Hunter and Aiko were blessed with three sons and one daughter: Ryutaro, Hansaburo, Edward(Eitoku), and Fujiko. Ryutaro grew up to be the second-generation proprietor of Osaka Iron Works. Hansaburo studied mining engineering and worked on the development of the Taio Gold Mine and the Mitate Mine. Edward played a role in the negotiation of patent rights to the Isherwood system. And Fujiko married the manager of Tempozan Works, named Nakamura. One can easily imagine that Hunter, being British, counted most heavily on Aiko to be his liaison with Japan and help him learn the language, culture, and customs. No doubt she also helped him in his work.

Hunter and Aiko were laid to rest together in the Kobe Foreign Cemetery on Mt. Futatabi. By their graves is an epitaph by former president Yosomatsu Matsubara that reads, "E.H. Hunter showed immense generosity in his love for Japan, his trust in the Japanese people, and his wedlock with Aiko Hanta, through which he set a lifelong example of international marriage." The Seventy-Five Year History concurs: "Aiko was a woman of rare wisdom who both rendered great assistance and service to her husband, and poured her energies into public services provided by the Patriotic Women's Association, the Social Welfare Organization, and the Kobe Nursery Academy. She passed away at the age of 89, rounding off a successful example of international marriage."⁽⁴⁾ Let us take a fresh look at Aiko's photograph.

Bibliography

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