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Francis Zanami – summary by Jack Yoshitami Tasaka Source: East-West Journal November 2003 p. 22 Face to face with Myles Yutaka Fukunaga’s “Ingazuka.” There stands the tomb and “music” monument of Francis Zanami, who composed the importal song “Wakare no Isochidori” (Parting Song). Francis Zanami was a music composer who contributed to the development of Japanese music in Hawaii. He wrote and composed many Japanese songs. He also organized and directed several Japanese orchestras in Hawaii. He died young at the age of 34 in February 1949. His friends and students organized a huge music memorial service and concert in his memory. In addition, a big three-day music festival was held at McKinley High School auditorium in April 1950 so that his friends could acquire a space and build a “music” monument at the Moiliili Japanese Cemetery. The English inscription reads “ Hawaii Shochiku Music Group built this with aid from Hanayagi Mitsuaki Dance Troupe, Kyuyo Music Group, Kotobuki Orchestra, and Girl Orchestra.” In addition, a song created by his composer friend Raymond is written on the front the front of the tomb. The Moiliili Japanese Cemetery was selected because Zanami’s best friend, Masaji Uehara had his family tomb there. There are many family tombs of immigrants from Okinawa along the mauka, ewa and makai sides of Section A and Section B. The Uehara’s family tomb stands outs prominently. Some believe that a tomb should be as splendid as possible in order to express an intimate recollection of the deceased. Okinawa’s “Gyokuryo” tombs are those of royal families of Okinawa and are palaces where living souls of the departed live there comfortably. Some tombs are in the shape of houses, some with “turtle-back” roofs. Many Okinawans believe faith in the spirits of the dead govern their daily lives. Accordingly, Masaji Uehara, Nisei from Okinawa, wanted the soul of his best friend Francis Zanami to rest in a splendid tomb at the Moiliili Japanese Cemetery.