A member of the Order of Canada, Juhn A. Wada, O.C.,D.Sc.(Hon) MD., Med.ScD., F.A.A.N.,F.R.C.P.(C) wrote Spirit of the North (literal translation of the original Japanese title: Kita No Tamashii";) in 2006.

Dr. Wada's book, written in Japanese, is composed of two parts. The main section (475 pages) is a collection of his essays and travelogues as he traveled to academic meetings over more than forty years. He visited various European countries, the former Soviet Union, now Russia, the Middle East, South America, Africa, Australia and other countries. From time to time some of his literary pieces were written in response to requests from his alma mater, Hokkaido University Alumni Association Annual Journal or the Annual Journal of the National Japan Epilepsy Center at Shizuoka. However in the 1980 the Japanese Choral group of about 120 members visited BC. and Dr. Wada assisted them to perform at UBC, the Government House in Victoria, the University Hill United Church, also in Edmonton, and even with the Vancouver Bach Choir. Some of the Choral members were graduates of the Hokkaido University and they urged him to make his non-academic writings and poetry available to a wider audience. After several years of pleading he finally relented and his collection of literary material along with his sketches and paintings were bound and titled "Spirit of the North"; - "Kita No Tamashii";. The title was appropriate, because the writings represented the spirit of the North, and because Hokkaido is a northern Island of Japan and BC is also a northern place.

A second part then was added by the Choral group to the main section of the book- "Witness of the Spirit of the North"; ("Kita No Tamashii no Akahi";) - representing a collection of the Choir members' impressions of their performing visit in Canada.

Dr. Wada was born in Tokyo in 1924. He received his medical degree in 1946 and his Med.Sc.D. degree in Clinical Neurophysiology in 1950 from Hokkaido Imperial University, Japan. (see attached curriculum vitae). He joined the Department of Neurological research (Dr. W. Gibson) in the Faculty of Medicine at UBC in 1956.

Dr. Wada has written, "Reflecting on my years at UBC I was tremendously privileged to have worked with many bright young neuroscientist - nearly 60 - who came to work with me here at UBC. It is gratifying to see that, among them, twenty five became Full Professors (many became Department Heads) in their chosen field. Six served as Presidents of various national Neurological, Neurosurgical and Psychiatric societies, one served as Vice President of an International Medical Organization. Currently, one is Vice President (Research) at a Canadian University and another is President of a Japanese University";.

Dr. Wada became a naturalized Canadian Citizen in 1961. He is married to Mary Iwasaki, a professional concert pianist. They have two children.

As of March, 1014 Dr. Wada had completely retired from clinical activity. Of his retirement he has written, "Since May 2013 I began learning piano and continue to struggle to play Bach I loved throughout my life. It is difficult to describe how joyful it is when I succeed to hear the melody I love being generated through my own finger movement. I am blessed to share this joy with my professional pianist wife. I used to jog, but no more, but I am blessed to live near the UBC Aquatic Centre that enables me to walk there to swim daily. Finally I continue to write review papers on topics of my own interest - such as: Enigma of Music, Music and Art and Science of Medicine, Sculpting the brain-neuroplasticity, etc.";

BOOKS:

Spirit of the North (Literal translation from Japanese: "Kita No Tamashii";
Published in Japanese by the International Choir Promotion Association (May 20, 2006)
ISBN 4-9903399-24 C0071

[BCBW 2015]