Sammy-san belongs to the friendship dojo, but he often comes to practice at Hamakaze. He is a rare gentle American who understands Seki Shihan's heart and tries to be more polite than anyone else at the Dojo.
For the past year, I have had some concerns about him. His name is cutely embroidered in Katakana on his Hakama, Dogi and Obi but...
"MONTOGOMERI"...? ?
I feel uncomfortable with this a little. You can't underestimate me as an English BA, American! His family name must be the same as "Lucy Maud Montgomery", the author of "Anne of Green Gables". If so, it is known in Japan as "MONGOMERI," which does not require "TO" in Katakana notation.
What's more, he's also embroidered a lot of Japanese on the Dogi that he recently purchased... Oh! I can't let him repeat the same mistake. We should be brave here and guide the lamb unfamiliar with Japanese culture correctly.
Okay, let's clarify this issue!
Y: "Sammy-san, your name is the same as Montgomery of "Anne of Green Gables", isn't it?"
S: "No, this one is similar but different. Mine is 'Monte...'. The 't' sound is a little stronger."
OK, I was wrong.
Sammy-san is Mr. MONTOGOMERI." (Y)
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