask at home what it would be compatible to I said it is a lot like this to me, if you took Seattle, Everett, Tacoma and Los Angeles and mixed it up, it’s a port city with a rich history and culture that is very forward and fascinating.

A special thanks to all those involved on this long project seen through to completion. It is an experience I would never have imagined being part of my career to put to use what I know of my culture and respect even more that of Japan by experiencing the shrines and people.

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Thanks to Brian Chu Photography for stills with City of Seattle and to all team members involved regional to Pacific Northwest and the teams in Osaka and Kobe.