A lonely longing for home - From the letters of Morikami Suketsugu, a Japanese immigrant in Florida
In the early 20th century, the Japanese village of Yamato Colony appeared in southern Florida. Morikami Sukeji (George Morikami), who immigrated from Miyazu, Kyoto City as a farmer and pioneer, is the man who laid the foundation for the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, which is now located in Florida. He stayed on after the colony was dissolved and disappeared before the war, and continued farming alone through the war. He ended up donating a huge amount of land, leaving his name in the local area. He remained single throughout his life and never returned to Japan, but he was more homesick than most and continued to write letters to Japan. He corresponded frequently with the Okamoto family, including the wife and daughters of his late brother. Although he never met them, he treated them like family and sent them information about the situation and his thoughts in the area. The letters he left behind trace his life and lonely homesickness as a record of one generation.
Stories from this series
#24 Advising my niece on the seven rules of marriage
Jan. 10, 2020 • Ryusuke Kawai
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, continues to write letters to his sister-in-law and her family, who lost her husband (Sukeji's younger brother) after the war. Perhaps because his sister, who had inherited the family home, had also passed away, Sukeji is concerned about the inheritance of the family assets. Furthermore, he gives his own …
Episode 23: The Death of My Sister in My Hometown
Dec. 27, 2019 • Ryusuke Kawai
Morikami Sukeji, who traveled to the United States 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, continues to write letters to his sister-in-law and her family, who lost her husband (Sukeji's younger brother) after the war. Due to his age, he is in pain all over his body and is not feeling well, but his passion for farming remains the same, and he …
Episode 22: The pond is done. I put some small fish in it.
Dec. 13, 2019 • Ryusuke Kawai
Morikami Sukeji, who traveled to the United States 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, continues to write letters to his sister-in-law and her family, whose husband (Sukeji's younger brother) had died after the war. Eager to create an orchard and garden on his land, Sukeji reports that he has completed a pond and stocked it with fish. He also talks about …
#21 Working in the fields even on his birthday
Nov. 22, 2019 • Ryusuke Kawai
Morikami Sukeji, who came to America as a member of the Yamato Colony in South Florida and stayed there alone until the end of his life after the colony was disbanded, continues to write letters to his sister-in-law and her family, who lost her husband (Sukeji's younger brother) after the war. In 1963, Japan continues to enjoy rapid economic growth, and Sukeji learns about it through newspapers and other sources, and often sees Japanese products in Florida. Meanwhile, she asks …
Episode 20: When I found out that my first love had gotten married
Nov. 8, 2019 • Ryusuke Kawai
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, continues to write letters to his sister-in-law and her family, who lost her husband (Sukeji's younger brother) after the war. His recollections of his hometown and the past continue to grow. Shortly after arriving in America, he tells his niece how disappointed he was when he was informed that …
Episode 19: The Lost Dream of Returning Home
Oct. 25, 2019 • Ryusuke Kawai
Morikami Sukeji, who came to America as a member of the Yamato Colony in South Florida and stayed there alone until the end of his life after the colony was disbanded, continues to write letters to his sister-in-law and her family, who lost her husband (Sukeji's younger brother) after the war. The story takes place after May 1961. He says he wants to build a house for his sister-in-law and her family, but is shocked by the high land prices …
