arthra

It was back in '75 when my wife and I early in our marriage made our pilgrimage to the Holy Land and around the Feast of Sharaf gathered with the friedns there maybe at the Western Pilgrim House... For the first time I met Fujita who had an aire of humor about him that lit up the room... actually he was smiling and chuckling with others when he came in..

So the Feast was memorable...not only because it was while we were on pilgrimage but because of Fujita! You could definitely sense the humor and spirit of the Master about him... What a blessing!

Saichero Fujita (1886-1976) became the second Japanese Bahá’í in the world when he embraced the Faith in Oakland, California in 1905. He met ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Chicago and was invited by to travel with him to California.

In 1919 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá invited Fujita to the Holy Land where he served until 1938; at that time Shoghi Effendi sent him home to Japan before WWII broke out. In 1955 he was invited back to Haifa and served there until his death in 1976.



Saichero Fujita (1886-1976) 2nd Japanese Baha'i, Accompanied 'Abdu'l-Baha to California | 'Abdu'l-Bahá in America

ahanu

I would love to meet somebody that has met Abdu'l-Baha face-to-face. Awesome. Could he speak English?

ahanu

And you have met Rúhíyyih Khanum. Dude, I'm so freaking jealous.

arthra

He could speak English...

This is from an interview Fujita gave with Sylvia Ioas:

That day we went Mormon Church. Can't get in. In the morning we went. Strange thing, they don't let us in. Then, so, instead of that, we went horticulture exhibition. Then `Abdu'l-Baha said "This Salt Lake City is beautiful, but spiritually dead." But the horticulture exhibition He enjoyed. He walked, walked, walked, and collect all the seeds He going to buy, and give to gardener.

From Salt Lake City to San Francisco, it took us many hours to go to Oakland. My goodness! Long ride in America. We were so tired. That's why usually stop off and go into hotel to have a rest overnight. Hard journey, on the train, coaches, wooden benches. Sacrifice for us every way. Even when we stop in a hotel, nobody come to call on us. But newspaper reporters always come and they get some new ideas of `Abdu'l-Baha. He gave nice talk.


Interview of Sachiro Fujita bySylvia Ioas

arthra

Well yes on that pilgrimage Ruhiyyih Khanum showed us around the house of Abdul-Baha and she was indeed a fine lady and insisted on punctuality..not as we say "Baha'i time".

arthra

After his passing in 1976, the Universal House of Justice cabled to the National Spiritual Assembly of Japan:

"DEARLY LOVED TIRELESS STEADFAST SAICHIRO FUJITA PASSED TO ABHA KINGDOM AFTER LONG YEARS SERVICE SACRED THRESHOLD STOP HIS RANK IN VANGUARD FIRST JAPANESE BELIEVERS HIS LABOURS WORLD CENTER HIS DEDICATION HUMILITY SINCERITY LOVE WILL FOR EVER BE REMEMBERED AND PROVIDE SHINING EXAMPLE TO RISING GENERATIONS JAPANESE BAHAIS WHO WILL VIEW WITH PRIDE DISTINCTION CONFERRED UPON HIM STOP PRAYING HOLY SHRINES PROGRESS HIS RADIANT SOUL UNDER LOVING GRACE HIS MASTER AND GUARDIAN BOTH OF WHOM HE SERVED SO WELL..

arthra

Mr. Fujita accepted the Faith in 1905. The American Bahá'ís had trouble pronouncing Fujita's name so while there he took the first name, Harriston, but that was eventually dropped and he was known through the many years simply as Fujita.

When 'Abdu'l-Bahá made His trip to America, Fujita met Him in Cleveland, where he was staying with some Bahá'ís. 'Abdu'l-Bahá invited Fujita to travel with Him, so Fujita joined the group. Fujita expressed the desire to return to the Holy Land with 'Abdu'l-Bahá, and spend the rest of his life serving Him.

'Abdu'l-Bahá accepted Fujita's offer but for the next seven years guided Fujita's studies in the United States for the special services that he would do in the Holy Land. In 1919 Fujita left for the Holy Land and stayed until 1938. He helped in many ways; he maintained 'Abdu'l-Bahá's car; he installed some of the electric wiring; he assisted in making the gardens beautiful; he took good care of the pilgrims.

Perhaps one of his greatest services was at the saddest time in his life, just after the passing of 'Abdu'l-Bahá in 1921. 'Abdu'l-Bahá's sister, Bahiyyih Khanum, known as the Greatest Holy Leaf, took over the affairs of the Faith until Shoghi Effendi returned to Haifa to assume his duties as Guardian of the Faith. As Fujita's English was fluent, he wrote letters at the direction of the Greatest Holy Leaf. It was Fujita who informed the Japanese Bahá'ís of events at that critical time. ....

Traces that Remain: Chapters 3-4