Chapter 1 : Birth and Childhood

 

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The Nagai family in 1926(Takashi, below left).

 Takashi Nagai was born in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture in 1908,the first son of Hiroshi and Tsune Nagai. His father was a physician, and Nagai grew up in an affluent environment.

Aspiring to the medical profession, Nagai entered Nagasaki Medical College (predecessor of Nagasaki University School of Medicine). While a student he was a member of the college basketball team. After graduation he entered the Physical Rehabilitation Department

(specializing in radiology).

 

画像Nagai at Matsue Middle School.

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Hiroshi and Tsune Nagai.

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Nagai at Nagasaki Medical College At Nagasaki Medical College.

 

 Nagai was dispatched to China after the Manchurian Incident. Finding a catechism in his comfort kit, he took a keen interest in Catholicism. He was baptized after his return to Nagasaki and took the Catholic name Paul. It was around this time that he met andmarried Midori Moriyama.

 

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Dr. Nagai in 1934.

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Midori Moriyama.

 

Nagai returned to China as a military doctor but came back to Nagasaki in 1940 to become assistant professor at Nagasaki Medical College and chief of the Physical Rehabilitation Department.