Bro Yutaro Suzuki being congratulated by Bro Ishibashi while Bros Adams, Koji Suzuki and Taiki Ogawa look on
November 6, 2010November 27, 2010December 4, 2011
A large number of formal apologies (and an equally large number of unexcused absences) caused serious difficulties in re-allocating work assignments for the planned Third Degree conferral on Bro Yutaro Suzuki. Shortly before the meeting, news reached the Lodge that the WM's wife had hurt her head in a fall and WB Inomata had taken her to hospital for a checkup. Fortunately enough Brethren had assembled to make the enactment of the Tragedy possible and we were able to proceed with our Special Meeting.
Bro Yutaro Suzuki being congratulated by Bro Ishibashi while Bros Adams, Koji Suzuki and Taiki Ogawa look on
WB Buda (JW) took the East and MWB Watanabe (Secretary) took the South for the formal part of the Meeting. The Lodge having been opened in due and ancient form, Bro Yutaro Suzuki gave three knocks on the door and was received and conducted around the Lodge by Bro Tsuji, SD. WB Buda delegated the Obligation to Bro Sagara, SW, so that it could be given in Japanese for the benefit of the Candidate. At other important points in the ritual, WB Buda asked the Japanese Brethren to interpret, again for the benefit of the Candidate. The Working Tool lecture was given by Bro Taiki Ogawa.
After Bro Suzuki had been regularly obligated a Master Mason and the Lodge called free from restraint, numerous last-minute changes were made to the roles in the Tragedy. MWB Watanabe stepped in as King Solomon and many Brethren did their best in filling unexpected roles.
The Lecture of the Third Degree was given in Japanese by Bro Tsuji and at its conclusion, WB Buda called the Lodge free from restraint for the purpose of congratulating Bro Tsuji on a flawless, superb rendition of one of the longest lectures in the monitor.
Rear: Bro Tsuji
Front: Bro Jordan | Bro Adams | Bro Yutaro Suzuki | MWB Watanabe | Bro Tomio Ogawa | Bro Koji Suzuki
After the Lecture, the Charge of the Degree was given by MWB Watanabe. Bro Suzuki then approached the Secretary's desk and, having signed his name in the Lodge's roll book, was presented with copies of both English and Japanese monitors, the Lodge's By-laws, a Masonic Bible, and a pure white MM's apron. Bro Suzuki was then conducted West of the Altar where WB Buda encouraged him to complete his MM proficiency as soon as possible. As the Lodge's youngest MM, Bro Suzuki was then awarded the privilege of addressing the Lodge. He thanked the Brethren for the work they had put into his conferral and promised to do his best to take his MM proficiency at the earliest opportunity.
Before closing the Lodge in short form, WB Buda apologised for his inability to attend the Lodge's Stated Meeting on December 4, 2010, as he would be attending a Scottish Masonic Installation in Kobe.
After the meeting several Brethren stepped forward to announce that they were ready to take their MM proficiencies at the Stated Meeting for December. As completion of the MM proficiency exam is now a requirement for holding any office in lodge, whether elective or nominative, this enthusiasm on the part of new members was most encouraging and augurs well for the future of the Lodge.