A Letter From The Publisher: Feb. 23, 1962

FOR its cover story on a Japanese businessman. TIME asked the celebrated Japanese artist Nampu Katayama to paint the portrait. An academy "immortal" at 74, Katayama had never done a commission for a foreign publication before. The negotiations, at his home in a bamboo grove on the outskirts of Tokyo, were delicate and cordial, though his lively wife broke in at one point: "Don't you ever believe him when he says he can meet your deadline. For one portrait he was behind for one whole year." Katayama delivered on time, wearing a pleased and...

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