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The life of a sailor is not an easy one. From morning till night
Toshio labored to prepare meals, clean decks, pull up sails, heave anchors, and
load and unload cargo. Plus, the meals were tasteless and void of nutrition and
the winter sea air was bitterly cold. But these hardships meant little to Toshio
as he saw every risk as a new challenge. As he grew more skilled, he became stronger
and with that came the personal conviction that he could endure and overcome any
adversity.
It was on his 16th voyage that Toshio was to face his greatest and most terrifying
challenge. Aboard a docked ship in Osaka loaded with limestone, a nearby warehouse
suddenly exploded into flames leaving Toshio surrounded by deafening sounds and
flying debris. He immediately dove into the river and didn't look back until he
had reached the opposite shore. It was then that he saw his ship destroyed beyond
recognition. In its wake, the explosion left 43 dead and over 300 injured, Toshio's
quick instincts saved his life that day. Not yet fourteen, he decided it was time
to go back home. |
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