Blessing and Family Ministry: In Memory of Shigeru Araki

Shigeru was named after his Uncle Shigeru, held in high regard in the family, as an air force pilot. Born in Kobe, Japan to Yuji (Tenrikyo) and Shizue Araki, he has one older and younger sister, and one younger brother.

In Junior high, he participated on the volleyball team in school. This team had the

best coach and players and won many tournaments. During his second year on the team, however, the coach left and most of the senior players graduated. Shigeru stepped up as captain, and learned very quickly, about leading and inspiring the team, doing rigorous training exercises and drills, oftentimes coming home with scratches, and ripped clothing, but full of spirit!!

Shigeru would often share the story of climbing the mountain trail near his home, together with his bulldog. He would be wearing shorts and wooden sandals and passing by other hikers with hiking boots and other equipment. The goal at the top of the mountain was clear, spring water that was so refreshing!

In 1970, Shigeru met someone from the Unification Movement. Kobe church was next to a Buddhist cemetery. One day, while listening to presentations on the Divine Principle, one spiritualist lady suddenly went out the door and shouted to those who were coming up the stairs, to be quiet. He turned to look, but there was no one there that he could see. The lady quietly told them to sit down here in the back and be quiet. He realized that those were spirits coming from the cemetery, and wanted to listen to these presentations too. This is a very powerful message being given to those on the physical plane, as well as the spiritual plane.

Shigeru voluntarily came to America as a missionary in 1976, and helped with the restoration work at the New Yorker Hotel, which was purchased to support outreach activities. He participated and invited

people to celebrate America’s Bicentennial rallies at Yankee Stadium in June. At the Washington Monument Bicentennial rally in September, he brought one busload of guests from NY to Wash DC and back.

When Father Moon started the seafood business, he was among the first group to receive this new mission. He relocated to the Rainbow Fish House in Chicago, and continued there for several years in sales to restaurants.

In 1982, Shigeru was Blessed in marriage with Diane at the Madison Square Garden Blessing Ceremony. To perfect his English, Diane would read and record a speech given by Father Moon, on the cassette tape. Then he would listen and read along the same speech, with the recording, to get the correct pronunciation.

After his first daughter, Yoshiko, was born in 1984, Shigeru moved his family to Seattle in 1986, and began working at Shining Ocean, then located at Fisherman’s Terminal. Along with overseeing the production of the imitation crab, he pioneered some new ideas of salmon burgers and stuffed crab cakes.

Our family also grew in number, Rebecca, ChunMi, Michiko and Toshie. They have fond memories of family beach walks along Shilshole Bay and Carkeek Park and fish and chips lunch at Fisherman’s Terminal.

In 2007, our family ventured into entrepreneurship, with the purchase of a small restaurant - My Favorite Deli. For the next 3 years, Shigeru poured his whole heart and creativity to create good meals for people to enjoy. The most popular lunch was our French Dip on Thursdays! We are grateful for all our children to help during summer vacation and holidays when there was no school.

Diane would say, “Next to Father Moon, my husband is the most orthodox Unificationist I know”. His standard of heart is deeper than the ocean, and was a constant opportunity for me to grow.

Shigeru’s thirst for True Father’s words was unquenchable, reading over and over the same content, finding something new to learn and gain inspiration, including 3 hr. Hoon Dok Hae, together, on a regular basis.

Since participating in minister outreach these final years, we have also included daily reading of the Bible. But first he would read his Japanese Bible, which gave more clarity, and then read the same section in the English Bible. His favorite verse came from Jesus’ words in Matthew, chapter 5, verse 48, “You must be perfect as your Father in Heaven is perfect.” This is our destiny…perfection in heart and love.

Everything Shigeru did he did with the motivation to comfort God’s painful heart. The son of filial piety wants to take on the burden of the parent. Working together to his last breath to sharing The Marriage Blessing with couples, at churches, at street fairs, and door to door.

And for sure, he will continue working very hard in the spiritual world.

There is a Go Fund Me page set up to help with expenses: gofund.me/b3684963

Seonghwa Ceremony

Date: Thursday, December 16, 2021 at 11:30 AM

Location: By Zoom - us04web.zoom,us/j/251525455 Password: 2020

’ I, How it Start a Q Search V gofuiidme Sign in Share Donate works GoFundMe

Support for Araki Family

$23,760 raised of $35,000 goal

132 donations

0 Catherine Ono CS> $200 2 hrs

0 Chung Hwa Brewer c…o $50 17 hrs

9 Team fundraiser & Toshie Araki and 3 others are organizing this fundraiser on 0 c…o Shannon and Julian Palhof $100 1d behalf of ChunMi Araki.

0 Anonymous c…o Created December 5, 2021 I (;) Funerals & Memorials $100 1d

0 Valerie Ida c…o Shigeru Araki passed away peacefully at 12:22am PST on December $50 1d 4th at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tacoma. He was in the hospital due to Covid complications and his last breaths were taken off the ventilator [ Seeall ] 0 Seetop with our mom and Rebecca (his daughter) in the room while the rest of the immediate family were present via Zoom, giving love and encouragement. Our Papa dedicated his life to serving others. He had a love for God and books, and a subtle humor that would catch you by surprise. He raised five headstrong daughters (almost as stubborn as he was) and spent every day trying to make this world a better place. Thank you so much for supporting our family and especially our mom, Diane Araki, during this time. All donations will go towards funeral and medical expenses.

December 13, 2021 by Yoshiko Araki, Team Member

We would like to share some additional details regarding the funeral (Seong Hwa) service for Shigeru Araki:

Service will be held at the Seattle Family Church, Thur sday, December 16, 2021, at 11:30AM PST. In person attendance is by invite only (for Covid safety measures) , but you may also participate via Zoom using Meeting ID: 251525455, Passcode: 2020.

Flowers can be sent to: 7000 26th Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98117

We’re so grateful for your support, as we send off our Papa into the spirit world. See older u1;1dat es

Donate Share

Fundraising team (6)

o Toshie Araki o ChunMi Araki c…o • c…o Organizer Beneficiary Raised $1,835 from 11 donations I ,.,.,. 1: ,… II. A l

u::.::.11e, 1”1 1

o Rebecca Araki Yoshiko Araki c…o Team member Team member Raised $4,720 from 21 Raised $2,570 from 11 donations donations

o Michiko Araki c…o Team member

This team raised $12,150 from 74 other donations.

Comments (7)

o Chung Hwa Brewer donated $50 c…o My thoughts are with all the beautiful Arakis. I’m sorry for your loss.

o Vicky Onishi donated $40 c…o I’m so sorry for your loss. Sending our love and prayers for your family.

o Seneca Gomez donated $100 c…o Sending love and prayers to the Araki family! •

o Kai Wise donated $500 c…o Sending prayers for Mr. Araki and all our love to the Araki family.

o Klein and Theresa Gauthier donated $70 c…o Our thoughts, love and prayers are with your family. I got to know a little bit one of those amazing “head strong” daughters on GPA from that without meeting Uncle Shigeru, I know he is an amazing man and father.

o Shinji Pehling donated $50 c…o We’re praying for your family and sending lots of love and positive energy your father’s way

o Ares Meyer donated $100 c…o Much love to you all.

Please donate and share words of encouragement. Miiii:Hi

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