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 him to go see the cedar and cypress trees that were planted in his hometown a long time ago, take some photos, and send them to her. She suddenly tells him that she plans to go to Kiyosato (Yamanashi).
* * * * *
"Broken Ribs Digging a Pond"
April 18, 1963
Thank you, Mi-san (my sister-in-law), for sending me the loquat seeds so quickly. Even if I take it with a grain of salt, it seems like a very good thing, so I'll try growing it. I've heard that it can grow easily anywhere (except in the shade), just like in the wild, so why don't you try growing some in your garden too? Please seal the remaining seeds in a glass jar and store them in a cool place. I'll sow them in the fall when I get back from my trip.
About three weeks ago, while preparing to dig a pond, I fell off a log bridge and broke a rib, but the pain has finally gone away. Unfortunately, it was a cold morning and the water was about seven inches deep, so I caught a cold and the worst thing was the coughing and sneezing. As I get older, my legs get weaker, and if I get a small injury, it doesn't heal like it did when I was younger.
"Kyoto watermelons are ready"
The watermelon is finally done. It's a small round Sugar Baby, native to Takii in Kyoto. It's about 5 or 6 inches in diameter. You cut it in half and eat it with a spoon.
It's hot today. It's just 2pm, but the temperature inside is 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29 degrees Celsius). People who came from the north are going home one after another. This means that more than half of the house will be empty until Christmas. I have a great appetite, but no matter what I eat, I don't gain any weight. I want to gain some weight because it's poor for the elderly to be thin, but it's not going as well as I'd like.
April 18, 1963
"Sukeji had previously asked Aki-chan to send him a book that would help him learn about division using a Japanese abacus."
Aki-chan, I received a booklet on abacus the other day. I read it, but I don't understand anything at all. When I was in school, I was bad at arithmetic, but I didn't think it was that difficult. I thought it would be no problem if I could figure out the 9s.
Summer is just around the corner. It's great for mountain climbing and splashing around in the water, but it would be foolish to endure being covered in sweat in the city. Of course, there are convenient things like air conditioners these days, so you can live in the city without feeling the heat, but there's nothing better than being in nature.
Aki-chan will probably go to Miyazu again this summer. If you do, you should check out Oppahama, just beyond Kurita. If you look on the map, you'll see that there is a bus there, so you don't have to walk. It's a cape facing the Sea of Japan, with beautiful scenery, calm waves, and a good place to catch fish. There are also all kinds of shellfish, so you can thoroughly enjoy collecting them. When I was a child, I often got up in the middle of the night to go fishing.
"Come and see the cedars of my hometown."
Aki-chan, there's one thing I'd like to ask of you. I know you may not like it, but since you're the youngest and have the strongest legs, I'll ask you. You must have heard about the cedar and cypress trees I planted before I left the country. I'd like you to go and see them. The place is called Okuyama-no-bo, about half a road (about 2km) from Takiuma, in a valley with small rice fields. I believe it belongs to Kurahashi Yoshizo of Takiuma.
This land belonged to my father, but it seems that it was foreclosed on due to debt. There is a small valley a short distance from this rice field. About 60 years ago, I planted seeds, made seedlings, and opened a bamboo field and planted them there. If they were still alive, they would have grown into quite large trees.
Even though it was cut down during the war, the stump will still be there. Anyway, I would like you to take a picture of it and send it to me. I would also like to go back sometime. I can't say anything about what will happen in the future.
June 9, 1963
Aki-chan, how are you? Your sister got married and now you have no one to fight with, you must be lonely. Aki-chan is next, but don't worry. I don't know if I'll be alive by then, though. The average life expectancy of a first generation American is about 75 years, and it's very rare for them to exceed 80.
It's been raining a lot recently and it's a problem. All the crops have rotted. There's not much wind, so it's pretty muggy during the day, but it's pretty cool at night. Summer vacation will be here soon. I'm jealous. Don't forget what I asked you to do.
I'm not overworking myself, but I've recently lost some weight again. Net weight is 120 pounds. A little too light, but whatever I eat doesn't help. But it's safer than being overweight. Being overweight is a red flag for heart problems. This is what happens when you eat too much good food.
Today is Sunday. I'll write you a letter after I rest. Goodbye.
"Japanese products are everywhere"
August 7, 1963
Dear Aki-chan, Thank you for your letter. Your innocence is as always. I read it over and over again. It's also very hot here. It's the same every year, but it seems to be hotter this summer. It's almost 100 degrees Fahrenheit (about 38 degrees Celsius). When there's no wind and I go outside, I feel dizzy. I've already bought two hats. I lost the first one after a few days. I left it somewhere. Both are cheap and made in Japan. These days, all the stores are full of Japanese products. They also have Japanese sake.
The most popular item is fake leather sandals. They are durable and look good. I bought a pair. They cost 67 cents. Both men and women walk around in them with bare feet. TV sets are also increasing in number. You can buy them cheaper than in Japan.
