So, a laid back, relaxed dinner with some old friends at the end of the evening was just what the doctor ordered. We went to a very traditional Japanese style restaurant called Botan -- one of my favorites in Tokyo. It was an eight course meal, but in perfect Japanese style each course was very small and just enough to enjoy the flavor of the dish. Throughout the evening we had the honor of being served by two Maiko, or Geisha in training. One of them had lived in West Virginia on an exchange trip a few years back and therefore spoke perfect English. She taught Japanese culture and language classes to 5th graders! She was able to help me through the menu and explain what each course was.
The other young lady is currently a student at Tokyo University. She's the one in the photo with me. Her family is from a small village in the Fukushima area about 3 miles inland. She was back visiting on March 11 went the earthquake and Tsunami hit. She was in the grocery store and said that it shook for 30 minutes knocking her to the ground and shaking so violently that she couldn't even get back on her feet. By the time the quake was over, the tsunami was on its way inland destroying everything in its path. The best I could understand, a man picked her up, carried her to an emergency vehicle, and she was transported to a helipad and evacuated. Somehow she ended up back in Tokyo. Her parents are currently living in a shelter (the family's home was destroyed), and she has only spoken to them once since the incident. Talk about putting an actual face with the reality of the situation.
She maintained a very high spirit throughout the evening. When I let on that my daughter loves animals, everybody at the table was so excited to show off their personal origami expertise. One of the young ladies, Chia san, was fantastic and made a jumping frog, a crane that flaps its wings, and a cat that opens its mouth. Everybody had something to contribute, and I know that my daughter Chase is going to be so happy with her new toys when I get home. They are far better than any souvenir I could buy, and what a story to go along with it!
It was a really good end to a productive trip; I leave tomorrow afternoon to come and see my loving family.
Chris CrutchfieldPresident and CEO -- American Commodity Company
Chris Crutchfield is very proud to represent the third generation of his family to be involved in the rice industry. Currently Chris is involved in all aspects of California rice from production all the way to the grocery store shelf.
Shortly after graduating from the University of Missouri in 1996, Chris moved back to California and joined with his father Paul Crutchfield in the formation of a rough rice pool for direct marketing to Turkey. Chris was responsible for the day-to-day management of the pool. That partnership developed into the formation of American Commodity Company (ACC) in 2000, and Chris assumed all direct management responsibilities for ACC.
Prior to establishing himself in the California rice industry, Chris worked in the press offices of Governor Pete Wilson as his Assistant Press Secretary. He also briefly taught secondary education in the California public school system.
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