貴女がいないと、ここはとても退屈です。またすぐお手紙頂戴ね。
かしこ
おつま
１９６５年１１月２５日、サンフランシスコ
– translation –
Omaki-chan,
As you must know, it’s been Thanksgiving here, and we have to endure that horrid turkey and the rest of the food that Americans are so in love with. But the bigger problem is to endure the family gatherings. The Satos seem to have procreated everywhere, and they are so in need of making reunions. Of course I don’t make this food, so Sato and I are invited every year to his nephew’s big house in Walnut Creek. It is a lovely house with lots of rooms, and I have been thinking that I might persuade Sato to buy us a place like it somewhere outside the city to get away from time to time. But this is not what I wanted to write to you about.
So there we were at this Thanksgiving, and of course Stuart and Lucy were there. We all sat down to dinner, and there is the carving of that gigantic golden bird that they are so proud of and the sweet potatoes and the stuffing and that awful cranberry sauce and the passing of the gravy and so on and so on. Stuart and Lucy were not talking to each other, but only I noticed this tension between the couple. Stuart looked quite miserable, really. They both pretended to be happy, but Lucy has a way of chattering about anything and very quickly, and I could not understand anything she was saying, so I cannot tell you exactly what was said, but Lucy’s chatter became louder and louder and suddenly screeching and hysterical, and I saw from one end of the table that she served a scoop of those mushy sweet potatoes to Stuart in a large plop that spit from his plate and onto his chest, and then to top it off, she poured the entire dish of gravy onto his plate. It spilled over the plate and the table and onto his lap, and he stood up suddenly yelling, and she ran screaming from the room. My dear Omaki-chan, what a scene! Can you imagine?
How dull it is here without you. Please write to me soon again.
Yours always,
Otsuma
NOVEMBER 25, 1965 SAN FRANCISCO
Aerogram from Cathy Hannoki to Dr. Reggie and Natsuko Higuchi
DECEMBER 1, 1965 LOS ANGELES
Dear Mom and Dad,
How are the both of you? Thanks for your last long letter with all the details about Dad’s work with atomic bomb survivors. I can only imagine the intensity of your work and what you must be feeling. And I’m glad to hear that Mom is also doing some traveling outside of Nagasaki. We received your recent postcard from Kyoto. The snow-covered Kiyomizu Temple is most beautiful.
Well, we just had Thanksgiving here, and Kevin came home to join us. So it was Kevin and us and the boys and Omaki. We missed you. I made the turkey, but it was not as good as last year when Mom roasted it. But I will say that my stuffing was pretty good. I will send you some photos when I get them processed.
Kevin is looking toward his residency and wants to relocate back to L.A., which I hope is possible. So you’ll be proud to know your son is seriously following your footsteps toward a medical degree. He is ready to leave the East Coast and those cold winters. He’ll be here for a few weeks to look at some opportunities here, will leave again to wrap up work in Baltimore, then return for Christmas. It’s so good to have him back with us. The boys adore their Uncle Kevin.
Omaki continues to live with us. She is probably bored, but she goes over to the cultural center and retrieves books and reads the Japanese newspapers to keep up on the news in Japan. And every chance she gets, she makes me take her shopping, usually to May Co or to I. Magnin. Bob must have left her a nice bank account. Occasionally she makes us a Japanese dinner, but the boys don’t like fish. I have to make spaghetti on the side. I asked her about her daughter, Midori, if she’s heard from her, but she doesn’t seem much concerned. I asked her if she doesn’t miss Midori, and she didn’t say. I’ve asked her about her life with Bob, about those early years when they met, how Japan has changed. Maybe it’s still too painful to talk about, or she is shy. I don’t really know how to relate to her. I don’t think it’s just a matter of the language barrier, but perhaps you can enlighten me about this since you are living in Japan. The good news is that she and Kevin really seemed to get along and that suddenly she seemed to open up with him.
The boys miss you and ask when Grandpa and Grandma are coming home. Well, enjoy every moment in Japan. We’ll miss you this Christmas, but I promise to take lots of pictures.
