The Japanese Fifth Generation Computer Systems (FGCS) extending from 1982-1992 has been enshrouded in hype since its inception. The national project made bold promises in the fields of artifical intelligence and computer engineering, and these goals were amplified by the media and overseas researchers. Now that the dust is settling, it is time to take a good long look at the project, its accomplishments, and failures. This essay is a personal account of my experiences working within, and around, the FGCS project at the Institute for New Generation Com­puter Technology (ICOT) and elsewhere. I focus on the development of hard and soft technologies, as well as human infrastructure.