Japanese actress and singer Hinako Fujihara initially knew Hovhaness through his music. He later wrote songs, an opera ('Tale of the Sun Goddess Going Into the Stone House') and symphonies with her voice in mind, some of which are recorded.

"To me, Japanese women are the most beautiful. I always wanted to marry a Japanese girl, and unfortunately earlier in life I always found myself not married to a Japanese girl."
— 1984, KCTS Seattle TV documentary

Photographer: Unknown