Shinji,

I meant to address the so-called Japanese proverb. I didn't invent it and ran across it several times while doing my research. It goes back to at least the 1800s. To those who suggest I made it up, I certainly didn't.

I've had people tell me it originated with a racist Frenchman but the best source I've seen of that is Reddit. I think the saying could have various meanings, one of which ties it to the alleged first Black Samurai. I may consider removing it, after I complete the story I'm writing about the people I've triggered who've flooded my Twitter account, e-mails, and website with statements calling me a ni**er and a liar, among other things while stating emphatically there were no Black people in Japan when there were. None of those to my knowledge were of Japanese descent.