The Japanese today "are trying to make amends" for years of neglecting the now famous and greatly distinguished, Isamu Noguchi (Ernsberger). "Noguchi loved Japan, but the Japanese did not return his affection" (49). Having an American mother, a Japanese father, and an American and European educational background, Noguchi eventually found toleration and happiness in sculpture.

Noguchi, for most of his adolescence, lived a solitary life. Although he was afforded a wonderful education and traveled all over the world, he had no national identity. "In America he was too Japanese, and in Japan he was too American" (49). The fact that he was born in the United States, did not stop the Japanese mayor of Hiroshima to ask for his services. In 1952, after setting up a studio in Kamakura, Japan, Noguchi landed the assignment of designing an atomic-bomb memorial for the city of Hiroshima. Unfortunately, after many long hours of planning...