Word: mikimoto
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Dates: during 1940-1949
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...modest, unpainted four-room house atop a narrow headland overlooking Japan's Ago Bay, a wizened little man in a brown kimono and a black derby hat shuffled about in a pearly haze. He was Kokichi Mikimoto, who has annoyed more oysters for more profit than any other man. Last week the longtime king of Japan's culture-pearl industry declared the largest personal income in Japan in the first year of American occupation. He had netted three million yen ($200,000) selling pearls to the conquerors...
...Mikimoto this was a significant milestone in his postwar rehabilitation. At 89 he still makes every major decision of his company, directs every minor operation. He still likes to amuse employes by lying on his back, twirling an open umbrella with his bare feet, says: "It helps keep my workers contented." He also likes to invite visitors to dinner, serve oysters on the half shell complete with pearls...