Love,
Cathy
Aerogram from Cathy Hannoki to Mrs. Natsuko Higuchi
JANUARY 8, 1966 LOS ANGELES
Dear Mom,
Happy New Year. We missed you this year, but of course you are enjoying the real thing in Japan. I did my best to make the ozoni. Omaki tried to help, and she must have thought me incompetent. She told me that we should have the spread made by outside professionals. She actually said “professionals,” but all Japanese businesses close for the holidays. I pulled out the nisei church cookbook, and Omaki looked at the recipes and shook her head. Every region in Japan apparently has their style of cooking, and whatever we’re doing is not what they do in Tokyo. She was especially dismissive of the recipes that are probably from Hawaii, like the guava kanten, which I love. What style of New Year food did you enjoy in Nagasaki?
Actually I am writing to ask you for advice. Kevin came home for Christmas and stayed through the New Year, and he and Omaki seem to have really hit it off. That is to say, it’s more than that. I think that they are involved romantically. This has been really awkward for all of us. Omaki is older, in her 30s, but of course Kevin is not that much younger. Maybe I’m just being a prude, but Charley also feels strange about this, since Omaki was married to his brother. It’s only been a year since Bob died. I don’t want to worry you with this. I feel like I’m tattling, and Kevin is a grown man. But he is my brother. Maybe it’s really nothing and will go away. I guess I just want your reassurance and wisdom.
Love,
Cathy
Letter from Cathy Hannoki to Mrs. Natsuko Higuchi
FEBRUARY 3, 1966 LOS ANGELES
Dear Mom,
Thanks for your letter and reassurances. Kevin returned to Baltimore as he should have, but he promises to be back here, actually in a few days. He was really angry at me for suggesting anything to him when I had the chance to talk to him, but he seems to have his head in the clouds. But before he returns, I need to tell you some gossip I heard that I figure, considering the source, is probably true.
None of us, except for Charley, who went to Japan, had ever met Bob’s Japanese wife, Omaki. So I had no idea of what to expect. To be honest, she really is a striking woman, and when we go out, you can see that men turn their heads to look at her. She also came with quite a wardrobe of clothing, which seems to be growing. Bob, the one time I met him before Charley and I were married, was a pretty down-to-earth guy, but living with Omaki, now already almost 5 months, it’s been interesting to imagine what sort of style of life they lived in Tokyo. I try to understand this considering Bob’s work for the military occupation and his descriptions to Charley of Japan after the war. Maybe you can enlighten me about this. After all, they’ve just built that bullet train.
Do you remember Susan Sato? She’s my old roommate from college, from San Francisco. She’s related to the Sato family that owns the Daikokuya import store where Omaki first went to work last year when she first arrived. Apparently, Omaki and Mrs. Sato (the second wife) are old friends from Japan. I met Susan for lunch in Little Tokyo, and she told me that her cousin Lucy is married to a Stuart Kusari, and Stuart has been working for their uncle George Sato at the import store. Long story short, while working at the store, Stuart got involved with Omaki.
Kevin arrives in a few days, but I’m sure he’s rearranging his schedule with promises to Omaki, but this is time Kevin really can’t afford, considering his studies and finances. As I said, Kevin got really angry when I suggested that maybe he was infatuated. Of c
ourse, I didn’t say that exactly. But now, with this news, I can’t believe Kevin is so dumb.
Anyway, glad you are far away from this nonsense.
