Travel Letters: Japan, 1934

TELEGRAPHIC ADDRESS "IMPHO TOKYO"

Imperial Hotel Tokyo

[sp....tly] plume hanging down on all sides. Sort of a waterfall affect. There was one Officer with 10 medals spread in one large row across his chest and a sword too. There were only two or three soldiers, all with brown uniforms, officers caps with a wide brilliant band around the stiff part above the visor - Most of the men seemed to very squeaky boots and for some time we sat at the entrance to the hallway leading to his apartments and watched the people who went in to pay their respects and all. Someone told us that the Premier would be coming out at eleven so we decided to wait and watch - One very imposing politician (Im sure) came out. the tall hat frock coat and all, even to a light blue and silver order on {word struck out: 'the'} his breast. He was so impressive he had to walk slowly. At one time all the camera men were shown up onto the balcony and flashes of light indicated that the Premiers picture was being taken. Just before eleven a man in long dress of dark blue or black and a short coat & Jacket, beautifully made & fitted. black silk high shoes and a sort of square black hat with a little red pom - pom on top came down, then went back. and in a few minutes there was a shuffle of feet, a great many frock coats and in the midst another man, older than the first, and really very fine looking & kindly and in the same Manchukuo costume. More frock coats or cut aways following. A few brown uniforms swords and speers. and they were by, but it was rather fun to see.

We then took a 50 sen taxi. (15 cents really) to the bank several miles through [...uheeding] traffic - where we

had some money changed. They still use those bead things to figure with, for they are very rapid. and count your money 'it?' little basket plates. They seemed very busy in the bank which was very modern as to building but crowded with paper littered [s..ll] top desks.

We then went to the department store and the first person we saw as Mr Miyaoka's friend who had led us the other day. We asked for Leica equipment and he tore off, both of us after him. He got a very nice young man to help us who spoke a good deal of English, and he helped us get the developer, for the films we have been looking for. Also a wonderful tripod. Then to a place for a watch strap which was in the comb department & hair ornaments. and then took me to the silk stockings, size ten is so large it must be ordered {word struck out: illegible} specially. Then to the restaurant where it was 'fanned?' two different ones. We decided to eat else where. I heard Pete ask for the Mens washroom and previous to that he had told us he would show us where the Leica store was. So after an attempt at the restaurant Pete again mentioned the washroom. Off we started through various departments, down an {letter struck out:'d'} elevator out the front door. I wondered at their not having a mens room in the store, but as we crossed the street decided it was a public place some where, Still we went on. So I decided it was in a hotel we were rapidly approaching, but soon we were past that. I was more and more bewildered until at last I saw the Leica store in the distance. He had forgotten the washroom. We found the Leica store a wonderful place. The boy left us by then returning to his store. though he had taken us several blocks. He couldn't have been nicer. The man in the Leica store was German, could speak English very well Japanese too and we found all sorts of things we have been wanting and which are far cheaper here. One

TELEGRAPHIC ADDRESS "IMPHO TOKYO"

Imperial Hotel Tokyo

was a printer, the size of a Leica Camera, with which you can print positive film or make contact prints. the kind we send you. In a short time it should really pay for itself. Then the man put us in a taxi and told the man where to take us to the Olympic Restaurant where they speak English. I had some strawberries & cream which would rival Concord berries in June. Then we walked back gazing at the shops which take all ones strength of character to keep out of.

After getting back here I've written this letter since the eleventh page about and now its supper time. Pete went in search of a bowl for developing and though we passed a yard full of crokkery in a taxi he couldn't find it on foot. Its time to go now, I wonder will this letter go in an envelope. I hope you don't get worn out reading such a scribble for I shan't attempt to reread it.

I forgot to tell you about the babies. They look as if they had been stuffed inside a bed pillow with only their head hands and sometimes feet left out, they have so many clothes on, often bright red kimonas on top. {dashed line underneath this paragraph}

It is now eleven-thirty and we have only just come in from our walk. You never knew anything so fascinating in your life. Well maybe when you were here it was pretty nice but perhaps you didn't stroll around the back streets, right out from the hotel you can start and walk all evening and still be in tiny streets, no sidewalks and even alleys between the houses which aren't more than four feet wide. The houses are mostly Japanese and you can often catch glimpses inside. The clogs left inside the front door and then mats a step above that level at which you enter. There are all sorts of doorways using bent wood.

and irregular bamboo. Lantern in many places. and little trees in a yard no longer than a foot square and yet somehow growing to the second story. The shops are always open and many of them have the wares in the front part and then the family making things on the straw matting of the raised part, and in behind where they live.

{right column} Tuesday - Haven't had a chance to write more and now Dr Anesaki has sent a gentleman to take us to the library to see him.

Loads of love to all & our address is Canadian Pacific in Yokohama.

More love

Catherine.

{words struck out: 'We saw'}

Plan in 1928 to Enthrone Pu-Yi Is Revealed With Arrival Here of Manchukuo Premier ________________________________________ On his first visit to Japan since 1928, When according to one newspaper, he came here secretly to persuade the Japanese Government to place Henry Pu-Yi on the throne of Manchukuo, Mr. Cheng Hsiao-hsu, Premier of the Manchukuo Government, arrived in Kobe from Dairen with a large suite yesterday as a messenger from the Manchukuo Emperor to the Emperor of Japan. He will thankJapan's ruler for assistance extended in the enthronement at Changechun last March 1. The Nippon Shimbun, a Tokyo newspaper of nationalistic inclinations and deep interest in Chinese politics, said few persons knew that Mr. Cheng came here six years ago from Tientsin, where he was living with Mr. Pu-Yi to ask Japan's support in placing the Manchu scion on the Throne. Mr. Cheng, greeted by a throng estimated by Nippon Dempo and Rengo at 10,000, went from the pier at Kobe to the Oriental hotel, where the Premier recalled that 40 years ago he was a Chinese vice-counsul in Kobe. He was met by Mr.Tatsujiro Tanaka, 55, who was an office boy in the Chinese consulate. Mr. Cheng is accompanied by Finance Minister Hsi Hsia of Manchukuo and other notables. The party left for Tokyo at 9:45 o'clock last night on a special train dispatched by the Imperial Household Department, and will arrive at Tokyo station at 9:20 o' clock this morning, where the Premier and other visitors will be greeted by a large number of Japanese officials. After a rest of the Imperial Court the party will proceed to the Palace and after that will begin a round of calls.