Morikami Sukeji, who came 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 dissolved, 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 he has been living in America for so long, he has stopped reading the Japanese books he had wanted to read. He often fails at farming and suffers from chronic illnesses. However, he has not given up on building a farm. He sympathetically listens to his niece's concerns about remarrying and gives her advice.
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<Reminds me of the Japanese kotatsu>
January 12, 1969
Thank you for your letter the other day, Rei-san (niece). It was a surprise to receive a letter and greetings from you after such a long time. I have hardly heard from my hometown and I even tend to forget my only brother. I miss my hometown no matter how many years pass. I had never heard of Mikio (nephew) being evacuated. It has been more than 20 years since the end of the war, and we have corresponded hundreds of times, but there are many things I do not know about your private life.
This winter has been unusually cold, and there are many days off for outdoor work. It doesn't snow, but there is frost and thin ice. When it's really cold, it reminds me of the kotatsu in Japan. It was nice and warm, so I could sit in it up to my butt and read magazines.
I was feeling sick on Christmas and had stomach problems, so I couldn't go to an invitation from a friend. In America, there are almost no celebrations on New Year's Day. Farmers are busy at the time, so everyone works, but Japanese people take a break and eat things like ozoni. I couldn't go to an invitation from a friend in Washington, but he sent me some rare Japanese food.
A lot of Japanese magazines have piled up. I was looking forward to reading them, but for some reason I suddenly got tired of reading the books I loved more than anything, and apart from the newspapers I hardly read anything. When I have free time I sleep or get lost in reminiscences. I remember all sorts of things from the past. A young Yoneji (my younger brother) climbs the stone lantern beside our house. He's made the effort to climb, but it's hard to get down. I watch nervously. After a while, he gets on his belly again and starts climbing.
My grandfather loved flowers and grew many different kinds in the garden. As a child, I would pull out one to see if it had taken root. I would then gently plant it again. It would soon wilt. My grandfather would get angry and yell at me. Those were fun times. Now it's all just a dream.
To suffer huge losses
January 15, 1969
Dear Reiko, I had intended to write to you when I wrote to my niece Akiko the other day, but a series of unexpected events occurred. I had been making various plans to make this year a better one, but things went against my plans and I ended up suffering huge losses.
He lost most of his pineapples to cold damage, his raspberries were wiped out by a wildfire, and he ended up pulling out all of the 500 new varieties of pineapples he had planted two years ago because they didn't produce any results. His total losses amounted to about $10,000. When he started this, a friend of his advised him, "You're getting old. You'd better stop."
Now, I would say that this is a divine punishment. However, I would never have thought of canceling the project for something like this. I am currently racking my brains to come up with a plan to revive it.
I saw in the newspaper on the 3rd that there are now 30,000 people over 100 years old in Japan, about one third of which are women, and the oldest is 116 years old and lives in Hyogo Prefecture. Probably someone living deep in the mountains of Tanba. The Russian is even more outstanding, a 160-year-old man. He lives near the Himalayas. I thought. I have survived for nearly 80 years. I have tried to imagine what the future will be like, but I have no idea. However, I think that other worlds - if they exist - will be able to travel freely.
Yesterday, I unexpectedly received a package from a friend in Washington. When I opened it, I found various unusual Japanese foods inside. Among them was pickled eggplant in mustard, which is my favorite. I cooked rice with it for dinner and it was a delicious meal. There are quite a few Japanese foods in stores in Delray Beach. They are canned seafood, and are aimed at white people. It is much cheaper here than ordering directly from Japan. The original price is cheap, but the shipping costs are high.
I don't read Japanese magazines or newspapers now, but somehow I feel unsatisfied. I hardly write Japanese characters anymore, so I can't write them very well. I know it's hard to read, but please bear with me. Maybe I'll get better at it soon. Goodbye.
<10- and 15-storey apartment buildings are being built one after another>
January 31, 1969
I received the gift from my sister-in-law, Mi-san, the day before yesterday. I enjoy a little bit of it every day. Most Japanese items have arrived, but these items for Japanese people are not sold here. It has been a little warmer during the day recently, but it is quite cold at night.
I still suffer from runny nose and sneezing, but what bothers me the most is having to pee at night. I have to pee at least four or five times, and the amount is more than half a gallon. I don't drink much water, so I don't know why.
I received a letter from Reiko. I'm glad to hear that she's feeling much better. Let's forget the past and start anew. The local economy is booming and 10- and 15-story apartment buildings are being built one after another. It's the height of the season now, and there's a flood of people and cars, so the old man with weak legs can't even go outside.
This year, due to the bad weather, the harvest of vegetables has been poor and everything is expensive. Also, we are short of labor, so we are not growing anything. We don't even have a single radish. My friend in Washington sent me a Japanese magazine. The economy in Japan is doing well. I think the standard of living is now similar to that of the United States.
