Samurai Preacher Joe Niijima Husband of Yae

Niijima collection Jim Linderman

Samurai runaway and stowaway Joseph Harvey Niijima,  "A Diamond of which the world is not worthy" is shown in this Japanese postcard circa 1900.  Niijima snuck aboard a ship to escape Japan, sold his swords and became a Christian educator and preacher after attending Amherst College in 1870. 

Apparently a scarce postcard.

Sound like a good story?  Samurai Preacher Reverend J. Niijima?  Japan network NKH TV thinks so…a year long historical drama (FIFTY episodes) will air on Sunday nights starting in 2013.  The epic will be titled "Yae no Sakura" with Ayase Haruka in the role of Niijima's wife Yae.

Japanese postcard, circa 1900 Re. J. Jiijima collection Jim Linderman

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