This reminds me of about a year ago, when Aki-chan had been asking for one in a letter, so I decided to buy one for her. The Japanese one was too expensive, so I decided to leave the largest model, the 23-inch model, made in Japan with an acquaintance who was returning to Japan by ship. When I told her that, her mother responded with a disinterested look.
Shortly afterwards, the mother wrote to me that only one in a thousand people in the neighborhood did not have a television. She said that her son would eventually buy one, so I stopped sending them. It's common to compare things with one in ten or one in a hundred since ancient times. But one in a thousand is a bit of an exaggeration. I looked into it carefully, thinking that it might be a mistake for "ten", but there was a big "no" character on top.
<Next time, to Kiyosato in Yamanashi?>
I promise to go to Japan, but the timing is not yet decided. It may be sooner than I think. I will settle in Kiyosato, Kai (Yamanashi Prefecture), a pioneer town of the American Catholic Church, near Mount Fuji.
Please refrain from going to Yamanobo (note) . It is deep in the mountains, about half a ri away, but even with a map, you will not be able to find it without a guide. Of course, if Mr. Kurahashi is cultivating it, it will not be a problem, but it may be barren land or a wasteland. Anyway, please ask.
The pond I'm making is finally finished. I'll be able to catch big bass around next fall. I want to build a house overlooking the lake among the pine forest on the dug sand dune. Yesterday, I imagined Akira rowing a boat on the lake. Goodbye.
(Note) There is a hamlet called "Yamanobo" in the Takiuma district of Miyazu City.
Date: Month/Day, 1963
Happy birthday, Aki-chan.
It's gotten a little cooler here, too, but the rains have been falling day after day, so I can't do any outside work. Storms have come and gone a few times, but no damage has been done. This summer, there were a lot of watermelons, so that was a big relief. If you plant them regularly, you can eat them all year round.
As soon as the rain stops, I plant Japanese radishes, red and white. I'll bottle them for pickling. They come from Japan, but they're expensive. I'll never forget the taste of ochazuke.
"I'm not going to die yet"
November 13, 1963
Thank you for the birthday celebration, Aki-chan. I'm still as healthy as ever and I don't think I'll die just from now on. There are still a lot of things I want to do. I have to live to be 100, not 80 or 90. When I turn 100, I'll have a big celebration and invite Aki-chan over.
Now, Aki-chan is the only one who has written me letters from Japan. You are all I have. Please don't forget that. I have done everything I could, but when the money runs out, so does the relationship. I have become someone who is no longer of use to anyone.
I expected this, so I don't complain or resent it now. You're still young. You'll understand in time. On my birthday, I went out to the fields early in the morning, and while I was looking around, I got caught in a heavy rain, and by the time I got back to my car, I was soaking wet.
Sometimes I spend the whole day in the fields, not meeting anyone, not even saying a word. Japan has had a bumper harvest this year, and it's a big deal. Everyone is competing to save money. They say that they will soon be on par with America, which is a wonderful thing, and a real wonder to the world.
"Increasing traffic accidents in America"
It is autumn here too, and it is getting cooler with each rain, and it is quite chilly in the mornings. The storm season is already over, so people from the north are starting to arrive. Soon it will be crowded with people and cars. The number of casualties from traffic accidents is increasing. In Florida alone, nearly 1,000 people have died this year. It has been about a year since Yamauchi-kun (a friend of mine who died in a train accident) and others died, so I am getting scared and trying not to travel too far.
The other day, a young woman with a baby was hit by a truck and died instantly, her baby's head being torn off by about 100 feet. Last night, I heard about a disaster in a Japanese coal mine or train on the radio. Today's newspaper was reporting it extensively with pictures. If I, a coward who hates going out, were to get on an airplane, I might crash into a mountain or fall into the sea.
41 years ago, I took a plane for half an hour. I didn't think it was scary. The fare was 15 dollars. Now, the distance between Miami and Japan has been shortened and it takes about 15 hours to get there from Miami. When I'm 100 years old, I can make it a day trip. I don't have anything else worth writing, so I'll stop here. Please write to me again when you have time. Goodbye.
Fuyuan, I want to make pickles once the vegetables are done, so please send me the book on pickles as soon as possible.
<I can't find any Japanese tea>
December 30, 1963
Dear Mi-san, I received your letter the other day, but the item has not arrived yet. I am sorry that I have received your letters so many times without ever replying.
All the Japanese products are almost indistinguishable from American products, except for tea, which is not available in Japan. All I can buy is Indian black tea. It is very similar to Japanese bancha tea, and I prefer it to the fine Japanese tea. Please send some next time.
Tomorrow is Misoka. I hope everyone is healthy and able to celebrate the New Year.
(Titles omitted)
© 2019 Ryusuke Kawai
