Sadakichi Hartmann, Alien Son

Book excerpt: Sadakichi Hartmann was born in Japan in 1867, the second son of Prussian businessman Carl Hartmann and a young prostitute, Osada. Upon her death shortly after Sadakichi’s birth, both boys were sent to Hamburg, Germany to live and be educated, as promised by Hartmann Senior to their mother on her deathbed. With this act of kindness, their father completely washed his hands of any further obligation to the boys. He ignored them completely as he continued his profession traveling the world over as a business rep for various corporations. Their father’s rare appearances, and gelid distance toward them when he was present, affected Sadakichi depressingly, he having a satiating need of a father’s acceptance and affection. Although Sadakichi found the Hartmanns in general were a cold lot, it was in particular his father’s endearment he sought. Possibly too, he may have felt a streak of guilt over his mother’s death. As his father’s Teutonic demeanor grew, Sadakichi’s growing rebelliousness became intolerable, and at fourteen he was disowned and shipped to a Hartmann brother in Philadelphia. From here on, the youth drivingly self-educated himself thoroughly, in time becoming widely and respectfully known in the world of art, literature and entertainment. His retentive memory was an amazing asset which fascinated many of his colleagues. And of course his aim at intentionally driving himself to succeed at anything he touched was to win his father’s respect and acceptance. But it was a draining, thankless, heart-crushing journey.