THE BIGGEST JAPANESE STAR YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF

Branson, MO is the home of family-friendly, Christian-flavored, country western, wholesome musical entertainments. It's Las Vegas without the hookers, gambling or yard-long margaritas and it's currently playing host to Debbie Reynolds, Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede, Frankie Avalon & Brenda Lee and the Oak Ridge Boys.

But there's also another performer whose show has run for 30 years in Branson, a performer who has his very own theater that includes a bathroom that critics consider one of the best, most relaxing lavatories in the world, a performer whose wife, Dorothy, has crafted an elaborate stage show around his country fiddling, a performer called...Shoji Tabuchi!!!

Hailing from Daishoji, Shoji Tabuchi's life was changed when he heard Roy Acuff play the fiddle. He came to America years ago and built his stage show to incorporate samisen playing, a little bit of Kabuki, and a lot of "Oriental" knick knacks. It features a "Gospel Medley", a "Japanese Medley", a "Country Medley" and, most thrillingly, a "Black Light Medley!"

Is this a good thing? According to a local paper, yes:

"With the number of people that Shoji entertains each year, he has come a long way in easing Japanese American relations. Many servicemen, servicewomen and others who have attended his show have finally set aside their long-held prejudice and have literally rallied around Shoji in celebration of their newfound personal freedom."

The average age of the Branson audience means that many of them may have fought in World War II and that leads us to the uplifting part of this post: entertainment has no borders. How can you hate someone who's playing a Black Light Medley? You can't. And so I propose that the UN leave behind their boring meetings and put together the United Nations World Peace How Can You Hate Me I'm Tap Dancing For You Travelling Stage Show as soon as possible.

(Thanks to Jennifer Youngs for sending this in)