60 years ago, it was a poor village with a population of less than 300.
May 17, 1969
Thank you for your letter, Mi-san. I've been busy and I don't have anything else to write, so I haven't written to you for a while. I'm the same as always. I eat, sleep, regret, realize, and repeat the same things over and over again.
The 15th was the day I arrived here 60 years ago. At that time, it was a poor village with a population of less than 300. It was a den of mosquitoes and flies. I fell and got up several times, but I have survived until today. It is all thanks to this country.
I continue to live a lonely life in the suburbs as usual. My fortune is that I will live a long life and have no worries about food, but I have few blood relatives. I have no choice but to follow my fate. Goodbye.
"Do your best and have no regrets"
July 31, 1969
Thank you for your letters, Mi-san and Aki-chan. I'm sorry I haven't been able to reply to you properly due to my busy schedule and discomfort. There's nothing unusual about me, but I don't feel like writing because of my chronic illness. Like every year, this summer seems to be much hotter, probably because of my age. The heat is close to 100 degrees (about 38 degrees Celsius), and on days when there is no wind, I work only in the morning and evening, so I try to avoid writing during the day.
This year too, the crops were unsuccessful due to bad weather, a lack of manpower, disease, etc. However, we did our best and have no regrets.
It would be wonderful to find an elixir of immortality. Just thinking about moving and cultivating the jungle makes my heart race. For someone like me who doesn't believe in reincarnation, there's nothing better than this.
Today, a German friend of mine brought two young Germans with him. Both are over 20 years old and are studying at universities in this country, but they came here during their summer vacation. They have no problems with their appearance or behavior. They also speak English fluently.
I miss Reiko too. Please give my best regards to her. Everyone, take care of yourself. Goodbye.
<Giving advice to my niece about her remarriage>
August 17, 1969
Thank you for your letter, Rei-san. I read it over and over again. I understand your feelings very well. I will tell you my honest thoughts. You are fed up with married life. You want to stay as you are, but your mother is encouraging you to remarry. If you go against this, won't you be unfilial?
Your mother seems to care more about public opinion than about you. She won't do anything you don't like. If you don't like it, just say so clearly. Vague answers will lead to misunderstandings.
He is a stranger to you. Don't just take the matchmaker's word for it. No matter how important a person is, they have hidden flaws. Someone who is all talk but lacks sincerity, someone who has money but is stingy, someone who is a heavy drinker and has a weakness for women. There are plenty of them.
If you date for at least a year, you'll understand a little better. I'm not saying I don't recommend remarrying. You have to be stronger. Don't rely on others. You have to rely on yourself. That's my unchanging opinion.
Life is short. Don't waste it. I'm still the same. I'm plagued by my limbs. I sometimes wish Rei was closer to me. It's 2:30 in the morning. Maybe it's because I took a nap, but I can't sleep, so I decided to write this letter.
My middle name is nothing. It's not necessary for a normal letter. Make sure you study English well. It will come in handy. It's started raining again. It's been raining a lot this summer and it's a problem. Typhoon Kyankulu is moving north along the west coast of the Florida peninsula and the Gulf of Mexico at 150 miles per hour.
From my uncle in North America on the morning of August 17th
Study English thoroughly
November 12, 1969
Dear Rei, I received your long letter. I immediately asked my friend in Washington to investigate your visit to the United States. I received a reply. It is easy to enter the country as a student or traveler if you have the necessary qualifications, but it is strictly prohibited to work here.
The only way is to apply for a relative to come over - not adopt. It's a bit of a hassle, but it's possible to enter the country. The problem is my health. It's not getting any better. There's a risk that I could become partially or completely paralyzed. I have no choice but to change my location. I started the orchard with the memories of my life, and it would be a shame to stop halfway, but nothing beats good health.
It's Phoenix, Arizona. For this reason, your trip to America will have to be postponed for the time being. You will be at a loss while I'm away. You must speak English no matter what. Even if you can read and write, it's no use if you can't speak. Don't be pessimistic or discouraged. Do your best.
38 years ago, when I was suffering from a stomach ulcer, Yoneji said it was the curse of being a bad son. I underwent surgery and was completely cured, but I wonder what he would say if he were alive today.
The 5th was my birthday. I want to forget about it, but my friends give me postcards and presents, and I get invited to dinner, so I don't have a chance to forget about it. I don't know about Japan, but in this country, everyone celebrates it.
The rare long rain has finally stopped, but it has suddenly gotten cold, and I need a heater at night. People from the north are coming in droves to escape the cold. It won't be long before there will be a lot of cars and people returning.
He had planned to build a house on the hill overlooking the lake that he had dug last year, but due to illness he decided to postpone the plan.
(Titles omitted)
© 2020 Ryusuke Kawai
