Fulfilled emperor’s commandment
Once, one of the Japanese emperors sent his 7 samurai to Armenia to find a wife, knowing that Armenian women are beautiful and the guarantee for a strong family.
When Japanese Hasegava Arihiko came to Armenia, he couldn't even imagine that he would fulfill his emperor's commandment.
"When I was dating Lilit, I realized that I wanted to see her again and again and that she was my second half," Arihiko told "A1+".
Arihiko came to Armenia to teach Japanese. Lilit was his student and they got engaged a week ago according to Armenian tradition. Arihiko had met Lilit's parents via the Internet.
Lilit and Arihiko still communicate in Japanese, even though Arihiko has started studying Armenian and knows the most important words, that is, "I love you."
The couple assure that their national belonging and cultural differences don't stand in the way of creating a strong family.
After getting married, the couple plan on staying in Armenia. Arihiko has also appealed to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to accept Christianity. Arihiko is not rushing because he has been told to study the Bible.
The young couple are preparing to visit Tsitsernakaberd to pay tribute to the victims of the Armenian Genocide.
"I know quite a lot about the 1915 Armenian Genocide. I visited Tsitsernakaberd last year, too," Arihiko told "A1+".
He expressed his gratitude to the Armenian people for sharing the Japanese people's pain and organizing a fundraiser in memory of the victims of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
"Everyone says Japan is a strong country and it can overcome this difficulty, but it is very hard to do it alone. I am grateful to the Armenian people."