Love,
Cathy
Letter from Hannoki Omaki to Sato Otsuma
おつまちゃん
前に手紙をさしあげてから、キャシーの弟のケビンに会いました。ケビンはアメリカ の反対側ボルティモアで医学を勉強しているのですが、サンクスギビングとクリスマ スに家に帰ってきたのです。やっと話し相手が、お出かけしたり人生を少し楽しめる 相手ができました。ディズニーランドとプラネタリウムに一緒に行ったのよ。一時もじ っとしてられない甥のティミーとボビーを連れていかなくてはならなかったので、こ んな子守りは時にはほんとに疲れる辛いことなんだけど、ケビンは私にとても親切 にしてくれました。あの子たちがうるさかったのを埋め合わせるために、彼は私だけ をディナーと映画に連れて行ってくれて、私はやっといくつか観光もできました。
わかると思うけど私のサンクスギビングは、貴女のとは大変にちがっていまし たが、貴女の手紙を読んだら笑って笑って涙が出てきちゃった。佐藤家の人たちも、 これでルーシーがどれだけ非常識な人かわかったでしょうね。すてきなスチュワー トのことを私は忘れてはいないけれど、将来お医者さんになる人のほうが安楽な未 来を保証してくれそうだという点については上よね。愛だけで結婚できるいいけれ ど。貴女も私も親が決めた結婚をさせられることからは逃げられたし、それを不幸 といわれても報われる部分もあるけれど、とにかく私たちは自分で相手を見つけな くてはならない。この点、貴女はすでに私より一歩先を行っているわね。
ケビンは昨日帰っていったばかりですが、その前に姉のキャシーと喧嘩しまし た。これがまた私の信用と計画にとっては邪魔なの。彼はできるかぎり早くまた来 るよと約束してくれました。こっち、ロスアンゼルスで仕事を探すって。
また手紙で大笑いさせてね。
かしこ
おまき
１９６６年２月２０日、ロスアンゼルス
– translation –
Otsuma-chan,
Since I last wrote to you, I’ve met Cathy’s younger brother, Kevin. Kevin is studying medicine in Baltimore, on the other side of the country, but he came home for Thanksgiving and for Christmas. Finally I’ve had someone to speak with, to go out and enjoy life a bit with. He’s taken me everywhere in Los Angeles. We went to Disneyland and the Planetarium, although we had to bring along his overactive nephews, Timmy and Bobby, but even though it was quite tiresome and trying at times, Kevin was so kind to me in every way. To make up for their commotion, he’s taken me alone to dinner and to the movies, and finally I have seen some of the sights.
As you see, my Thanksgiving was very different from yours, although in reading your letter, I laughed so hard that tears came to my eyes. Now the Satos can see how preposterous Lucy can be. I have not forgotten my handsome Stuart, but certainly a man who will be a doctor has better prospects for a comfortable future. If only one could marry for love. You and I escaped the consequences of being married off in family arrangements, but that misfortune may be its own reward, although we must find our own proper arrangements. You are already a step ahead of me.
Kevin just left yesterday, but not without a fight with his sister, Cathy, yet again another impediment to my goodwill and plans. He promised me that he will be back again as soon as he is able, that he is looking for a position here in Los Angeles.
Please send me another letter with more hilarious news.
Yours,
Omaki
FEBRUARY 20, 1966 LOS ANGELES
Aerogram from Cathy Hannoki to Mrs. Natsuko Higuchi
FEBRUARY 20, 1966 LOS ANGELES
Dear Mom,
Kevin just left yesterday, back to Baltimore. Before he left, we got into a terrible argument. Well, I told him the story I heard about Omaki in San Francisco and the probable reason she left the city. He was outraged and said I was spreading lies, that Omaki has had a very difficult life, that she is still mourning her husband, that she misses her daughter, that she feels like a stranger, is embarrassed by her English, and is very aware of her imposition on our family but doesn’t know what to do. He said that she told him she had hoped to make some money by working for the Satos, but that Mr. Sato was particularly difficult and she felt she could not make her friend Otsuma’s life more difficult by staying. What Omaki told Kevin, confidentially, was that Mr. Sato was hitting on her, and she really didn’t want Otsuma to know her husband’s infidelity. This was all amazing to me, and I didn’t know what to say. Then he said he would come back for Omaki and hoped I would be more understanding of her situation.
I don’t want to bother Charley with all this. He is so busy building the business, and it is finally taking off. I go in every day for a few hours to help in the office with accounting and scheduling, and to be fair, Omaki takes care of the boys when I leave the house. But I can’t keep my mind off this. Be honest, and tell me if I’m overreacting.
Charley and the boys send you their love. Love to Dad too.
