May 29 2024 42 mins
I've been a devoted fan of Robert Whiting since I first read "Chrysanthemum and the Bat" in high school during the 1980s. After many critically acclaimed books, I had the opportunity to sit down with Bob to discuss his latest memoir, "Tokyo Junkie: 60 Years of Bright Lights and Back Alleys... and Baseball." In our conversation, Bob shares his firsthand insights into six decades of captivating, dangerous, bizarre, and heartfelt experiences, spanning from the first Olympics in 1964 to the current 2021 games. This is part one of a two-part podcast interview. In this episode, we delve into the "Bright Lights and Back Alleys" of Tokyo Junkie, while the second episode will cover "Baseball" and more. This rare, oral history offers a raw and underground look at Tokyo, narrated by the man who lived it—from soldier to degenerate, to professional, to the rojin—Robert Whiting. Other topics we cover include:
- What it's like to have your life threatened by the Yakuza (twice)
- Why writing a Memoir was a "painful" process
- The big break which changed his life
- Befriending gangsters and its repercussions
- Back stories of mafia and politics
- What led to the writing of his 1st book
- After 60 years in Japan what he misses most about the "good old days"
- News of his next book, a sequel to "Tokyo Underworld"
- Most "Gratifying" professional achievement
- Interview tips for a certain podcaster ;-)
Robert's Books (Tokyo Junkie): https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Whiting/
Robert Whiting: https://tokyojunkie.com/
More Now and Zen Japan episodes: https://www.nowandzen.jp/
Japan Adventures via Camper Van = Dream Drive: https://www.dreamdrive.life