Dad has always been a bit sketchy on the details on how he managed to piss of the mafia (or local gangsters or whatever they were), but suffice to say it involved a bar room brawl where he was out numbered and the local mob had the cops in their pockets, one thing led to another and he ended up in jail while they waited on their boss to get in to town.
He sweet talked the cops into letting him out or at least got away and hi-tailed it for the local shipping port. Back in those days, access to ships were plenty if you were able bodied, so he jumped on the first ship that would take him and disappeared off into the night.
At the time, he didn't know where the ship was headed, but he soon learnt it was on its way to Japan. This concerned him a fair bit as he was unsure of any potential connections between where he had been and where he was going (yakuza or whatever) and he had no idea how much 'trouble' he was in.
He got on the ship with $10 in his pocket, the clothes on this back and a small ham radio. As they hit the coast of Japan, he sent out a broadcast to anyone that would listen asking for help. After a few days, someone answered, it was a Japanese guy trying to learn English, so although they couldn't communicate very well, the Japanese man said he would help.
A day or so later he arrives in port and departs the ship. Now, he wasn't sure what to expect when he got there, but when he walked into the terminal there were 8 men, all dressed in black gowns/clothing looking quite serious. Dad was expecting one person, so he sat in the corner and waited, hoping these men were not after him.
About an hour passes, the men are still there and no sign of his radio friend. So, with nothing else to loose, he approaches the men and asks them who they are looking for. After about a few minutes of confusion, lost in translation, they land on the word 'Pazu's last name', which they all nod approvingly.
Turns out, the Japanese man Dad was talking to had broken his leg skiing a few days before, so had sent his monks to fetch dad. Dad, much relieved, and his new monk friends all piled into a small car designed for about 4 people, and headed back to Tokyo.
This was a drive that should have taken them 2 days, tops. It took them 6 days. Why? Because the Monks, determined to 'welcome' dad to Japan, stopped at every bar on the way to Tokyo to have a drink or 5. Was apparently a very interesting trip back - certainly a good ice breaker!
When dad arrived back at the monk's temple, the monk, who I will name Bob, hobbled out and welcomed him. Shortly after, Bob had to go and see one of the families that worshiped at the temple as a family member was very ill.
Dad, being quite young and strong, offered to carry Bob to the car. After that success, Bob said Dad should carry him every where. Over the next 6 months, Dad carried Bob around and taught him English, in turn Dad had a place to stay.
Fast forward many years later, Bob is still alive and well at his Tokyo Buddhist Temple, has a wife and a daughter and is also my god father. Its been a few years since I have seen him, but even he swears every word is true!
Username: Pazu86