Mr. Hata, a postscript
3 weeks after a dying man meets his son for the first time in 30 years
3 weeks ago, I shared story of Mr. Hata whose dying wish was to be reunited w/ T, the son he'd not seen in 30 yrs. https://t.co/XCmNtJlQHj
— Ian Thomas Ash (@DocumentingIan) April 29, 2016
Mr Hata was so happy to reunite w/ T and meet his wife & daughter. He'd worried w/out a dad growing up, T wouldn't get married or have kids.
— Ian Thomas Ash (@DocumentingIan) April 29, 2016
Soon after returning home, Mr Hata became weaker. But even on oxygen, he smiled. And he often talked w/ me about T. pic.twitter.com/7Ptaj2ZtQt
— Ian Thomas Ash (@DocumentingIan) April 29, 2016
From his bed, Mr Hata told stories and entertained visitors w/ jokes. pic.twitter.com/QoPilynCIs
— Ian Thomas Ash (@DocumentingIan) April 29, 2016
Last week I asked Mr Hata if he wanted to record any messages. He said yes but insisted on shaving first. pic.twitter.com/pqSwvwsa0c
— Ian Thomas Ash (@DocumentingIan) April 29, 2016
Despite weakness, while recording his message Mr Hata wanted to remove his oxygen so he looked "proper". pic.twitter.com/ezvf7ZglkP
— Ian Thomas Ash (@DocumentingIan) April 29, 2016
@DocumentingIan Lovely to see still wearing the blue cardigan.
— shah1r (@shah1r) April 29, 2016
@shah1r it is wonderful- so touched you remember it!
— Ian Thomas Ash (@DocumentingIan) April 29, 2016
On Sunday, Mr Hata held photos T sent of his daughter's JHS entrance ceremony. He studied his granddaughter's face. pic.twitter.com/rUhHVIXP5J
— Ian Thomas Ash (@DocumentingIan) April 29, 2016
By Monday, Mr Hata could no longer swallow. But rather than water, he used shochu (alcohol) to wet his dry lips. pic.twitter.com/cT5o9SnFOL
— Ian Thomas Ash (@DocumentingIan) April 29, 2016
By Tuesday, Mr Hata no longer spoke and by Wednesday mostly slept. Dr Konta & her team of nurses made sure he was comfortable & in no pain.
— Ian Thomas Ash (@DocumentingIan) April 29, 2016
Today, exactly 3 weeks to the day of his reunion w/ T, Mr Hata's final wish came true: to die at home, painlessly & in his sleep.
— Ian Thomas Ash (@DocumentingIan) April 29, 2016
In memory of Mr Hata (1946-2016). https://t.co/XCmNtJlQHj pic.twitter.com/hvAbb5dze0
— Ian Thomas Ash (@DocumentingIan) April 29, 2016
@DocumentingIan RIP Mr Hata
— Dan M (@PiesManDan) April 29, 2016
@DocumentingIan sad to hear. may he rest in peace. you did a wonderful job making his wishes come true.
— Vivian Morelli (@lostinseoul) April 29, 2016
http://twitter.com/maruojin/status/726003805100318720
@DocumentingIan rest in peace hata-san 🙁 thank you thomas for sharing his story and keeping us up to date. that really escalated quickly…
— // yoko-san // (@mryokosan) April 29, 2016
@documentingian Rest in peace Mr Hata. It's a great pleasure to know you through the stories Ian shared. And thanks Ian for sharing.
— Sylvester Sam (@Samintiarto24) April 29, 2016
http://twitter.com/junevillena/status/726015629908578304
@DocumentingIan Rest in peace Hata san… Thanks for all the updates Ian san, and so sorry to hear your loss…
— A (@kikomakomakun) April 29, 2016
@DocumentingIan only knew him for a short time, but felt a lifetime of pain and happiness in that time. May he and his family be at peace.
— BeerTengoku (@TengokuBeer) April 29, 2016
@DocumentingIan Rest in peace Hata-san. Thank you for letting us have a peek into your heartwarming story.
— Sharla ♡ (@AnnyeongSharla) April 29, 2016
@DocumentingIan @Storify Most awesome story & BEST THING I'VE SEEN ON MEDIA!!
— rester42 (@KathyRester) April 29, 2016
http://twitter.com/ciaela/status/726086372084211712
@DocumentingIan Thank you for your LOVE and devotion. RIP
— Dance 4 Oceans (@TrashZombie) April 29, 2016
@DocumentingIan I believe u made his final days his happiest days!!!!!!
— rester42 (@KathyRester) April 29, 2016
@DocumentingIan it is truly one of the most touching things I've read in a long time, thank you for telling it
— Natalie (@bynataliep) April 29, 2016
@bynataliep @DocumentingIan HE MADE HIS FINAL DAYS HIS HAPPIEST DAYS!!!!!!!
