AMERICAN CHURCH MISSION

JAPAN

TREASURER’S  OFFICE

KARASUMARU  DORI

SHIMOTACHI  URI

KYOTO

28 August 1923.

My dear Mother:-

Evidently the last steamer had no foreign mail at least none for me, but I ought not to complain as it has been but eight days since I had very nice letters from Claudia and Maryjane written from the Grand Canyon.

Last night I was present at the Clericus of Kyoto at Mr. Takamatsu's house to hear an address by Dr. Drown of Cambridge Divinity School. It was very hot in the little rooms in his house and the twenty five people present made it worse. But Takamatsu had set big blocks of ice about the room and they seemed to cool it off. I never saw that done at home but it seems a custom here. In fact the Japanese have gone crazy about ice and you see it everywhere and used on all occasions. You see a dignified college professor walking about the street with a bag of ice tied on top of his head. It ought to have a cooling effect on his intellectual processes. In fact Japanese have always tried to "keep cool" on all occasions, and this is in line with their ancient teaching.

29 Aug. Just a line to add to this page to ask if you and Father ever noticed the reference to Father's exploit in putting out the fire at the University in 1861 which is made in Dr. Bruce's history of the University, vol. 3 page 21. It is just a "mention" but is done very well. Father had "a conspicuously brave and effective share in this exciting episode." I have not read all the History but am looking it over.

Right now I am lacking in recent news from home. But am waiting for some to come. There are a plenty of steamers across the great deep now, but they either all get lumped together or the U.S. mail people will not put their stuff on foreign boats, which shows a selfish shortsighted policy, as the Canadian boats are the fastest on the ocean as well as the best passenger boats. Those boats like Claudia's are all finely fitted up; but they are not as well adapted to the needs of a comfortable passenger service. They are ex-transports. The U.S.A. has a lot to learn yet in matters of ocean traffic and shipping.

30 Aug. I am wondering how long Bp. Gailor and Dr. Wood will stay here. I can hardly go on furlough when they are on the field and they may stay longer than the 22 Dec. when my steamer leaves. After coming all the way from America they may stay longer than that. They arrive 4th Dec. I wish I knew their plans. I haven't heard from Bishop Tucker since he left except a note from Vancouver. He is probably moving to the Seminary. Did John send one boy only or did two go to the E.H.S.?

31 Aug. 1923.

Mr. Takamatsu passed my room just now saying he was going to the station to see young Mr. Kan go thru on his way to his father's. Kan is a young man who has spent the last four years at Cambridge Divinity School studying for orders and now on his return is appointed professor at our Seminary in Tokyo. He is a brilliant student and will make a good professor. He will be ordained later. Bishop Tucker taught him several years before he went to America, while he was studying at the Imperial University here. I know the Kan family is happy to-day to get back their son under such circumstances. He will begin teaching at Tokyo this month.

Today is cloudy. And there are prospects of rain which we need badly. It has rained hardly any this month. I will write later when the mail I am expecting comes in.

1 Sept. 1923.

The month has begun cooler. Last night we had a good rain and now there is a fine breeze with the temperature down to 84. I had to go over the new dormitory yesterday which the contractors turned over to us, finished. It is a very nice one and cost us Thirty Thousand Yen which Bishop got in America. Now St. Agnes' will have room for about 130 boarders. We are always turning them down. The only objection I have is that the lot is full of buildings and no place for play. The only ground is a block off on the school ground and that is just the size of a tennis court. Land in Japan is foolishly high. This that I am living on would bring Yen 400 per tsubo, or about $200 for a space six feet square. Almost six dollars a square foot.

Some time tell me about my uncles still living. I suppose Andrew is well and still going strong on sons. And how are the families of Tom and John?

3 Sept. 1923.

You have heard by now as much as I have of the big earthquake and fires in the Tokyo neighborhood. We are still awaiting particulars from some of our people who were there. Martial law prevails and as yet the only communication is by air-plane and a meagre wireless. The papers are full of the wildest rumors. One Japanese paper has it that 900,000 people are dead in the afflicted district. It is no doubt the worst in the history of Japan as far as monetary loss is concerned, and one of the worst as to loss of life, as it centered in the Tokyo neighborhood. When we felt it here Saturday at noon I wondered where it was worst as it was a very peculiar one and very long with a long sickening wave. In fact I said at the time it made me sea-sick. I was in a second storey telling some carpenters about repairs. I am trying to cable N.Y. but they will not take a message.

Love to you all. Affectionately, James