Morikami Sukeji, who traveled to America as a member of the Yamato Colony in South Florida and remained there alone until the end of his life after the colony was disbanded, continued to write letters to his sister-in-law and her family, who had lost her husband (Sukeji's younger brother) after the war. As Sukeji, who was living alone in the suburbs, was pondering whether to return to America or to invite his sister-in-law and her family to America, one day his house was broken into by robbers.
* * * * *
June 1955
"At one point it seemed like all was lost"
Hi, I haven't written to you in a while. I hope everyone is well. A few days after I received your letter, I was attacked by a robber while I was sleeping. I was seriously injured and was treated at the hospital for about a week. My wounds have finally healed, so I returned to Delray (Delray Beach) a few days ago and am now staying with a friend (who is white).
The wound was deep and I was bleeding profusely, so for a while I thought I was in trouble. I was lying in my blood from about 9pm to about 8am the next morning. Now, when I think about it, I wonder how I managed to survive.
We live in the suburbs, and our neighbors are about 109 meters away, and we don't have a phone. I couldn't do anything until my friend came the next morning. My wounds have healed, but my head is fuzzy and my memory isn't the same as it used to be.
This summer is not exactly a recession, but murders and robberies are happening all the time, so I'm scared. So I bought a pistol for self-defense, on the recommendation of the police.
"I dream of my hometown again"
This year was a rare drought, and there was almost no rain from last fall until just two weeks ago, and one town was in a state of lack of irrigation water. About two months ago, hail fell and the crops that had been cultivated with great effort were completely destroyed. This year also ended with a loss of work and a tired profit.
A few nights ago, I couldn't sleep because my nerves were so excited, but luckily I had a Japanese magazine, so I read it until dawn and when I finally fell asleep, I was dreaming of Japan. I was in a rural town I'd never seen before, and everyone I met was a stranger.
Strangely, they didn't understand what I was saying. I was hungry, so I went into a small teahouse, ate, and ordered by gestures. What came out was a big bowl full of rice, boiled turnip (one of the seven herbs of spring), incense, and bancha tea. It was the same menu I had eaten 50 years ago.
I walked around here and there, hoping to find someone I knew, but I didn't meet anyone. I couldn't even find my parents' house, Ryoma (Miyazu City, Kyoto Prefecture). When I gave up and headed for the train station, a short, fat old woman came towards me, carrying a large furoshiki bag on her back and leading her daughter, who looked about 12 or 13 years old, by the hand. The girl was singing something, and when I listened carefully, I heard an American pop song. She was singing in English. I tried to talk to her, but she didn't understand me. I have dreams like this from time to time. I guess deep down, I really miss my hometown.
We are currently investigating your travel to the US. We expect to find out the answer soon. These things are quite troublesome and time-consuming. All you can do is wait patiently.
<New trailer house>
I bought the latest house trailer. It's small enough for two people, 8 feet wide, 22 feet long, and has wheels, so you can hitch it to the back of a car and move it anywhere. Although it's small, it has everything you need, including a living room, kitchen, toilet, bathroom, refrigerator, and closet, and the exterior and interior are quite impressive. The price is about the same as building a small house. I'll send you some photos.
There is a saying that the grass is always greener in the neighbor's pasture. Don't be too envious of others. Being self-centered will only increase discontent.
September 30, 1955
<Next time, he was injured by a tractor>
Dear Mi-san, It's been a long time since I last wrote to you. I'm so sorry, but I just can't bring myself to write you a letter. I'm also really sorry to my acquaintances and friends.
Before the wounds from the hold-up had healed, I was hit by a tractor and seriously injured my left leg and arm, which meant I couldn't even stand up, let alone walk, and I suffered a lot of pain and inconvenience for a long time. Fortunately, I can now walk, but the pain is still there and it's a problem.
When I was young, wounds healed quickly, but as I get older, it takes a long time. I've had a series of misfortunes, and everything is just as it is now. My health is finally improving, so I think I'll be able to take measures soon. My head is a bit weird, my memory is deteriorating, and of course I can't think clearly at all.