— rester42 (@KathyRester) April 29, 2016
http://twitter.com/Hokutochan78/status/726105952244629504
@DocumentingIan Thank-you for your voice in sharing this story. We can only offer you our love & support. Together as one, with peace X
— MutantDaisys (@mutantdaisys) April 29, 2016
@DocumentingIan thank you to you & the family for sharing this story. It was incredibly moving. Mr Hata can rest in peace now #MrHata
— Sonia Yoshioka Braid (@eloquentsonia) April 29, 2016
@DocumentingIan I'm glad Mr Hata's death was peaceful when it came. Thank you for sharing his life and death with us.
— Eleanor Goldsmith (@zaichishka) April 29, 2016
@DocumentingIan you have a lovely style & sharing these stories with the world is important.
— Sonia Yoshioka Braid (@eloquentsonia) April 29, 2016
Thank you all for sharing in Mr Hata and T's story. Mr Hata is now at peace (1946-2016). https://t.co/XCmNtJlQHj pic.twitter.com/NPSMY8UOyI
— Ian Thomas Ash (@DocumentingIan) April 29, 2016
@DocumentingIan Thank you for the final chapter and letting us into Mr Hata's story. Proves even brief encounters can be so powerful.
— Edna (@ednacz) April 30, 2016
http://twitter.com/amandasekine/status/726200810443427840
@DocumentingIan thank you for sharing in such a delicate way his story
— Dr. Slow Food (@DaikanyamaGuy) April 30, 2016
@DocumentingIan @Mulboyne Wow, that was touching. Amazing work there. Bravo.
— Ryozhukai (@Ryozhukai) April 30, 2016
http://twitter.com/sunsentinello/status/726225775112916992
@281_ Both of ur artwork is amazing, so poetic that it actually evokes feelings & senses, thank-you for your art @DocumentingIan #Fukushima
— MutantDaisys (@mutantdaisys) April 30, 2016
@DocumentingIan Thank you Ian. I think all the words that can be said have been said. Your work is without peer. Thank you.
— Donna Weeks (@psephy) April 30, 2016
@DocumentingIan RIP mr hata
— Spectre (@Spectreoutreach) April 30, 2016
http://twitter.com/Hokutochan78/status/726230772550606848
@DocumentingIan RIP Hata san and Ian, thank you for telling his story so beautifully – and with such compassion.
— Melanie Brock (@melanie_brock) April 30, 2016
RIP Mr.Hata. thank you so much @DocumentingIan being w/him & sharing story w/us. last 3 weeks he looks very happy just like no pain at all.
— yas (@yas_wz) April 30, 2016
One of the amazing things about this is the sensitivity @DocumentingIan brought to this.
— arcadiagt5@mastodon.au (@arcadiagt5) April 30, 2016
@carolduncan @Colvinius @DocumentingIan So moving.
— Karen Rush (@krusher46) April 30, 2016
http://twitter.com/sunsentinello/status/726253083202850817
Aitō no i @DocumentingIan 哀悼の意 @yurikageyama
— Blue Buddha ブルー仏レディー (@Blubdha) April 30, 2016
http://twitter.com/BubblegumSpider/status/726257239049261056
@DocumentingIan @carolduncan A beautiful story, and a brilliant use of the medium, Ian.
— Mark Colvin (@Colvinius) April 30, 2016
@DocumentingIan my condolences, but I'm glad he could meet & make up with his son before he went. Thanks Ian for sharing
— ⊕★ティヤス★ ⊕ ❤️ TSUDAKEN ❤️ (@icblues) April 30, 2016
@DocumentingIan My prayers to him and his family and you.
— Miki (@Punabay) April 30, 2016
@DocumentingIan Thank you for sharing it. @Colvinius
— Carol Duncan ™ (@carolduncan) April 30, 2016
@DocumentingIan Very saddened to hear of Mr. Hata's passing but am glad his dying wish was fulfilled. Thank U Ian for documenting his story.
— Em (@em_oxoxox) April 30, 2016
http://twitter.com/Footy_Maths/status/726301926812344321
@DocumentingIan You did good.
— oneplanetmikey (@oneplanetmikey) April 30, 2016
Beautiful storytelling from @DocumentingIan, about a tale that hits a little too close to home for my family. https://t.co/5kylY7WvhQ
— Perogyo (@perogies_gyoza) April 30, 2016
http://twitter.com/Lisa_Twaronite/status/726383515055476736
@DocumentingIan a beautiful story…
— Andrew (@andrewnlhill) April 30, 2016
@DocumentingIan Beautiful portrait of Hata san… Thanks for sharing, Ian san…
— A (@kikomakomakun) April 30, 2016
@DocumentingIan @nippon_en thank you Ian
— jewels ジュリー (@NomadDragon7) April 30, 2016
@DocumentingIan my deepest condolences.. I hope he will rest in peace, especially knowing that his son grew up well and has a happy family..
— kei (@812addiction) April 30, 2016
@DocumentingIan
Very nice photo❤️— ラララるる (@laralarulu) April 30, 2016
http://twitter.com/nathanjlay/status/72641895417698304