In Memory of Shigeru Araki

Seonghwa

Dec 16

Shigeru Araki

Spouse: Diane Araki
Children: Yoshiko, Rebecca, ChunMi, Michiko, Toshie
Birthdate: October 15, 1951
Blessing: July 1, 1982
Ascension Date: December 4, 2021
Seonghwa Ceremony: December 16, 2021

Shigeru was named after his Uncle Shigeru, held in high regard in the family, as an airforce 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 beachwalks along Shilshole Bay and Carkeek Park and fish & 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 orthodoxed 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 HDH, 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, chapt 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: https://gofund.me/b3684963