Some postcards from Japan

1. This is a picture of Nara, where James and Ellen Chapman (Jim and Machi) were living before the first world war. Marijane was born here in 1912. The "two scholars" are Claudia and Denden, the eldest children. Jim sent the card to his mother in Richmond, Virginia. Text on back:

"17 May, 1913. Dear Mother: Josephine and the two scholars are in Kyoto where they went to some social and literary entertainment. Jeff and Nichiko go every day to the kindergarten here. They haven't learned to talk yet tho' they understand a little. Am still trying to get the motorcycle in without duty. Will write soon."

Text on front:

"Our house is just beyond the hotel & behind the hill" (Indicated by a very neat little arrow)

"Nichiko says she is a flying machine. She saw one Sunday. She shows how it goes & slides all over the floor on her stomach"

"We had Jeff's hair clipped close & he looks like a real boy now. He still shouts (?)"

2. This is a picture of Mt. Atago, near Karuizawa. Jim sent the card to his mother in Richmond.

Text on back:

"29 May 1913. Have just returned from a trip around Yamato (Nara Ken) with the Bishop. Twenty-eight candidates for confirmation. I will write in a few days. Ell & Miss Maria Tucker took a 22-mile walk last week. Next week they will visit Karuizawa. Mary Jane is as large as Nichiko & is using paddies. Affy. James"

Text on front:

They are planning to go to Karuizawa in a month, as mosquitoes are biting here already"

3. This is a picture of Mt Asama near Karuizawa. The family went to Karuizawa for the summer while Jim mostly stayed in Nara. He sent the card to his mother in Richmond, probably in 1913. Text:

"Nara, 17 August. Ellen reports a loud explosion of Asama on the 12^th at night, followed by thunder and an earthquake. Flames leaped into the air and electricity played over the crater. Ashes fell in the neighborhood. Karuizawa is 9 miles off. I always miss these big explosions. Affy, Jas."

4. This is another picture of Atago Hill, which Jim sent to Katherin Chapman (sister?, aunt?) in Richmond. Although the card was sent in 1914, only a year later than the previous one, the picture shows many more houses on the slopes of the hill and many more mature trees. The Chapman summer residence is visible in both, however. Text:

"Karuizawa, 10 July. This picture includes our house, that near the word "hill" at the bottom foreground. Note the houses scattered all over Atago Hill. I have to return to Nara tonight. It is 275 miles and takes over 18 hours. I wish our "summer home" was nearer. Will come again in August. Being a frame house one plank thick, the kids make it lively. Jas."

5. This picture shows pre-war Karuizawa. Presumably the European women were photographed because the principal buyers of such postcards were European. Text on back:

"31 August 1914. Dear Mother: I sent yesterday a photo of Ell she had taken here this summer. I hope it will not break in the mail. They were a birthday present to me. I am leaving for Nara tomorrow. The family will be here three weeks longer as it is still hot in Nara. Fifteen years ago today, I left you all at Clifton for Japan - may I never do it again. Jas."

Text on front:

The stout lady is wife of a German-American missionary - not Ellen!"