Love,
Cathy
Letter from Natsuko Higuchi to Cathy Hannoki
MARCH 2, 1966 NAGASAKI
Dear Cathy,
So grateful to get the photos of you and the boys. But I admit I’m feeling uneasy about your letters about Kevin and Omaki. I shared your letter with Dad, and you know him, always philosophical about these things. And he’s really very busy working with patients who are so in need of his help and expertise. But I know you are there in the thick of it, having to interact every day with Omaki and then with your brother, who can be very stubborn. And Omaki seems frankly to have invaded your household. I know you and Charley want to be charitable, but there are limits. If Kevin has become so close to Omaki, perhaps he can guide her to another future (job?) in the U.S. Not marry her, though. I wish I could come and take care of the boys and give you some time off.
While Dad has had to remain in Nagasaki, I’ve been able to travel with friends to other parts of Japan. Kyoto was so lovely, entirely preserved from the devastation of the war, but then most of Japan has been or is being rebuilt, and the physical evidence of the war is all but disappearing. I have been taking Japanese lessons and flower arranging and tea ceremony and any other activity that’s suggested. I have also been asked to teach English to a small group of women who come once a week to the house. They are all so polite and kind to me, bringing gifts all the time. I feel very fortunate, but the conversation, even when I try to complicate it, is always very limited. There is a great reticence to speak, or perhaps there are signals that I cannot comprehend. I feel very isolated here. Perhaps this is what Omaki too is experiencing. Not to excuse her actions, but perhaps to give you some perspective.
Missing you and the boys in particular. Hugs all around.
Love,
Mom
Letter from Sato Otsuma to Hannoki Omaki
おまきちゃん
お知らせがあります。お宅の美登利ちゃんがサンフランシスコの私の家に来ていま す。昨日着いたばかりよ。ひとりで飛行機に乗ってアメリカにやってきました。そん なことありえないと思われそうだけれど、あの子はきっとあなたとおなじくらい反 抗心と勇気があって、あなたはあの子を見くびっていたのかもしれないわね。東京 の学校の寮から逃げ出してきたんだって。ロスアンゼルスに行かせましょうか？とて もいい子にしてるわよ。さしあたっては、私が面倒を見られます。
別のお知らせもあるの。あの何度かお店に来
て、古い漆塗りの簞笥や十八世紀 の屏風をいくつか買ってくれたお金持ちの白人、ジム・マーティンを覚えてる？彼は すごいお金を遣ってくれて、品物はぜんぶロスアンゼルスの自宅に送ったでしょう。 そう、あの人はサンフランシスコに一軒、そしてベバリーヒルズにも大きな家を持っ ているのよ。テレビのプロデューサーらしいわ。その彼がこのあいだ、貴女のことを 知りたくて、訪ねてきました。貴女がどこにいるのか、どうやったら連絡が取れるの かを知りたいんですって。しつこいくらいで、自分が手紙を書いたら貴女に転送して くれるか、といっています。それでその手紙を同封します。
美登利ちゃんをどうすればいいか、忘れずに知らせて頂戴。
かしこ
おつま
１９６６年３月１７日、サンフランシスコ
– translation –
Omaki-chan,
I have some news for you. Your daughter, Midori, is here at my house in San Francisco. She just arrived yesterday, having taken a plane by herself and come to America. I know this sounds impossible, but she is perhaps as rebellious and courageous as you, and you have not given her enough credit. She has run away from that boarding school in Tokyo. Shall I send her to Los Angeles? She is quite well, and I will take good care of her in the meanwhile.
There is some other news. Do you remember that rich white guy, Jim Martin, who came into the store several times to buy some old lacquer chests and several eighteenth-century screens? He spent a great deal of money, and we shipped everything to his house in Los Angeles. That’s right, he has a house in San Francisco and a large house in Beverly Hills. I think he’s a television producer. He has been here lately asking about you. He wants to know where you are and how to be in contact with you. He’s been very persistent and asked if he wrote you a letter if I would forward it to you. Well, here is the letter.
Sansei and Sensibility Page 20