Dogs often display a distinct resemblance to their masters "" cheerful, affectionate, lugubrious... The reverse is equally possible, if as in this case difficult. Mr Kawaguchi has spent almost 40 years as an elephant raiser, and while he is gentle, kindly and patient, he really isnt all that large. Kawaguchi doesnt speak a word of English, but his happiness at having finally made it to India, the home of his beloved Indian elephant, is there for all to see. Flanked by two interpreters, the elephant raiser of Tokyos Ueno Zoological Garden explains how he stumbled upon his unusual vocation. I applied to the Ueno Garden for a post as an animal trainer, and specified that I wanted to work with big animals. They asked if elephants would do, and I said okay. And why elephants? Because human beings are small, and I liked the idea of being able to control a big animal.
Kawaguchis visit to India is the result of a long-standing relationship with the country. He spent 23 years looking after an elephant named Indira, gifted to the Ueno Garden by the then prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru. He then wrote a book called With Indira (on the elephant not the lady), which is now prescribed reading for primary school children in Japan.