In Florida, it's autumn in name only; the scenery and weather remain the same. The only thing that's changed is that the days are a little shorter.
The summer heat has gone from Kyoto, and Arashiyama must be a very nice place. Recently, Yamauchi-kun's (who lives in Miami) son got married. I was invited, but couldn't attend due to illness. The bride was born in America and was educated in Japan, and she writes and writes very well. She is said to be a very outgoing person with a clear voice. I haven't met her yet, but that's what I imagined from her letters and photos.
This year, Japan is having a rare good harvest, which is a cause for celebration. The rice here looks good, but it tastes so bad that I can't bring myself to eat it unless it's cooked very well. My teeth have been getting worse recently, so I can't eat my favorite pickles.
When I'm in a good mood, I go to the field and work in the soil. My seedlings, such as tomato, pepper, and eggplant, are growing well. I'm thinking of selling some of them from next week to earn some pocket money. When I go to the field and take care of the crops, it's heaven for me. I forget all my worries and pains.
By the way, American women are also worried about gaining weight. Some young people have been damaging their health by fasting. If you are too fat, why don't you see a doctor? Some people are said to be ill. I am still thin. I would like to gain some weight, but it is not going to happen anytime soon. I have moved again.
Current address: Street on the left
November 8, 1955
<We cooked red rice to celebrate.>
Thank you for your letter, Mi-san. My illness is getting better and I don't feel any pain. I went back home the day before yesterday. I started cooking for myself. The 5th was my birthday. I usually forget and only remember later, but Yoshioka-san went out of his way to celebrate by cooking red rice with non-glutinous rice and red beans from Hawaii.
This is the first time I've had red rice since I moved to the U.S. No matter how many years pass, I still miss Japanese food. Even when I'm sick and can't swallow anything, I can still eat ochazuke and pickles.
Florida has become cooler. It's past 7pm, but it's already pitch black outside. The temperature is now 74 degrees Fahrenheit (about 23 degrees Celsius). In the morning, it drops to about 70 degrees (21 degrees Celsius). It's neither too hot nor too cold, and as long as you're healthy, it's heaven.
At my age, I don't think too far into the future. I don't know when I'm going to die. I don't like being a burden to other people.
That's why I push myself even when I'm sick. I have a troublesome personality. I felt good yesterday, so I went to the field for the first time in a while and planted some vegetable seeds for our own home. But today my legs hurt again, so I was lying down all day. It's already almost mid-November this year.
December 1955
(Sukeji exchanges letters many times with his sister-in-law and her family about becoming a family. He and his sister-in-law continue to worry about whether he should return to Japan or invite her and her family to Japan.)
You keep saying you're going to America, but...
Dear Mi-san, I received your letter and photo. You look healthy. That's all very well. People here start to put on weight as soon as they hit their thirties. They're in their forties and are fat like fat pigs, walking like wobbling ducks. They don't eat what they want and they struggle to lose weight.
I've been losing weight and am now down to 125 pounds. How many kan is that in Japanese terms? Well, I guess it's about half of yours.
You keep saying you're going to America, but America is a foreign country. It's not as easy as going next door. First of all, it seems like you're planning to go with your family, but even if you come as a missionary, you can't bring your family with you. And I thought about it too. When you reach 70, you don't know when you're going to die. I think it would be better for both of us if I took the plunge and returned to Japan.
However, due to a series of misfortunes, I have lost most of my savings, and it is simply not possible for me to live in Japan. I think it would be best for me to stay in this country for a while, sell the remaining land, and return to Japan as soon as I have enough time.
Recently, I heard about the situation in Japan from someone who had just returned. He said that the cost of living is not much different from here (in the US), but housing shortages are a big problem.
First, I sent $50 via Sumitomo Bank. Please buy some presents for everyone with this. This is the last message for this year. Please, everyone, be healthy and have a happy new year. I will also dream about ozoni.
December 19th evening
(Titles omitted, parentheses are author's notes)
© 2019 Ryusuke Kawai
