Atagi Nagumo
Emotions were varied as the first colonists disembarked from their landing craft onto the world they dubbed Firstfall. Some were filled with wonder as they took in the vistas of a green world untouched by technology or industry. Most felt some trepidation as the reality of the hard work before them began to set in.
One colonist scanned the broad horizons and saw, beyond all else, possibilities. He and the family he and his partner planned to have would conquer this world. "Not in the sense of dominating fellow colonists,' he thought to himself. His family would make the best use possible of the resources this world offered to become important. That colonist was Atagi Nagumo.
Japanese historical culture was a subject that Nagumo had long been interested in, so he attended some elective classes while at university. There, he met his future partner, Suga Noriko, who was majoring in the subject. They were married in a traditional Japanese ceremony shortly after they both graduated.
Not long after returning to the farm with his new partner, the opportunity to apply for colonist berths in the Perseus Arm Expedition arose. The prospect interested the young couple, and after a full Nagumo family meeting, it was decided that Atagi and Suga should apply. Atagi's degrees in agricultural science and engineering practically guaranteed his acceptance; Suga's cultural education was also deemed important as the stated aim of the project was to "preserve Humanity and its rich cultural history". Thus, they were accepted into the program.
By the time twenty years had passed, sustenance farming for the colony was well established, and some of the agriculturalists began to expand their main plantings. Most had always been keeping small "family only" plots of additional crops going to provide but now they began growing enough to supply other colonists. The Nagumos had always grown melons, a crop Atagi was quite familiar with. When he expanded his plantings and started offering melons in the colony markets, people were happy to pay premium prices for a sweet, refreshing taste of their old homes.
By the time his children were grown, the Nagumo family was managing extensive farmland and was doing so quite profitably. Two sons and two daughters were active partners in the agricultural efforts. The third son, Yoshi, had purchased a small fishing boat and began, as he put it, "farming the sea instead of the land".
By this time, Atagi had opened his first small preserving and processing plant to expand further upon the food offerings available to the ever-expanding colony. He had also taken every opportunity to take over any established agricultural enterprises that became available as the children of other original farmers opted instead for technological careers. This was something that happened quite often. Having achieved stability, the colony had entered into what it called "technological restoration" - an attempt to reestablish the knowledge and infrastructure to begin resurrecting the technological comforts that Terrans enjoyed when the colonists set off on their journey.
Fifty years after the first planting of crops on Firstfall, the name "Nagumo Farms" was recognized by every colonist. It would have been impossible to find a kitchen anywhere that did not have at least one product from the company in its pantry. Yoshi's holdings had grown from a single fishing boat to a small fleet, and a processing plant had also been built.
When asked about this shortly before his death, Atagi attributed it to the "ancient cultural values" that Suga had instilled in each of them from birth. It should be noted that, at home at least, Atagi and his offspring tended to prefer wearing traditional kimonos, and shoes were removed upon entering the home. Atagi would say, "Duty to family is paramount."
But to this day, over a thousand years after the colony ships descended onto Firstfall, the Chief Executive of the Nagumo megacorporation starts each day at the office by bowing slightly toward the holoportrait of Atagi Nagumo that hovers behind her desk, as the quietly uttered words, "Good morning, grandfather" slip past her lips.
One colonist scanned the broad horizons and saw, beyond all else, possibilities. He and the family he and his partner planned to have would conquer this world. "Not in the sense of dominating fellow colonists,' he thought to himself. His family would make the best use possible of the resources this world offered to become important. That colonist was Atagi Nagumo.
Background
Atagi Nagumo was Terran-born into a family of agricultural workers on the island of Hokkaido at the northwestern edge of the Pacific Ocean. His family owned a farm that grew rice and melons. He studied advanced agricultural methods at the Tokyo University of Agriculture, intending to use what he learned to improve his family farm and thus advance his family's status in the community.Japanese historical culture was a subject that Nagumo had long been interested in, so he attended some elective classes while at university. There, he met his future partner, Suga Noriko, who was majoring in the subject. They were married in a traditional Japanese ceremony shortly after they both graduated.
Not long after returning to the farm with his new partner, the opportunity to apply for colonist berths in the Perseus Arm Expedition arose. The prospect interested the young couple, and after a full Nagumo family meeting, it was decided that Atagi and Suga should apply. Atagi's degrees in agricultural science and engineering practically guaranteed his acceptance; Suga's cultural education was also deemed important as the stated aim of the project was to "preserve Humanity and its rich cultural history". Thus, they were accepted into the program.
Early Years on Firstfall
The first few years on their new homeworld were difficult - as they were expected to be. Atagi established a farm plot, growing essential cereal crops to contribute to the food supply for the colony. Suga became a teacher in the colony's school. The two also did their part to help expand the colony, having three female and three male children over the first 12 years.By the time twenty years had passed, sustenance farming for the colony was well established, and some of the agriculturalists began to expand their main plantings. Most had always been keeping small "family only" plots of additional crops going to provide but now they began growing enough to supply other colonists. The Nagumos had always grown melons, a crop Atagi was quite familiar with. When he expanded his plantings and started offering melons in the colony markets, people were happy to pay premium prices for a sweet, refreshing taste of their old homes.
By the time his children were grown, the Nagumo family was managing extensive farmland and was doing so quite profitably. Two sons and two daughters were active partners in the agricultural efforts. The third son, Yoshi, had purchased a small fishing boat and began, as he put it, "farming the sea instead of the land".
The Family Grows... the Business Grows
The Nagumo children all entered into marriage contracts by their 20th birthdays as was typical among the colonists, and began to have families of their own. By the time Atagi reached the age of fifty, he had over 20 grandchildren, and he would have many more before he died. As these - and the more that followed - grew up, they also stayed within the "family business" of food production. That business, however, was also growing.By this time, Atagi had opened his first small preserving and processing plant to expand further upon the food offerings available to the ever-expanding colony. He had also taken every opportunity to take over any established agricultural enterprises that became available as the children of other original farmers opted instead for technological careers. This was something that happened quite often. Having achieved stability, the colony had entered into what it called "technological restoration" - an attempt to reestablish the knowledge and infrastructure to begin resurrecting the technological comforts that Terrans enjoyed when the colonists set off on their journey.
Fifty years after the first planting of crops on Firstfall, the name "Nagumo Farms" was recognized by every colonist. It would have been impossible to find a kitchen anywhere that did not have at least one product from the company in its pantry. Yoshi's holdings had grown from a single fishing boat to a small fleet, and a processing plant had also been built.
Secrets of Success
By the time Atagi passed away at the age of ninety-six, he and his partner Suga, who survived him by two years, could count 38 grandchildren and 172 great-granchildren among his family. Over 60% of them followed careers associated with Nagumo Farms or Nagumo Seafood, and another 15% were involved in other startups related to the food industry. The people of Firstfall often commented on the extraordinary family loyalty - and success - that the Nagumo family exhibited.When asked about this shortly before his death, Atagi attributed it to the "ancient cultural values" that Suga had instilled in each of them from birth. It should be noted that, at home at least, Atagi and his offspring tended to prefer wearing traditional kimonos, and shoes were removed upon entering the home. Atagi would say, "Duty to family is paramount."
Legacy
Today, Atagi's descendents still maintains executive control of Nagumo Consumables, owning 73% of the megacorporation's stock. (51% is held by one descendent - the family heir - to ensure continued control.) Nagumo Consumables is the largest food-oriented enterprise in the entire Firstfall Collective. It administers several agricultural planets to grow crops. It owns 257 processing plants, and its goods are shipped to every populated planet in the Collective. It has begun expanding its reach into the Borderspace Regions, and rumors of contacts within the Persean Republic have begun circulating among investors.But to this day, over a thousand years after the colony ships descended onto Firstfall, the Chief Executive of the Nagumo megacorporation starts each day at the office by bowing slightly toward the holoportrait of Atagi Nagumo that hovers behind her desk, as the quietly uttered words, "Good morning, grandfather" slip past her lips.
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